I switched to the Bose QC Ultra, I regret it.

Summary

In this candid and humorous discussion, two individuals compare their experiences with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. They delve into the pros and cons of each, touching on aspects like comfort, controls, sound quality, and app features. While the Bose model excels in noise cancellation and compactness, the Sony headphones win for comfort, sound customizability, and user-friendly controls. Ultimately, the speaker reflects on their switch from Sony to Bose, noting that despite the Bose's merits, they miss the Sony WH-1000XM5's overall performance and versatility, especially its customization options.

Takeaways

• 😀 The user has been using the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones since their release in 2022 and initially loved them for their top-notch noise-cancelling features.
• 😀 After much use and abuse, the user switched to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra due to issues with the Sony headphones' headband loosening over time.
• 😀 The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones were loved for their comfort and lightness, even though the Bose was considered more spacious inside the ear cups.
• 😀 The user found the controls on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra lacking, especially with the reduced number of buttons and the confusing multifunction button setup.
• 😀 Sony's headphone controls, with clear buttons for different functions (ANC, power, etc.), were preferred over the Bose's touch controls and multifunction buttons.
• 😀 The user misses the sound customizability on Sony headphones, such as the five-band EQ and the ability to adjust the sound profile through the app.
• 😀 Bose headphones have limited sound customization, and the user appreciated Sony's more intricate customization options, which they describe as 'feature vomit.'
• 😀 Despite missing some features of the Bose, the user appreciated the Bose's smart features, such as device name announcements and seamless device switching.
• 😀 The user found the Bose QuietComfort Ultra's transparency mode lacking compared to Sony, where transparency was rated poorly in comparison.
• 😀 The user emphasized the better value of the Sony WH-1000XM5, which often had significant deals in the Netherlands, whereas the Bose QC Ultra was priced higher and less frequently discounted.

Q & A

Why did the speaker choose the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones in 2022?

The speaker chose the Sony WH-1000XM5 because they were recommended for a YouTube channel dedicated to reviewing headphones, and at the time, they offered the best noise-canceling performance the speaker had ever used.

What problem did the speaker experience with the Sony WH-1000XM5 after extensive use?

After extensive use, the headband of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones became loose, making it harder to use them daily, as the headphones would no longer stay in place.

Why did the speaker switch to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones?

The speaker switched to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones because they were curious about how Bose's flagship headphones compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5, especially since the speaker had always been a Bose fan.

What did the speaker miss most about the Sony WH-1000XM5 after switching to the Bose QC Ultra?

The speaker missed the comfort of the Sony WH-1000XM5, the controls, and the customizable sound features, such as the five-band EQ and LDAC support.

How did the Bose QC Ultra compare to the Sony WH-1000XM5 in terms of comfort?

While both the Bose QC Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM5 were comfortable, the speaker noted that the Sony headphones were lighter and had a more compact design. However, the Bose QC Ultra was perceived to have a more spacious earcup design, offering a different type of comfort.

What did the speaker think of the controls on the Bose QC Ultra?

The speaker was frustrated with the controls on the Bose QC Ultra because it reduced the number of buttons compared to the previous Bose models, and the buttons felt less tactile and harder to differentiate. The multifunction button for ANC, play/pause, and power was especially annoying.

How did the sound quality of the Bose QC Ultra compare to the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The sound quality of the Bose QC Ultra was described as punchy and bass-heavy, which the speaker liked, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 offered a more customizable sound experience with its app, including a five-band EQ and a clearer ability to tweak the sound to personal preferences.

What did the speaker think of the transparency mode on the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The speaker found the transparency mode on the Sony WH-1000XM5 to be inadequate and described it as 'horrible,' especially when compared to the superior transparency mode on the Bose QC Ultra.

Why did the speaker prefer the Sony WH-1000XM5 in terms of price?

The speaker preferred the Sony WH-1000XM5 due to its frequent discounts and better deals, especially when compared to the Bose QC Ultra, which was more expensive and harder to find at discounted prices.

What feature of the Bose QC Ultra did the speaker appreciate that was not present in the Sony headphones?

The speaker appreciated the smart feature of the Bose QC Ultra that reads out the name of the device it's connected to, making it easier to know which device is currently connected without needing to check manually.