An in-depth comparison of the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5, two titans battling for the crown of best wireless noise-cancelling headphones.
Having initially returned my first pair of Apple AirPods Max due to comfort concerns shortly after my initial review, their compelling sonic performance eventually drew me back in. After making adjustments to alleviate the initial clamping pressure, I found a much more agreeable experience with the AirPods Max. The thoughtful combination of headband design and generously sized earcups effectively distributes their considerable weight, enabling me to wear them for longer stretches without significant discomfort. While perhaps not reaching the benchmark set by Bose in terms of sheer comfort, the AirPods Max transitioned from a source of frequent breaks to a companion for extended listening sessions.
More recently, Sony launched the WH-1000XM5, the latest iteration in their celebrated series of flagship Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) headphones. Intrigued by the advancements, I acquired a pair and embarked on a detailed side-by-side comparison with my AirPods Max to determine my personal preference. This article details my comprehensive findings, offering a nuanced perspective on which of these premium headphones emerges as the superior choice.
Build Quality: Premium Materials vs. Practical Design in Sony Headphones and AirPods Max
When evaluating the build quality of headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max, different perspectives can be adopted. One approach is to simply assess material selection, where the AirPods Max, crafted with premium materials, might initially appear superior.
However, a more pragmatic approach considers whether the use of luxury materials truly translates to enhanced functionality or user experience.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones utilize lighter, more cost-effective materials, lacking the overt opulence associated with the AirPods Max’s robust construction. The plastic surfaces of the Sony headphones are also prone to fingerprint accumulation, a minor aesthetic drawback particularly noticeable on darker color variants. Despite this, these material choices contribute to the WH-1000XM5’s advantages in portability and flexibility, making them considerably lighter and more compact than the AirPods Max. The reduced weight of the Sony headphones is a significant advantage for daily wear and portability, diminishing the practical benefits of the AirPods Max’s more substantial build.
Conversely, the AirPods Max incorporate physical buttons for playback and sound mode adjustments, a feature I appreciate, especially in cold weather conditions where touch controls can be less reliable. The metal construction of the AirPods Max, while contributing to their premium feel, can present challenges in such environments. Sony, in contrast, integrates both physical buttons and intuitive touch controls on the WH-1000XM5. The touch interface offers convenient features like quick transparency mode activation by simply covering the right earcup.
In essence, while the AirPods Max exhibit superior build quality in terms of materials, the Sony WH-1000XM5 prioritize comfort and practicality through their design and material choices. For users who value comfort and everyday usability over sheer material luxury, Sony headphones present a compelling proposition.
Comfort Comparison: Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. AirPods Max for Extended Wear
Initially, the Sony WH-1000XM5 seemed to be the clear victor in the comfort category when directly comparing Sony headphones to the AirPods Max. Their lightweight design allows them to virtually disappear during wear, coupled with a gentle clamping force and plush earcup padding that feels noticeably softer than the somewhat textured pads of the AirPods Max.
However, prolonged use revealed a significant design flaw in the Sony WH-1000XM5: the headband’s narrow profile.
Unlike the AirPods Max’s wide mesh canopy headband, the Sony headphones employ a thin, cushioned band. While generously padded, the narrowness of this band creates a focused pressure point on the top of the head, leading to discomfort and soreness during extended listening sessions. Adjusting the headband position can offer temporary relief, but I couldn’t find a position that completely eliminated this pressure point over time. This discomfort, while not immediate, becomes a notable issue with prolonged use of the Sony headphones.
The AirPods Max, despite their considerable weight, can be made more comfortable through adjustments. The most effective method I found was carefully stretching the headphone frame using a box over time. This process reduces the clamping force, allowing the headphones to rest more naturally and comfortably on the head, rather than feeling overly tight.
Combined with finding the optimal headband position, I can now comfortably wear the AirPods Max for an hour or two at a time. While still not ideal for all-day wear, this is a significant improvement over my initial experience of needing to remove them after just 30 minutes.
Further comfort considerations include stability and heat management.
The AirPods Max feel less stable due to their weight, making them prone to shifting with movement, even subtle head movements like looking up or down. This can be distracting for some users, creating a constant awareness of wearing them, even during simple activities like walking.
In contrast, the lightweight Sony WH-1000XM5 sit more securely on the head. Their featherlight weight minimizes movement, contributing to a more seamless and less intrusive listening experience.
Regarding heat, the AirPods Max perform better in keeping ears cool due to their more breathable earcup pads and spacious earcups. While I prefer the smoother texture of the Sony pads, the combination of smaller ear cavities and the tighter seal provided by the pleather material in Sony headphones leads to greater heat buildup, particularly in warmer climates.
Another point of divergence is earcup pad replacement. The AirPods Max boast easily replaceable earcups, enhancing their longevity. Initially, Sony WH-1000XM5 earcup pads were thought to be non-user-replaceable, raising concerns about long-term usability.
However, it’s now known that Sony WH-1000XM5 earpads can be replaced, albeit with more effort. Parts must be ordered from specific Sony parts suppliers, requiring separate orders for left and right ear pads. The replacement process is also less straightforward compared to the AirPods Max’s magnetic system, but it’s a viable option for extending the lifespan of the Sony headphones.
Ultimately, comfort is a nuanced aspect with neither headphone achieving outright victory. The choice depends on individual priorities and tolerances, with each presenting a unique set of tradeoffs.
Sound Quality: A Detailed Comparison of Sony and Apple Headphones
Sound Profile and Customization Options in Sony and Apple Headphones
In the realm of sound quality, my initial expectation was that the AirPods Max would outperform the Sony WH-1000XM5, mirroring my comfort predictions. However, thorough testing revealed a more complex and intriguing outcome when comparing the sound of Sony headphones and Apple’s offering.
Generally, the AirPods Max present a wider and more expansive soundstage. Their stereo width, detail retrieval, and sub-bass extension are particularly impressive. However, their sonic character is somewhat restrained – almost polite. This subtlety might not be apparent in isolation, but becomes noticeable when directly compared to headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Out of the box, the WH-1000XM5 exhibit a warmer, more veiled sound signature. While detail is present, the tuning leans towards a less bright presentation. However, Sony headphones possess a significant advantage: sound customization.
Unlike the AirPods Max, the Sony WH-1000XM5 offer extensive sound adjustment capabilities via the Sony Headphones Connect app. Users can select from numerous preset EQ profiles or, for a more personalized experience, create custom EQ settings. This customization allows for shaping the Sony’s sound profile to more closely resemble that of the AirPods Max.
By carefully crafting an EQ curve, I managed to significantly bridge the sonic gap between the Sony and Apple headphones. While not perfectly identical due to in-app EQ limitations, the customized Sony sound profile approached the AirPods Max’s clarity and openness.
With customized EQ, the Sony WH-1000XM5 open up, delivering a brighter and more spacious frequency response. Remaining sonic differences become subjective preferences. The AirPods Max retain a slight edge in stereo separation, while the Sony headphones offer a more impactful bass response.
High-Resolution Audio and LDAC Support: Sony’s Advantage Over AirPods Max
Another critical dimension in comparing Sony headphones and AirPods Max is high-resolution audio performance.
The AirPods Max notoriously lack support for lossless audio, even via wired connection. Furthermore, the Apple ecosystem (iOS and macOS) does not support Bluetooth codecs capable of transmitting high-bitrate audio data. Using the Apple-branded Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable with AirPods Max – a costly accessory – yields minimal sonic improvement.
While a wired connection slightly increases volume and subtly alters the sound, the difference is negligible. Crucially, the wired connection does not bypass the internal Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), meaning the AirPods Max’s fundamental sound signature remains consistent regardless of connection type. All audio, wired or wireless, is processed through the same internal software.
Sony takes a different approach. The WH-1000XM5 not only supports high-resolution codecs over Bluetooth, but also offers a more traditional wired listening mode. A standard 3.5mm port eliminates the need for proprietary cables. Wired listening can be passive (processing off) or active (ANC and wireless sound profile enabled). This versatility extends to compatibility with external DACs, allowing for further audio customization and experimentation – a feature absent in AirPods Max.
Bluetooth performance further distinguishes these headphones. Sony headphones support a wider range of codecs beyond SBC and AAC, the standard codecs for AirPods Max. Initially, I underestimated the impact of this difference. However, connecting the WH-1000XM5 to a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and utilizing the LDAC codec, which enables high-resolution audio transmission over Bluetooth, proved transformative.
The LDAC codec noticeably enhances the listening experience, a clear advantage for Sony headphones. Direct A/B testing with the same music on iPhone + AirPods Max versus Galaxy + WH-1000XM5 revealed a preference for the latter. The LDAC experience is more engaging, delivering exceptional detail and tight, impactful bass.
While the difference might be subtle without direct comparison, and iOS/macOS users are limited to lower-fidelity Bluetooth codecs with AirPods Max, the Sony WH-1000XM5 offer greater value and flexibility for users across multiple platforms and those prioritizing high-resolution audio.
Sound Summary: Exceptional Audio Across the Board
In summary, both the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5 deliver exceptional sound quality. The AirPods Max offer impressive sound right out of the box, while the Sony headphones achieve comparable levels with EQ adjustments.
The AirPods Max offer limited sound customization, constrained by Apple’s ecosystem. Conversely, Sony headphones provide extensive EQ customization, allowing users to tailor the sound to their preferences, even mimicking the AirPods Max’s signature or exploring alternative profiles. Users can create and switch between multiple EQ profiles for diverse listening scenarios.
The AirPods Max present a flatter, more analytical sound profile, approaching a reference sound signature (comparatively). The Sony WH-1000XM5 offer a warmer, more engaging sound that is generally flattering across various audio sources.
Considering the AirPods Max’s reference-style sound versus Sony’s more consumer-friendly and adaptable presentation, the AirPods Max might appeal more to audio creators seeking accuracy, while the Sony headphones are arguably better suited for general consumers seeking enjoyable and customizable listening experiences.
Personally, I find myself gravitating towards the Sony WH-1000XM5 for music listening, especially when paired with lossless Apple Music on a Galaxy S22 Ultra via LDAC. This combination delivers a superior listening experience.
However, headphone use extends beyond music.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Modes: Sony Leads in ANC, Apple in Transparency
Beyond core audio performance, broader aspects of daily use are crucial when comparing headphones like Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes are key differentiators. Here, the Sony WH-1000XM5 excel in noise cancellation, while the AirPods Max offer a superior transparency mode.
Sony headphones demonstrate superior noise cancellation capabilities, encompassing both active and passive noise isolation. The tighter earcup seal of the WH-1000XM5 provides remarkable passive sound blocking, even without ANC activated, often leading me to double-check if ANC was unintentionally enabled. While both headphones offer class-leading ANC, Sony’s implementation is demonstrably more effective.
A potential concern with Sony’s ANC is its dynamic, real-time adjustment via dual processors, which cannot be disabled. Some users have reported instances of fluctuating ANC, causing disorientation or discomfort. While I acknowledge these reports, I haven’t personally encountered this issue during my testing.
In transparency mode, Apple remains the benchmark. Similar to AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max provide the most natural and convincing transparency mode I’ve experienced. Their transparency is truly remarkable, sounding genuinely transparent without artificiality or tinny artifacts. Sound positioning is accurately represented, a clear step above the Sony WH-1000XM5.
While Sony’s transparency mode is competent – earning a solid second place – the gap in quality compared to AirPods Max is noticeable and relevant for users who prioritize this feature.
Microphone Performance: Close Call for Calls and Voice Clarity
Microphone performance is another important factor, and in this aspect, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max are closely matched when you Compare Sony Headphones to Apple’s offering.
The AirPods Max exhibit slightly better room tone cancellation, minimizing background noise during calls. However, the Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone array captures a fuller and more natural-sounding voice representation, avoiding an overly processed quality. This holds true in both quiet and noisy environments for the most part.
Spatial Audio vs. 360 Reality Audio: Immersive Sound Features
Delving further into sonic features, Apple’s Spatial Audio and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio offer simulated surround sound from compatible content. Both systems function effectively. Apple has recently added personalized Spatial Audio, using phone-based ear scanning, a feature Sony’s 360 Reality Audio has offered for some time.
However, I personally rarely utilize these spatial audio features.
While I occasionally experiment with Spatial Audio when watching movies or TV shows on Apple TV with AirPods Max, I haven’t found compelling musical applications for either format. Spatial Audio boasts broader compatibility, even offering a system-wide option to simulate surround sound from stereo sources, although the results are often artificial. When native support exists, Sony’s 360 Reality Audio delivers a more convincing and precise soundstage, less distant than Spatial Audio. Spatial Audio, however, incorporates optional head-tracking, dynamically adjusting sound based on head orientation relative to the source.
For my personal use, both Spatial Audio and 360 Reality Audio are largely inconsequential to my appreciation of these headphones.
Battery Life and Charging: Sony’s Dominance in Longevity and USB-C Convenience
Battery life is another clear point of differentiation. Here, the Sony WH-1000XM5 decisively outperform the AirPods Max, primarily due to a fundamental feature: a power button. Sony headphones can be fully powered off, conserving battery when not in use. They also offer automatic power-off functionality. AirPods Max rely on low-power modes, and while sleep states can be induced with magnets (like in certain desk stands), battery drain persists even when “asleep.” I typically need to charge AirPods Max every couple of days, or even more frequently with heavier use.
Sony WH-1000XM5 battery life is significantly superior. I’ve experienced a full week of substantial use on a single charge, a practical advantage minimizing battery anxiety in daily use.
Charging methods also differ. AirPods Max use a Lightning connector, while Sony WH-1000XM5 utilize USB-C. While USB-C adoption has been somewhat fragmented, it is becoming the universal standard, and its wider compatibility is increasingly desirable. Choosing Sony headphones would allow me to travel with only USB-C cables, as most of my other devices (excluding iPhone and AirPods Pro, which charge wirelessly) are USB-C based. This streamlined charging ecosystem is a notable convenience.
Regarding portability, the AirPods Max case is widely criticized as ineffective. Both headphones share a limitation: they fold flat but lack a collapsing arm design seen in previous WH-1000XM generations and competitors like Bose QC45, impacting compactness. However, the Sony WH-1000XM5 include a well-designed hard case, offering significantly better protection than the AirPods Max’s soft “Smart Case,” and is less bulky than some reviews suggest. A robust hard case is a practical advantage for travel and storage.
Aesthetics and Style: Subjective Design Preferences
Aesthetic preferences are subjective, but worth considering. I find the AirPods Max aesthetically unappealing, but this is a personal opinion. More objectively, the AirPods Max design is undeniably distinctive and brand-identifying, typical of Apple accessories. This overt branding can be a positive or negative depending on personal preference. I personally prefer technology that is less attention-grabbing, finding the AirPods Max’s design somewhat ostentatious.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are more generically styled, though less so than previous iterations. They are arguably less visually striking, perhaps “ugly” in a more conventional sense. A noticeable aesthetic aspect of the WH-1000XM5 is the greater protrusion of the earcups compared to the slimmer profile of the AirPods Max on the head.
Software Features: Sony’s Feature-Rich Ecosystem
Software features further differentiate these headphones. Sony’s Headphones Connect app provides extensive sound customization via EQ, but also offers a broader range of features compared to AirPods Max. Both offer auto-pause when headphones are removed, but Sony WH-1000XM5 respond faster and more reliably.
Sony’s “Speak to Chat” feature is particularly noteworthy. It automatically pauses audio and activates transparency mode when speech is detected, enabling brief conversations without removing the headphones. Initially perceived as a gimmick, it has proven to be a genuinely useful and reliable feature.
While pausing audio manually is polite, Speak to Chat offers hands-free convenience in specific situations.
Sony’s software suite also allows for transparency level adjustment and location-based mode/profile switching. While location-based features aren’t personally appealing, they add to the WH-1000XM5’s feature set.
Regarding pairing and multi-device connectivity, AirPods Max benefit from Apple’s ecosystem enhancements for seamless pairing and device switching. However, auto-switching reliability can be inconsistent, and the overall value of this feature set may be overstated in reviews.
Sony WH-1000XM5 offer Android’s equivalent of quick pairing. On iOS, they function as standard Bluetooth headphones. They support Bluetooth multipoint, connecting to two devices simultaneously for easy switching, but LDAC is disabled in multipoint mode. While initially expecting a downgrade in connectivity compared to AirPods Max, the practical impact in daily use has been minimal.
Apple AirPods Max vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: The Verdict
So, which headphones should you choose when comparing Sony headphones and AirPods Max?
Spatial Audio might be the deciding factor for some. If immersive surround sound for movies and TV is a priority, AirPods Max offer broader Spatial Audio support across media sources.
For users less concerned with Spatial Audio, the choice is more nuanced. For multi-device users across platforms, Sony WH-1000XM5 offer compelling advantages: universal USB-C charging, versatile connectivity, longer battery life, a protective case, and lighter weight, making them a more versatile and practical choice overall.
If a luxurious look and feel are paramount, the AirPods Max excel. They also deliver excellent sound out of the box, though customization is limited. Sony WH-1000XM5 require initial EQ tweaking to achieve a preferred sound profile, but with customization and especially with LDAC, they can sound equally impressive, if not superior in some aspects. This sonic versatility was an unexpected finding.
My personal decision on which headphones to keep remains undecided. I value aspects of the AirPods Max, including headband comfort, spacious and replaceable earcups, and wider soundstage.
However, for someone without existing AirPods Max, I would likely recommend the Sony WH-1000XM5 as the more practical and feature-rich choice.
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