I've been asked one question more than any other since Sony launched its long-awaited XM5 headphones: are they better than the XM4s? It's a question I've been more than happy to answer, as the XM4s have been my favorite noise-cancelling headphones ever since they were released. However, with the arrival of the XM5s, the XM4s have been dethroned, and I've been putting both headphones through their paces to find out which one comes out on top.
The first thing to note is the price. The XM5s retail for $379 or £399, while the XM4s have seen a significant price drop since the XM5s were released, and can now be found for as little as $260 or £260. That's a saving of over $100 or £100, which is hard to ignore.
In terms of design, the XM5s feature a brand new look that's more modern and less utilitarian than the XM4s. However, they're actually the same size, despite looking bigger in product shots. The XM5s are also significantly lighter than the XM4s, which is a welcome change.
One of the biggest differences between the two headphones is the XM5s' "noiseless" design, which means they don't creak or make any kind of noise when you put them on or twist them around. This is a feature that many people have been asking for, as the XM4s were apparently quite noisy. The XM5s also don't fold, which has caused a bit of a stir on the internet. Personally, I don't mind this, but it has had an impact on the case, which I'll get onto later.
When it comes to comfort, the XM4s are still the clear winner. The padding on the XM4s is softer and fuller than the XM5s, which makes them more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The XM5s aren't uncomfortable by any means, but they just don't have the same level of comfort as the XM4s.
Battery life is pretty much identical for both headphones, with both knocking on the door of 30 hours with noise cancelling turned on. The XM5s do gain an additional two hours with noise cancelling turned off, taking them up to a maximum of 40 hours, but I don't think many people will use these without noise cancelling turned on.
In terms of controls, both headphones are pretty much identical, with two buttons for power and noise cancelling/ambient mode. However, I prefer the XM5s' more obvious button for noise cancelling, as it makes more sense.
The cases for both headphones are worth mentioning, as I am "obsessed" with headphone cases, as I put it in the transcript. The XM4s have had the best case on the market for quite some time, and the XM5 case has a lot to live up to. The XM5 case is huge, due to the fact that the XM5s don't fold like the XM4s. However, Sony has introduced a unique and slightly weird feature for the XM5 case, which involves built-in creases that allow you to squash it down when you put it in your bag. I don't get this feature at all, and I think the folds are too stiff for it to work naturally.
When it comes to noise cancelling, the XM5s are noticeably better than the XM4s. The XM4s are fantastic at dampening the outside world, but the sound that does come through retains a lot of the high frequencies. The XM5s, on the other hand, dampen everything across the entire frequency range, which means the world gets much quieter compared to the XM4s.
In terms of sound, both headphones sound fantastic, but the XM5s have a more pronounced mid-range, while the XM4s have a more scooped mid-range. This is a personal preference, and some people may prefer the sound of one over the other.
In conclusion, the XM5s are a brilliant pair of headphones, but when you pitch them against their predecessor, things do start to unravel. Given the significant price drop of the XM4s, they are the better buy for a lot of people. However, if you simply want the latest and greatest, the XM5s are a lovely pair of noise-cancelling headphones.