Sony recently released WH-1000XM5, delivering the best quality of headphones once again. But does it mean that WH-1000XM4, the predecessor of WH-1000XM5, is no longer a good choice? Definitely not! WH-1000XM4 is still one of the best over-ear headphones that you can use for work, meetings, music, and more. To help you decide which headphones to get, here is a closer look on the comparison of Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5.
Appearance
Sony WH-1000XM4 resembles its predecessor, WH-1000XM3. It has a slightly matte finish and its ear cups and headband are padded. WH-1000XM4 also offers more mobility than WH-1000XM5 because it can be rotated to lay flat or be balled up, and are foldable. Meanwhile, WH-1000XM5 can only be rotated to lay flat. But the appearance of WH-1000XM5 is not to be underestimated. It offers a sleek and cleaner look that is different from its predecessors. It has a wider padding which makes it more comfortable to wear especially for larger ears. It is also made from recycled materials and has a satin finish.
Connectivity
Both headphones support SBC, AAC and LDAC Bluetooth codecs. The difference is that WH-1000XM4 supports Bluetooth 5.0 while WH-1000XM5 supports Bluetooth 5.2. Both headphones also have headphone jacks so you can use a 3.5mm TRS plug.
Noise Cancellation
For better headphones experience, most of us are looking for noise canceling headphones. Well, both WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5 are great choices for noise canceling headphones. However, improved noise canceling performance is one of WH-1000XM5’s best charms and it really has better noise canceling performance than its predecessor.
From its new ear pads, headband, processors, and other components, WH-1000XM5 is really designed to outdone the noise canceling performance of WH-1000XM4. With WH-1000XM4 performing really well at 20-100Hz, WH-1000XM5 performs better at 30dB of attenuation at 75Hz. But as we mentioned, both are still great choices if you want a noise canceling headphone.
Microphone Quality
Without much ado, WH-1000XM5 is the best when it comes to microphone quality. Its noise and wind cancellation are the most remarkable features. But this doesn’t mean that WH-1000XM4 is not a good choice when it comes to good microphone quality. It still is but WH-1000XM5 is just on a whole new level.
Battery Life
Both Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5 offer fast charging features. But when it comes to battery life, WH-1000XM5 outperforms WH-1000XM4 especially with the ANC feature on. So if you’re looking for something that would last longer, then WH-1000XM5 may be the better choice for you.
Price
Another thing to consider is your budget. When we say that Sony outdoes itself with the release of WH-1000XM5, it’s true. There are improvements that we really love. However, it also means that the selling price is now higher than WH-1000XM4. With around $50 price difference, this is something that you should consider when choosing your headphones especially both offer great features.
Final Verdict
We compared the Sony WH-1000XM4 from WH-1000XM5. We saw that there are similarities and differences. At times, one outdoes the other. One thing is for sure, there are great improvements on the new WH-1000XM5. Nevertheless, both headphones are great choices and of the best headphones to use. Just remember to consider the quality and what you want and need when choosing. Sony has once more given us a dilemma with their outstanding headphones, so choose wisely!
