

I found the PX8 to be more comfortable and, of course, the Sony more comfortable as well but the AirPods Max were better for me than the Bathys. ComfortĬomfort is in the middle of the road for me on the AirPods Max.
SONY XM5 VS AIRPODS MAX PRO
I’m also curious how they compare to the recent AirPods Pro 2, but that will have to be another video. If quiet listening is one of your top priorities, they are a must-have. Using the same fake airplane cabin audio to test all of the headphones here in my office, the AirPods Max were the closest to actually removing all background noise. ANCįirst up, what blew me away the most was the ANC performance. Often on sale, even down to $355 for a refurb on Cyber Monday, they are a well-rounded performer with some neat tricks stuffed into their weird bra-like case. If you’re on iPhone or in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Max are absolutely worth a close hard look. Other notes: Incredible ANC, head-tracking spatial audio.Price: $450 new, $355 refurbished on Cyber Monday.Apple AirPods Max $550 $355 (refurb on Cyber Monday)
SONY XM5 VS AIRPODS MAX BLUETOOTH
If sound quality is the most important factor in an on-the-go Bluetooth ANC headset, you may want to read on. When it comes down to it if the main purpose of the ANC headphones for you is traveling and noise cancellation, the Sony XM5 might be the best bet thanks to their top marks for comfort and second place for noise cancellation for the $350 price tag. While not quite the best ANC Bluetooth headphones for noise reduction, I would put them above both the PX8 and the Focal Bathys. ANC performance?Ĭombined with comfort for a good travel pick, ANC also performs very well on the Sony XM5 – especially for the price. There is quite a bit of customization you can do to the audio through the Headphones app when it comes to EQ. They just don’t have the same clarity for picking out individual instruments. The headphones have generous bass, but imaging and mids are vaguer than the most expensive headphones in the bunch. I don’t think that will surprise anyone, though they are up against some stiff competition here. While the Sony XM5 doesn’t sound bad, I would place them at the bottom in this high-end comparison when it comes to overall sound quality. Beyond the power button and an ANC/transparency mode toggle, most of the controls are hidden as touch controls on the sides of the earcups. The XM5 is also the most understated visually with a simple yet modern design. Their lightweight build with soft ear cushions makes them my top pick when it comes to long listening sessions. The most affordable in the bunch here is the Sony WH-1000XM5 – which I would also say are the best ANC Bluetooth headphones for comfort. Frequency response: 20-20kHz Bluetooth, 4-40kHz active wired.But of course, we need to crown a champion, so I’ll be picking my favorite. Ultimately, I hope this comparison gives you a good idea of which headphones will be able to accomplish exactly what you need. Cost also matters considering that the prices of these review units at the time of posting range from $350–$800. We’ll cover comfort, sound quality, ANC, and any extra features that set them apart. And those factors will have more weight for different users. What makes that question complicated is that there are a few aspects that culminate in the best ANC Bluetooth headphones.
