Struggling to find a new set of headphones? Whether it’s for the gym, travelling, or just indulgence, we’ve got you covered! If you’re like me and can’t be bothered spending hours finding the best option to buy, don’t worry. We will save you those hours and show you the best options for free. In one corner, we have the Sony WH-1000XM5 (Sony could have named this better). In the other corner, we have the Sennheiser Momentum 4.
These headphone giants are dominating the industry right now and are best suited for certain people. So, my lovely audience, please have a read, and I hope you learn something new about these great headphones!
The Sony WH-1000XM5
This headphone was released last year and has proved to be a promising product. It has surpassed its previous counterparts and brings some upgrades to the table. First off, let’s talk about build quality. The headset weighs approximately 250g, which is a slight shift in weight compared to other models. The design has a more modern and less intricate look, and it is very comfortable. It features a thinner headband and wider ear cups, which will suit those with big ears.
The earcups use a synthetic leather material and have a slider to adjust the headband fit. Some of the key features include exceptional noise cancellation. To all frequent flyers, this will save you hours of sleep on planes even if there’s a lot of commotion. Additionally, it takes 3.5 hours to fully charge, providing 30 hours of playback time. While there’s nothing innovative about this headphone, it is an improvement over its predecessors. The main standout features worth buying are noise cancellation and design. If you want more in-depth details, check on Amazon.
Sennheiser momentum 4
This headset was also released last year and is known as a high-performance headphone. It is built with high-quality materials that contribute to its luxurious feel. The ear cups are made from premium leather, providing a comfortable and stylish fit. The headband is supported by high-grade plastic, ensuring sturdiness and longevity. It currently weighs 290g, which is a bit lighter than its previous counterparts.
But the main noticeable feature of this headset is its up to 60 hours of battery life. This is a crazy amount, and most headphones can’t even match it. So if you use headphones 24/7, this might be the one for you. It also features ANC, which is quite good but not in the top 10 in the world. Also, if you take a lot of calls, this headset is great. For a closer look at the product, check it out on Amazon.
Sound quality
For those who enjoy loud but clear bass, the Momentum 4 performs well in this category. Most music sounds good, but for bass-heads like me, the bass is just wonderful. For those who are not crazy about the bass and care about the overall package, they should choose Sony’s headset. Sony decided to step back from emphasizing the bass and focused on making the music sound more crisp and enjoyable to hear.
Comfort and fit
Both devices are comfortable, although it is hard to determine which one is better. Let’s start with the padding. The Sennheiser padding is good, but it is better suited for those with smaller heads. Despite being slightly heavier than Sony’s, it is still pretty comfortable. However, the padding on the Sony might be annoying if you have a small head. But to end on a positive note, the padding might not be an issue since it weighs very little.
Battery life
Sennheiser pulls through here. If you’re a person who prefers rarely having to charge their headphones, this is a superb option. This is because of its 60 hours of playback time (it’s kind of overkill though). Don’t trust me? Check out the tech experts at What Hi-Fi? If you charge the device for at least 10 minutes, it will have 4 hours of playback time. If you have charged it for 4 hours, it will have 60 hours of playback time, which is mad. Commuters out there, I have done you guys a favour; go get this if you have long train times.
For Sony fans, the XM5’s battery life is promising; however, it does not live up to the Sennheisers. It has a total playback time of 30 hours, which is good. If you have charged it for 3 minutes, it can last for 3 hours (unless you have USB power delivery fast charging), which is a better charging rate than Sennheisers. From flat to full is 1 hour and 20 minutes, so overall this is a better choice for those who are always in a hurry.
Active noise cancellation
Finally, Sony takes the cake here for having some of the best ANC compared to any other headphones that can produce ANC. Whether you are working on a plane and you don’t want to hear the engine noise, baby, these headphones got you covered. Once you activate ANC, I guarantee you that aeroplane noise will go bye-bye. This has proven to have some of the best noise-cancelling in the world.
Now the Sennheiser does not match up too well here. Granted, it is still good ANC software; however, it does not live up to its opponent. I’ve worn both and used them in loud environments; however, I could still hear some sound with the Sennheiser. Although Sony’s ANC is really good, it could also prove to be dangerous as you lose your sense of your surroundings. Go check the big shot what Hi-Fi? They too believe that it has some of the best ANC in the market.
Additional features and accessories
Sennheiser has the usual tap to pause, tap again to resume, swipe left to rewind and swipe right for the next song. To compensate for the originality, they do have a useful function. when the headphones are removed; it pauses the song. When placed back on, it resumes. Now for those people who are always talking to others, this may come in clutch for you. The Sony has similar features as well, not much of a difference here. Although they do not have that headphone remove and pause song feature.
Price and value for money
Overall, both these headphones are worth the price for their value. The Sony comes in at a whopping $548, and the Sennheiser comes in at $549 (currently it’s on sale for 5% off of RRP). But to be honest, I think the XM5 has more bang for your buck. They have very fast charging times, a really good ANC (close to the best), a real aesthetic look, good comfort, and are super light. So this is a good option for those who want more bang for their buck. However, for those who want crazy listening hours and better sound quality, Sennheiser might be better. If you think buying headphones that are worth $1000-$2000, you are dead wrong. These approximately $550 headphones are some of the best in the market.
conclusion
So, you finally know the disadvantages and advantages of both headphones. I mean, picking either one is a win. Finally, thank you all for reading. Also, I will be creating more tech-related articles to provide you with information to make your life easier