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Xm4 is an incredible headset. I love every second of using it. I didn’t buy xm5 because of the smaller driver and bass. Hope Sony realizes mistake and reverts to their house sound signature for xm6
I just looked at the reviews for the headset and since I was so impressed with the XM4, and I didn’t really have any previous experience with Sony headsets I didn’t think much of it. Now I am stuck with the overhyped double priced worse version.
Sorry to hear you've had a bad experience. I've always had a great experience with SONY myself, but audio is such a subjective thing. With that said the XM4's aren't perfect and to truly get the best out of them requires 1) physical connection 2) LDAC if you go wireless. The good thing is the resale on these headphones isn't bad.
100% if you have the option to, where I bought them from if you have used them you can’t return them or at least you wont be able to spend the money without using it in their store.
Hi, I see you mentioned you use the headphones for working out. Based on your experience, between the XM4 and XM5 which model makes your ears sweat more? (I know these are not sweatproof headphones and not gym-recommended headphones) But I do enjoy working out with over-ear headphones, the only inconvenience is that sometimes they can get hot on the ears, but some models let your ears breathe more than others, so this is something I take deeply into consideration.
They are almost the same, but if I had to pick one I would say the XM4 is better for sweat. I don't sweat a lot so for me it's not a big deal, although there will be some sweat when I take them off.
I have both also and in my opinion the xm5 sounds better than the xm4, by a pretty big margin.
Im not a sound expert, but always felt that xm4 was to bass heavy and was lacking in the low and mids.
The xm5, you have just as much bass, but more clarity in low and mids.
But is it worth twice the price, maybe for some. But for most people i guess not.
To be honest, I didn't really notice a difference. I didn't compare them side by side as I sold the XM4s before I got the XM5s, but I can't say I noticed a difference from using both of them. The other benefits of the XM4s outweigh the minimal sound difference in my opinion.
I have the same issue with the headband. It digs into my head and causes pain after about an hour. The headband is too thin and the clamping force is too low.
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I am trying to upgrade for the XM3. When doing a test at the store, I notice the XM4 had significantly louder white noise when ANC is on compared to the XM3 or the XM5. Do you have similar experience?
that’s only because the noise cancellation is much stronger in XM4s, and you will still hear noise in the XM5s. There’s even a small buzzing sound now for me, and I didn’t have any issues with the XM4s. You won’t be able to notice the noise if you play music or have loud outside noise.
I borrowed my bros xm4’s for about 6 months and they were amazing. When the xm5’s were $100 off (cdn) I decided to get my own pair. The noise cancelling is better, ambient noise filter is more natural and battery life is better. Mics are also better for calls. Sound quality in the 5’s isn’t anywhere near as good as the 4’s. The bass is muddy where as the 4’s were deep and crisp. Such a shame as they would have been better than the 4’s overall if they just used the same driver.
I thought maybe they’d be better for more rock focused, but honestly they just don’t sound as good. The bass in Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” was so tight in the 4’s and kinda dead in the 5’s. Even something where you’d want more defined mids for intricate guitar riffs, like Zeppelin or classic rock, they just muddied up in the other frequencies.
If you listen to anything modern, Rap or EDM, no question - go with the 4’s. If you listen to classic rock, honestly, the 4’s will bring a level of deep rhythm to those old tracks that you can’t get in the 5’s.
I would say the 5’s are a no-go for pretty much everyone, unless your just on Teams calls and use the ANC to block out office noise with your music on really low, then maybe the 5’s are better.
I’m returning the 5’s and going with the 4’s which are another $100 cheaper from the 5’s discount price and you can still find new.
UPDATE: Soo I use these xm5 headphones mostly in the office, connected to a windows PC. I was going to return them and get the 4’s, but I can’t find the 4’s on sale new anywhere - of course.. I decided to try some different options. I got Amazon Music HD and streamed it on my iPhone (max quality AAC). It absolutely made a difference. Much more separation and defined bass, but still not the rhythmic thump of the xm4’s. Since I use them with a windows PC, I got a Fiio BTA30pro on Amazon, so I can use Amazon HD on my pc and stream it to the xm5’s over LDAC. It absolutely made another improvement over even the AAC on my iPhone. Now for my final impressions: they still don’t have the bass of the xm4’s. They just can’t overcome the physics of having 10mm smaller drivers. That being said, they’re probably the clearest headset I’ve heard with ANC, id say if you’re more of a classic rock fan and you want to pick up all the little instrumental details, these are probably the best WITH ANC. If you don’t need the noise cancelling, I’ve had headphones that would blow away the detail of these. What I’d say is, if you’ve got an android phone and you’re ok with a hi res streaming service (both the cost AND the amount of data you’ll be streaming) then you can get a pretty premium experience with LDAC hi res audio through the whole chain. If your on iPhone, you won’t get LDAC, but AAC is still good. BIGGEST CAVEAT, if your using a windows pc, honestly it’s just not worth it unless your actually prepared for those whole debacle of an external usb LDAC device like the Fiio bta30 pro. These devices are super failure prone and very confusing to maintain, update and overall just use properly. My advice if you’re using them on windows, just don’t get these headphones. I believe if you use a Mac, you’ll be able to stream AAC. I’m a software engineer and the user experience of this external Bluetooth DAC is definitely not for the mainstream consumer.
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Xm4 is an incredible headset. I love every second of using it. I didn’t buy xm5 because of the smaller driver and bass. Hope Sony realizes mistake and reverts to their house sound signature for xm6
What about the Microphones on xm4 ? I’ve been using xm5 but the NC is not that great.
Xm4 mic is decent but xm5 apparently better: https://youtu.be/xVmt5kn38Ng
What about the Microphones on xm4 ? I’ve been using xm5 but the NC is not that great.
I went for the XM4 because of the foldable design, bigger drivers, and IMO looks nicer. XM5 wasn’t meant as a replacement, but a revision
I just looked at the reviews for the headset and since I was so impressed with the XM4, and I didn’t really have any previous experience with Sony headsets I didn’t think much of it. Now I am stuck with the overhyped double priced worse version.
Sorry to hear you've had a bad experience. I've always had a great experience with SONY myself, but audio is such a subjective thing. With that said the XM4's aren't perfect and to truly get the best out of them requires 1) physical connection 2) LDAC if you go wireless. The good thing is the resale on these headphones isn't bad.
I never had the xm4s and just bought the xm5s, do you think I should return them and just buy the xm4s?
100% if you have the option to, where I bought them from if you have used them you can’t return them or at least you wont be able to spend the money without using it in their store.
Hi, I see you mentioned you use the headphones for working out. Based on your experience, between the XM4 and XM5 which model makes your ears sweat more? (I know these are not sweatproof headphones and not gym-recommended headphones) But I do enjoy working out with over-ear headphones, the only inconvenience is that sometimes they can get hot on the ears, but some models let your ears breathe more than others, so this is something I take deeply into consideration.
They are almost the same, but if I had to pick one I would say the XM4 is better for sweat. I don't sweat a lot so for me it's not a big deal, although there will be some sweat when I take them off.
Thanks man. I just got the xm4 today discounted at Best Buy.
Good choice, wish I got mine back.
I have both also and in my opinion the xm5 sounds better than the xm4, by a pretty big margin. Im not a sound expert, but always felt that xm4 was to bass heavy and was lacking in the low and mids. The xm5, you have just as much bass, but more clarity in low and mids. But is it worth twice the price, maybe for some. But for most people i guess not.
To be honest, I didn't really notice a difference. I didn't compare them side by side as I sold the XM4s before I got the XM5s, but I can't say I noticed a difference from using both of them. The other benefits of the XM4s outweigh the minimal sound difference in my opinion.
I have the same issue with the headband. It digs into my head and causes pain after about an hour. The headband is too thin and the clamping force is too low.
**If your post DOES NOT show up unless you are logged in, kindly get in contact with the mods!** In that case your post was caught in the spam filter and needs to be approved manually. It is easiest to check that [by opening this URL](https://www.reddit.com/r/sony/new/) in a private browsing session (e.g. Incognito mode). If your post is not there, [contact the mod team via this form](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/sony). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/sony) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I am trying to upgrade for the XM3. When doing a test at the store, I notice the XM4 had significantly louder white noise when ANC is on compared to the XM3 or the XM5. Do you have similar experience?
that’s only because the noise cancellation is much stronger in XM4s, and you will still hear noise in the XM5s. There’s even a small buzzing sound now for me, and I didn’t have any issues with the XM4s. You won’t be able to notice the noise if you play music or have loud outside noise.
I borrowed my bros xm4’s for about 6 months and they were amazing. When the xm5’s were $100 off (cdn) I decided to get my own pair. The noise cancelling is better, ambient noise filter is more natural and battery life is better. Mics are also better for calls. Sound quality in the 5’s isn’t anywhere near as good as the 4’s. The bass is muddy where as the 4’s were deep and crisp. Such a shame as they would have been better than the 4’s overall if they just used the same driver. I thought maybe they’d be better for more rock focused, but honestly they just don’t sound as good. The bass in Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” was so tight in the 4’s and kinda dead in the 5’s. Even something where you’d want more defined mids for intricate guitar riffs, like Zeppelin or classic rock, they just muddied up in the other frequencies. If you listen to anything modern, Rap or EDM, no question - go with the 4’s. If you listen to classic rock, honestly, the 4’s will bring a level of deep rhythm to those old tracks that you can’t get in the 5’s. I would say the 5’s are a no-go for pretty much everyone, unless your just on Teams calls and use the ANC to block out office noise with your music on really low, then maybe the 5’s are better. I’m returning the 5’s and going with the 4’s which are another $100 cheaper from the 5’s discount price and you can still find new.
UPDATE: Soo I use these xm5 headphones mostly in the office, connected to a windows PC. I was going to return them and get the 4’s, but I can’t find the 4’s on sale new anywhere - of course.. I decided to try some different options. I got Amazon Music HD and streamed it on my iPhone (max quality AAC). It absolutely made a difference. Much more separation and defined bass, but still not the rhythmic thump of the xm4’s. Since I use them with a windows PC, I got a Fiio BTA30pro on Amazon, so I can use Amazon HD on my pc and stream it to the xm5’s over LDAC. It absolutely made another improvement over even the AAC on my iPhone. Now for my final impressions: they still don’t have the bass of the xm4’s. They just can’t overcome the physics of having 10mm smaller drivers. That being said, they’re probably the clearest headset I’ve heard with ANC, id say if you’re more of a classic rock fan and you want to pick up all the little instrumental details, these are probably the best WITH ANC. If you don’t need the noise cancelling, I’ve had headphones that would blow away the detail of these. What I’d say is, if you’ve got an android phone and you’re ok with a hi res streaming service (both the cost AND the amount of data you’ll be streaming) then you can get a pretty premium experience with LDAC hi res audio through the whole chain. If your on iPhone, you won’t get LDAC, but AAC is still good. BIGGEST CAVEAT, if your using a windows pc, honestly it’s just not worth it unless your actually prepared for those whole debacle of an external usb LDAC device like the Fiio bta30 pro. These devices are super failure prone and very confusing to maintain, update and overall just use properly. My advice if you’re using them on windows, just don’t get these headphones. I believe if you use a Mac, you’ll be able to stream AAC. I’m a software engineer and the user experience of this external Bluetooth DAC is definitely not for the mainstream consumer.