Recently the release of Sony’s new headphones, the Sony 1000xm5, has caused quite a stir in the NC headphone world. There has been a lot of talk about how these new headphones compare to Bose’s flagship NC 700s.
In 2019 when Bose released the 700s they were widely considered the best NC headphones on the market. Not only was the ANC in the Bose 700 great, but the overall sound quality was superb. In addition, the headphones were very stylish and sleek.
So the Sony 1000xm5s have some big shoes to fill them. So how do they compare? Let’s take a look.
GENERAL COMPARISON: TABLESONY WH-1000XM5 VS BOSE 700
| SONY WH-1000XM5 | Bose NC 700 | |
| Release Date | May 2022 | June 2019 |
| Predecessor | Sony WH-1000XM4 | Bose QC 35 ii |
| Parent Company | Sony | Bose |
| Type | Over-ear headphones | Over-ear headphones |
| Chip | Sony’s QN1 and V1 chips | Bose Dual-Core Digital chip |
| Weight | about 250 grams | about 252 grams |
| Colors | Black and Silver | Luxe Silver, Black |
| Water-protection | No | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth: | version 5.2 | version 5.0 |
| Bluetooth codecs: | SBC, AAC, and LDAC | AAC |
| Wireless range: | 32ft | 30ft (9m) |
| Battery life | 30 to 40 hours (With Mixed usage) | 20 hours (With Mixed usage) |
| Charging | Wired USB-C charging (USB-PD) | Wired USB-C charging |
| Inputs | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Charging Type | USB-C Charging Case | USB-C Charging Case |
| Noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient noise mode | Yes | Yes |
| Live Listen | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | No |
| Controls | Simple Touch Control | Simple Touch and Button Control |
| Microphones | 4 beamforming microphones | 8 beamforming microphones |
| Voice assistant | Google and Alexa voice assistant | Google and Alexa voice assistant |
| EQ settings | Yes | Yes |
PRICE: SONY WH-1000XM5 VS BOSE 700
Regarding pricing, both pairs of headphones fall in the premium range. When Bose released the NC 700, it was considered to be a little pricey. However, in 2022, the charges are drastically reduced since you can now buy a Bose 700 for around $299.
On the other hand, Sony’s new headphones are retailing at $400. Whereas the price of its predecessor was cut down by around $270 as we know the reason for the release of the new model.
So, in terms of pricing, the Sony 1000xm5s are slightly more expensive than the Bose 700s. But in the future, I hope its price will also be reduced.
BOSE 700 VS SONY WH-1000XM5: SOUND QUALITY
When it comes to sound quality, both pairs of headphones are excellent. However, there are some key differences that you should be aware of.
Bose does not disappoint its users With Bose NC 700, the sound quality is great. The headphones have a very clear, vibrant, and balanced sound. When I tested it by playing a song by Billie Eilish, lovely, the vocals sounded great and the bass was very punchy without being too overwhelming.
The Sony 1000xm5s also have superb sound quality. However, the sound is a little different from the Bose 700s. The Sony headphones have a full-scale and very lively sound. When I tested it by playing the same song, Lovely, on the Sony 1000xm5, I found out the details in the song were more high level than the Bose 700, integration was very good and the mids were really well balanced.
So, in terms of sound quality, both pairs of headphones are great. However, the Sony 1000xm5s has a fuller and more lively sound, while the Bose 700s has a more clear and balanced sound.
ANC COMPARISON: SONY WH-1000XM5 VS BOSE 700
ANC in Bose headphones is the main feature and it’s what they’re known for. The Bose 700s have ” best-in-class ” ANC according to the company.
The 11-stage ANC system in the Bose 700s is very effective at canceling out any kind of frequency noise like the rumble of an airplane engine. And with that Bose NC 700 lets you to enjoy the sound of your music without any outside distractions.
However, the 700 eliminates everything, leaving no traces, counter-signals, or noise-floor color in their path – they just block them out.
Sony tries there best to cover the ANC gap between its own headphones and the Bose. As a result, Sony’s new 1000xm5s feature an “updated” ANC system that is very effective at canceling out different noises but not as effective as the Bose 700.
From the test, it is shown that in a room with moderate ambient noise, the 1000xm5s were able to reduce the noise by about 85%. On the other hand, the Bose 700s were able to reduce the noise by 95%.
Overall, the Bose NC 700 wins the battle of ANC with a slight margin.
DESIGN AND FEATURES: SONY WH-1000XM5 VS BOSE 700
Both pairs of headphones are very well-designed and feature-rich. The Bose 700s has a sleek and lightweight design as it just weighs 252 grams.
For the company, comfort is a top priority and it shows in the design of these headphones. The slender headband with shallow ear cups and the tactile control scheme makes the headphones a joy to use.
For the features, Bose delivers the cutting-edge technology that was available in 2019 with NC 700. The Bluetooth 5.0, IPX4 rating, voice assistants that used Google Assistant, and auto-off timer were all very impressive.
Sony’s new headphones, the 1000xm5s, are quite relevant to their predecessor, the 1000xm4s. It has a similar design with just a few minor tweaks here and there. The new model has an aerodynamic design that helps in the airflow and makes the headphones more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
The feature set is where we see the most significant changes. Firstly, the new headphones support Bluetooth 5.2 and are also compatible with SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs which offer a more stable connection. Furthermore, a Voice assistant is included in this model which is hands-free control with Amazon Alexa.
So, in terms of design and features, both headphones are very well-rounded. But the Sony 1000xm5s has a slight advantage as it supports the latest Bluetooth standard and has a more comfortable design.
BATTERY LIFE: SONY WH-1000XM5 VS BOSE 700
The battery life is one area where the Sony 1000xm5s really shine. These headphones can last for 30 hours on a single charge with the active ANC. While if you don’t use the ANC then you can get around 40 hours of playback.
Also, they take only 3.5 hours to charge from 0 to 100%. With the USB-PD (Power Delivery) -compatibility, you can get 3 hours of playback from 3 minutes of charge.
On the other hand, the Bose 700s have slightly lower battery life. They can last for 20 hours with ANC turned on and they take around 2.5 hours to charge from 0 to 100%. So, in terms of battery life, the Sony 1000xm5 is better than the Bose NC 700.
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Conclusion
So, is the Sony WH-1000XM5 worth the extra money? At the moment, it’s a tough question to answer. The Sony offers better battery life and sound quality, but the price difference is significant.
Unless the price of the XM5 comes down, it’s tough to recommend them over the Bose 700. Also, the Bose 700 shines in its design ANC performance. So, it really depends on what you prioritize when choosing headphones.
FAQs
Both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose 700 are known for their excellent noise-cancellation capabilities. However, some reviews suggest that the Sony WH-1000XM5 can block out more background noise.
Both models offer a combination of physical buttons and touch controls. The right ear cup of the Sony WH-1000XM5 is touch-enabled for volume and playback control, while the Bose 700 offers three physical buttons plus some tap and touch controls.
Comfort can be subjective and depends on the individual. However, some reviews suggest that the Bose 700 is better built and more comfortable, while others find the Sony WH-1000XM5 to be quite comfortable as well