Sony NC overear Headphones XM4 vs XM5?

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gzt

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#310775 21-Nov-2023 11:10

Do you own Sony over-ear XM4 and XM5?

Which do you prefer for noise cancelling?

My use is mainly in-office to reduce distraction from people speaking in the office. Music use is a long second. I tried both in store. XM5 seemed significantly better at cancelling low male voices, XM4 seemed significantly better at cancelling female voices. How do you rate the two?

I'm inclined to go with XM5 just because it's newer. On the other hand XM4 feels maybe a little more comfortable.

josephhinvest

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#3161933 21-Nov-2023 11:12

Relevant Cheapies post today.
Cheers.

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Bung

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#3162032 21-Nov-2023 13:00

" On the other hand XM4 feels maybe a little more comfortable"

The XM5 has a much simpler folding arrangement that is a backward step.

gzt

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#3162042 21-Nov-2023 13:07

Yep that's worth noting. That doesn't bother me. I'm on XM2 it has the same fold flat as the XM5.

gzt

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#3162054 21-Nov-2023 13:17

I think the reason for the new headband design is better l/r isolation. I expect that's true. The test environment at Harvey Norman was too noisy to evaluate that aspect. My main goal is NC particularly for human office voices and other usual office sounds.

scuwp

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#3162114 21-Nov-2023 14:15

For longevity & support alone, I would go with the XM5.

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Rmani

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#3162135 21-Nov-2023 14:46

Not sure about XM4, but the noise cancelling in XM5 was good. Bought one from PB Tech last weekend, happy so far.

Rmani

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#3162240 21-Nov-2023 20:08

scuwp: For longevity & support alone, I would go with the XM5.

This is a great point. My recollection is the first few updates for the XM2 improved it. After the XM3 came out subsequent updates applying to both models seemed to be not so good for the XM2. This could be a decider.

networkn

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#3162252 21-Nov-2023 20:41

Go and buy the XM5's. Other than the way they fold, which isn't really that big of a deal to you, they are superior in every way to the XM4's. I have owned every pair of the XM's and they are quite fantastic.

Having said that, at least for domestic or short haul flights, I've switched to the Technics Z680 in ears that are pretty much as good, a fraction as bulky and still sound fantastic.

You won't care about the money in 6 months time.

gzt

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#3167040 1-Dec-2023 22:16

I picked up the XM5 and they're fantastic. Noise cancelling dept is far superior to the XM2.

The XM5 earpads feel like vinyl immediately hotter and sweatier in summer when compared to the soft cool pleather of the XM2/3/4. XM5 has cancelling on/off and does not announce it. XM2 has NC off/low/high and announces each. XM5 carry case is larger. Installing the Sony app is needed to pair first time. These are just minor quibbles compared to the improvement in noise cancelling.

XM5 announces battery level percent. That provides interesting detail compared to XM2 battery high/med/low announcing.