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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs Sony WF-1000XM5: David meets Goliath
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) and Sony WF-1000XM5 are two modern noise canceling earbuds on the market, offering premium features and sound quality for discerning listeners. Both aim to provide an exceptional audio experience with powerful ANC, but they take slightly different approaches in design and functionality. Should you buck up for Sony’s flagship earbuds or save your money with Bose’s affordable entry? Read on to find out which is best for you.
Editor’s note: this article was published on September 27, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
What’s it like to use the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5?
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) feature a compact design that rests within the ears, though they are still larger than most wireless earbuds. They come with various ear tips and fin sizes that genuinely help ensure a secure fit and are IPX4 water-resistant. The charging case is notably large, which may be a drawback for some users, but it does support wireless charging.
In contrast, the Sony WF-1000XM5 boasts a smaller and lighter design. Sony has improved the internal structure of the ear tips and angled the nozzles for better comfort over its predecessor, too. The WF-1000XM5 also features IPX4 water resistance and comes with a more pocketable charging case that also supports wireless charging.
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input Single tap | Left earbud Play/pause, answer call | Right earbud Play/pause, answer call |
| Input Double tap | Left earbud Skip, end call | Right earbud Skip, end call |
| Input Triple tap | Left earbud Previous track | Right earbud Previous track |
| Input Tap and hold | Left earbud Decrease volume | Right earbud Increase volume |
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input One tap | Left earbud ANC/Ambient sound | Right earbud Play/Pause |
| Input Two taps | Left earbud Quick Access | Right earbud Next |
| Input Three taps | Left earbud Quick Access | Right earbud Previous |
| Input Four taps | Left earbud Volume Down | Right earbud Volume Up |
| Input Tap and hold | Left earbud Quick Attention | Right earbud Voice Assistant |
Should you use the apps of either Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) or Sony WF-1000XM5?
The Bose QC Earbuds app offers a five-band equalizer, custom EQ profiles, and the ability to adjust ANC levels. It also includes unique features like Battery Prediction and Voice ID for improved voice control.
Sony’s Headphones Connect app provides similar functionality with a six-band equalizer, custom EQ profiles, and ANC adjustments. It also offers additional features like Sony 360 Reality Audio, Speak-to-Chat, and DSEE Extreme for upscaling audio. Both apps are essential for unlocking the full potential of their respective earbuds.
How do the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) and Sony WF-1000XM5 connect?
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) use Bluetooth 5.3 and support SBC and AAC codecs. They offer Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously, but some users may experience connectivity issues.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 also utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC, and Sony’s high-quality LDAC codec. They feature LE audio for low-latency streaming and Bluetooth Multipoint. The Sony earbuds include a dedicated pairing button on the case for easier setup.
Is battery life better on the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) or Sony WF-1000XM5?
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) are rated for 8.5 hours of playback on a single charge, with the case providing an additional 2.5 charges for a total of 31.5 hours. They do not feature fast charging.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 offers similar battery performance, with 8 hours of continuous playback and up to 24 hours total with the charging case. Sony’s earbuds do include a fast charging feature, providing about 51 minutes of playback from a 3-minute charge.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) or Sony WF-1000XM5 block noise better?
Both earbuds excel in noise cancelation, but there are some differences. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) can reduce the loudness of most noises by over 80%, placing them among the best in the market. The large earbud size, combined with the variety of ear tips and fins, passively isolates a noticeable amount of high-frequency noise. They perform well across various frequencies.
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The Sony WF-1000XM5 also offers excellent ANC performance, attenuating over 30dB of low-frequency noise (below 1kHz). Sony has improved wind noise reduction in this model, making it particularly effective in outdoor environments. They attenuate about 83% of perceived loudness.
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Do the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) sound better than the Sony WF-1000XM5?
Both earbuds offer good sound quality but with different characteristics. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) have a U-shaped frequency response with amplified bass and treble. The Sony WF-1000XM5 has a more neutral-leaning, well-balanced sound signature with good clarity and detail. Both can be adjusted using their respective app’s EQ.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) score highly across all MDAQS metrics, with a perfect 5 in Timbre, 4.1 in Distortion, 4.8 in Immersiveness, and an overall score of 4.9. The Sony WF-1000XM5 also performs exceptionally well, with scores of 4.9 in Timbre, 3.4 in Distortion, 4.7 in Immersiveness, and an overall score of 4.9. Both earbuds are likely to please most listeners with their sound quality.
- Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
- Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
- Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
Objective Measurements
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Compared to our headphone preference curve, the default sound of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds has noticeably more sub-bass and treble. The Sony WF-1000XM5 barely deviates from our preference curve, mainly at the low end, and exhibits a noticeable emphasis between 30-300Hz, resulting in prominent bass and mid-bass frequencies.
Both earbuds offer different listening modes, with the Bose model showing some variation in frequency response when the ANC is turned on or off.
Do the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) or Sony WF-1000XM5 have a better microphone?
Both earbuds perform well for calls but with some differences. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) handle background noise effectively in most situations, though some noise may be audible in office environments.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 microphones are of good quality and perform well in various conditions. They handle wind noise particularly well. Listen to the samples below to judge for yourself.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) microphone demo (Street conditions):
Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone demo (COMPARISON conditions):
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Price and availability
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) are priced at $179, making them a more affordable option. The Sony WF-1000XM5 comes at a more premium price of $299.99. Both are widely available from major retailers and the manufacturers’ websites.
Should you get the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) or Sony WF-1000XM5?
The choice between these earbuds depends on individual preferences and priorities. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) offer excellent ANC and sound quality at a more accessible price point, making them a great value proposition. However, some users may experience connectivity issues, as we did with the first couple of test units we tried.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 provides top-tier ANC, impressive sound quality with LDAC support, and a more compact design. They also come with additional features and better app support but at a higher price. If budget isn’t a constraint and you prioritize comfort and advanced features, the Sony model might be the better choice.
Noise canceling
App with 5-band custom EQ
Improved sound quality
Comfortable fit with four ear tip options
Frequently asked questions
Both earbuds are IPX4 water-resistant, making them suitable for workouts. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) come with various ear tip and fin sizes for a secure fit during exercise. The Sony WF-1000XM5’s smaller, lighter design may be more comfortable for some users during physical activities.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 supports LE audio for low-latency streaming, which can be beneficial for gaming. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) don’t mention specific gaming features, but their connectivity may introduce some lag.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 supports Sony 360 Reality Audio, which is a form of spatial audio. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) review doesn’t mention any spatial audio features.
Yes, both earbuds have transparency modes. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) call it “Aware Mode,” while the Sony WF-1000XM5 refers to it as “Ambient Sound mode.” Both allow users to hear their surroundings without removing the earbuds.