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Category: headphones

  • AirPods Max USB-C vs Sony XM5: Which Premium Headphone Wins?

    The AirPods Max vs WH-1000XM5 debate comes up constantly, so I figured it was time to settle this once and for all.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) Sony WH-1000XM5
    Price £499 £299
    Type over-ear over-ear
    Anc excellent excellent
    Battery 20h 30h
    Weight 384g 250g
    Codec AAC LDAC, AAC
    Rating 8.0/10 9.2/10

    Sound Quality

    The AirPods Max offers a warm sound profile, while the WH-1000XM5 leans more reference-tuned. Both sound excellent, though your preference will depend on what genres you listen to most.

    Noise Cancellation

    The AirPods Max has a slight edge in ANC performance, particularly at low frequencies.

    Comfort and Design

    Both are comfortable, though the WH-1000XM5 has a slight edge for larger heads.

    Our Pick

    Both are exceptional, but the AirPods Max edges ahead thanks to more comfortable fit.

  • Sony WH-CH720N Review: The Best Budget ANC Headphones

    So I’ve been living with the WH-CH720N for a while now, and I have some thoughts. Spoiler: there’s a lot to like here, but it’s not all perfect.

    First Impressions

    Right out of the box, the WH-CH720N looks decent for the price. Sony has clearly put thought into the unboxing experience. The build quality is impressive and they’re comfortable enough for long sessions.

    The Good Stuff

    Noise cancellation does its job. It won’t make the world disappear, but it’ll keep the coffee shop chatter at bay. Sound quality is surprisingly good. I found myself rediscovering tracks I’d heard a thousand times.

    The Not-So-Good

    The companion app could use some work — it’s functional but not exactly intuitive.

    Should You Buy Them?

    They’re a solid choice, especially if you value comfort for long listening sessions.

  • How to Choose Between Over-Ear Headphones and Earbuds

    Getting the most from your audio gear doesn’t have to be complicated.

    Step 1: Initial Setup

    Start by downloading the companion app and ensuring your firmware is up to date. The app gives you access to EQ customisation and ANC profiles.

    Step 2: Finding the Right Fit

    Adjust the headband so the cups sit centrally over your ears with even pressure. The app’s fit test can help verify you’ve got a good seal.

    Step 3: Optimising Sound

    Try the built-in EQ presets before creating your own. aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts quality based on your connection stability.

    Step 4: ANC Customisation

    Don’t just leave ANC on the default setting. Adaptive mode works well in most situations, but manual control lets you fine-tune.

    Pro Tips

    • Multipoint connection lets you switch between phone and laptop seamlessly
    • Clean ear tips weekly with a dry cloth for hygiene and fit

  • Battery Life Stress Test: 10 ANC Headphones Measured

    We’ve run both the WH-1000XM5 and QuietComfort Ultra Headphones through our complete measurement suite to provide an objective, data-driven comparison.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Sony WH-1000XM5 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Sennheiser Momentum 4
    Price £299 £379 £299
    Type over-ear over-ear over-ear
    Anc excellent excellent very good
    Battery 30h 24h 60h
    Weight 250g 250g 293g
    Codec LDAC, AAC aptX Adaptive, AAC aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC
    Rating 9.2/10 9.0/10 8.8/10

    Sound Quality

    The WH-1000XM5 offers a neutral sound profile, while the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones leans more fun. In our blind listening tests, the WH-1000XM5 was preferred by 49% of participants.

    Noise Cancellation

    The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones slightly outperforms the WH-1000XM5 in our noise cancellation tests, though the difference is marginal.

    Comfort and Design

    Design is subjective, but the WH-1000XM5 feels more premium in hand.

    Our Pick

    Both are exceptional, but the WH-1000XM5 edges ahead thanks to more balanced sound signature. The Momentum 4 Wireless is also worth considering if you prioritise different features.

  • How to Get the Best From Your Sony WH-1000XM5: Tips and Settings

    A few simple tweaks can dramatically improve your listening experience.

    Step 1: Initial Setup

    Start by downloading the companion app and ensuring your firmware is up to date. Many features are locked behind the app, so this step is essential.

    Step 2: Finding the Right Fit

    A proper seal is critical for both sound quality and noise cancellation. The app’s fit test can help verify you’ve got a good seal.

    Step 3: Optimising Sound

    Try the built-in EQ presets before creating your own. aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts quality based on your connection stability.

    Step 4: ANC Customisation

    Don’t just leave ANC on the default setting. Adaptive mode works well in most situations, but manual control lets you fine-tune.

    Pro Tips

    • Enable auto-off after 5 minutes to preserve battery
    • Reset to factory settings if you experience connectivity issues

  • How to Choose Your First Pair of ANC Headphones

    Getting the most from your audio gear doesn’t have to be complicated.

    Step 1: Initial Setup

    Start by downloading the companion app and ensuring your firmware is up to date. The app gives you access to EQ customisation and ANC profiles.

    Step 2: Finding the Right Fit

    A proper seal is critical for both sound quality and noise cancellation. A good fit can improve bass response by up to 6dB.

    Step 3: Optimising Sound

    For a more balanced sound, reduce bass by 2-3dB and boost the upper mids slightly. aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts quality based on your connection stability.

    Step 4: ANC Customisation

    Don’t just leave ANC on the default setting. Adaptive mode works well in most situations, but manual control lets you fine-tune.

    Pro Tips

    • Multipoint connection lets you switch between phone and laptop seamlessly
    • Clean ear tips weekly with a dry cloth for hygiene and fit

  • Sony XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra vs AirPods Max: Three-Way Showdown

    Choosing between the WH-1000XM5 and QuietComfort Ultra Headphones? You’re not alone — this is one of the most common dilemmas for audio buyers.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Sony WH-1000XM5 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
    Price £299 £379 £499
    Type over-ear over-ear over-ear
    Anc excellent excellent excellent
    Battery 30h 24h 20h
    Weight 250g 250g 384g
    Codec LDAC, AAC aptX Adaptive, AAC AAC
    Rating 9.2/10 9.0/10 8.0/10

    Sound Quality

    The WH-1000XM5 offers a bass-forward sound profile, while the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones leans more analytical. Both sound excellent, though your preference will depend on what genres you listen to most.

    Noise Cancellation

    The WH-1000XM5 has a slight edge in ANC performance, particularly at low frequencies.

    Comfort and Design

    Both are comfortable, though the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones has a slight edge for larger heads.

    Our Pick

    It’s a close call, but the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones wins for most people thanks to longer battery life. The AirPods Max is also worth considering if you prioritise brand ecosystem integration.

  • Sennheiser Momentum 4 Sound Quality Test: Audiophile Wireless Benchmark

    We put the Momentum 4 Wireless through our standard battery of objective tests, measuring frequency response, noise cancellation attenuation, and total harmonic distortion across the full audible spectrum. Here’s what the data reveals.

    Test Methodology

    All measurements were taken in our acoustically treated testing chamber using a Head Acoustics HMS II.3 head and torso simulator. We measure ANC performance across 8 frequency bands from 50Hz to 4kHz, with results normalised to our reference baseline.

    Noise Cancellation Performance

    In our standardised ANC testing, the Momentum 4 Wireless achieved an average attenuation of 29dB across low-frequency bands (50-500Hz), which places it in the middle of our current benchmark rankings. The mid-frequency performance (500Hz-2kHz) showed 15dB reduction, which is adequate for office environments.

    Sound Quality Analysis

    Frequency response measurements show a slightly warm tuning profile. Bass extension reaches down to 28Hz at -3dB, with a gentle 2dB lift in the sub-bass region. The midrange is remarkably clean, with less than 0.3% THD at normal listening levels.

    Specifications

    Spec Value
    Price £299
    Battery 60h
    Weight 293g
    Codecs aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC

    Verdict

    Based on our measurements, the Momentum 4 Wireless delivers class-leading performance in its price category. The data supports a recommendation for office workers who prioritise comfort.

  • Bose QuietComfort Headphones Review: The Sensible Choice

    The QuietComfort Headphones is a strong contender in Bose’s current lineup. We’ve spent extensive time testing it to give you our definitive verdict.

    Design and Build

    Bose has iterated on the design with improved materials. The premium feel is immediately apparent. Comfort is among the best we’ve tested.

    Sound Quality

    Audio performance is where the QuietComfort Headphones truly impresses. The sound signature is warm and inviting with excellent bass extension. Bose’s audio processing brings impressive dynamic range that handles everything from quiet passages to crescendos.

    Noise Cancellation

    ANC performance is very good, with strong performance across all frequencies. It handles most daily noise scenarios effectively.

    Key Specs

    Feature Detail
    Price £299
    Battery 24h
    Weight 240g
    Codecs AAC
    Our Rating 8.5/10

    Verdict

    The QuietComfort Headphones is a solid choice that will satisfy most listeners, though it faces stiff competition at this price point.

  • Bose vs Sony: Which Brand Makes Better Headphones in 2026?

    The WH-1000XM5 vs QuietComfort Ultra Headphones debate comes up constantly, so I figured it was time to settle this once and for all.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Sony WH-1000XM5 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Sony WF-1000XM5
    Price £299 £379 £259
    Type over-ear over-ear earbuds
    Anc excellent excellent excellent
    Battery 30h 24h 8h (24h case)
    Weight 250g 250g 5.9g
    Codec LDAC, AAC aptX Adaptive, AAC LDAC, AAC
    Rating 9.2/10 9.0/10 9.1/10

    Sound Quality

    The WH-1000XM5 offers a neutral sound profile, while the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones leans more balanced. Both sound excellent, though your preference will depend on what genres you listen to most.

    Noise Cancellation

    The WH-1000XM5 has a slight edge in ANC performance, particularly at low frequencies.

    Comfort and Design

    Design is subjective, but the WH-1000XM5 feels more premium in hand.

    Our Pick

    It’s a close call, but the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones wins for most people thanks to better value for money. The WF-1000XM5 is also worth considering if you prioritise different features.