Get Them Here
Bose QC Ultra - https://amzn.to/4310TNW
Bose QC - https://amzn.to/433EYG4
Sony 1000XM5 - https://amzn.to/49T4jo8
Sony 1000XM4 - https://amzn.to/3InqHKO
So in this video we’re going to compare the active noise cancelation performance while at cruising altitude on the Bose QC Ultra, and Bose QC, versus the Sony 1000XM5’s and Sony 1000XM4’s. Now its very important to point out that these ANC test were taken while at cruising altitude cause the atmospheric pressure change affects the overall ANC performance on these headphones when compared to ground level.
Now both the Sony 1000XM5’s and Sony 1000XM4’s have atmospheric pressure sensors in them that help them calibrate their Active noise cancelation for the best performance. Where as Bose’s headphones dont. Now with the Sony 1000XM5’s… they are constantly measuring the atmospheric pressure around you and they are constantly calibrating themselves, were as with the Sony 1000XM4’s, you have to manually calibrate then when you get to cursing altitude.
But nonetheless, we’re going to jump into the ANC test, again this was taken while at cursing altitude, and the Sony 1000XM4’s have been calibrated while at cruising altitude.
ANC Test
So when it comes to comparing the active noise cancellation on these headphones while at ground level… the ANC on these 4 headphones are very similar to one another. However, while at cursing altitude, both of Sony’s headphones block out noticeably more noise than both of Bose’s headphones. And personally I was shocked to see that the Sony 1000XM4’s block out more noise than the Bose QC ultra. And the Sony 1000XM5’s are almost in a different league.
So plainly said, yes both of Sony’s premium ANC headphones block out more noise than Bose’s new ANC headphones… those atmospheric pressure sensors in these headphones really give Sony’s headphones a big advantage over Bose’s headphones while at cursing altitude. And plainly said, if you want to block out the absolute most amount of noise while flying, the Sony 1000XM5’s are still the way to go.
However, personally I dont like flying with the Sony 1000XM5’s cause their carrying case is very large when compared to these other headphones, and when im flying space in my back pack or carryon is very valuable. Plus, the 1000XM5’s shallower ear cups aren’t as comfortable as these other headphones and their more spacious ear cups.
Peronsally, if I had to choose from this line up, I would recommend the Sony 1000XM4’s here. They block out more noise than both of Bose’s headphones… and they also have a longer lasting battery life… but also they’re more comfortable then the Sony 1000XM5’s and they have a smaller case as well. However, Bose’s headphones are more comfortable than the XM4’s cause their ear cups are more spacious. But like I said, if you want to block out the absolute most amount of noise when you’re flying, and if you dont mind dealing with a large case, the Sony 1000XM5’s are still the way to go.