I have both and also prefer the XM5s. Most people don’t mention that the QC Ultras have a much higher noise floor then the XM5s. When you want to block out noise with no audio playing, the XM5s are almost dead quiet, whereas the QC Ultras have a background hiss sound, as in white noise, that gets annoying. To be fair, it does seem to disappear with audio playing, but there are times I use my XM5s to create a quiet space for focus with no audio playing, and I love how dead quiet they are which I didn’t fully appreciate until I heard how noisy the QC Ultras are. I hope that helps someone out there!
@@Johnmims65 it’s hard to recommend one when you have earbuds in that lineup. If you need to travel a lot and want a pocketable solution, definitely go ear buds. Otherwise, I’d obviously recommend the XM5s
Your video was one of the main reasons I purchased the XM5's as my first (and hopefully last) pair of headphones, and after using them for quite some time, I am so glad I made this decision, so I am pretty happy to see you stand your ground and still pick the Sony's as your main!
Used my wife's Bose 45s and was blown away by the comfort. Researched and decided to get XM-4 as I found a better deal. Loved it except.... I can't wear it more than an hour or two without causing pain. Now I'm sending it back and looking at the Ultras or wondering if I should give the XM-5 a chance. Or maybe just go back to the 45s. As you say, comfort is everything with headphones. Thanks for the review
Another great review! These videos are the only thing keeping me alive. Seriously! There’s a demented guy who is holding me captive with a computer hooked up to me. If you stop doing reviews, then kaboom! I’m done for. Don’t stop!
Are you evaluating the QC Ultra, or just complaining? Because when I tried the QC Ultra, they were the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. I've also used Sony, but they have less space for the ears. Moreover, the audio quality surpasses that of the XM5s..
I did and I disagree with both of your points. As I said before, comfort is subjective and they were not as comfortable as the XM5s to me. I also much prefer the sound of the XM5s especially after finding an EQ setting I really like. Thanks for leaving a comment, though!
@@BuenoReviewsyea no, ur review was stupid. Its been tested scientifically that bose has better anc than apple airpod max and wayyy better than the xm5 and u said “Its almost on par with xm5 and just a bit less than apple” Brilliant
I personally can't agree with this. I've found the Sony's earcups and headband (but mostly the cups) unbearable. Their is no depth, my ears are squeezed against the foam and my head, no room in there, no ventilation in there either. Ears get hot pretty quickly. Bose has much roomy earcups with an angled shape, with very nice soft padding both the cups and headband ad well. Like a soft hug when you put clouds around your ears. The TriPod technology also helps with ventilating therefore I won't get hot, sweaty ears. I agree, the clamping force could be a bit tight straight out of the box, was for me too, I was quite upset when put them on the first day. But on the second day all this tightness has just magically gone and have become one of the most comfortable headphones I've ever had. (After the QC35 IIs...) The sound is less warmer than the Sonys but providing more details and clarity. You can also EQ them to your liking. I've found the Sonys characteristics too artificial and the mid-high frequencies can be faded with certain songs, genres. Still very enjoyable though but not as relaxing as the Bose-tuning. Overall, I'm very happy with the Bose, the conversation mode is really something that I miss and it was brilliant in the NC700s and hopefully will be implemented in the QC Ultras as well, via a software update. Other than that, they're a brilliant headphones and have no regrets sending the XM5s back.
the XM5s sound great but the comfort and clamp was squeezing my head something horrid. It felt so bad. The bose for me sound just as good but the comfort is absolutely amazing. I thought the sony xm5s noise cancellation was better until I activated immersion mode. Now they both seem on par with one another.
I found the QCU comfort to be the headphones that don’t cause the airplane cabin feeling, I found all the other Sony ones unfortunately did. I really like the design the QCU over the xm5. They’re very comfortable, for me the clamping force is not enough for me, they do slid off my headphones if move my head downwards quickly
If you need a tighter clamping force, you might want to try the Bower & Wilkins PX7. They’re a great set of headphones and have a thick padding on the ear cups. The sound is fantastic as well. They’re on Amazon. amzn.to/3VjvX9z
Totally agree with all the points you've mentioned. Just tried them for 2 days and that was enough for me to decide to return them. I'll stick with my sony
bose soundstage is unbeatable, Sony's are good but only after watching and listening variety its becomes clear that bose overall soundstage is just better and balanced
FINALLY someone with an OPINION!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSS! I can tell you've worn both and have used both. Thank you! And YES! Band is better but XM5 is just WAAAAY more impressive!
Hahahaha!! Your comment means a lot to me, man. It’s tough looking for a review of something an always hearing “they’re both great. Can’t go wrong with either”.
@@711CokeSlurpies hahahaha! Yup! And look, you can say that, but I ALWAYS want to know what that specific REVIEWER thinks and why they made the choice they did. “Look, they’re both good, but for me, I didn’t like X, Y and Z and that one so I chose this one” Easy peasy.
@@711CokeSlurpies thanks so much, man! I really appreciate that! 🙏 I’ll be posting vids again soon. My 9-5(but honestly more like 9-9🤣) has been taking all my time recently.
@cashtsang I just did the exact same thing. I sold both my XM4 and XM5’s for the QC Ultra and the QC. Bose for me has a much more comfortable fit and I prefer their sound over the Sony’s sound.
I would recommend you actually go to store try both out for yourself. I personally find Bose qc ultra more comfy, sound very clear with lots detail compared to Sony’s veiled sound to me. Sony pinched my back ear. Also the transparency and the noise canceling as put bows back on top and surpassed both Sony and Apple in blocking out noise. Headphones are very personal so due take reviews with grain of sat. Also Bose sells replacement ear cups , Sony does not. I pitched wicked cushions for Sony xm4 and they are not as comfortable as well made them super bulky I can’t wear them outside. So keep in mind when cups need to be replaced you have buy bad after market ones.
@@BuenoReviews I also recommend you watch the soundguys review on qc ultra the made some very interesting points about the Bose being very future proof with LE Bluetooth ect in the future and snap dragon sound with Qualcomm chip that will be in more and more android phones in the future
@@stephenknight6562 ahhhh interesting. I’m an iPhone user so that wasn’t even on my radar. Even with that, I much prefer the XM5s on comfort alone. Not to mention everything else.
@@chocolatewheelchair well, even with them sounding just meh out of the box, I still recommend the XM5s personally. That said, I also loved the Sennheiser Momentum 4s and the Bower & Wilkins PX7
@@martinlindenberg6213 I’d say they’re both pretty equal in that they really don’t have any white noise or hum that I noticed at all. The XM5 def has none. It’s been awhile since I’ve had the Bose in hand
That’s good news as my Sony xm5’s arrive tomorrow. Thanks so much for your quick reply. I did notice a background hum / buzz on the last pairs of Bose Quiet Comfort I tried within the last few years. Warm regards, Martin
I agree the QC ultra is massively hyped. I bought a pair thinking they would be better than my old XM4s. As soon as I went for my walk with them I instantly started to hear the cars passing me way more that I could in my xm4s. The noise cancelling was probably better but because they are light and small they don’t have much passive isolation so more noise gets in. I ended up returning them and getting the Xm5. Instantly when I went for my walk the traffic noise was much lower. No to mention The Bose qc was super glitchy and the controls were super annoying as well. They really missed the mark. Sony fan for life now!
Right?? Me too! I’d also add, I fully appreciate what Bose has done for noise cancelling headphones. They were incredible and pushed the envelope early on. But what they brought to the table with the Ultras just wasn’t nearly the experience the XM5s provide. Where the XM5s get a big knock is how they sound right out of the box. They’re underwhelming and I feel like a lot of people don’t even bother playing with the EQ before returning them and moving onto the next. Either way, thanks for stopping by and sharing your story!
This is my long point of view about the Bose Quiet Confort Ultra Headphones. Hi here😃! I recently got the famous Bose QC Ultra Headphones, and I can confirm that despite the drivers (speakers) being similar to the Bose NCH 700, this very recent model sounds even better than its predecessor. I also have the Sony WH-1000-XM4, and find that the QC Ultra's sound signature is much clearer than the Sony model. What's more, a little adjustment of the well-rounded bass, and the midrange drive the point home even further. *As a preventive measure, I'd advise you *not to exceed 65% volume, and to take a few listening breaks for the sake of your ears (15 to 20 minutes for 1 hour's listening).* Indeed, these headphones have a lot in reserve, and I didn't notice any major sound distortion, which is very good quality. But be careful with your ears, because they're really powerful! And yes, the sound is very clear! Lightweight (257 grams), it folds neatly and has a wider, more comfortable headband. The depth of the speakers (especially for big ears - you don't sweat as much as with Sony headphones) and its active noise reduction are truly impressive! Somewhat superior to Apple's Air Pods Max, that is! For the moment (2023), in concrete terms, *it's the best noise-canceling headset!* At the same time, it's the most recent. We'll see how it fares next year (2024), with the future Sony WH-1000-XM6 and Apple Air Pods Max 2. The "attentive" (transparent) mode is a real success! A notch below the Air Pods Max, and a good notch above the WH-1000-XM4/5. You can clearly hear everything around you. The immersive mode is a bit of a gimmick, as it gives the impression that the soundstage is getting bigger, but I still find it well worthwhile, especially for films and video games! That's another world! I also note that this mode is a little more energy-hungry in terms of this product's autonomy (around 19h35 for me, as opposed to the 18 hours announced by Bose). In fact, as far as battery life is concerned, I think that Bose has underestimated its headphones, because without the immersive mode, and staying at 60~65% maximum volume, I've actually gone up to around 30 hours. The official press release claims 24 hours' autonomy. . What's more, a mode (even two) designed to cleverly save battery power has been integrated: _ Like Apple and Sony, the sound stops when the QC Ultra is removed... And restarts once the device is placed back on the head. _ Automatic sleep mode, when the headset is removed for a long time. It restarts automatically when put back on. Automatic pairing, no headaches, it works like a charm. Multipoint is amply correct, and the solid Bluetooth is certified in 5.3 (the latest available), which is much better in terms of wireless connection stability. A very good point in itself. The WH-1000-XM4 (which is in bleuetooth 4.2) that I've owned since 2021 can cut out from time to time for no reason at the moment... I don't know why. Maybe it's due to my smartphone being almost full of internal memory? I don't know. In any case, I no longer have this little inconvenience with the Bose QC Ultra. The application is nice and quite rich! It's straight to the point, and somewhat less sophisticated than Sony's, whose geekiness is its specialty. As for the buttons, they're all located on the right speaker, behind the ear. A touch-sensitive surface for volume, and incidentally a personalized touch-sensitive button (press for 2 seconds in the middle of the touch-sensitive surface and that's it), either to obtain a voice assistant, or to indicate battery level or something else, for example... Personally, I opted for the battery level. How convenient! And in terms of physical buttons, there are only 2. . The first, at the bottom of the right-hand speaker, is reserved for switching on the headset. . The second button is located a little higher up, towards the rear of the speaker. . The second button is located a little higher up, towards the back of the speaker. This button allows: _ 1 short click: play / pause; 1 long click: change mode (immersive, attentive, silent - additional modes can be added and/or removed, such as the outdoor mode with its more or less successful optional "windbreaker" function, for example); _ 2 quick clicks: next track; _ 3 quick clicks: previous track. Personally, I find these two physical buttons rather instinctive and less headache-inducing (100% subjective, of course). As for the tactile part, I find it better thought-out than the NCH 700 and the Sony WH-1000-XM4/5, in the sense that there's no tactile conflict when unwanted rubbing occurs, such as fabric rubbing when you're in bed, or when you're putting on a hood. The left speaker features a USB-C input for headphone charging only, and an input for... A 2.5 mm jack!... The 2.5 mm jack... I'll never understand why that is... Especially as the headphones must be switched on to be effective(!)... I really don't understand this choice... As far as phone calls are concerned, the people I'm talking to can hear me clearly, even when there's a lot of noise around me! It's not as sophisticated as the Air Pods Max, but it's still one of the most effective. My voice is clearly audible, and it's possible to adjust the volume of the voice when telephoning via the headset. I write this because none of the testers mentioned this detail generally. Unfortunately, it's impossible to obtain lossless sound via a wired USB-C cable (which is quite incomprehensible to me, especially given its high price at the moment). The French Batys headphones, for example (albeit more expensive than the QC Ultra), make this possible. Finally, the price is high (499€) for the moment, but will inevitably drop in the coming months (logically). And then the bargains will start rolling in over the coming year. It has to be! So, I've tried to be as complete as possible about my pleasant experience with these Bose Quiet Confort Ultra Headphones. Expensive, yes, it's undeniable, but very pleasant to hold, not at all uncomfortable on the head, light and very comfortable, this top-of-the-range headset (2023) does quite well, if not very well. A special mention for the active noise reduction, which so far puts it ahead of Apple and Sony. All in all, this headset is a success, far from flawless, let's be honest, but what it does, it does really well. Very satisfied overall. Oh yes, I almost forgot: *the ear pads are detachable and therefore replaceable, in case of any long-term wear and tear.* Hoping for interesting updates (USB-C wired sound, I dream of it! x) ) to come! Looking forward to hearing from you!
Have you ever tried the Nuraphones? I've had several different ANC headphones and nothing could ever touch the Nuras. Sadly they've been acquired by Denon but I still in love with them and hope to last for a few more happy years.
I’d say the Momentums have the ability to have more physical bass when you turn up the EQ. Both sound very good, but I’d likely prefer the Momentums over the Ultras on sound alone. Both are great options, but considering the cost, I’d definitely go Momentum 4s as long as they’re comfortable.
I tried them both and I agree with you on almost everything. I had the same issues with my Mac and iPhone with the Ultra. I find them both very comfortable and also think the headband of the Sony is the weakest part of those headphones.
Yup! If it wasn’t for the headband, the XM5 would be far and away the best headphones out there hands down. Luckily, I found a comfortable position to wear them for hours on end, but it took some experimenting.
I personally can't agree with this. I've found the Sony's earcups and headband (but mostly the cups) unbearable. Their is no depth, my ears are squeezed against the foam and my head, no room in there, no ventilation in there either. Ears get hot pretty quickly. Bose has much roomy earcups with an angled shape, with very nice soft padding both the cups and headband ad well. Like a soft hug when you put clouds around your ears. The TriPod technology also helps with ventilating therefore I won't get hot, sweaty ears. I agree, the clamping force could be a bit tight straight out of the box, was for me too, I was quite upset when put them on the first day. But on the second day all this tightness has just magically gone and have become one of the most comfortable headphones I've ever had. (After the QC35 IIs...) The sound is less warmer than the Sonys but providing more details and clarity. You can also EQ them to your liking. I've found the Sonys characteristics too artificial and the mid-high frequencies can be faded with certain songs, genres. Still very enjoyable though but not as relaxing as the Bose-tuning. Overall, I'm very happy with the Bose, the conversation mode is really something that I miss and it was brilliant in the NC700s and hopefully will be implemented in the QC Ultras as well, via a software update. Other than that, they're a brilliant headphones and have no regrets sending the XM5s back.
Sounds like bias and cope...but we're all entitled to our opinion. The Ultra has a far more practical design since you can fold them...unlike the XM5s. Their ear cups are also superior, offering more room and comfort. Bose's companion app is trash, but no fault of the hardware. We both agree with the XM5s inferior and awful headband, so there's that. They both could use far better battery life though, since far cheaper headphones offer 40+ hours...WITH ANC ON.
@@Noir_Baa thanks for the input, man! I bought the Bose and told myself I would have replaced the XM5s with them if I liked the Bose more because I was still within my return window for the XM5s. It wasn’t worth the difference in cost to me by a long shot and like I said in the video, the main thing is they just weren’t comfortable for me. IF they WERE super comfortable, it would have been a much harder decision. Otherwise, I thought they were basically on par in a lot of ways. Thanks for stopping by!
I have personally tested Apple AirPods Max, Sennheiser Momentum 4, Sony XM5, Sony XM4 and Bose QC Ultra. AirPods Max sounds very bright ( best sounding for me), has very good ANC, the best transparency mode, and obviously the best multi-connection compatibility with Apple devices, handy control buttons (personally prefer buttons over touch) but heavy on the head to wear for hours, the traditional case is not available, need to purchase it separately and the headphone's price tag is also higher than others. Sennheiser Momentum 4 has very good sound and decent ANC, folds and has good a case but has a little more clamping pressure than others also the controls were buggy plus the play pause feature did not work as expected. Sony XM5 has very good ANC, controls are working as should ( even though not a fan of touch controls ), multi-connection and play pause work well, and overall good in all categories, not folds like Sennheiser and Bose, and also the sound is least good sounding among headphones I have tried ( tried equalized presets but still sound is not for me). With Sony XM4 I was having cabin pressure so I did not continue further. The last one and it is my choice is the Bose QC Ultra. Pros: Comfortable especially after the first few hours of wearing, decent ANC, awareness mode ( transparency) but not as good as AirPods Max, no issues for me with multi-connection when I connect it to21 my Mac and iPhone, controls are physical buttons which I prefer but the volume control is still touch-swipe based, sounds good but much better with immersive audio which I love, headphones are folds and thus the case is smaller and travel friendly. Cons: Battery life is 24 hr which is less than the others, price is a little higher when not on sale.
You and I agree on a lot, but the XM5 sound incredible to me either way the EQ set to what I have in the description. In general, they’re a warmer tone which may not sound as good to some when listening to other headphone back to back, but once I made my decision based on all the other factors, I’ve really grown to like the sound. So much so, that when I put on the Momentum 4s again after a couple of days, I really didn’t like the processed sound curve as much as I did before. But hey, that’s why we’re all different and have different tastes! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Momentum 4 doesn’t fold. I have it and just the cups rotate 360 but doesn’t fold for sure. The soundstage is amazing. So clean and instruments are crystal clear. I have not had any glitches with the touch controls or the pause issue which you’ve experienced. My xm5 doesn’t sound as good as the Sennheiser but I’ve grown to enjoy them after getting them tuned to my preferred sound profile. I still prefer my xm5 for travelling because of it’s superior ANC. I’m in the market for the Bose Ultra and I’ll probably get it before my next flight.
Subscribed great video bro i went with the midnight blue and i love em so much they are so comfortable and the sound is amazing i can wear them for hours and most music genre you listen too it sounds great the deal breaker with the bose is battery life your paying so much money for up to 24 hours as battery life un like the sony XM5'S that give you up to 30 hours
I have only ever bought Beats or Sony so far but old models, and was considering the apple airpod max or the sony xm5... I never considered Bose as a brand at all but have been seeing them around a lot, so your video was helpful in deciding, as with so many headphones out there it's hard to decide. I might pick up the Sony's on amazon once black friday comes around
@@lavayuki hey! I’m glad this helped you out! Even if it’s just a little. Yah, I’d recommend picking up a pair on Amazon so you can see if they work out for you before committing to keeping them. Both of the headphones are good. It mainly depends on which one is more comfortable for you. Thanks for leaving a comment!
@@BuenoReviews I was really split between the two but this video is my one sign to choose the Sony. I really wish there was an option to stay with my Momentum 3 or switch to its newer version but I have debilitating sensory issues so I need the top noise cancelling option. I know the Bose cancel a bit more but with everything you described in the video, the microphone quality in windy conditions, and the hissing white noise, as well as the higher price, it doesn't seem to be worth it. Thanks for all your hard work on the testing and on all related videos! They really helped in my research and hopefully my quality of life will improve with the change
@@brnnntrnt of course! Your feedback is invaluable and it means the world to me that I could help on any way! Let me know how the XM5s work for you! Thanks for stopping by!
They’re definitely shallow. The tips of my ears touch which I normally HATE, but for whatever reason, they’re absolutely comfortable for me. Have you checked out the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2? Those have really deep ears and sound awesome. I passed on them because the app was a little finicky and the transparency mode was terrible. Other than that, they’re amazing.
@@chocolatewheelchair you are absolutely correct. The biggest bummer about the XM5 is the headband. If they had all the functionality in the XM4 form factor, that would be the pinnacle for me.
For me ANC is the most important feature if I'm buying a new headphone, right next to comfort. Also, for me sound quality is less important because all the top end wireless headphones generally have decent/good sound quality, and none of them get close to the wired headphones I use at home. I tried the QC Ultra's, and I thought the ANC was very good but not exceptional. I was coming from the five-year-old Sony XM3s and I expected a night and day difference given the five-year gap. I ended up returning the QC Ultra's because they kept making a periodic clicking sound. Right now, I'm still using the XM3s and at this point I'll just wait for the XM6's to come out which shouldn't be too far off now.
@@BuenoReviews Yes indeed. The XM3s hold up remarkably well given how quickly ANC headphones and earbuds have progressed in the last 6 years. Their longevity has been fantastic. Hopefully the XM6s ANC is universally touted as the best ever. However, what I can give Bose credit for is their 90 day return policy. It's something Sony doesn't have.
I bought the Ultra Earbuds, it serves me well, but the connectivity nag is tremendous!! I have a 20$ Tozo buds that has this basics sorted. It is unpardonable what Bose has. Done. Glad i did not buy the much expensive Ultra Headphones!
@@PavanMS87 ugh. I’m sorry to hear that. It’s so unfortunate when you have a great form factor, great sound, but the very basic part of the mechanics is mediocre at best. I tried a pair of headphones by Bowers & Wilkins and that was the case. Great sound and comfort, but the app was beyond buggy and I don’t have the patience to wait for a potential firmware update that addresses the issues.
@@BuenoReviews yeah! And Bose did release a firmware update 4.0.2 or something, but that enables a messed up multi point connection. So if i have connected to my phone and laptop, I cannot seem to ‘ Disconnect’ on my phone, even after keeping the earbuds back in the case!! 🤬 i end up hitting forget device and need to re pair, every time. 😔 they should update the name of the TWS to Road to Ultra, as Bose is not there yet!!
Seems a sponsored review. Tried both, and I find ultra better all round. Almost bought XM5 after seing this review. Good thing i ran to the nearest shop to test these 2. My advice to all is to test it in person to find which better suits you.
@@danielfishman8687 so I did another video before this of all the headphones I bought to try. I ended up keeping the Sony XM5s. Then, when these Bose headphones came out, I wanted to try them. I still kept my XM5s. To me. They’re almost perfect minus the headband and the lack of collapsing.
@@danielfishman8687 I ended up with ultra for many reasons. To mention few, for me it has a better sound quality and better noise cancelling. Dont get me wrong, xm5 is also good sounding but it totally depends on you. In my opinion, I find xm5 too bassy, unlike ultra, the sound is much true to sound. Again, like what I have said, test both in actual before buying online. And always buy on sale! Cheers!🙂
I return them 🤣🤣. Amazon has an amazing return policy so it all goes on a credit card and then it all comes back. I’m also an obsessive shopper and want to make sure I get the best option for myself.
Great take. Although, if the Bose has better ANC it’s by a HAIR. Also, I thought I loved the Momentum 4s the most until I found an EQ setting I love on my XM5s and I prefer them. Thanks for leaving a comment!
EXACTLY! I’m sure you felt the same and I should have mentioned it, but out of the box, the Bose sound WAY better than the Sony. But after you tweak the EQ on the Sony, I much prefer the XM5. Stoked you got it for so cheap! Thanks for stopping by!
I've got the xm4s and they've been dam good headphones and still are I've seen enough reviews on these and they ain't worth the money so i will wait and see what the mx6 as to offer
@@diamondhellspawnscorpion I love the XM5s, dude. Just remember, they’re kinda ass out of the box. But I put my EQ settings in the description that I think may be a good jumping off point. In my opinion, Sony should have loaded a decent EQ in the headphones so people weren’t turned off by them.
It bugs me how NO REVIEWR talks on how the internet its PLAGED on XM5 with broken hinges! the designe its awefull! you dont see any BOse ultra broken arround
