Technics all the way. I've had the Sony XM4 and they sound totally muffled compared to the Technics. Technics has a much more clearer sound than the Sonys. They've done much more than Sony. And there's only a subtle difference in ANC between the XM5 and the Technics. I'll take that slight loss over everything else that the Technics are much better in. Comfort, battery life, sound quality. And their microphones for calls are nearly identical. Also if u use an app for better EQ adjustment like wavelet...the Technics reach a whole another level of sound that the Sonys will never see
The case in between the headphones in the video is only to demonstrate the limited tilt adjustment, not that anybody's head is that size! So basically I didn't even need to use anything, but I used that just to show the angle better and the fact that the limited tilt adjustment leaves the pointy pressure in place even when you wear them on the head which is much wider than that case in the video. But since the head is doing the job instead of a proper tilt adjustment, the pointy pressure can still be felt, especially for sensitive people.
The sound of the Technics EAH-A800 is awfully lifeless out of the box, but 10 hours of burn in method reveals its real unique, warm, vinyl style sound signature. For older and soft music genres its way more suitable, than the typical, mainstream mid bass boosted Harman sound curve, that most of headphones have nowadays. I recommend to set the best LDAC quality mode and disabling the fatiguing and echoey ANC. With jack cable maybe sounds a little bit better.
As someone who has both of these (and more) the XM5 so indeed put pressure under my ears, where so many of my others do not. I love my Technics and others. I'm not saying the XM5s are bad, not at all, they are great, but, I do indeed notice i can't wear them for long.
I had the Technics last year and returned them for Bose Quietcomfort 2 earbuds. I loved how they sounded, but with ANC on, you would have this unsettling popping crackle whenever my transport would hit a pothole.
Hi Ryan. I have also bought these and your video, like some other video's(very few) has helped me making a right decision. I am really glad that I bought these. I had Sony XM3 as well. The sound out of technics is simply very musical. The sound stage is unreal. When I use the wired connection, the Sony XM3 is a big disappointment where as Technics A800 shines like above everything I had experienced so far. I own the Technics AZ 60S as well and like its big brother, it is simply awesome. I had been in love with Technics and do own their very renowned SH GE70 Stereo Graphic equalizer, which although 23 years old, still works good with my Marantz cd player. I dream of owning, Technics Reference Class R1 Series System one sunny day... :). I knew when they will do something it is gonna be spectacular. Once again, thanks for your sharing your honest review. Please keep up the good work.....Cheers !!!
This Panasonic Technics A800 has very good sound and ANC and it's general volume and bass volume is much stronger and powerfull compared to Sony MX4 or Bose QC45. But to listen my favorite music genre electronic music and techno i prefer to use the Panasonic RB-M700B because they have somethning the A800 and other expensive head phones on the market does not have at the moment: A Bass reactor vibration system ! I really love the bass reactor vibration system very very very much !!!! It feels like you have a 2.1 subwoofer hifi system. Panasonic Technics A800, Sony MX4, Bose QC45 feels more like an 2.0 weak bass hifi system without any subwoofer. For a very very very noisy ambient or music without any bass (for example old music) the A800 is the best. So I change my headphones depending on the situation. I use public transportation and have a very noisy neighbor that is the reason I own the Technics A800 and the Bose QC45 (only to watch TV and video games but not music). For music I use my 3 pairs of Panasonic RB-M700B. I hope Panasonic will continue to offer and develop headphones with bass reactor vibration system because I can't listen to techno and electronic music on head phones without a bass reactor anymore. The sony Sony MDR-XB950N1 Extra Bass head phones from 2017 have a bass reactor vibration system (my first head phones i had with a bass vibration system) but the new Sony WHXB910NB Extra Bass from 2021 don't has a bass vibration system anymore imo.
Thank you for your head phone evaluation, Ryan! Clear and focused. I agree with you... Technics is a better than Sony in this comparison. I consider Technics a better sound professional trademark in the world.
I followed you up to the point when you were talking about the clamping force. Aren't the Sony just limited in their angle adjustment? Which doesn't matter, unless you have a head as narrow as that case? (which nobody has)
The case was perhaps not the best choice to demonstrate (or I could've explained more), but what I wanted to show was like you said the limited tilt adjustment. This meant at lowest part of the earcups there is a point of pressure and that pressure comes from nowhere but the clamping force. And that's why as I said for sensitive people they may not be the best choice as is the case for me and the pointy pressure can still be felt on the head, because it's the head that's doing the job not a proper tilt adjustment if you know what I mean.
I’m interested to learn which of these two models offer ANC and/or mic capability while plugged in to the source with a cable. I need these capabilities for work.
I’m assuming you mean plugged in with audio jack. In that case you still need to be connected to the device via Bluetooth so you can use the mic. And as for the ANC to work you just need to make sure the headphones are on which in this case they would be since you need the mic to work. This works the same way on both of these headphones.
Can you provide some pads measurements (at least diameter/height), because I can't clearly see the difference? This is even harder to figure out since all manufacturers of ANC headphones never put measurements.
I don't get why use a case depth to compare the force distribution of the earcups to a head/face width. Whose head is only as wide as a case depth? And for sure our face sides where headphone earcups will sit on do not come in parallel with each other. Would suggest to use a dummy/mannequin head instead. Cheers!
To make a point about the pressure from the lower part of the earcups as they don't pivot more than that. If you wear them then your head is making them look straight, but that little pressure from the earcup remains in place and that's why they're not comfortable enough for me and those who are sensitive.
@@RyansTechMedia I do get what you're saying about your sensitivity but at least show a gap similar to your face width. From there it will be much closer to reality. You can better demonstrate that a particular headset brand does not give good earpiece tilt adjustment. Observe that the main pivot point of the headband is from the top of the head. Meaning the lower part of each earpiece will always tend to be more apart from each other compared to the upper part because the headband is opening up like a kitchen tong. It is now obvious that on using a much narrower case depth the lower part of the earpiece seems to be closer to each other simply by the reason they are not yet spaced to their intended gap to at least the width of your head.
I appreciate the feedback Dong! If you look at the footage you can see that I'm actually forcing the earcups and that's the extent they pivot, whereas the Technics headphones are making an almost 90 degree angle. Again if I used anything larger, I wouldn't have been able to demonstrate my point about the earcups having the most pressure from the lower earcups simply because of their limiting pivoting. But as I also mentioned that these would be fine for many people.
The Sony's were louder and kept your voice tone a bit better than the Technics but the noise cancellation on both are really excellent. Thanks for sharing.
To be honest, they're both really well built. The Sony, though, are more flexible on the headband, in fact almost too flexible which sometimes makes it feel a little flimsy. The Technics are also very sturdy and more resistant to deep nicks and scratches than the Sony's.
@@RyansTechMedia ahh.. one more question. If I don't care about EDM and R&B genre. which one would you recommend to me ? I like rock and heavy metal genre.
That would still be a close match as they both have really similar sound profile. But the Sony's have a 30mm driver whereas the Technics headphones driver is 40mm. That alone is not an indication of better quality, but the bigger driver could mean stronger and less distorted sound at very high volumes when listening to that kind of music. And both headphones have a really good bass, but the mids sound a little better with Technics headphones. But if I listen to that kind of music I'd usually boost the high and mids in the apps EQ or just choose Instrument or Treble + to make the vocals pop a little more, otherwise they sound a little lost in the strong bass. With EDM I actually don't care about the vocals that much and just boost the bass. At the end of the day you should know there are no perfect headphones. Edit: By the way the both have exactly the same frequency response of 4Hz-40000Hz. Hope this helps!
First of all, that's in order I mentioned earlier. Second of all, yes, what's the point of good sound quality if they're not comfortable? Let's not be picky on the words dude!
@@RyansTechMedia what's the point good comfort with bad sound then? Are you buying a piece of clothing?))) I don't say comfort is not important. Many factors are important.
That's exactly what you do. You wear them on your head! Unless you use them in some other way, and maybe that's why comfort is not the highest priority for you. In that case go for it, by all means! But in all seriousness, these are my highest priority and of many others. If yours are different, it's totally fine and it's ok to share with us.
@@RyansTechMedia I see your point. Hope you understand that was not useless critics, but I was surprised having heard that. Maybe that's because I have the most average head and ears. I've had fiio fh9 and fd5, technics 60s. Believe me or not, but I've never tried any of eartips from the packages. Perfect seal and comfort straight from the box. Wh xm3 also fit well.
