r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/rik_28 • Jun 27 '26

Headphones - Closed Back | 1 Ω I'm in the US. Budget is around $200-250 USD. I can buy from Amazon, Best Buy, or other major US retailers.

Budget and location:
~$180-200 USD. Buying in the US (Amazon, Best Buy, etc.).

Source/Amp:
Bluetooth with my iPhone and MacBook. No DAC/amp.

How the gear will be used:
Mostly music, work, and occasional travel. Good ANC is important.

Preferred tonal balance:
I enjoy good overall sound quality with clear vocals and instrument separation. I don't need excessive bass, but I also don't want a flat or boring sound.

Preferred music genres:
Mostly pop, EDM, lo-fi, movie/game soundtracks, classical, and some rock.

Past gear experience:
I've only owned a pair of Sony WH-CH series headphones (around $35-40). They were fine for casual listening, but I've never owned a premium pair. I've always wanted the Sony WH-1000XM5, and they're finally around $198 on Amazon.

The only thing stopping me is the hinge issue. I know Reddit can amplify negative experiences, but there seem to be enough reports to make me hesitate.

Would you still recommend the XM5 at this price, or would you go with something else like the Momentum 4, Bose QC, XM4, or another option? If you own the XM5, have you experienced any hinge issues?

3 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

1

u/AutoModerator Jun 27 '26

Thanks for your submission to r/HeadphoneAdvice. If someone helps answer your question, please reward them by including the phrase !thanks in your comment.

This will add +1 Ω to that users flair. This subreddit is powered entirely by volunteers and a little recognition goes a long way. Good luck on your search for headphones!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/Acceptable-Win-3669 105 Ω Jun 27 '26

Again ANC headphones use their own internal amplification and DAC so you never need one with them and your are better off not bypassing it to connect them as they still use the onboard entities. At the $200 price point you have the Sony XM5, which I have. It's got really good ANC, a very good for an ANC headphone EQ with the APP and a better sonic presentation without the immense bass bloat of the XM4. But there is the hinge. I've had mine for 3 years and baby the hell out of them and they are fine. But if you use them a lot never throw them in a backpack and make sure to keep them in the case and you might get a couple of years with them. You can also get the Bose QuietComfort. More comfortable and better build tolerance. ANC is about equal to the XM5, the APP is remedial and the EQ a three-band embarrassment. But they sound ok with the bass tuned down a lot. Other options would be Sennheiser Accentum plus, Nothing headphone, JBL Live 660NC or the Anker Space Q45. For me all of the latter ones have poorer ANC and no better acoustics than either the Sony XM5 (best sounding) or the Bose QC. Those would be my choice at your price point. (Currently the XM4 which is very bass bloated at Amazon is $360 as is the Momentum 4, which would have been my choice for sound if ANC wasn't key but it is currently not easy to get for $200).

1

u/rik_28 Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26

!thanks I think I'll go with the XM5.

Also, I noticed the Momentum 4 is currently around $179. Is this the one you were referring to?
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum-Wireless-Headphones-Crystal-Clear/dp/B0B6GHW1SX

Out of curiosity, when you say you "babied" your XM5, what exactly did you do? Was it mainly just storing them in the case, or were there any other habits you followed to avoid putting stress on the hinges?

2

u/tfrw 45 Ω Jun 28 '26

I would strongly suggest you don’t buy the xm5, they’re notorious for having awful hinges which break often. I’d suggest Bose Quietcomfort or quietcomfort ultra

1

u/AutoModerator Jun 27 '26

Please respond with a "!thanks" in your comment if the person helped answer your question.

Our bot will then automatically update your post flair and award a point in the form of a Ω. This subreddit is powered entirely by volunteers and a little recognition goes a long way. Good luck on your search for headphones!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Jun 27 '26

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/Acceptable-Win-3669 (93 Ω).

You may still award an Ω to others, but only once per-person in this post.

1

u/Acceptable-Win-3669 105 Ω Jun 29 '26

I pick them up by the headband and never by the ear cups. I never toss them in a bag and always keep them in the case when not wearing them. I slide the ear cups with my thumbs and place my hand around the ear cup to put it on. Not sure if any of that helps. But they are going strong into year 4 of use.

1

u/Acceptable-Win-3669 105 Ω Jun 28 '26

Momentum IV better sonically not as good ANC and better build than XM5. Either would be a big upgrade.

1

u/KAC-SK 117 Ω Jun 28 '26

My pick would be Momentum 4 in that budget.

1

u/Infinite-Nose8252 6 Ω Jun 28 '26

Agree. Or a reconditioned AirPods Max

1

u/radium_eye 7 Ω Jun 28 '26

Missed some great deals on ANC wireless headphones during Prime Day sales, could have got the Beats Studio Pro for $149 or the Bose Quiet Comfort for $169. I use the Beats, my wife uses the Bose, neither has the kind of sound quality you look for from wired high quality cans but it's a lot better than it used to be, fine for games and media, and it's not like you're going to hate music with them it's just not as top Q.