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Anyone go from a pair of WH-1000XM3s or XM4s to AirPods Max?
- Thread starter PrisonedMuffin
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Yes. I have the Sony XM4’s.
ANC-wise, the Airpods Max is MUCH better for me. Considering the fact that I hear a low ‘hissing’ noise on the Sony’s when ANC is on. On the Airpods Max it’s complete silence.
Build quality, XM4’s are much lighter ofcourse. The APM’s are so heavy, that walking outside with these makes a ‘thumpy’ noise on your ears with each step due to the heft... It’s more of a couch listening headphone for me.
ANC-wise, the Airpods Max is MUCH better for me. Considering the fact that I hear a low ‘hissing’ noise on the Sony’s when ANC is on. On the Airpods Max it’s complete silence.
Build quality, XM4’s are much lighter ofcourse. The APM’s are so heavy, that walking outside with these makes a ‘thumpy’ noise on your ears with each step due to the heft... It’s more of a couch listening headphone for me.
I had XM3’s, then upgraded to XM4’s and then to AirPods Max and I could not be happier. I think the sound quality is a significant improvement over the Sony’s to go someway to justifying the price for that alone. The APM’s are much more natural and “real” sounding compared with the artificial and bass enhanced Sony’s. Much better soundstage as well.
The ANC is as good, if not better than the XM4’s and the transparency mode is class leading and really not like wearing headphones at all.
I find them Apple’s more comfortable despite the weight, the build quality is loads better and, I watch quite a bit of TV and Movies with them and the Spatial Audio is staggeringly good.
I think they are worth every penny and I am chuffed to bits with them.
Jason
The ANC is as good, if not better than the XM4’s and the transparency mode is class leading and really not like wearing headphones at all.
I find them Apple’s more comfortable despite the weight, the build quality is loads better and, I watch quite a bit of TV and Movies with them and the Spatial Audio is staggeringly good.
I think they are worth every penny and I am chuffed to bits with them.
Jason
I own the XM3s and before that the original Sony noise cancelling headphones (forgot the name). Just got my AirPods Max today and I'm honestly floored by the sound stage. Feels like there's much more separation between sounds & instruments. I'll need to test them out in more scenarios, but I'll certainly be selling my XM3s on Facebook Marketplace or something if this keeps up.
The exact same issue with the Bose QC35! I can hear that hissing noise when their ANC is on. The APM are completely silent with no artificial sound whatsoever.
Personally the QC35 is a mediocre headset.
I sold it and waiting for my APM.
I sold it and waiting for my APM.
The only negative of the APM vs the XM3 or XM4 is the weight. But if that doesn't bother you they honestly kill the Sony's in every way.
Had the QC35s - hated the sound, but ANC was nice. Took them back and picked up the XM3s - loved the sound and ANC was on par with the QC35s. This was back pre-Covid and I was traveling a lot, so ANC was important to me. Then, this past December, as all the hype/news was coming down on the APMs, I picked up a pair of XM4s at a pretty good discount. Sound was great (even better with some EQ) and multipoint was awesome for switching between my iPhone and iPad. That, and same level of ANC (meaning, good). Ambient sound mode was decent as well. Mic quality was OK, but not stellar. With both my wife and I working from home due to the pandemic, I was surprised how both ANC and mic quality rose up the list of my requirements for a good set of cans; right up there with sound quality!
Then, was lucky enough to find a pair of APMs locally and snagged them (honestly, it was the thrill of the hunt, of actually finding a pair, that pushed me to purchase them rather than a "need" for another pair of cans) Plus, I was still under the return period for the XM4s, so I could do some proper, direct comparisons between the Sony's and the APMs before returning either (or keeping them both).
So armed with my list of requirements; 1. Sound Quality, 2. ANC/Transparency, and 3. Mic Quality, I embarked on my super scientific testing. Pull up a good song, play it, listen with the MX4s, listen with the APMs, rinse, repeat. I tend to not like EQ on my devices since I like to listen to music the way the artist/engineer intended things to sound. That said, I do love punchy bass and the XM4s (and XM3s) do deliver there, however, to the detriment of mids and treble - things tend to get a muddy. Punchy, for sure, but muddy. EQing in the Sony app definitely helps a lot. But, then you have that "artificial" sound.
The APMs are much more neutral, but super clean sounding. And that bass that I love so much, is definitely there, if a bit more controlled than with the Sonys. With no EQ, the APMs blow the Sonys with no EQ out of the water.
ANC is about the same on both, but the APMs Transparency mode is better than the Sony's Ambient mode. This is important to me as I still like to be able to hear a bit of what's going on outside the cans when I'm working in the home office (pets, wife, doorbell, etc.). But, if want total silence, a quick click of a button and ANC envelops me in velvety silence.
Which brings me to the mic and the APMs have it here as well. Zoom/Teams/GoToMeeting calls are crystal clear and you wouldn't know I'm using a headset (unless, of course, you notice these huge chunks of aluminium hanging off the side of my face in the video).
That all said, the APMs are nearly $600 (after US taxes) and I got the XM4s for closer to $300. Are the APMs worth twice the amount of the XM4s? Probably not, but you're not getting screwed on the APMs - to me they are a quality set of cans that punch above their weight class. If you can comfortably swing the cost, go for the APMs.
Phew, that's a lot. TL
R - APMs are better in ANC/Transparency, mic quality, and raw, neutral sound quality. Artificially tweaking the sound on the XM4s and XM3s can produce a "fun" sound, but I still say the "quality" of the sound out of the APMs, sans any EQ or accommodations, is better and more pleasing.
Then, was lucky enough to find a pair of APMs locally and snagged them (honestly, it was the thrill of the hunt, of actually finding a pair, that pushed me to purchase them rather than a "need" for another pair of cans) Plus, I was still under the return period for the XM4s, so I could do some proper, direct comparisons between the Sony's and the APMs before returning either (or keeping them both).
So armed with my list of requirements; 1. Sound Quality, 2. ANC/Transparency, and 3. Mic Quality, I embarked on my super scientific testing. Pull up a good song, play it, listen with the MX4s, listen with the APMs, rinse, repeat. I tend to not like EQ on my devices since I like to listen to music the way the artist/engineer intended things to sound. That said, I do love punchy bass and the XM4s (and XM3s) do deliver there, however, to the detriment of mids and treble - things tend to get a muddy. Punchy, for sure, but muddy. EQing in the Sony app definitely helps a lot. But, then you have that "artificial" sound.
The APMs are much more neutral, but super clean sounding. And that bass that I love so much, is definitely there, if a bit more controlled than with the Sonys. With no EQ, the APMs blow the Sonys with no EQ out of the water.
ANC is about the same on both, but the APMs Transparency mode is better than the Sony's Ambient mode. This is important to me as I still like to be able to hear a bit of what's going on outside the cans when I'm working in the home office (pets, wife, doorbell, etc.). But, if want total silence, a quick click of a button and ANC envelops me in velvety silence.
Which brings me to the mic and the APMs have it here as well. Zoom/Teams/GoToMeeting calls are crystal clear and you wouldn't know I'm using a headset (unless, of course, you notice these huge chunks of aluminium hanging off the side of my face in the video).
That all said, the APMs are nearly $600 (after US taxes) and I got the XM4s for closer to $300. Are the APMs worth twice the amount of the XM4s? Probably not, but you're not getting screwed on the APMs - to me they are a quality set of cans that punch above their weight class. If you can comfortably swing the cost, go for the APMs.
Phew, that's a lot. TL
R - APMs are better in ANC/Transparency, mic quality, and raw, neutral sound quality. Artificially tweaking the sound on the XM4s and XM3s can produce a "fun" sound, but I still say the "quality" of the sound out of the APMs, sans any EQ or accommodations, is better and more pleasing.Not at all. I could see keeping the XM4's to travel with and keeping the Max for home use. Even walking around in the APM isnt' something that's really comfortable so keeping the lighter pair as a travel set is a good idea imo.
Bough both at same time. Might keep the XM4s over APMs. The bass is crisper on the XM4s.. music I listen to is more bass heavy. Some songs I really need to crank up to unnaturally loud sounds to get the same effect as on the XM4s. Classical music/instrumentals sound SO much better on the APMs though!
I have both, but I did not sell the Sony’s, since I got them for only $100. I don’t think the APM sounds that much better than the Sony after EQ’ing the Sony’s to be honest. Especially considering the price difference.
What stops me from using the Sony’s that much is that my ears touch in the inside of the headphones. So that is why I tend to go to Bose and APM most of the time.
What stops me from using the Sony’s that much is that my ears touch in the inside of the headphones. So that is why I tend to go to Bose and APM most of the time.
The sound is not that much different if I turn accommodations on APM and EQ the Sonys. If only I could use accommodations wired with my PC ugh... I would just keep them.
I had both the XM4's and APMS to test and keep which I preferred. After trying both side by side with the same list of songs I decided the APM's were better overall for me.
Overall I found the APM's to have clearer brighter sound with good bass. The XM4's don't sound as bright and depending on the EQ can sound a little muddy but the bass is more pronounced and constant whereas the bass with the APM's seems to kick in when required.
Overall I found the APM's to have clearer brighter sound with good bass. The XM4's don't sound as bright and depending on the EQ can sound a little muddy but the bass is more pronounced and constant whereas the bass with the APM's seems to kick in when required.
Agree with this 1000%. The second I put the APMs on, I was blown away. Not that my XM3s suck, they’re actually awesome, but the APMs, just wow. That sound stage and instrument separation, like mentioned above is extremely noticeable.
I give the XM3s props for a couple things over the APMs, 1) Battery life, that 30 hour battery life is insane. 2) Volume, the XM3s definitely get louder. 3) Bass, they definitely have more bass. Not that the bass on the APMs is bad, not at all, it’s just heavier on the XM3s.
If I had both sets of headphones (which I do), and could only keep one, there’d be no question which ones I’d be keeping, the APMs.
So have you decided which one you're keeping? Or are you going to keep both?
Ideally, I'd like to keep both of mine. XM3 for on the go and APM for home use.
But I keep thinking how overkill that is
went from xm4s to APM and havent looked back...
controls on the APM are wonderful, xm4s are just terrible
build on APM is top notch, xm4s are cheap plastic
ear cups are better on APM and more accommodating, on xm4s they were touching the mesh inner
so no ragrats!
controls on the APM are wonderful, xm4s are just terrible
build on APM is top notch, xm4s are cheap plastic
ear cups are better on APM and more accommodating, on xm4s they were touching the mesh inner
so no ragrats!
Some random thoughts from an XM4 owner who has purchased the APM twice and returned twice. I wanted to love the APM as I am definitely an Apple fanboy and deep in the ecosystem. I see many people make their opinions comparing these two headphones with price. My opinions are not considering the price at all. These points are random and in no particular order:
1. The APM's are a much sexier and well built headphone. Very solid but in my opinion weigh to much.
2. I wear a cap size of 7 3/4 so I have a larger than average head. I could not get the APM to feel comfortable after 15-20 minutes of use. The clamping force is way too hard. If you wear glasses like I do, it's even worse.
3. The lack of a power button on the APM is one of the leading reasons for return. I am not a headphone power user. I can go a week to 10 days at a time without picking up headphones to use. When I do I would just like them to turn on with the same charge I left them. The APM needs to be babysat. I did not use them for 5 days at one point the charge while in the bra dropped from the 70's to single digits. This is unacceptable!!!! Speaking of the case, I do not want to have to put the headphones into a case to protect it's battery life. I'd like to just take off, turn off and hang on my headphone holder. One last issue related to no power button, after taking the APM off my head and just putting down on the desk, I missed a phone call which did not ring on my iPhone but went straight to the APM...5 minutes after removing.
4. Im no audiophile but the APM is the best sounding headphones I have ever heard. They're dynamic, the bass is crisp and the soundstage is open ands a joy to listen to. This is an overall sound opinion....but I do listen to a lot of 70's and 80's pop and rock and if the older track is not re-mastered or is a little flat, they will sound much worse on the APM than on the XM4. The Sony's do a much better job bringing life (and bass) to older tracks. The XM4's if EQ'd properly, also sound amazing...just not overall as amazing as the APM.
5. Transparency mode on the APM is unreal....one of my favorite features. I can't even explain how real it sounds and leaps and bounds better than Sony's transparency mode.
6. ANC is a draw between the the APM and XM4. They both do a fantastic job. I will say though that APM felt like they were sucking my eardrums out. Im assuming this is because of the tighter clamping force of the APM.
7. I loved the APM ear pads compared to the XM4. Both are comfortable, but the bigger cloth, replaceable pads are cooler (as in temp) and are more comfortable for longer periods.
So, thanks for reading some of my thoughts. If Apple can fix a few key issues like battery drain, powering off and fit and comfort for bigger heads, I'd be all in. Until then, the Sony XM4's are no slouch and highly recommended.
1. The APM's are a much sexier and well built headphone. Very solid but in my opinion weigh to much.
2. I wear a cap size of 7 3/4 so I have a larger than average head. I could not get the APM to feel comfortable after 15-20 minutes of use. The clamping force is way too hard. If you wear glasses like I do, it's even worse.
3. The lack of a power button on the APM is one of the leading reasons for return. I am not a headphone power user. I can go a week to 10 days at a time without picking up headphones to use. When I do I would just like them to turn on with the same charge I left them. The APM needs to be babysat. I did not use them for 5 days at one point the charge while in the bra dropped from the 70's to single digits. This is unacceptable!!!! Speaking of the case, I do not want to have to put the headphones into a case to protect it's battery life. I'd like to just take off, turn off and hang on my headphone holder. One last issue related to no power button, after taking the APM off my head and just putting down on the desk, I missed a phone call which did not ring on my iPhone but went straight to the APM...5 minutes after removing.
4. Im no audiophile but the APM is the best sounding headphones I have ever heard. They're dynamic, the bass is crisp and the soundstage is open ands a joy to listen to. This is an overall sound opinion....but I do listen to a lot of 70's and 80's pop and rock and if the older track is not re-mastered or is a little flat, they will sound much worse on the APM than on the XM4. The Sony's do a much better job bringing life (and bass) to older tracks. The XM4's if EQ'd properly, also sound amazing...just not overall as amazing as the APM.
5. Transparency mode on the APM is unreal....one of my favorite features. I can't even explain how real it sounds and leaps and bounds better than Sony's transparency mode.
6. ANC is a draw between the the APM and XM4. They both do a fantastic job. I will say though that APM felt like they were sucking my eardrums out. Im assuming this is because of the tighter clamping force of the APM.
7. I loved the APM ear pads compared to the XM4. Both are comfortable, but the bigger cloth, replaceable pads are cooler (as in temp) and are more comfortable for longer periods.
So, thanks for reading some of my thoughts. If Apple can fix a few key issues like battery drain, powering off and fit and comfort for bigger heads, I'd be all in. Until then, the Sony XM4's are no slouch and highly recommended.