Earphones come in a wide variety, nowadays noise-cancelling headphones are in great demand. When it comes to noise-cancelling headphones, Beats Studio Pro and Sony WH-1000XM5 are two of the best options out there. They’re both great at blocking out unwanted noise and giving you clear sound. Both are set aside as a top choice, choosing from these both never be an easy task. So, we’re going to compare these two to see which one is better. We’ll look at their design, sound quality, and what it’s like to use them every day. So, if you’re trying to decide between these headphones, this article will help you figure out which one might be the best choice for you.
Let’s start the detailed comparison of Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless vs Beats Studio Pro Wireless.
Design And Build Quality
Starting with design and build quality for sure as it is the most discussed thing when we want to buy an earphone. Design makes it attractive and build quality helps in long-lasting uses. So let’s look at both design and build quality in a comparison way.
Beats Studio Pro
When it comes to design, the Beats Studio Pro and the Sony WH-1000XM5 have very different approaches. The Beats Studio Pro has a sleek and minimalist look, with a matte black finish and a subtle logo on the ear cups. They are also smaller and lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, weighing only 265 grams. The Beats Studio Pro can be folded into a compact shape, making them easy to store and carry in their included hard case. However, the downside of the Beats Studio Pro’s design is that they are made mostly of plastic, which may not be very durable or resistant to scratches and drops. The ear cups are also on the small side for over-ear headphones, which may not fit well for some users.
- The Beats Studio Pro has a sleek and minimalist look, with a matte black finish and a subtle logo on the ear cups.
- They are also smaller and lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5, weighing only 265 grams.
- The Beats Studio Pro can be folded into a compact shape, making them easy to store and carry in their included hard case.
- However, the downside of the Beats Studio Pro’s design is that they are made mostly of plastic, which may not be very durable or resistant to scratches and drops.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5, on the other hand, has a more classic and elegant look, with a silver or black colour option and a leather-like texture on the headband and ear cups. They are larger and heavier than the Beats Studio Pro, weighing 360 grams. The Sony WH-1000XM5 cannot be folded, but they can be laid flat in their included soft case, which is still quite bulky. The advantage of the Sony WH-1000XM5’s design is that they are made of high-quality materials, such as metal and leather, which give them a premium feel and durability. The ear cups are also bigger and deeper than the Beats Studio Pro, which may offer most users a more comfortable and secure fit.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a more classic and elegant look, with a silver or black colour option and a leather-like texture on the headband and ear cups.
- They are larger and heavier than the Beats Studio Pro, weighing 360 grams.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 cannot be folded, but they can be laid flat in their included soft case, which is still quite bulky.
- The advantage of the Sony WH-1000XM5’s design is that they are made of high-quality materials, such as metal and leather, which give them a premium feel and durability.
Comfort
Now let us look at the comfort part of our headphones. No doubt both are best in their category and made for comfortable use while using for hours. Still, comparison is necessary to know more and make wise decisions.
Beats Studio Pro
The Beats Studio Pro and the Sony WH-1000XM5 have different levels of comfort, depending on the user’s head size and shape. The Beats Studio Pro has a tight and snug fit, which may be good for stability and noise isolation but may also cause some discomfort and fatigue over time. The headband of the Beats Studio Pro has minimal padding, which may create some pressure on the top of the head. The ear pads of the Beats Studio Pro are soft and plush, but they are also small and shallow, which may not cover the entire ear or create enough space inside the ear cup. The Beats Studio Pro may also get warm after a while, due to the lack of ventilation and the closed-back design.
- The Beats Studio Pro has a tight and snug fit, which may be good for stability and noise isolation.
- The headband of the Beats Studio Pro has minimal padding, which may create some pressure on the top of the head.
- The ear pads of the Beats Studio Pro are soft and plush which gives more comfort.
- The Beats Studio Pro may also get warm after a while, due to the lack of ventilation and the closed-back design.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a more relaxed and comfortable fit, which may be good for long-term wear and comfort, but may also compromise some stability and noise isolation. The headband of the Sony WH-1000XM5 has more padding, which may distribute the weight more evenly and reduce the pressure on the head. The ear pads of the Sony WH-1000XM5 are also soft and plush, but they are larger and deeper than the Beats Studio Pro, which may provide a better seal and more room for the ears. The Sony WH-1000XM5 may also stay cooler than the Beats Studio Pro, due to the more breathable materials and the open-back design.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a more relaxed and comfortable fit, which may be good for long-term wear and comfort
- It has more padding, which may distribute the weight more evenly and reduce the pressure on the head.
- Ear pads of Sony WH-1000XM5 are also soft and plush, but they are larger and deeper than the Beats Studio Pro, which may provide a better seal and more room for the ears.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 may also stay cooler than the Beats Studio Pro, due to the more breathable materials and the open-back design.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is arguably the most important factor to consider when choosing between Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Beats Studio Pro, as it determines how well the headphones reproduce the sound of the music, movies, games, or other audio sources. The Beats Studio Pro and the Sony WH-1000XM5 have different sound signatures, strengths, and weaknesses, depending on the user’s preferences and expectations. And if you’re looking for another fierce competition, we have also compared Beats Studio 3 with Apple AirPods Pro.
Beats Studio Pro
The Beats Studio Pro has a balanced and neutral sound, with a clear and detailed midrange, a smooth and extended treble, and a tight and punchy bass. The Beats Studio Pro has larger drivers than the Sony WH-1000XM5, which may give them more power and clarity. The Beats Studio Pro also has an Adaptive EQ feature, which automatically adjusts the sound according to the fit and the environment. The Beats Studio Pro may be ideal for those who enjoy a natural and accurate sound, or who listen to a variety of music genres.
- The Beats Studio Pro has a balanced and neutral sound, with a clear and detailed midrange, and a smooth and extended treble.
- The Beats Studio Pro has larger drivers than the Sony WH-1000XM5, which may give them more power and clarity.
- The Beats Studio Pro also has an Adaptive EQ feature, which automatically adjusts the sound according to the fit and the environment.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a warm and bass-heavy sound, with a recessed and veiled midrange, a bright and crisp treble, and a deep and boomy bass. It has smaller drivers than the Beats Studio Pro, which may make them less loud and clear. The Sony WH-1000XM5 also has a customizable EQ feature, allowing users to manually adjust the sound according to their preferences and needs. The Sony WH-1000XM5 may be ideal for those who enjoy a fun and immersive sound, or who listen to bass-heavy music genres.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 have a warm and bass-heavy sound, with a recessed and veiled midrange, a bright and crisp treble, and a deep and boomy bass.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 has smaller drivers than the Beats Studio Pro, which may make them less loud and clear.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 also has a customizable EQ feature, allowing users to manually adjust the sound according to their needs.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation is another key feature when choosing headphones, especially for those who use them in noisy environments, such as planes, trains, or offices. When we compare Beats Studio Pro vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones, both have active noise canceling (ANC) technology, which uses microphones to capture and cancel out ambient noise.
Beats Studio Pro
The Beats Studio Pro has only three microphones, one on each ear cup and one on the right ear cup, which can only cancel out some low-frequency noises, such as traffic or fan noise. The Beats Studio Pro does not have an ambient sound mode, which means the user has to take off the headphones or lower the volume to hear the outside sounds. The Beats Studio Pro also does not have a noise cancelling optimizer, which means the ANC may not work well for some users or in some situations.
- The Beats Studio Pro has a basic and effective ANC system, which uses three microphones to capture and cancel out some low-frequency noises, such as traffic or fan noise.
- The Beats Studio Pro does not have an ambient sound mode, which means the user has to take off the headphones or lower the volume to hear the outside sounds.
- The Beats Studio Pro also does not have a noise cancelling optimizer, which means the ANC may not work well in some situations.
Sony WH-1000XM5
However, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a more advanced and effective ANC system than the Beats Studio Pro, which gives them an advantage in this category. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has eight microphones, four on each ear cup, which can detect and block a wider range of frequencies and noises, such as engine hum, wind noise, or chatter. The Sony WH-1000XM5 also has an ambient sound mode, which lets the user adjust the level of noise cancellation and hear the outside sounds when needed.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 has an advanced and powerful ANC system, which uses eight microphones to detect and block a wider range of frequencies and noises.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 also has an ambient sound mode, which lets the user adjust the level of noise cancellation and hear the outside sounds when they need to.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 also has a noise cancelling optimizer, which automatically calibrates the ANC according to the user’s head shape and air pressure.
- The Beats Studio Pro may still provide some noise reduction, but they may not be enough for those who need a high level of noise isolation.
Battery Life
Battery life is another crucial factor to consider when choosing headphones, especially for those who use them for long periods or travel frequently. When we compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Beats Studio Pro, both have similar battery life, but different charging times and power-saving features. The Beats Studio Pro can run for around 24 to 40 hours easily. Around 40 hours with ANC turned off and an effective 24 hours with ANC or transparency mode.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 can provide 30 hours playback with noise cancellation and some little extra hours with ANC off mode. However, the battery life of both headphones may vary depending on the volume level, the ANC mode, and the Bluetooth codec used. The Beats Studio Pro uses the AAC codec, which is compatible with iOS devices, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 supports the LDAC codec, which offers higher-quality audio but consumes more power3.
Making the Choice Easier
If you’re still unsure about the choice, checkout the below quick pointers to finalise. As similar to the comparison of Artis 7 vs Artis 9 Review, it’s getting interesting.
Choose Beats Studio Pro if
- You value sound quality, portability, and style over noise cancellation, comfort, and versatility.
- You are loyal to the Apple ecosystem, or you use iOS devices frequently.
- You enjoy a balanced and neutral sound, with a clear and detailed midrange, a smooth and extended treble, and a tight and punchy bass.
- You want to use the headphones while charging, or stream lossless audio via USB-C.
- You want to use the Siri voice assistant, the spatial audio, or the Find My app.
Choose Sony WH-1000XM5 if
- You value noise cancellation, comfort, and versatility over sound quality, portability, and style.
- You use both Android and iOS devices, or you want more compatibility and flexibility.
- You want to customise the sound settings, the ANC settings, the touch controls, and the firmware updates.
- You want to use the Google Assistant, the Alexa voice assistant, the 360 Reality Audio, or the Quick Attention Mode.
Have A Look At Its Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Beats Studio Pro | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
| Design | Sleek, matte black, subtle logo, 265g, folding | Classic, silver/black, leather-like, 360g, laying flat |
| Comfort | Tight, minimal padding, small ear pads, warm | Relaxed, more padding, large ear pads, cool |
| Sound Quality | Balanced, clear midrange, smooth treble, punchy bass, larger drivers, Adaptive EQ | Warm, veiled midrange, crisp treble, boomy bass, smaller drivers, customizable EQ |
| Noise Cancellation | Basic ANC, 3 mics, no ambient mode or optimizer | Advanced ANC, 8 mics, ambient mode, optimizer |
| Battery Life | 40h (ANC off), 24h (ANC on), USB-C cable (audio, fast charging) | 30h (ANC on), USB-C cable, Quick Attention Mode |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between Beats Studio Pro vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones ultimately depends on the user’s priorities. If you value stylish design and strong bass, the Beats Studio Pro may be your preferred choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize industry-leading noise cancellation and sound quality, the Sony WH-1000XM5 stands out as the superior option. Both offer exceptional features and performance, making them top contenders in the premium headphone market. Your decision should align with your personal preferences for sound, comfort, and additional features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 Are Beats Studio Pro headphones compatible with Android devices?
Ans. Yes, Beats Studio Pro headphones are compatible with Android devices via Bluetooth connectivity.
Q.2 Can I use the Sony WH 1000xm5 for gaming?
Ans. While primarily designed for music listening, the Sony WH 1000xm5 can be used for gaming, offering immersive sound and excellent noise cancellation.
Q.3 Do Beats Studio Pro headphones support wireless charging?
Ans. No, Beats Studio Pro headphones do not support wireless charging. They come with a USB-C charging cable for wired charging.
Q.4 Are the ear cushions replaceable on the Sony WH 1000xm5?
Ans. Yes, the ear cushions on the Sony WH 1000xm5 are replaceable, allowing users to maintain long-term comfort and hygiene.
Q.5 Which headphone offers better call quality: Beats Studio Pro or Sony WH 1000xm5?
Ans. Both headphones offer decent call quality, but the Sony WH 1000xm5’s advanced microphone array provides clearer voice transmission, especially in noisy environments.
Q.6 Can I connect Beats Studio Pro to multiple devices simultaneously?
Ans. Yes, Beats Studio Pro supports multi-device pairing, allowing seamless switching between devices for a hassle-free listening experience.