Sony’s XM line has a reputation for producing the best active noise-cancelling headphones. The WH-1000XM4 carried that crown well. Sony has now released the WH-1000XM5 with a revamped design and upgraded performance. Sony also has its extra bass line that promises a boomier, bass-heavy sound signature. The Sony WH-XB910N is their latest pair of over-ear headphones for the extra bass line. It also features active noise cancelling and a revamped design just like the WH-1000XM5. The WH-XB910N headphones are also much cheaper. How does its ANC compare to the 1000XM5 headphones? Is it worth the cost-saving for most users? We’ll answer those questions and more in our head-to-head comparison.
Table of Contents
Product Highlights: Sony WH-XB910N vs WH-1000XM5
- Battery Life: 30 Hours w/ ANC
- ANC: Industry leading performance
- Sound: Detailed and Bassy
- Cost: $$$$$
- Battery Life: 30 Hours w/ ANC
- ANC: Solid Performance
- Sound: Full and Bass-Heavy
- Cost: $$
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs WH-XB910N: Key Factors
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is essential for most users. It’s extremely important for those who want to use active noise canceling (ANC) to block ambient sound on long commutes. Luckily, both headphones have pretty impressive battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones will provide 30 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation enabled. That’s bumped to 40 hours without ANC. That’s similar battery life to the previous generation (WH-1000XM4) . Quick charging does get a small upgrade. Just 3 minutes of charging will give users 3 hours of playback. Both devices are charged through their USB-C port.
The Sony WH-XB910N also has an advertised battery life of 30 hours with active noise cancelling enabled. It actually achieves closer to 40 hours in real-world use. Without ANC, it reaches 50 hours of battery life. A 10-minute quick charge will give you 4.5 hours of playback on the Sony WH-XB910N. While not a huge difference in real-world use, the WH-XB910N does have superior battery life.
Verdict: Sony WH-XB910N
Design and Comfort
It’s clear with the WH-1000XM5 that Sony wanted to refresh the design of its new headphones. The physical design is still modern and somehow sleeker than previous models. I’m a fan of the new curvy, lightweight design. The Sony WH-1000XM5 weighs 250g and is ultra-comfortable to wear. Build quality does seem slightly improved, including quiet operation of the new cans. This is thanks to what Sony refers to as its silent joints. The polished physical design only adds to the premium experience of these wireless headphones. I would only have two small complaints. The ear cups seem a little large compared to the slim leather headband. The other qualm would be the fact that the Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones don’t fold inward. This removes the everyday convenience of folding them into a ball to fit in a bag. They do fold flat, which allows them to fit in the redesigned case Sony provides.
The Sony WH-XB910N also has a lightweight design that’s surprisingly lighter than the WH-1000XM5 at 252g. This is likely due to the higher quality materials in the XM5 headphones. The WH-XB910N is actually the bulkier-looking design. It has a design that deviates from the previous generation (WH-XB900N) which was very similar to the XM4 headphones. The headband and connecting hinge stand out on the Sony WH-XB910N. It looks and feels lower quality than the XM5 headphones. The build quality of the WH-XB910N feels solid, but the plastic material is clearly lower quality than the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. They also cost half as much, so it’s kind of expected. You will be able to fold the WH-XB910N inward and flat. Both are actually necessary to fit inside the protective case that Sony provides with the WH-XB910N. This flexibility does make the WH-XB910N a little more portable than the Sony WH-1000XM5. The ear padding on the WH-XB910 is generous enough that comfort isn’t an issue. The padding is not as soft and comfortable as you will find on the XM5 headphones though.
Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5
Touch Control Scheme
Touch controls are on the Sony WH-1000XM5 just like its predecessor. The intuitive touch control settings allow for a lot of onboard adjustments. Volume control, playback, and calls can be controlled with the touch-sensitive right ear cup. You will feel at home with the controls if you have used previous models. Swiping up and down adjusts the volume. Swiping forward will go to the next track. Swiping back will move to the previous track. A double tap to the center of the right ear cup will pause and play audio. This can also be used to answer phone calls. Holding the right ear cup will quickly switch the headphones into quick attention mode. This works as a temporary transparency mode that allows you to hear ambient sound as long as you are holding the right ear cup. Lastly, holding the center of the headphones will activate your preferred voice assistant. Google Assistant and Alexa integration are both supported.
On the left ear cup of the WH-1000XM5, there are two additional buttons. One is your typical power button to power the headphones off and on. Holding the power button (from off) will activate Bluetooth pairing. There is also a button that allows you to cycle through active noise cancelling modes. The headphones effortlessly change from an ANC, ANC off, and Ambient Sound Mode with a single press. ANC mode activates noise cancelling for distraction-free listening. Ambient mode allows external noise in for more situational awareness. ANC off disables active noise cancelling completely and will also preserve your battery life.
Sony’s WH-XB910N headphones have the same intuitive touch control settings as the XM5. The touch gestures for volume control, playback, and voice assistant integration work exactly the same for these two devices. Recognition of the gestures did work better on the WH-1000XM5 touch panel. The WH-XB910N was not always immediately responsive.
The same power and ANC button also exist on the left side of both devices. We’ve included a helpful table below to summarize the touch control scheme. All touch gestures are made on the right ear cup.
| Touch Gesture | Control Function |
| Double Tap (Center) | Pause / Play + Answer Phone Call |
| Swipe Foward | Next Track |
| Swipe Back | Previous Track |
| Swipe Up | Volume Up |
| Swipe Down | Volume Down |
| Hold (Center) | Activate Voice Assistant |
| Hold (Entire Cup) | Quick Attention Mode |
Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5
Connectivity and App Support
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-XB910N have Bluetooth version 5.2 and charge via USB-C. Hi-res audio support through Sony’s LDAC codec is available for both too. Both wireless headphones also allow for playback via AAC, SBC, or wired via the headphone jack. Bluetooth multipoint capability is available for both headphones. Multipoint connection is an important everyday convenience for those working from home. This will allow either pair of headphones to be connected to two Bluetooth devices at the same time.
We’ve raved about Sony’s Headphones Connect app in the past. It’s a feature-filled companion app that provides a premium experience for users. It’s also what Sony uses to update the firmware for its headphones. Luckily, both of these headphones can connect to the app, which opens the door to a few features. One is Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) technology, which can upscale compressed music. The WH-XB910N supports DSEE, but the WH-1000XM5 is actually one of the few Sony headphones that support the more capable DSEE extreme thanks to its newly developed driver. Sony also added support for Google’s Find My Device, Fast Pair, Spotify Quick Access, and Swift Pair to the Sony WH-1000XM5.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 also makes a good companion for zoom and phone calls. It provides exceptional call quality and does a great job of rejecting surrounding noise. There isn’t a single built-in mic. There are actually 8 microphones total and AI software for precise voice pickup during calls. The WH-XB910N also performs well for phone calls. Its active noise cancellation helps isolate voices for better call quality. Performance just doesn’t measure up to the XM5 headphones. The WH-XB910N will work great for video and phone calls in optimal environments. They won’t hold up as well around a lot of background noise.
Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5
What Is The Sound Quality Of These Headphones Like?
You can get good sound in mid-range and premium headphones. But not all sound quality is created equal. It’s important to know what you are buying. A large part of that equation is the sound profile or sound signature. Many consumer audio products have more bass-heavy sound signatures and both these ANC headphones fit that description.
That being said, the Sony WH-XB910N extra bass headphones have more bass. It’s definitely targeting those who want a boost in the low end. It surprisingly still doesn’t result in an overemphasis on bass that completely outshines the midrange. Even the best bass-heavy headphones struggle with this. Vocals still feel present in most music tracks. For better or worse, it still produces bass notes you didn’t know existed in some songs. Treble can seem a little forward at times, as it’s clear Sony attempted to balance out the bass-boosted response. It makes for an altogether dynamic sound signature that might push the low end too far for many. It doesn’t veer into the insane boominess of the Skullcandy Crusher Evo though.
While the Sony Headphones app provides ample opportunity to tweak the sound profile, the Sony WH-XB910N will still lean toward a bassy EQ. I think they are great for bass-heads who also want cleaner sound at times. It shouldn’t be an option if your music tastes don’t skew toward bass-heavy genres. For those users and many others, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a preferable sound signature.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 also has a sound signature that favors the low end. It’s still comparatively cleaner than the WH-XB910N. The default sound signature on the 1000XM5 is smoother. It’s also more responsive to EQ and Clear Bass adjustments in the app. You won’t get as much rumble as the WH-XB910N, but they don’t slack in that department. That bass also will give vocals and treble more room to breathe. Low frequencies on the WH-1000XM5 have enough heft and tightness to please just about everybody. The great detail and wide soundstage round out the XM5’s magnificent sound quality. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 comes with 30mm drivers. The new drivers are a step down from the 40mm drivers of previous generations. Size clearly isn’t everything. Is it a huge improvement over the Sony WH-1000XM4? No. It’s still worth the premium price and so are the XM4s at a now discounted rate.
Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5 for most
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs WH-XB910N: Which Has Better Noise Cancelling?
No need for too much suspense here. The Sony WH-1000XM5 clearly wins the noise cancelling battle. With the XM5, you will find unprecedented noise cancellation and an improvement over the XM4. With noise cancelling enabled, you’ll get a drastic reduction of external noise. Top-tier noise cancellation used to be about simply muting lower frequencies. The Sony WH-1000XM5 handles rumbling engines better than ever. Shuffling or chatter from co-workers and commuters has always been more challenging for noise cancelling headphones. While I didn’t notice a huge improvement here, the XM5s still hold up better than any other wireless ANC headphones out there.
The XM5 is equipped with 8 microphones and a new integrated processor. The integrated processor is actually a combination of two processors. There is a QN1 processor paired with a new V1 processor. Sony touts this as the key to the bump in ANC performance. The new integrated processor is joined by its Auto NC Optimizer feature. The closest feature comparison is adaptive sound control which tailors noise cancelling based on your location. With the new Auto NC Optimizer, noise cancelling can be automatically optimized based on wearing conditions AND your environment.
You will find the adaptive sound control on the Sony WH-XB910N. Unfortunately, you won’t find two processors or cutting-edge software dedicated to a distraction-free listening experience. The WH-XB910N still has good enough noise cancelling capabilities to add value. If you are a heavy commuter, it may not be sufficient though. The XB910N can slightly dampen the hum of your AC at home or even a subway engine. But the drop-off in ambient sound is not nearly as pronounced compared to the WH-XB910N. And it’s not nearly as effective in combatting higher frequencies. You can find solid noise cancellation in mid-tier headphones. Unfortunately, you’ll have to spend much more for truly great noise cancelling headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM5, Airpods Max, and Bose QC45 are just on a different (more expensive) level.
Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5
Conclusion and Verdict
Cost can really be the great equalizer at times. The Sony WH-1000XM5 checks a ton of boxes with unprecedented noise cancellation being a huge one. Active noise cancelling on the Sony WH-XB910N is solid, but it can’t match the WH-1000XM5. It does match the XM5 on many features including a lightweight design, Bluetooth multipoint, LDAC audio support, touch controls, and a great companion app. And it cost half as much. Sound signature preferences will vary, but the price is what really makes this an interesting comparison. If you’re looking to save money and like a bass-heavy sound signature, the WH-XB910N is a great option. Spring for the WH-1000XM5 if active noise cancellation is your priority. Or if you really prefer the more neutral and detailed sound quality of the WH-1000XM5.
Sony WH-XB910N vs Sony WH-1000XM5: FAQs
Is Bluetooth multipoint available on these Sony headphones?
Yes. Both Sony headphones support a Bluetooth multipoint connection. This allows the headphones to connect to two devices at once and quickly switch back and forth.
Which headphones are more affordable?
The WH-XB910N is much more affordable at $150 to $200. The Sony WH-1000XM5 retails for $398. It was just released, so the price may not budge for a while.
Which headphones have better noise cancelling?
The WH-1000XM5 is by far the better noise cancelling headphones. ANC performance on the WH-XB910N is still solid and a value-added feature.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.