Marshall Minor IV vs Sony WF-1000XM5

Marshall drops two next-gen Bluetooth headphones with a major 100-hour battery life and minor price tags

Marshall Next-Gen Bluetooth Headphones

Marshall Major V:

• Battery Life: 100+ hours
• Comfort: Improved for long sessions
• Features: Wireless charging, customizable M-button (Spotify Tap, EQ, voice assistance)
• Design: Grille-like ear cups, prominent logo
• Price: £129 ($160, AU$250)

Marshall Minor IV:

• Battery Life: 30+ hours (with case)
• Fit: Redesigned for better fit and acoustic performance
• Water Resistance: Suitable for gym and rainy days
• Customization: Enhanced via Marshall app
• Design: Rock and roll AirPods style, textured case
• Price: £119 ($148, AU$231)

Tech Specs:

• Bluetooth LE: Improved sound quality, connection stability, range, and audio sync

Availability:

• Pre-order: April 16
• Shipping: April 23

Marshall Major V and Minor IV launched: What's changed after all these years?

Marshall Major V:

• Drivers: 40mm dynamic
• Sensitivity: 106dB SPL
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Weight: 186g
• Bluetooth: LE Audio support
• Battery Life: 100+ hours, 3 hours charge via USB-C, wireless charging
• Design: Minor changes, customizable M button, Marshall Bluetooth app
• Price: $149
• Availability: Pre-order now, on sale April 23

Marshall Minor IV:

• Drivers: 12mm dynamic
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Weights: Earbuds 7.39g, Case 39.41g
• Playtime: 7 hours (earbuds), 30+ hours (case)
• Charge Time: 1.1 hours (earbuds), 2 hours (case)
• Bluetooth: LE Audio, multipoint connectivity
• Design: AirPods-like, improved fit, IPX4 water-resistant
• Price: $129
• Availability: Pre-order now, on sale April 23

Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Sony sets the new earbuds' bar

The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds set a new standard with their class-leading ANC and excellent sound quality. They come in a smaller and sleeker design compared to their predecessor, the XM4. The fit may require some adjustment, but once secured, they provide a comfortable experience. The earbuds offer extensive features and cross-platform compatibility, working well with both Apple and Android devices. Overall, the WF-1000XM5 are the best true wireless earbuds available, surpassing the competition in noise canceling and sound performance.

Sony WF-1000XM5 review: The buds to beat

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are highly regarded for their excellent audio quality, long battery life, and top-notch active noise cancellation (ANC). They have a smaller and more comfortable design compared to their predecessors. The earbuds come with a glossy finish that can make them a little slippery to hold. The charging case is compact and features a USB-C port and a dedicated pairing button. The audio quality is exceptional, with clear and detailed sound. The ANC is excellent, although not the absolute best in the market. The earbuds offer impressive call quality and come with a feature-rich companion app. The battery life is excellent, with up to 8 hours of playback with ANC on. The earbuds are priced at $300, but if you're looking for high-end, all-around earbuds, the WF-1000XM5 are hard to beat.

Sony WF-1000XM5 review: The new king of wireless earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds outperform the AirPods Pro 2 in various categories, including audio performance, battery life, call quality, connectivity, noise cancellation, and special features. They have category-leading sound and noise cancellation, with features like DSEE, equalizer, and head tracking. The design is sleek and comfortable, with a smaller and lighter build. The buds have a long battery life and come with special features like quick charging and customizable controls. The price is higher than previous models, but the overall quality makes them worth it. The Sony WF-1000XM5 are considered the AirPods Pro killer.

Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Best-ever wireless earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are a major upgrade with a smaller and lighter design. They offer powerful sound, excellent noise cancellation, and a wide range of features. The fit may be a bit tricky for some users, but the overall comfort is good. The sound quality is impressive, with detailed vocals and a balanced response. The active noise cancellation is effective, and the battery life is solid. The call quality has improved, and the connectivity is strong. Despite the price increase, these earbuds are worth the investment and are among the best wireless earbuds of the year.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds Long-Term Review: Refined Excellence

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are smaller and more portable than their predecessor, with improved active noise cancellation (ANC). The glossy finish on the earbuds' sides can make them difficult to remove from the case. The earbuds come with proprietary foam tips that need to be inserted and twisted for effective ANC. The sound quality is clear and dynamic, with refined bass and treble. The earbuds have excellent call quality and wind reduction technology. The ANC performance is on par with or better than AirPods Pro 2. The earbuds support multipoint connectivity and have features like Speak-to-Chat and Adaptive Sound Control. The battery life is impressive, with up to 8 hours of playback time and fast charging. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are recommended for Android users, although AirPods Pro 2 offer a more seamless experience for iPhone users.

Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds review: smaller is better

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are smaller and more comfortable than their predecessors, the XM4. They have top-notch sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and superb call quality. The earbuds have Bluetooth multipoint with LDAC and a sleek design. The ANC performance is better than the XM4, but not significantly. The transparency mode is improved but not as good as the AirPods Pro 2. The earbuds have good call quality and the sound quality is excellent, with a balanced bass response and clear vocals. The battery life is the same as the XM4, with quick charging capabilities. Overall, the XM5 is a fantastic set of wireless earbuds, especially for those who found the XM4 too big.

Review: Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds offer Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with various codecs and multi-point connectivity. They feature Dolby Atmos and head-tracking technology for an immersive audio experience. The earbuds have three mics, noise cancellation, and wind-noise reduction. The sound is delivered by newly designed 8.4 mm drivers. The earbuds can be controlled through a touch surface and the Sony Headphones app allows customization. The app also offers EQ settings, DSEE Extreme, and 360 Reality Audio optimization. The earbuds have extensive functionality and reliable compatibility with voice assistants. In terms of sound performance, they offer accurate and faithful reproduction of music.

Sony WF-1000XM5 review: smaller and sonically special, but rivals are gaining

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are smaller and lighter than their predecessors, but they still offer great sound quality and noise cancellation. However, there are some alternatives that may suit specific needs better. The earbuds have Bluetooth 5.3, three mics per earbud, and a new dual integrated Processor V2. Battery life is good, and the package includes four pairs of premium foam tips. The Sony Connect app is similar to previous models but may feel cluttered. The build quality is excellent, but there were occasional connectivity drop-outs during testing. The sound quality is impressive, with strong bass and detailed audio. The design is compact and ergonomic, but the on-ear volume control can be a bit cumbersome. The earbuds are priced at $299.99 / £259 / AU$499. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer great value for Sony fans and bass enthusiasts, but there are competitors that offer similar or better features.

Sony WF-1000XM5 review: smaller, better-fitting earbuds are no longer outright best

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than their predecessors. They offer good sound quality, effective noise cancelling, and support for Android spatial audio. However, they are no longer the best in terms of noise cancelling and are beaten by Bose. The earbuds have a long battery life, future-proofed connectivity, and a pocketable case. They lack customizability for gesture controls and do not have extra wings for running. They also do not support spatial audio for movies on iPhones. Overall, while the XM5 earbuds are still great, they are no longer the clear leader in the market.

Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds have impressed the reviewer with their stellar sound quality. They address concerns raised in mixed reviews about ANC, mic/call quality, and Bluetooth stability. The 4-tap volume control is usable, with each consecutive tap adjusting the volume by one extra step. The only complaint is the slippery glossy plastic.