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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major concern and you're looking for quality sound reproduction for studio monitoring or casual listening, the Audio Technica ATH M40X may be suitable; they offer a wired connection, which is good for zero latency and critical listening. However, if you value wireless convenience, active noise canceling for travel or noisy environments, and high-end features like touch controls and voice assistants, then the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a better choice, despite being more expensive. Be aware that the Sony's may not be as effective for activities requiring low latency, like gaming. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M40X
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
6.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Build Quality
8.2
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Sony WH-1000XM5
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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