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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X headphones offer excellent sound quality, comfort, and mic quality, making them ideal for music, calls, meetings, and especially gaming. However, they are not wireless, not suitable for exercise, and lack noise isolation, which could be a downside for travel and outdoor use. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM5 earbuds are wireless with active noise canceling, making them great for air travel and portability, but they have lower sound quality compared to the EPOS PC38X. The Sony's are more compact and feature an app with customizable controls, optimized for both Android and Apple devices. Thus, choose the EPOS if you prioritize gaming and sound quality and don't need wireless; choose the Sony if you value portability, noise cancellation, and wireless features. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
8.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is very good.
Gaming
10.0
5.1
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.9
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
5.4
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$125
$298
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $125 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The EPOS PC38X and Sony WF1000XM5 both have very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$125 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Sony WF1000XM5
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Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the Sony WF1000XM5
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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