A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancellation for usage in noisy environments, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is an outstanding choice, although it's more expensive. Conversely, the EPOS PC38X offers excellent sound for its price, especially for gaming due to better directional audio cues, and possesses a microphone for in-game communication. However, the EPOS model lacks noise cancellation, so it's less ideal for loud spaces. The Sony's wireless feature and long battery life provide convenience and portability, while the EPOS, being wired, limits mobility but also eliminates concerns about battery life or latency which can be crucial for gaming. Choose the WH-1000XM5 for versatile noise-canceling headphones with high mobility, or the PC38X if gaming performance and value are your main considerations. 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 WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
8.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good.
Gaming
10.0
5.6
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
6.0
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
5.8
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and EPOS PC38X both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the EPOS PC38X and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
See more
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 WH-1000XM5
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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 EPOS PC38X or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare EPOS PC38X vs. Philips Fidelio X2HR
VS
Compare EPOS PC38X vs. Skullcandy Hesh ANC
VS
Compare EPOS PC38X vs. JBL Live 770NC
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bowers and Wilkins PI7
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
