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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Philips Fidelio X2HR are over-ear headphones known for their comfort and open-back design, which provides a spacious soundstage suitable for enjoying music at home, but their open-back design means they leak sound and don’t isolate noise well, making them less ideal for noisy environments or commuting. Meanwhile, the Sony WF1000XM5 are true wireless earbuds that offer active noise cancellation, making them better for travel and use in noisy places. They also provide the convenience of portability and lack of cables, but the in-ear fit can be less comfortable for some users over extended periods. If you frequently need to make calls, the Sony earbuds include a microphone, while the Fidelio X2HR does not. Consider your primary use case, whether that's critical listening at home or the versatility and noise cancellation for on-the-go listening, when making your choice. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
8.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is very good.
Gaming
7.0
5.1
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.9
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
5.4
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Philips Fidelio X2HR does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$148
$298
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has a price of $148 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
5.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Philips Fidelio X2HR and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Philips Fidelio X2HR | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$148 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2014 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 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) | 390 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Dig into reviews and images
Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Sony WF1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Philips Fidelio X2HR or the Sony WF1000XM5
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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