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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Philips Fidelio X2HR delivers a premium open-back experience with a wide soundstage, making it an excellent choice for music and TV where sound quality is critical. However, it lacks built-in microphones, controls, and wireless capability, meaning it's not suitable for calls, meetings, or use during exercise, and it may let in ambient noise which can be distracting if you're traveling or in a noisy environment. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 offers a versatile, closed-back design with active noise canceling, making it great for travel and reducing distractions. It is also wireless with a long battery life, customizable app controls, and good microphone quality for calls and meetings. Given that the Sony is significantly more expensive, if you don't need wireless, noise canceling, or a built-in microphone, the Philips can save you money while still providing high-quality sound for music and TV. 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 WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
8.2
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good.
Gaming
7.0
5.6
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
6.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
8.8
5.8
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Philips Fidelio X2HR does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$148
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has a price of $148 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips Fidelio X2HR to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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How the Philips Fidelio X2HR and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Philips Fidelio X2HR | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$148 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2014 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 390 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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 WH-1000XM5
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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 Philips Fidelio X2HR or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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