Editor’s note: this article was published on August 1, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Ace compared to the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

The headphones share similar ear pads and headbands.

The Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra share a very similar design. In terms of style, I’d give the edge to the Sonos Ace, thanks to its metal accents on the headband and buttons. While the headband of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones may look metallic, it is an all-plastic design. At this price, that’s underwhelming.

On the other hand, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have the edge in comfort. Thanks to its plastic construction, the Bose headphones are lighter at only 253g, compared to the Sonos Ace at 320g. The ear pads on the Bose headphones are also slightly softer. While I can still wear the Sonos Ace for multiple hours at a time, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have all-day comfort.

Both headphones come with a nice carrying case along with cables for charging and wired listening. Neither have any water or sweat resistance, so you should think twice before buying the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for the gym.

Should you use the apps of either the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

It’s important to download the companion app to get the most out of either set of headphones. For the Sonos Ace, that’s the Sonos app. For the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, it’s the Bose app. Both apps let you install the latest firmware updates, adjust noise canceling, and have basic equalizer functionality to adjust the bass and treble.

Each app also has some spatial audio features. Within the Bose app, you can activate Still Immersive Audio mode, which simulates the effect of your music coming from a speaker in front of you. Alternatively, there is a Motion Immersive Audio mode which keeps the music centered as you move your head around. Similarly, the Sonos app lets you toggle Dolby Atmos and head tracking modes.

If you have a compatible Sonos soundbar, you can set up TV Audio Swap within the Sonos app. This allows you to seamlessly transfer audio from your soundbar to your Sonos Ace headphones.

How do the Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra connect?

Both headphones support wired and wireless listening.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have Bluetooth 5.3 with support for LE audio. If you have a newer flagship Android phone, you may enjoy near-CD quality via aptX Lossless. Another way to get lossless listening is to simply use the included 2.5 to 3.5mm TRS cable.

Not to be outdone, the Sonos Ace have Bluetooth 5.4 and also bring support for aptX Lossless. You can listen wired with the Sonos Ace with the included USB-C to C and USB-C to 3.5mm cables.

I didn’t experience connection issues with either the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones when paired to my iPhone. Both headphones have Bluetooth Multipoint support so you can seamlessly switch from your phone to laptop.

Is battery life better on the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

In our standardized battery test, the Sonos Ace survived 32 hours and 13 minutes while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones only lasted for 27 hours and 37 minutes of continuous playback. While Sonos has the edge here, both last long enough to survive any plane trip or a week of normal use.

When it comes to fast charging, Sono also takes the crown. Three minutes of charging from empty gets you three hours of listening time with the Sonos Ace. On the other hand, 15 minutes of charging the Bose headphones only gets you two and half hours of listening time.

Do the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Headphones block noise better?

Bose has been making noise canceling headphones a lot longer than Sonos, and it shows. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones easily best the Sonos Ace when it comes to blocking out ambient noise. With ANC enabled, our testing shows that the Bose headphones block out an average of 85% of ambient noise, whereas the Sonos Ace only blocks out 74%.

As you can see in the noise attenuation charts above, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones block out more low, mid, and high-frequency noise than the Sonos Ace. That said, the Sonos Ace still have good enough noise canceling for most people. I found that either headphone drowns out most of the noise around me on my commute to work.

Do the Sonos Ace sound better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

Both the Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have good sound quality. Whichever headphones you buy, you’ll probably be satisfied, though each have strengths and weaknesses. The Bose headphones have a default sound that more people will enjoy, but the Sonos Ace have much better spatial audio performance.

Both headphones have very basic equalizer functionality in their companion apps. You can broadly adjust the bass or treble, but you can’t fine-tune the frequency response to your liking with either. The Bose app has EQ presets, whereas the Sonos app does not.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a slight edge thanks to their higher Timbre score.

On a scale from 1-5, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones get an Overall score of 4.6, whereas the Sonos Ace have an Overall score of 4.3. You’ll notice they each receive the same score in Distortion and Immersiveness. The difference in Overall score is due to the fact the algorithm puts the most weight on Timbre. In practice, the difference in scores here are non-significant.

Objective Measurements

The default frequency response of the Sonos Ace isn’t very different from that of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Both roughly follow our headphone preference curve, so there’s a good chance most people will enjoy the sound quality of either set of headphones. The Sonos headphones emphasize high frequencies from 2-8kHz more than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, which brings out more details in vocals and guitars. Disabling noise canceling on the Sonos Ace has a significant impact on its sound quality, resulting in a roll-off in the lows below 100Hz.

Do the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a better microphone?

The Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones both have quality microphones for taking phone calls. That said, the Bose microphones are much better at blocking out background noise. You can hear the difference in our microphone demos below.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Street conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Street conditions):

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Sonos Ace vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Price and availability

The Sonos Ace have a slightly higher starting price than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. The Bose headphones are also a year older, which means you have a better chance of finding them on sale. You should be able to find either at most major tech retailers.

Should you get the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

Most people are better off buying the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones instead of the Sonos Ace. They have slightly better noise canceling, sound quality, and comfort. You will also typically find the Bose headphones on sale for much less money than the Sonos Ace.

The Sonos Ace are a valiant first effort from the speaker brand but are simply overpriced for what you get. Unless you already have a Sonos soundbar or really value Dolby Atmos, these aren’t worth the money.

Should you get the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones instead of the Apple AirPods Max?

The Sonos Ace and AirPods Max look very similar in white.

In our Sonos Ace vs Apple AirPods Max comparison, we determined that the AirPods Max are the better option for most people integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Similarly, in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Apple AirPods Max breakdown, we found the AirPods Max are a good option for Apple device owners. However, the AirPods Max do have a much higher price tag than the Bose headphones, which may have some Apple fans leaning towards Bose.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 26th, 2024, and is the first version. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Beats Pill compared to the Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2 are competent but different portable Bluetooth speakers. The Pill is a bit larger, weighing 680g, while Roam 2 is much lighter at 430g. Both speakers feature a relatively sleek and packable design and an IP67 protection rating, making them dust and waterproof.

Of course, the big difference lies in the tech. While the bigger Beats Pill is a beach party starter with straightforward operation, the Sono Roam 2 is a smart speaker capable of starting or integrating into an entire Sonos ecosystem. It also offers voice commands via Sonos Voice Control or Amazon Alexa, and its slender size makes it easy to move from room to room around the house.

With its updated Bluetooth connectivity, the Roam 2 can function as a dead simple stand-alone Bluetooth speaker without relying on the Sonos app. A welcome update, but if you’re shelling out for a smart speaker, you’ll likely want to take advantage of the available tech.

How do you control the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2?

Both units feature tactile controls that offer a satisfying click when pushed. The Beats Pill has recessed buttons along the top, and the Roam 2 has a control panel integrated into one of its rubberized end caps. Of course, you can also control some of the Roam 2’s features via the Sonos app or voice commands.

Should you use the apps of either the Beats Pill or Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill only offers an app for Android users and doesn’t even contain an equalizer. If you’re an iPhone user, the software is conveniently baked into the Setting app on iOS, but you still don’t get an equalizer.

While the new Sonos Roam 2 can be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker without the app, you will need to download and install it to take advantage of all its smart features, such as Wi-Fi connection, configure your voice control, and integration into an existing Sonos setup. You can also take advantage of and personalize your sound a bit with the better-than-nothing Bass and Treble sliders.

How do the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2 connect?

The Beats Pill connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.3 and is SBC and AAC, but supports lossless listening over USB-C connection. It’s a cool feature, but portable Bluetooth speakers aren’t exactly ideal for critical listening.

The Sonos Roam 2 connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.2 and is also SBC and AAC only. However, as a smart speaker, it also offers a Wi-Fi connection for higher-quality audio streams and supports Apple Airplay 2.

Does the Beats Pill sound better than the Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill puts out an impressive amount of bass for a portable speaker.

Getting down to the brass tacks, if you’re looking for a party speaker for the backyard or the beach, the Beats Pill annihilates the Roam 2 when it comes to low-end bass response. Listening to Night Train by Code Elektro, there is clearly no contest. The Pill provides a steady pulse of the synthesized bass on this track, even at lower volumes. It has enough output to keep a medium-sized gathering going, but you’ll start hearing some distortion past 80% volume. If your friends are known to get a little rowdy, consider buying a second Pill and running them in stereo for more party-filling power.

While the Pill wins regarding bass response, the Roam 2 does a much better job reproducing mid-range frequencies. This is apparent when changing the genre and listening to Sun Goddess by Ramsay Lewis. While the groove is there, the percussive strumming of the rhythm guitar cuts through with better clarity, not to mention the vocals sound much more present in the mix. If you’re not concerned with a thumping bass response while casually listening to music in the kitchen while making dinner, the Roam 2 is still a decent-sounding speaker with good instrument separation.

Should you get the Beats Pill or Sonos Roam 2?

The larger size of the Beats Pill gives it an advantage in performance.

If you’re an existing Sonos user, snagging a Roam 2 is a no-brainer. It will easily integrate into your home system, and you’ll have a decent-sounding speaker to extend its reach around the house or into your backyard. If you’re considering getting into the world of smart speakers, the Sonos Roam 2 makes a great choice to get your toes wet without going overboard.

However, the Beats Pill is an undeniable choice if you’re looking to start your party. It’s durable, has excellent battery life, and has tons of bass. What else do you need? You won’t have to deal with a buggy companion app either, so you can focus on having a good time with your pals.

What should you get instead of the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2?

If you like the size and packability of the Roam 2 but aren’t interested in its smart features, consider the JBL Flip 6 () and save a few bucks. It’s IP67, has a robust build, and has a decent bass response. That said, the Beats Pill puts out way more low-end than the Flip 6.

If you like the Beats Pill’s more prominent size and sound, you’ll want to size up and look at the JBL Charge 5 (). It also features an IP67 protection rating and is closer in battery life to the Pill, advertising 20 hours of playback. It also features a courtesy outlet for charging any devices in the field.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 26, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 offer distinctly different form factors and user experiences.

Removable ear tips mean do hard plastic bits getting jammed into your ear canal.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro features a sleek, blade-shaped stem design reminiscent of a futuristic take on Apple’s AirPods. This design also houses aesthetic lights along the stem and utilizes swipe and pinch controls. The earbuds are relatively small and lightweight at 5.4g each, making them comfortable for extended wear. However, their unique shape may not suit all ear types, and some users might find them less secure than traditional in-ear designs.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 is definitely made for fashion-forward folks.

In contrast, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 sports a more classic true wireless earbud design, with a circular touch panel on each bud. These earbuds are slightly heavier at 6.2g each and have a larger housing that protrudes more from the ear. Sennheiser has included three sizes of concha fins to help secure the fit, but users with smaller ears might find them a bit bulky.

Both earbuds offer strong durability ratings, with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro boasting an impressive IP57 rating for water and dust resistance, while the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 carries a respectable IP54 rating. This makes both suitable for workouts and light rain, though the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have a slight edge in this department.

In terms of case design, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro comes with a compact plastic case featuring a clear window lid. The Sennheiser case is larger and fabric-covered. Both offer USB-C and Qi wireless charging.

How do you control the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

The control schemes of these two earbuds differ significantly, each offering unique advantages. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro utilize a series of pinches and swipes on the stem for control. The touch-sensitive area is located near the bottom of the stem, which can be a bit unintuitive at first. Users can adjust volume, play/pause music, skip tracks, and toggle between ANC and ambient sound modes using various combinations of pinches and swipes. Additionally, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer voice command functionality, although this feature can be hit-or-miss in noisy environments or with background conversations.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, on the other hand, employ a more traditional touch panel on the outer surface of each earbud. The default control scheme is straightforward: single taps control transparency mode and play/pause, double taps skip tracks, triple taps toggle ANC and activate voice assistants, while long presses adjust volume. This layout may be more intuitive for users familiar with other true wireless earbuds, and the larger touch surface can make inputs more reliable.

Should you use the apps of either Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 come with companion apps that enhance their functionality, making app usage highly recommended for both devices.

The Samsung Wearables app has a 9-band equalizer for the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro uses the Samsung Wearable app, which is essential for accessing many of the earbuds’ advanced features, especially for Samsung phone users. The app allows for customization of touch controls, enables voice commands, and provides access to features like 360 audio, adaptive noise control, and AI translation services. It also includes a 9-band equalizer for sound customization and a “Find My” feature for locating lost earbuds. Users with Android phones other than Samsung or iPhones may find some features limited or unavailable.

The default control layout may not be 100% to your liking, but you can customize it using the Sennheiser app.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 pairs with the Sennheiser Smart Control app, which offers a comprehensive suite of features. It includes a fit test to ensure optimal seal and sound quality, a 5-band equalizer for audio tweaking, and the ability to set geofenced behaviors for ANC strength. The app also facilitates firmware updates and offers a unique Sound Check feature that creates a personalized listening profile, though this requires creating a Sennheiser account. The Sennheiser app also includes a “Battery Protection Mode” that optimizes charging to preserve long-term battery health.

How do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 connect?

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro utilizes Bluetooth 5.4 and supports a range of codecs, including SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec, and Samsung Seamless Codecc, which are only available on newer Samsung devices. Likewise, they offer instant pairing and easy switching between Samsung devices.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 also employs Bluetooth 5.4 but offers a wider array of codec support. They’re compatible with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and after a firmware update, LC3 and LE Audio. This broader codec support makes the Sennheiser earbuds more versatile across different devices and potentially future-proof.

Both earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing users to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. They also both feature Auracast support, a new Bluetooth capability that enables public audio sharing and improved broadcasting features.

Is battery life better on the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

When it comes to battery life, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 clearly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. In standardized battery tests, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 delivered an impressive 7 hours and 45 minutes of continuous playback at a safe listening volume. This performance puts them well ahead of many competitors in the true wireless earbud market.

In contrast, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro fell short in battery longevity, managing only 4 hours and 31 minutes under similar test conditions. This significant difference in battery life could be a crucial factor for users who require extended listening sessions without needing to recharge, such as on flights or road trips.

In terms of fast charging capabilities, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 can provide about 1 hour of listening time from just 8 minutes of charging. Samsung does not list fast charging on the product page, but given the relatively small size, we expect the earbuds to charge pretty quickly.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 block noise better?

When it comes to noise cancelation, both the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 offer strong performance but with some notable differences. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 demonstrates superior overall noise attenuation, achieving an impressive 83% average noise attenuation in laboratory tests. This performance puts them in the upper echelon of noise canceling earbuds.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro, while still competent in noise cancelation, falls slightly short of the Sennheiser’s performance. They manage to attenuate about 76% of outside noise with ANC enabled, which is good but not exceptional for their price point. However, it’s worth noting that the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers strong passive isolation, blocking out almost 57% of external noise even without ANC activated. Still, the Sennheiser could also physically block up to 50dB in some frequency ranges.

One unique feature of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro is their adaptive noise control, which can automatically adjust ANC levels based on your environment. They also offer a siren detection feature, though the reviewer noted that given the overall ANC performance, this feature might not be as necessary as Samsung suggests. Both earbuds offer transparency or ambient sound modes to allow external sounds in when needed.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

When it comes to sound quality, both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 deliver impressive performance, but with distinct characteristics that cater to different listening preferences.

In real-world listening tests, we praised the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 for their handling of various genres, particularly excelling with funk, psych rock, and 70s-80s era music. We noted the Galaxy Buds3 Pro for their full and detailed sound, though some listeners might find the treble emphasis fatiguing over long listening sessions.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 showcases Sennheiser’s renowned audio expertise. It received high marks in the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) assessment, with particularly high ratings in Timbre (4.9) and less Distortion, as indicated by the lower score. They did score slightly lower in Immersion, however.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro also performed admirably in their MDAQS results. They received the same score for Timbre score of 4.9, matching the Sennheiser, but scored higher in Distortion (3.3), indicating there is more.

Objective Measurements

In terms of frequency repsonse, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a slightly V-shaped response, with emphasized bass and treble. This tuning can make certain genres like pop and electronic music sound more exciting, but it may not be ideal for listeners seeking a more neutral sound. The Sennheiser earbuds, on the other hand, follow our house curve a little more closely, offering a more balanced sound profile out of the box, with a slight bass emphasis that doesn’t overpower the mids and highs.

Both earbuds offer customizable EQ settings through their respective apps, allowing users to tailor the sound to their preferences. The Sennheiser app provides a 5-band EQ, while the Samsung app offers a more detailed 9-band EQ.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 have a better microphone?

When it comes to microphone performance, neither the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro nor the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 particularly excel.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphones offer decent performance in ideal conditions, with clear voice reproduction. However, they struggle significantly with noise rejection. In office environments, louder noises tend to come through while quieter ones are attenuated, leading to inconsistent call quality. The earbuds particularly struggle in windy conditions, with wind noise severely impacting speech intelligibility.

For the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, we found the speech quality to be highly variable, and environmental noise suppression was noted as poor and inconsistent. Like the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, the Sennheiser earbuds also struggled significantly with rejecting wind noise.

Those prioritizing call quality in their true wireless earbuds might want to consider other options on the market that specialize in this area.

Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):

MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are both positioned as premium true wireless earbuds, reflected in their pricing. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are priced at , while the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 come in at a slightly higher price point of . This $50 difference puts both earbuds in the upper tier of the true wireless market, competing with other high-end offerings from brands like Apple, Sony, and Bose.

Both earbuds are widely available through their respective manufacturer’s websites, major electronics retailers, and online marketplaces. However, Samsung has temporarily paused shipments of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro due to quality control issues with early production units. This may affect short-term availability, with some pre-orders potentially delayed until late August 2024.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 ultimately depends on your personal preferences, device ecosystem, and specific needs. Both are among the best earbuds, offering future-proof features and high-quality audio experiences, but they cater to slightly different audiences.

Though they look a bit like a Cybertruck and AirPods had a baby, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are 2024 tech chic.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are an excellent choice for users deeply integrated into the Samsung ecosystem. They offer seamless pairing with Samsung devices, access to Samsung-specific high-quality audio codecs, and AI-powered features that work best within the Samsung environment. Their sleek design with Blade Lights make them a fashion-forward option. However, their shorter battery life and some limitations in ANC performance are notable drawbacks.

Three sizes of concha fin, four ear tip sizes, and a USB-C cable are included with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, on the other hand, offer a more universal appeal. They boast superior sound quality with excellent clarity and soundstage, longer battery life, and support for a wider range of high-quality audio codecs, including aptX Lossless.

For most Android users, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are likely the better choice. They offer superior sound quality, more effective noise cancelation, and longer battery life. However, Samsung phone owners might find more value in the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. While they don’t match the Sennheiser’s audio quality or ANC performance, their seamless integration with Samsung’s ecosystem unlocks exclusive features like real-time translation and adaptive sound control.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 25, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Roam 2 compared to the JBL Flip 6?

While the Sonos Roam 2 and the JBL Flip 6 are similar in size and share some of the same features, they are very different speakers. The Roam 2 is a smart speaker that can be integrated into an existing Sonos home system and offers features like voice control, while the Flip 6 is a dead simple portable Bluetooth speaker designed to take on the great outdoors.

That said, the Roam 2 can now be used as a stand-alone Bluetooth speaker without using the Sonos app, just like the Flip 6. However, while both these speakers are IP67 rated, making them dustproof and waterproof, the Flip 6 has the more robust build if you’re not in the habit of babying your gear.

The Roam 2 has the task of looking good at home with the rest of your Sonos speakers while remaining portable; you can’t help but notice its sleek and minimalist design. The Flip 6 has the advantage of being the rough and ready adventure speaker. It sports some hearty silicon bumpers to protect its passive radiators, and the entire unit is wrapped in a durable fabric.

How do you control the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6?

The Roam 2’s tactile buttons are located on the side of the unit, and its power and Bluetooth buttons are on the back. The Flip 6 contains some raised playback buttons along the top of the enclosure, and like the Roam 2, its power and Bluetooth buttons are also on the back.

You can also control a variety of the Roam 2’s features via the Sonos app.

Should you use the apps of either Sonos Roam 2 or JBL Flip 6?

You’ll need to download and install the Sonos app to take advantage of all its smart features, such as Wi-Fi connection, integration with other Sonos speakers, and voice command settings. The Roam 2 supports both Sonos Voice Command and Amazon Alexa. While you can also use it to pair a second Rome speaker for stereo performance when connected over Wi-Fi, the app doesn’t offer many EQ options. You’re only supplied with Bass and Treble sliders.

Regarding the Flip 6, you can easily get away without using the JBL Portable app. Still, it offers some advantages: a 3-band EQ, pairing a second Flip 6 for stereo performance, and easily linking up to any other PartyBoost-supported JBL speakers.

How do the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6 connect?

The Roam 2 takes the clear win when it comes to connection. You can connect over Wi-Fi, which allows you to stream higher-quality audio, or via Apple Airplay 2. It also can connect to your device via the slightly outdated Bluetooth 5.2 and offers SBC and AAC codec support.

The Flip 6, showing its age, connects to your device via the even older Bluetooth 5.1 and is SBC only. It does not offer any options for higher bitrate listening. Neither speaker offers a 3.5mm wired connection.

Does the Sonos Roam 2 sound better than the JBL Flip 6?

The Flip 6 features dual passive radiators, whereas the Roam 2 does not.

Regarding sound, there are some hardware differences between these two speakers. The Flip 6’s main advantage over the Roam 2 is its dual passive radiators. Cueing up On The Run by TimeCop1983 and listening to these speakers side by side, the Flip 6 produces much more low-end than the Roam 2, which only contains a tweeter and a mid-woofer. It also gets significantly louder than the Roam 2.

However, the Roam 2 still offers decent clarity in the mid and treble frequencies, especially on acoustic guitar-heavy tracks like Ventura Highway by America. It makes for a great speaker for personal listening around the house or a small Sunday picnic, but it’s not the get-up out of your-chair party starter the Flip 6 is.

If you plan on using your speaker in a group setting, especially outdoors, you and your guests will appreciate the extra output and low-end provided by the Flip 6.

Should you get the Sonos Roam 2 or JBL Flip 6?

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of smart speakers or extend the reach of your existing home Sonos setup a little further, the Roam 2 is the ideal choice. It has decent sound, good connectivity options, and a sleek yet durable design.

Both the Roam 2 and Flip 6 can easily fit into a backpack.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend time messing around with an app and want a straight-ahead, rugged Bluetooth speaker with a hearty bass response you can toss in your backpack for your next weekend getaway, you can save yourself a few bucks, and snag the JBL Flip 6.

What should you get instead of the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6?

If you’re after something a little larger for your next outdoor gathering, you can go up a step and check out the JBL Charge 5 (). It can provide more output than the Roam 2 or the Flip 6 while remaining reasonably portable and offering an IP67 protection rating. It even has a courtesy USB-A outlet for charging your device in the field.

If budget is a concern, consider the Anker Soundcore Motion 300. () This speaker provides stereo playback, a solid companion app with EQ options, and is designed to perform in 3 different positions. Standing, laying, and hanging. Changing the speaker’s orientation will trigger an EQ change for an optimal listening experience no matter where it ends up around camp.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 24, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are top-tier earbuds from some of the most popular audio companies out there. Both products offer the latest features and best performance of each companies’ product lines. Picking one over the other isn’t so much an exercise in figuring out which product is the “best,” but which one suits your needs more.

Though it’s a little on the chunky side, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds’ charging case should still be able to fit into your pocket without much fuss.

While the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro look a lot like the Apple AirPods Pro with a similar style of ear tips and lollipop-style design, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds use a shorter protrusion to serve as its control interface, and a small fin to hold the earbud in your ear. Though there are design advantages to each style, the former earbuds are a little more comfortable than the latter, and the latter are much easier to fit than the former.

Exercise enthusiasts will probably be better suited by the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, as those earbuds boast an IP57 ingress protection rating. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds only offer an IPX4 rating — more than enough for workouts — but it does mean that there’s an increased likelihood that a splash or dunk would be a bit too much to handle. For activities that would put you in the presence of a lot of water, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are more likely to survive.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro definitely look the part of flagship earbuds.

Both charging cases are small enough to fit in just about any pocket, and both charging cases are more than adequate for the job. However, only the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro’s case can be topped up wirelessly, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds only support traditional charging. Though it’s not a huge deal unless you have a wireless charging pad, it is undeniably convenient.

Should you use the apps of either Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

In order to make the most of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, you’re going to need to use the apps of each to get the most out of them. While you can technically scrape by without tinkering, in the case of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro we think you’ll want to install the Samsung Wearable app in order to unlock the equalizer, EQ presets, and AI features. Said AI features are pretty useful, even if it’s a bit limited currently. For example, the real-time translation tool is a creative tool that allows you to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak your language, and the results are pretty decent.

The Samsung Wearable app unlocks more than just an EQ.

Bose’s Music App is required for timely updates, and that means it’s definitely a good idea to install every now and again. The app itself isn’t super useful outside of that, as the EQ presets and the three-band equalizer aren’t all that incredible. However, you will need it if you’d like to use Bose’s version of spatial audio: Immersive sound. I wasn’t a fan because it simply made the audio sound like you were listening to a single speaker in front of you, and then used the head tracking to place that in 3D space. But if you are hoping for that sort of thing, Bose’s implementation nails that illusion.

How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds connect?

The pairing button lives next to the USB-C port.

Though the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are able to make use of SBC, AAC, and Samsung Seamless Codecs, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds use a much more cross-platform friendly aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless). If you have a Samsung phone, this likely will not matter to you, but if you have a current Android phone from any other manufacturer, you’re probably going to want to pick up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds if your device uses a Qualcomm chip that supports Snapdragon Sound.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds’ pairing button is located at the back of the charging case.

However, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are the only model between the two that supports Auracast — if you’re angling to use that feature in the future. Though it’s not a big fixture of Bluetooth headphones just yet, it does enable some useful features like allowing venues to pipe their audio feeds directly to your earbuds, or provide a translated audio stream that only you can hear.

Is battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

According to our standardized tests, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro last 4 hours and 31 minutes, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds can go for 6 hours and 11 minutes. This mainly matters on long trips, or if you plan to listen to music for many hours in one go. If you’re looking for a commuter buddy, you’re going to be placing these back in the charging case anyways after an hour or so — so the battery life isn’t a huge deal. Still, if you’re flying often, or taking extended bus trips: you might want to pick up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

I will point out too, that more charging cycles can place additional strain on tiny batteries. So if you’re hoping to maximize the operational life of your earbuds, you might want to pick the ones with the better single-charge duration. But given that this is on the span of a couple years, it’s not an immediate concern.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds block noise better?

Though there isn’t a clear winner in some of the other comparisons, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a stellar performer when it comes to ANC, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are merely “pretty good.” There’s no bad option here, but there is a clear winner. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have excellent isolation and ANC.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer fair ANC performance, though it’s not going to make you forget the other top-tier options out there. There’s an argument to be made that this is a positive for those of you who go running or biking and need to be able to hear louder sounds, but if you’re around a bunch of engine noise: you might hear it.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, on the other hand, have some of the best ANC we’ve seen come through our labs, and should offer you a pretty noise-free listening experience. It’s not perfect, but it’s the choice you want to make for a flight or higher-noise environment.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

Though the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are among the top of their class, there is a clear winner when it comes to sound quality. Both are good, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers a more crowd-pleasing sound than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. To illustrate this point, we took each through our labs and collected the following data to share with you.

As we can gather from the chart above, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro’s sound is characterized by strong bass, a slight dip at 400Hz, and some highs emphasis. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, on the other hand, have slightly stronger sub-bass, and much more high-mids emphasis. Though neither set of earbuds is exactly what we look for, both exhibit pretty typical features for consumer earphones.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is a clear winner over Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

That said, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have distortion that you may or may not be able to hear. Because of this, along with a somewhat lower Immersiveness score, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds fall behind the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro in terms of perceived sound quality.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have a better microphone?

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have excellent microphones, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is better at rejecting noise. You can hear for yourself in the selected clips below.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds microphone demo (Windy conditions):

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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Price and availability

Because both Bose and Samsung are among the most popular manufacturers of earbuds on the planet, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that you can find both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds on the websites of just about any big-box retailer out there. However, a recent move by Samsung to re-check much of its stock after manufacturing issues became apparent means that the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro won’t be available until the end of August at the soonest.

Though the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro comes in at $249.99, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds ($299.99) have been on the market for quite a while, so you might be able to find them on sale at the usual times of year. The prices being this close means that at any given time one might not be more expensive than the other, and it’s important to identify these products as competitors in price in addition to market status.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?

Until the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro returns to the marketplace, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are your best bet. However, there’s reason enough to wait for the Samsung earbuds, especially when it comes to sound quality and features. Sure, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are nothing to sniff at, and those earbuds may be a great fit for a lot of people, but they do have their shortcomings.

Though they look a bit like a Cybertruck and AirPods had a baby, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are 2024 tech chic.

However, frequent international travelers shouldn’t think twice: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the better fit with far superior ANC and battery life. These are the main advantages the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have over the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 24, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

Samsung has clearly taken some design inspiration from Apple.

We’re not the first to say it and we won’t be the last – Samsung copied the design of Apple’s earbuds. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro take a lot of design inspiration from the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), while the regular Galaxy Buds3 take some cues from the regular Apple AirPods (3rd generation). Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and we aren’t complaining about the stem design of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, as it is a tried and true form factor. That said, Samsung didn’t quite master the design, given the fact they had to suspend shipments of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro due to quality control issues.

Assuming you don’t get a defunct unit, you will likely enjoy the design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. We found the earbuds are comfortable to wear, and stay in place well. Similarly, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are very comfortable. Each Galaxy Buds3 Pro earbud weighs 5.4g, while each AirPods Pro earbud weighs 5.3g.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro take a lot of design inspiration from the AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

When it comes to durability, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have the edge. They are IP57 dust and water-resistant, superior to the IPX4 rating of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). That said, the AirPods are still sweat-resistant enough to take with you to the gym.

Samsung took another page out of Apple’s playbook when it comes to controls. Just like with the AirPods, you can pinch the stem of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro to control music playback. You can also use voice controls for both the Samsung and Apple earbuds.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have more features?

The Samsung Wearable app enables a 9-band EQ, along with presets.

As expected, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro work best with Samsung phones, whereas the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) work best with iPhones. Both have a very comprehensive set of features, as long as you stay within the ecosystem.

You can adjust basic functions for the Galaxy Buds3 Pro right from within the Settings on your Galaxy device. With the addition of the Samsung Wearable app, you can access voice commands, adaptive noise control, AI translation services, 360 audio, Find My, and more. The app also provides an equalizer to adjust the sound of the earbuds, a feature you won’t find native to the AirPods.

The iPhone Settings app and Control Center are where you go to customize the listening experience.

There’s no separate app for the AirPods, as Apple bakes all the software functionality into the operating system. In the Settings app you’ll find an ear tip fit test, listening mode adjustments, and control customization. Open the Control Center on your device and you can access features like audio sharing and spatial audio. To find a lost AirPods earbud, head to the Find My app on your Apple device.

How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) connect?

The earbuds share a very similar form factor.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro have Bluetooth 5.4 with support for SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec, and Samsung Seamless Codec. While you can pair the Galaxy Buds3 Pro to any device, you’ll need a relatively new Samsung device to take full advantage of the earbuds connectivity tech that is capable of streaming at up to 24bit/96kHz.

Similarly, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) work best with Apple devices. They have Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC, the latter of which works well with iOS devices. While Android supports AAC, its performance is historically variable on Android. The H2 chip inside the earbuds supports what Apple calls “high bandwidth connectivity,” suggesting that the sound quality is getting closer to lossless but isn’t quite there yet.

Is battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

The charging port is located on the bottom of both.

According to our battery testing, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro last 4 hours and 31 minutes, whereas the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) last 5 hours and 43 minutes. We conduct our testing with noise canceling turned on, so you may experience longer battery life in different listening modes and with different volume levels. The shorter battery life of the Samsung earbuds means more frequent charge cycles, which shortens the life expectancy of the product. The case of both earbuds provides a few extra full charges.

You can charge the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro wirelessly or with a USB-C cable. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) support both of those charging methods, as well as the proprietary MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) block noise better?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have active noise canceling to block out external noise. According to our testing, both do a good job blocking out noise, but the AirPods have a slight edge. The ANC of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro struggles to block out low-frequency noise below 100Hz, as well as mid-range noise around 500Hz. This is disappointing considering how good the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro were at blocking out noise.

If you are interested in staying aware of your surroundings, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) each have a very capable transparency mode. Both sets of earbuds are also intelligent enough to listen for sounds like a passing siren.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

Most people will enjoy the sound quality of both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Out of the box, the Galaxy Buds  3 Pro have a strong emphasis on bass, but you can tame this down with the Clear EQ preset. While the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) don’t have a custom equalizer, they do have Adaptive EQ, which tailors the sound quality to the shape of your ears. This makes the AirPods the ideal choice for people who don’t want to tinker.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

Both earbuds are projected to be crowd pleasers.

On a scale from 1-5, both earbuds score a 4.8 Overall. This is a very high score, and it means that most people will enjoy the default sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation).

Objective Measurements

As you can see in the chart above, the default frequency response of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro emphasizes low and high frequencies more than the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). The AirPods have a more neutral sound that closely follows our headphone preference curve. That said, you can easily customize the sound quality of the Samsung earbuds using the equalizer in the Samsung Wearables app.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have a better microphone?

You can use both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) for taking calls on the go. In quiet environments, both earbuds are equipped with microphones that reproduce the voice clearly. In our simulated noise tests, we found the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro do not reject background noise as well as the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). That said, performance will vary depending on what device you are connected to and what app you are using.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Office conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Office conditions):

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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation): Price and availability

Similar design, similar price.

In yet a final statement of imitation, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro have the same starting price of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) of $250 USD. That said, since it has been a while since Apple updated it’s AirPods lineup, you are more likely to find the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) on sale than the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.

As of writing, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are on hold due to quality control issues, with the earbuds now set to hit shelves in late 2024.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

I’m sure you saw this coming, but your decision here should come down to the logo on the back of your smartphone. If you are tied to the Apple ecosystem, buy the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). If you are allegiant to Samsung, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are a good option. If you have neither a Samsung or Apple smartphone, you should look at alternative options.

In terms of pure performance, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are very evenly matched. No matter which earbuds you go with, you will enjoy great sound quality, good noise canceling, and a plethora of intelligent features.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 22, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Beats Solo Buds compared to the Beats Studio Buds Plus?

The Beats Solo Buds and Beats Studio Buds Plus share a similar design, at least when it comes to the earbuds. Both earbuds are small and comfortable and come with four different sizes of ear tips. On the other hand, the cases for the earbuds are very different. You might notice the Beats Solo Buds have a much smaller case, but that comes at a cost. The Beats Solo Buds case does not have a battery inside it, whereas the Beats Studio Buds Plus case does. If you have the Solo Buds and your earbuds die, you’ll need to find a charger.

The Beats Studio Buds Plus have an IPX4 rating for some protection against sweat and splashes of water, whereas the Beats Solo Buds do not have an IP rating. Both use the same control scheme, which is not a good thing. You have to physically press the outside of the earbuds, which lodges the earbuds further and further into your ear canal. Whether you go with the Beats Solo Buds or Beats Studio Buds Plus, you might just want to reach for your phone instead of pressing the earbuds to pause your music.

Should you use the app for the Beats Solo Buds and Beats Studio Buds Plus?

If you have an Android device, you can download the Beats app from the Play Store. You don’t really need to though, as it doesn’t offer much for features. Whether you have the Beats Solo Buds or Beats Studio Buds Plus, you don’t get equalizer functionality inside of the app. The app can be useful for installing firmware updates or locating lost earbuds, but that’s about it.

iPhone users don’t need to worry about downloading an app, as all of the functionality and features are baked right into the operating system. If you and a friend both have Beats or AirPods, you can take advantage of the iOS audio sharing feature to listen to the same content from one device.

How do the Beats Solo Buds and Beats Studio Buds Plus connect?

The Beats Solo Buds and Beats Studio Buds Plus both support fast pairing to iOS and Android. As well, once you connect to one device, the earbuds will automatically pair to any other device on the same iCloud or Google account. The connectivity tech is exactly the same. Both have Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC and AAC.

Is battery life better on the Beats Solo Buds or Beats Studio Buds Plus?

In our battery testing, the Beats Solo Buds lasted 17 hours and 24 minutes, whereas the Beats Studio Buds Plus lasted 8 hours and 22 minutes with ANC on. Remember that the Beats Solo Buds charging case does not have a battery inside, whereas the Beats Studio Buds Plus does. According to Beats, you can get up to 36 hours of total listening time from the Beats Studio Buds Plus including the charging case.

Both sets of earbuds support Fast Fuel, with five minutes of charge time providing one hour of playback time.

Do the Beats Solo Buds or Beats Studio Buds Plus block noise better?

Here is where we encounter perhaps the biggest difference between these earbuds. While the Beats Studio Buds Plus have active noise canceling, the Beats Solo Buds do not. If you’re hoping to block out the sounds of a train, plane, or noisy neighbors, you’ll need to rely on passive isolation alone. If the earbuds fit snugly in your ears, they can block out some noise, but it’s not the same as having ANC.

While the ANC of the the Beats Studio Buds Plus isn’t as good as the best noise canceling earbuds, it is serviceable for commuters. External noise is reduced by an average of 80%, which makes it easy to focus on your music.

If you want to stay aware of your surroundings, the Beats Studio Buds Plus have a transparency mode. The Beats Solo Buds do not, which means you’ll need to take the earbuds out to have a conversation or hear train announcements.

Do the Beats Solo Buds sound better than the Beats Studio Buds Plus?

The Beats Solo Buds do not sound as good as the Beats Studio Buds Plus. Neither offer native equalizer functionality, which means you can’t easily tweak the sound to your liking.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Beats Solo Buds and Beats Studio Buds Plus was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

The Beats Studio Buds Plus score higher than the Beats Solo Buds.

A simulated panel of listeners rates the Beats Studio Buds Plus higher than the Beats Solo Buds when it comes to sound quality. This means there is a better chance that you will prefer the sound of the Beats Studio Buds Plus to that of the Beats Solo Buds.

Reviewer’s notes

We found that the sound quality of the Beats Solo Buds is passable, even though it is a step down from that of the Beats Studio Buds Plus. The Solo Buds have a strong focus on upper mids, which makes vocals pop. There is also a bit of an emphasis in the lows, which can bring out bass guitar sounds. Notably, the Beats Solo Buds have a steep drop off in the highs, which leaves us wanting more detail from upper harmonics and cymbals.

On the contrary, the Beats Studio Buds Plus more accurately represent the lows, mids, and highs. These earbuds still emphasize bass and vocals, but without sacrificing as much detail in other parts of the music.

Objective Measurements

The Beats Studio Buds Plus have a frequency response that is more closely matched to our headphone preference curve. While both earbuds under-emphasize the low-mids, the Solo Buds are also lacking in the highs.

Do the Beats Solo Buds or Beats Studio Buds Plus have a better microphone?

The Beats Solo Buds and Beats Studio Buds Plus both have microphones that work well in quiet conditions. Step outside though, and you encounter some major issues. The Beats Studio Buds microphones let in pretty much all environmental noise, but at least you can also still hear the voice. On the other hand, the Beats Solo Buds have a noise reduction algorithm that blocks out both background noise and the voice. This makes the microphones useless in noisy environments.

Beats Solo Buds microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Beats Studio Buds Plus microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Beats Solo Buds microphone demo (Street conditions):

Beats Studio Buds Plus microphone demo (Street conditions):

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Beats Solo Buds vs Beats Studio Buds Plus: Price and availability

The Beats Studio Buds Plus cost twice as much as the Beats Solo Buds. If you’re on a budget, the price might be your deciding factor. Both are relatively new products, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding either at your tech retailer of choice.

Should you get the Beats Solo Buds or Beats Studio Buds Plus?

If you are set on Beats, the Studio Buds Plus are a noticeable upgrade over the Solo Buds. The lack of noise canceling, a battery inside the case, or a useable microphone on the Solo Buds is very bothersome. If you can’t stomach the cost of the Studio Buds Plus, just look at other options.

What should you get instead of the Beats Solo Buds or Beats Studio Buds Plus?

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC have everything most people look for in wireless earbuds.

No matter your budget, you can find good wireless earbuds. A good place to start your search is with the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, . These earbuds are packed with features you’d normally find on much more expensive offerings, such as water resistance, long battery life, good noise canceling, and good sound quality.

For much less money you can check out the Moondrop Space Travel, . Obviously, at this price you can’t expect perfection, but the Moondrop Space Travel provide good sound quality and noise canceling.

If you are set on Beats, the Beats Fit Pro are a good (albeit pricey) option, . For the extra money, you get a more secure fit, great noise canceling, and good sound quality.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: This is the first version of this article, which was published on July 22, 2024. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the Galaxy Buds2 Pro?

There’s a big difference in fit between the stem design on the Buds3 Pro and the bulb design on the Buds2 Pro.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Buds2 Pro is in their design. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro features a new triangular lollipop stem design, almost like a cross between Apple’s AirPods and a “Cybertruck” aesthetic. They also have lights on them and utilize pinch and swipe controls. In contrast, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro maintains a more traditional bulb-shaped design. Their matte, rubberized texture makes them slightly easier to grasp and perform touch commands.

Personally, I find the Buds2 Pro’s bulb design more ergonomic and secure. However, some people might prefer the stem design for stability. It all depends on the shape and size of your ears.

Both models offer IPX7 water resistance, making them suitable for workouts and rainy conditions. However, the Buds3 Pro takes it a step further with an IP57 rating, adding dust resistance to the mix.

Bose cases charge via USB-C, but the Buds3 Pro has a pairing button.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro’s case features a clear plastic window lid, allowing users to see the earbuds inside. The case is also thinner, easily fitting into most pockets. The Buds2 Pro’s case is fully opaque and has the same matte, rubberized finish as the earbuds, which makes it grippy but also prone to scratches. Both cases support wireless charging, and USB-C wired charging.

Both models come with multiple ear tip sizes to help you get a good seal. You should have no problem wearing them for an hour or more before heat and sweat may affect the fit, but as always, that can vary depending on the size and shape of your ears.

If you have color preferences, the new Galaxy Buds3 Pro only comes in silver and white, while the previous Buds2 Pro came in black, white, or purple.

How do you control the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Galaxy Buds2 Pro?

Both models utilize touch controls on the earbuds themselves. The Buds3 Pro introduces a new control scheme using pinches and swipes along the stems, while the Buds2 Pro relies on taping the surface of the earbuds. The Buds3 Pro offers some additional control options, including voice commands to adjust volume and play and pause music, so you can avoid touching your earbuds at all.

Galaxy Buds3 Pro controls:

Galaxy Buds2 Pro controls:

What you see above is what you get, as both models suffer from limited customization options for controls through their respective apps.

Should you use the Samsung Wearables app for the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Galaxy Buds2 Pro?

The Buds3 Pro has a custom 9-band equalizer, while the Buds2 Pro only has EQ presets.

Both earbud models are designed to work with the Samsung Wearables app, which provides access to various features and settings. The app is essential for accessing EQ presets, firmware updates, and device-specific features.

The Buds3 Pro introduces some new AI-powered features through the app, including a real-time interpreter mode for language translation. Both models offer EQ presets, but only the Buds3 Pro features a custom 9-band equalizer if you want to fine-tune it yourself.

It’s important to note that many features are exclusive to Samsung devices, which can limit functionality if you have a different Android phone or iPhone.

How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Galaxy Buds2 Pro connect?

Both earbud models use Bluetooth for connectivity. The Buds3 Pro utilizes Bluetooth 5.4, while the Buds2 Pro uses Bluetooth 5.3. They both support various codecs, including SBC, AAC, and the Samsung Seamless Codec (on compatible Samsung devices).

The Buds3 Pro introduces support for Auracast, a new Bluetooth feature for audio sharing and public broadcasts.

Both models offer quick pairing with Samsung devices and auto-switching between paired Samsung products. However, the fullest feature set and UHQ Audio (24bit / 96kHz) are reserved for users of recent Samsung smartphones.

Is battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Galaxy Buds2 Pro?

The Buds3 Pro looks more flashy, but the Buds2 Pro have some advantages under the hood, such as battery life.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers a slightly shorter battery life compared to its predecessor:

• Buds3 Pro: Approximately 4 hours 31 minutes with ANC on
• Buds2 Pro: Approximately 4 hours 50 minutes with ANC on

Both models’ cases provide additional charging cycles. However, neither model offers exceptional battery life compared to some competitors in the market.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Galaxy Buds2 Pro block noise better?

Interestingly, the newer Buds3 Pro seems to have taken a step back in terms of noise cancelation performance. With ANC enabled, the Buds3 Pro blocks out about 76% of perceived noise. While that’s fine enough for most, it’s definitely a cut below what other products at this price point provide, and it’s unclear whether a firmware update will fix this or if this is as good as it gets.

For comparison, the Buds2 Pro blocks out 84% of outside noise, which does make a perceptible difference. Here, the ANC affects sounds below 100Hz (down to about 30Hz), and it’s among the best ANC earbuds out there.

Both models also offer a transparency mode to allow environmental awareness when needed.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the Galaxy Buds2 Pro?

I’ve got to admit — the Blade Lights are pretty cool.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro has full and detailed sound. The default tuning might have slightly overemphasized highs, which could be fatiguing for some listeners. We found the “Clear” EQ preset to be the best for a more balanced sound.

The Galaxy Buds2 Pro also has good overall sound quality. In our review, we found that hi-hats could be a bit loud relative to other elements, and bass was prominent but not overpowering.

Objective results

Both models follow a consumer-friendly frequency response curve with some similarities and deviations from our house curve:

• Bass: Both models feature a slight bass emphasis, with the Buds3 Pro potentially offering more sub-bass extension.
• Mids: Generally well-balanced on both models, closely following target curves.
• Highs: Both models show some emphasis on the high frequencies, with the Buds3 Pro having a notable boost around 10kHz.

Both models support Samsung’s 360 Audio feature for spatial sound effects, though this is limited to compatible Samsung devices.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Galaxy Buds2 Pro have a better microphone?

Both earbud models offer decent microphone performance for casual calls or conferences, but they each have their strengths and weaknesses.

The Buds3 Pro comes with several advanced features, such as a “super wideband call” functionality that allows you to record up to 16kHz instead of the usual 8kHz, depending on your network speeds. For whatever reason, we couldn’t get much noise reduction out of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro in our testing, as you can hear in the Street conditions recording samples below. Still, it is possible you could get different results depending on which client or device you use. A firmware update could also fix this.

On the other hand, the Buds2 Pro provides reasonable noise rejection, even if voices don’t consistently sound true to life. One of the useful features you can toggle on in the Galaxy Wearable app is activating Ambient sound mode while you’re on a call. This can offset the disorientation of hearing your own muffled voice and works like a sidetone effect.

Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Galaxy Buds2 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):

Galaxy Buds2 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Price and availability

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro launched at a price of , positioning it as a premium offering in the true wireless earbud market. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro, being an older model, can often be found at a lower price point (), sometimes around $180-$200, depending on sales and promotions.

Due to quality control concerns, Samsung has temporarily halted shipments of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, which may impact availability until late August. Once that is resolved, both models should be available through Samsung’s official channels, major electronics retailers, and online marketplaces.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Galaxy Buds2 Pro?

The decision largely comes down to design preference and the need for strong ANC.

The choice between the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Buds2 Pro largely depends on your priorities and whether you own a compatible Samsung device.

If you just got yourself a new Samsung smartphone and value the latest Galaxy AI features like real-time translation, the Buds3 Pro can be a good audio companion. However, if ANC performance is a top priority or you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Buds2 Pro remains an excellent choice.

If you already own the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, upgrading to the Buds3 Pro is not necessary unless you really prefer stem designs or something like Auracast will make a meaningful difference in your life. The Buds2 Pro still nails the basics, offering excellent sound quality, strong ANC performance, and most of the core features found in the newer model.

For users of non-Samsung Android phones or iPhones, the differences become less pronounced due to limited access to some features. In these cases, the lower-priced Buds2 Pro provide better value.

If neither option seems ideal for your needs, you can check out our list of the best wireless earbuds in 2024 for more options.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 19, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5?

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 are top-flight active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds with all the bells, whistles, and extras that each of their manufacturers want to be famed for. Each has Spatial audio with head tracking, each has its own smart features supported by an app, and each has some of the best performance offered in their product lines.

Removable ear tips mean no hard plastic bits getting jammed into your ear canal.

But there are some notable differences, mainly centered around the design. For starters, the Sony WF-1000XM5 have a rather straightforward bud design with a short nozzle, and no stem. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro look a lot like AirPods and a Cybertruck got crossed in its lollipop design. Where the Sony WF-1000XM5 focus on isolation and ANC, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro prioritize ease of use and a low interaction cost to reach advanced features. If you’re looking for ANC earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are more tailored to that task, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are meant to be something you don’t have to think much about.

Case in point: the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro have a much higher ingress protection rating (IP57) than the Sony WF-1000XM5 (IPX4). With the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, you don’t have to worry if your earbuds get wet, or worry about whether they’re still in your ears when you take a shower. While we don’t recommend doing that, it’s good to know that the more forgetful of us won’t have to sweat every change in weather. While the Sony WF-1000XM5 won’t die at the slightest splash, it won’t survive a dunk in water.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 touch sensors can control playback, volume, ANC/Ambient sound, and more.

In terms of comfort, it’s hard to say that one is objectively better than the other, but more people will likely choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro over the Sony WF-1000XM5 due to it not sticking a hard piece of plastic into their ear canals. Though that can lead to a poorer fit, those who do like the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, will swear by it. However, the news isn’t all that rosy. With the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, you really can’t change ear tips to a third-party option if you want something that isolates you better. The Sony WF-1000XM5, on the other hand, have that ability.

How do you control the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5?

You primarily use a series of taps and swipes to control both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5. For the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, you’ll be using the blade-shaped stem on the earbuds to interact with your earbuds. You can also bark commands at your earbuds with your voice, which sounds a lot better than it is in practice sometimes. For the Sony WF-1000XM5, you’ll be tapping the smooth back of the earbud housings, as this product doesn’t have the lollipop stem configuration.

Should you use the apps of either Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5?

Adaptive Sound Control adjusts the ANC and ambient aware modes depending on your activity and environmental noise.

Because both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 have several features like spatial audio with head tracking, EQ presets, and firmware updates enabled by the respective apps of each product, you’ll need said apps if you want the full functionality of your earbuds. That said, the Sony Headphones app and the Samsung Wearable apps are some of the more useful pieces of headphone software out there. Both are comparable in terms of function, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro used in tandem with the app and a Samsung phone unlocks a few extras like live translation, ultra wideband microphone use, and pre-trained ANC that will allow certain sounds (like sirens) through.

The privacy-minded of you will likely not be thrilled that many of these features on both products collect a rather large amount of information, but it’s unclear that they do anything else with the data afterward. In the interim, it’s just a value judgment you’ll have to make.

How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 connect?

As far as Bluetooth goes, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro have Samsung-specific codecs available for high-bitrate listening. The Sony WF-1000XM5 on the other hand, have access to LDAC, Sony’s proprietary higher-res codec. Though it’s not truly lossless, LDAC does performs quite well in terms of data transfer rates, so there’s not a huge gulf in performance between the two earbud models. However, only a relatively new Samsung phone can take advantage of the Samsung Seamless Codec, whereas LDAC is baked into most Android phones. If you have an iPhone, you can only use AAC for both earbuds.

Is battery life better on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5?

If you’re willing to sacrifice your phone’s battery, you can charge the case from your mobile device via wireless charging.

Battery life is better by far with Sony WF-1000XM5 than Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, as the latter is only able to withstand our test for 4 hours and 31 minutes, while the former was able to last 9 hours and 32 minutes. This has several advantages. For example, longer battery life can reduce the number of times you need to recharge your earbuds, possibly leading to a prolonged usable lifetime. Unfortunately, you can’t replace the batteries on either set of earbuds, so once the batteries give up the ghost: they’re dead.

If you take long flights or trips, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are the better bet. However, if you only listen to your music on commutes, or less than a couple hours at a time, you might not notice the poorer battery life because your charging case will top up the earbuds any time you’re not using them.

For charging, both sets of earbuds use a USB-C charging port on the bottom of the case. If you have a Qi-compatible charging pad, you can also use this to top up your charging case.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5 block noise better?

Currently, the Sony WF-1000XM5 cancel noise better than the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. However, it’s entirely possible that a firmware update could change this in the future. Should that happen, we’ll update this piece with new test results.

I will note that the Sony WF-1000XM5 do passively isolate better by virtue of the fact that they can create a stronger seal more reliably with the foam tips included in the packaging. That does tend to make dispelling outside noise a bit easier.

Just be aware that neither of these products carries a noise reduction rating by a governmental body, so each of these products falls short of being true hearing protectors. You should not rely upon either to avoid hearing loss in a noisy environment — always use the right tool for the job.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the Sony WF-1000XM5?

The Samsung Wearable app offers a 9-band EQ and presets.

Long story short: both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 sound great for earbuds. Though there are some differences in frequency response and available codecs, most listeners will regard both similarly, so you should have no fear in picking either.

Each product takes a different strategy when it comes to tuning, with the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offering more sub-bass and more 5-9kHz emphasis than the Sony WF-1000XM5, while the Sony WF-1000XM5 seem to attempt to not rock the boat with big swings in emphasis.

However, if you were to put it to a panel of a few hundred simulated listeners, you’d get extremely similar ratings from the lot of them. When playback samples were fed through HEAD acoustics’ MDAQS algorithm, the mean opinion scores generated were extremely close. In short: even if these earbuds sound quite different, most people would rate each set of earbuds similarly well.

These earbuds, though they sound different, rate similarly well.

Of course, both of these earbuds have several EQ presets if you install their respective apps, most of which you’ll probably never use unless you like to micromanage your earbuds. That being said, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro have an EQ preset that we believe is superior to the default response: Clear EQ. Though it doesn’t change the overall scores much, this EQ preset has much more palatable low and high ends.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5 have a better microphone?

Though microphones are standard in most earbuds, what you can do with that of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is unique.

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 have good microphones, but the unit Samsung sent us wasn’t the best at rejecting nearby noise. Given that both Samsung and Sony have a good track record, we’re going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that it’s possible something went awry. This might be the sort of thing a firmware update could sort out.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):

Sony WF-1000XM5 microphone demo (Street conditions):

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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Price and availability

At full MSRP, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are $249.99 and the Sony WF-1000XM5 are $299.99. However, now that the Sony WF-1000XM5 are over a year old, you can probably find them online for a bit cheaper than sticker price. As both of these products are top-of-the-line for each industry heavyweight, you should be able to find them pretty much anywhere that sells earbuds. That includes online, and brick-and-mortar stores. Whether one of these earbuds are a better value depends entirely on how you’re going to use them.

Due to a manufacturer pause, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro will not be available until late August of 2024 to address manufacturing concerns. Though this might be frustrating to many, Samsung taking the time to stand by its flagship earbuds is a good sign that they’re willing to put the effort in to make sure everything’s okay with their wares.

Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5?

In the contest of Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM5, there’s no overwhelming winner, just two strong contenders.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 offer better ANC than the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, but no AI features.

At the end of the day, these two products are befitting of their price tags, but if we had to pick one, we’d expect that the Sony WF-1000XM5 would satisfy more people. It’s not that either of these products is poor in any way, it’s just that the Sony WF-1000XM5 is ridiculously performant. The Samsung buds have the WF-1000XM5 handily beat when it comes to AI features and comfort, but that comes at a tradeoff of somewhat less effective ANC and shorter battery life. For some, that’s enough, and we’d have no problem recommending the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro if that’s what you’re after.

Additionally, if you have had trouble with fitting earbuds in the past, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro with its shorter, ovoid ear tips might be easier to fit to your ears than the Sony WF-1000XM5. However, if you really just want rock solid ANC, then you’ll probably want to stick with the Sony WF-1000XM5. Neither is a bad pick here.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 18, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Ace compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sonos Ace have a similar design to the Sony WH-1000XM5, especially when comparing the ear cups and headbands side by side. The ear cups and headband are wrapped in a soft matte coating that looks and feels similar to the finish on Sony’s headphones. Both come with a case for storing your headphones and charging cable.

We can award some style and durability points to the Sonos Ace thanks to its stainless steel frame and accents around the microphones and vents. At the same time, those accents come at the cost of some added weight. The Sonos Ace weighs 320g, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a lighter 250g. That said, we didn’t have major comfort issues with either set of headphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 use capacitive touch controls, whereas the Sonos Ace use tactile buttons and sliders. Both allow you to adjust music playback and activate ANC without needing to reach for your phone. While touch controls may have more wow factor, tactile controls are more reliable, especially if you are wearing gloves.

Should you use the apps of either the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

If you want to get the most out of the Sonos Ace, you need to download the Sonos app. Similarly, the Sony WH-1000XM5 utilize the Sony Headphones Connect app. You get most of the same features and functionality with either companion app.

While the Sonos app has an equalizer to adjust sound quality, it is very limited. You only get simple bass and treble controls. If you like tinkering with how your headphones sound, you will definitely prefer the Sony offering.

Remember, you must accept the end user license agreement to access the Sony Headphones Connect app.

The Sony app takes photos of your ears to implement 360 Reality Audio. On the other hand, you can enable head tracking from within the Sonos app, a feature not found on the Sony headphones.

If you have a compatible Sonos soundbar, you can use the Sonos app to enable the TV Audio Swap feature. This unique Sonos feature allows you to transfer the audio from your soundbar to your Ace headphones with the touch of a button. While this feature is currently only available on iOS, Sonos plans to add support for Android devices soon.

How do the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 connect?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 both support wireless and wired playback, but differ in their approach to the latter. While the Sonos Ace support wired listening via USB-C, the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a 3.5mm aux input. For wireless listening, the Sonos Ace have Bluetooth 5.4 with support for SBC, AAC, and aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 support Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC.

Despite Sonos being well known for its Wifi-enabled speakers, the Sonos Ace do not support Wifi playback. We didn’t experience connection issues with either the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5 in day-to-day use.

Is battery life better on the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

Battery life is a close tie. According to our standardized battery testing, the Sony Ace last 32 hours and 13 minutes, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 last 31 hours, 53 minutes. Fast charging either headphones will get you 3 hours of playback from only 3 minutes of charging.

Do the Sony Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5 block noise better?

The Sony Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each do a great job of blocking out noise. That said, the Sony WH-1000XM5 take the win here. On average, the Sony WH-1000XM5 reduce the loudness of ambient sounds by 84%, whereas the Sonos Ace reduce the loudness of ambient sounds by an average of 74%.

While the Sony cans block out noise, I still find the Sonos Ace block out most distractions. Both headphones are able to block out my noisy coworkers without a problem.

If you are interested in staying aware of your surroundings, both headphones have a good pass-through transparency mode. Sony lets you adjust the amount of outside noise heard through the headphones, whereas Sonos does not.

Do the Sonos Ace sound better than the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 have very similar sound quality performance. Any differences here will come down to personal preference.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

This battle is a toss-up.

While the Sonos Ace score slightly higher in Timbre, the Sony WH-1000XM5 score better when it comes to Distortion. They have a very close Overall score, so there’s a good chance most people will appreciate the sound quality of these headphones equally.

Reviewer’s notes

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to sound quality. The Sonos Ace have a very poor app equalizer, which makes it difficult to fine-tune the sound. Out of the box, we found the headphones under-emphasize mids, and there’s no way to rectify this within the app. On the flip side, we found the Sonos Ace do an excellent job with stereo imaging. In an orchestral track like “Can You Hear The Music” by Ludwig Göransson, the strings and synths are easy to distinguish within the orchestra.

Dolby Atmos content also sounds very good on the Sonos Ace, making for a very immersive listening experience. The head tracking is fun for both listening to music and watching movies. This contrasts with the spatial audio features of the Sony WH-1000XM, which use Sony 360 audio. While 360 audio performs well, it is very hard to find supported content compared to Dolby Atmos.

We tested the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sonos Ace in the lab using state-of-the-art equipment, including our B&K 5128 artificial head.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 have a bass emphasis out of the box, but it is fairly easy to equalize this away within the companion app. After some equalization, we enjoy the sound quality of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Keep in mind that the sound quality of both headphones is impacted when listening wired vs wireless, as well as listening with ANC on vs ANC off.

Objective Measurements

In a direct comparison, we can see a lot of similarities between the default frequency response of the Sonos Ace and that of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Both amplify lows and highs more than our headphone preference curve. That said, there are a lot of irregularities in the Sonos Ace frequency response, and you can’t equalize these using the very simple EQ found inside the Sonos app.

Do the Sonos Ace or the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a better microphone?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each have eight onboard microphones. Based on our tests, both are able to reproduce voices clearly. The Sony microphones seem slightly better at reducing background noise such as keyboard clatter, which might them the better choice for taking Zoom calls in a noisy office.

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Office conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Office conditions):

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Sonos Ace vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Price and availability

If it’s been close to equal so far in our comparison, this is where the Sony WH-1000XM5 gain an advantage. The Sonos Ace have a starting price of $449, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a starting price of $399. Moreover, the Sony headphones are a few years older, so you’re more likely to find them on sale.

Should you get the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

Sonos have made a very admirable effort with their first headphones. That said, it’s not quite enough to warrant our recommendation over the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony headphones have better noise canceling, a more refined app experience, and a cheaper starting price tag.

If you are already deeply integrated to the Sonos ecosystem, or you can find the Sonos Ace on sale, they are still very worthy headphones. That said, it’s also worthwhile to check out some alternatives on our list of the best headphones before making your decision.

How do the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to the Apple AirPods Max?

The Sonos Ace and AirPods Max look very similar in white.

Time to talk about the elephant in the room, the Apple AirPods Max, . If you have an iPhone and are already deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, you’d be remiss to not consider the AirPods Max. That said, the Apple AirPods Max are extremely expensive, so you better be sure the Apple integrations are worth it to you. We have detailed breakdowns of the Apple AirPods Max vs Sonos Ace as well as the Apple AirPods vs Sony WH-1000XM5 that go over every feature in depth.

In terms of pure performance, the Apple AirPods Max are on par with the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5. The AirPods Max deliver great sound quality with spatial audio and head tracking, but you don’t get native equalizer support to tweak the sound to your liking. There’s also no easy way to use the AirPods Max with a wired connection, which should concern content creators who need low-latency listening. On the other hand, the AirPods Max have exceptional noise canceling and transparency modes.

What should you get instead of the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are very comfortable for hours on end.

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both very expensive, and you may not need to spend that much money to meet your headphone needs. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are a slightly cheaper alternative that deliver excellent sound quality, . At the ultra-budget end of the spectrum are the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, . Despite their budget price, you still get noise canceling and good sound quality.

On the other hand, you can’t discuss premium noise-canceling headphones without mentioning Bose – they created the category in the first place. Their latest offering the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones cost a pretty penny, . With aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound support, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra deliver exceptional sound quality to supported Android devices. As expected, you also get great noise canceling with these cans.

Frequently asked questions