Soundcore Space One Vs Sony WH-1000XM5: $99 Vs $399 (2024)

Soundcore Space One vs Sony WH-1000XM5: When it comes to headphones, everyone’s talking about flagship models. But what happens when a budget-friendly headphone steps into the ring to compete with the best? That’s what we’re exploring today by comparing the Soundcore Space One with Sony WH-1000XM5.

Pros and Cons

Box Includes

Soundcore Space One: Headphone, USB Cable, User Manual, Warranty Card

Sony WH-1000XM5: Headphone, User Manual, Warranty Card

Specifications

Key Differences

Headset Quality

If making calls is crucial for you, especially in a business context, the Sony might be a better pick. It offers clearer microphone quality regardless of the surroundings.

ANC

While the Soundcore Space One provides decent noise cancellation, especially for its price point, the Sony WH-1000XM5 shines brighter in this aspect. It excels in canceling high tones and fluctuating noises.

Price Point

Soundcore Space One: Priced at $99.99, making it more affordable.

Sony WH-1000XM5: $399.00 typically priced higher, targeting premium consumers.

Comfort and Design

Soundcore Space One: Features 8° floating access GE cups for a snug fit.

Sony WH-1000XM5: Softer on the head, with a more premium feel.

Build Quality

Soundcore Space One: Primarily plastic build with a combination of physical buttons and touch controls.

Sony WH-1000XM5: Sleek design with complete touch controls, offering a more premium look and feel.

Sound Quality

Soundcore Space One: Delivers sharp vocals with a satisfactory bass response.

Sony WH-1000XM5: Offers deeper bass and overall richer sound.

Noise Cancellation

Soundcore Space One: Offers adaptive noise cancellation based on the environment.

Sony WH-1000XM5: Renowned for superior noise cancellation, slightly better than the Space One.

Mic Quality

Both headphones provide commendable mic quality. Differences might be subjective based on individual experiences.

Additional Features

Soundcore Space One: Unique ‘wearing detection’ feature that stops playback when headphones are removed.

Sony WH-1000XM5: Impressive battery life, sound customization options, and advanced features like LDAC support.

Design

Both the Soundcore Space One and Sony WH-1000XM5 feature a sleek design with thin, extendable headbands. They are primarily made of plastic and are roughly equal in weight, around 265 grams for the Soundcore and 250 grams for the Sony. Both models have comfortable ear cushions covered in artificial leather, providing a similar level of comfort.

Soundcore Space One: The new Soundcore Space One headphones sport a modern design and are available for less than $100.

Sony WH-1000XM5: The Sony headphones, which cost over $400.

Comfort and Build

Both headphones prioritize comfort, ensuring users can enjoy their favorite tracks for extended periods. Soundcore’s Space One, with its innovative 8 degree floating axis ear cups, promises to fit various head shapes. On the other hand, Sony’s design boasts a softer headband, making it slightly more comfortable for prolonged wear.

Build quality reveals a clear distinction between the two. While Soundcore comes equipped with numerous buttons, Sony adopts a minimalistic approach with touch controls. Sony’s construction feels more premium. Soundcore, although robust, exhibits a hollow sound upon touching the ear cups. Design-wise, the Soundcore is foldable, making it easy to store, while Sony offers a hard protective case.

Controls

The Soundcore Space One includes traditional buttons for volume, play/pause, power, and ANC (Active Noise Cancellation). These buttons also allow for track navigation and voice assistant access. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a more minimalist approach with just two buttons and touch controls, which some may find more modern but not necessarily justifying the price difference.

Both headphones feature wear detection, pausing the music when removed and resuming when put back on. Sony’s model might use gyro sensors for this, whereas Soundcore uses sensors in the ear cups. Sony also offers a unique “Speak-to-Chat” function, activating transparent mode during conversations, a feature absent in the Soundcore model.

Sound Quality

The battle gets fiercer when it comes to sound quality. Despite its budget-friendly price, Soundcore’s Space One manages to impress with clear vocals, thanks to its new 40mm driver. Though the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a slightly louder and fuller sound, the difference isn’t substantial. Both headphones support high-resolution audio, ensuring listeners receive a top-notch auditory experience.

Noise Cancellation and Features

Noise cancellation is a must-have in modern headphones. Here, Sony slightly outperforms Soundcore, especially in environments simulating airplane noise. Both headphones, however, do an excellent job of isolating external sounds, ensuring listeners can immerse themselves in their music.

Unique to Soundcore is its adaptive noise cancellation feature, which automatically adjusts based on your environment. This feature is typically reserved for high-end models, making its presence in the Space One notable.

Mic Quality

For those who plan to make a lot of phone calls, particularly for business purposes, Sony’s superior microphone quality might be a deciding factor. It offers clearer audio and better noise handling in various environments.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, both headphones are similar, featuring Bluetooth and supporting older codecs like SBC and AAC. They both come with a jack connection, charging cable, and a transport bag.

App Features

Both headphones can be customized through their respective apps, allowing for EQ adjustments, preset selection, and firmware updates. This ensures that any system changes or connection issues can be addressed in both models.

Soundcore: There’s an ID function, where the user’s hearing is tested and the equalizer is adjusted accordingly. This feature, once available only in expensive models, is a pleasant addition here.

Sony: Sony offers features like 360° sound, which alters sound perception based on the listener’s orientation. Though fancy, it may not be essential for every user.

Additional Features

Soundcore’s wearing detection, which stops music when you remove the headphones, is a standout feature. Sony, on the other hand, impresses with its battery life and sound customization options.

Performance Differences

One area where Soundcore shines is battery life. With ANC on, it offers up to 40 hours of playback, compared to Sony’s 30 hours. In terms of sound, both headphones deliver quality audio, but Sony has a slight edge in ANC performance and sound spatiality, especially in environments like open-plan offices.

Conclusion: Soundcore Space One vs Sony WH-1000XM5

Is the Soundcore Space One a flagship killer? Not quite. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 boasts superior build quality and slightly better noise cancellation. However, for its price point, Soundcore offers an impressive range of features and commendable sound quality.

The choice between Soundcore Space One and Sony WH-1000XM5 is not a simple black and white decision. If you’re on a tight budget and are looking for value for money, the Space One is an excellent pick. Its features, sound quality, and comfort level are impressive for its price.

On the other hand, if you’re inclined towards a more premium experience and are willing to invest in sound customization and noise cancellation, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is the way to go.

As always, the best choice depends on individual preferences and use-cases. If possible, testing both models in-store can give a personal feel and help in making an informed decision.

The Soundcore Space One presents an impressive value proposition, especially considering its lower price. It performs admirably in most areas that matter to the average user. However, if specific features like superior ANC, touch controls, and better call quality are crucial for you, the Sony WH-1000XM5 might be worth the extra investment. Ultimately, it boils down to your personal needs and how much you’re willing to spend.