The Beats brand has always been about making a statement. Since Apple acquired the company, Beats headphones have evolved from bass-heavy fashion accessories into legitimate audio products that compete on technical merit. The Studio Pro represents the most refined Beats headphone yet, with spatial audio, lossless USB-C audio, and a more balanced sound signature. The Sony WH-1000XM5 needs no introduction. it is the headphone that every competitor benchmarks against, with industry-leading noise cancellation and comprehensive features. I tested both headphones for five weeks to see if Beats can finally challenge Sony’s dominance in the premium wireless headphone market.
Design and Comfort
The Beats Studio Pro looks unmistakably like a Beats product. The design is bold and modern, with smooth curves, minimal branding, and a premium matte finish. The ear cups are slightly smaller than the XM5’s, with memory foam cushions wrapped in soft-touch synthetic leather. The headband is lightly padded and flexible, with a metal frame that feels solid in the hand. Build quality is excellent. these feel like premium headphones that justify their price.
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 took a design risk by departing from the XM4’s aesthetic. The new look is sleeker and more minimal, with a single-piece synthetic leather headband stretched across a flexible frame. The ear cups are larger and deeper than the Studio Pro’s, with plush cushions that sit comfortably around your ears. The overall design feels more refined and mature than previous XM models, though the inability to fold flat is a practical compromise.
Build Comparison
| Specification | Beats Studio Pro | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 260g | 250g |
| Foldable | Yes (hinged) | No |
| Carrying Case | Soft pouch | Hard shell |
| Water Resistance | No | IPX4 |
| Headband Material | Padded synthetic | Synthetic leather |
| Ear Cushion | Synthetic leather | Synthetic leather |
The weight difference is minimal, though the Sony feels slightly lighter on your head due to better weight distribution. Beats wins on portability with hinged folding, but Sony’s hard-shell case offers better protection. Sony’s IPX4 water resistance is a practical advantage for gym use or commuting in rain. The Beats comes with a soft pouch that saves space but provides less protection.
For comfort, the Sony has a clear advantage. The larger ear cups and softer clamping force make the XM5 more comfortable for extended wear. The Studio Pro is not uncomfortable, but the slightly tighter fit and smaller ear cups can cause fatigue after three or four hours. If you wear headphones all day, the Sony is the better choice.
Sound Quality
The Studio Pro sounds notably better than any previous Beats headphone. The bass-heavy signature that defined the brand is gone, replaced by a more balanced tuning that respects the source material. Bass is still present and impactful, but it no longer overwhelms the midrange. Mids are clear and well-defined, giving vocals proper presence. Treble is smooth and detailed, though slightly rolled off compared to more analytical headphones.
Beats supports spatial audio with dynamic head tracking when connected to Apple devices. The effect is impressive with compatible content, creating a convincing sense of space and directionality. The Studio Pro also supports lossless audio over USB-C, which is a rare feature in wireless headphones. When connected via cable, the sound quality improves noticeably, with better detail retrieval and wider dynamic range.
The WH-1000XM5 has been my reference for wireless sound quality since its release. Sony’s tuning is warm and engaging, with rich bass, smooth mids, and detailed treble. The DSEE Extreme processing does excellent work upscaling compressed audio, making even low-bitrate streams sound better than they should. LDAC support enables high-resolution wireless audio from Android devices, and the difference over standard Bluetooth is audible on well-recorded tracks.
Comparing them directly reveals different philosophies. The Studio Pro sounds more neutral and reference-like, especially over USB-C. The XM5 sounds warmer and more musical, with a tuning that makes everything enjoyable even if it is not perfectly accurate. For critical listening and studio work, the Beats has an edge. For everyday enjoyment across all genres, the Sony is more consistently pleasing.
Codec support favors Sony. The XM5 supports LDAC, aptX, AAC, and SBC, covering all major platforms with high-quality options. The Studio Pro supports AAC and SBC, which is adequate for Apple devices but limiting for Android users who want the best wireless quality. The USB-C lossless option on the Beats is excellent, but it requires a cable, which defeats the purpose of wireless headphones for many users.
Noise Cancellation
Sony’s noise cancellation on the XM5 is the best in the industry. The V1 Integrated Processor handles a wide range of frequencies with exceptional effectiveness. Low-frequency noise like airplane engines and train rumble is virtually eliminated. Mid-frequency sounds like conversation and keyboard typing are reduced to barely audible whispers. High-frequency noise is softened significantly. The cancellation feels natural and transparent, without the pressure sensation that some aggressive ANC systems create.
The Studio Pro’s noise cancellation is good but not exceptional. It handles low-frequency noise effectively, making flights and commutes quieter. Mid and high-frequency cancellation is less effective than the Sony’s, allowing more ambient sound to leak through. In office environments and cafes, the difference is noticeable. the XM5 creates a quieter listening environment.
Where Beats catches up is in transparency mode. The Studio Pro’s Transparency mode sounds natural and clear, making conversations easy without removing the headphones. Sony’s Ambient Sound mode is also excellent, with twenty levels of adjustment that let you dial in exactly how much outside sound you want. For pure transparency quality, the Beats is slightly better. For control and versatility, the Sony wins.
Both headphones offer adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment. Sony’s implementation is more sophisticated, with automatic adjustments based on detected activity and location. Beats keeps it simpler with manual switching between ANC, Transparency, and Off modes.
Battery Life
Sony maintains its advantage in battery endurance. The XM5 delivers around 28 to 30 hours of playback with ANC enabled, consistently meeting its rated specification. Quick charging is efficient. three minutes gives you three hours of playback, which is enough to rescue a dead battery before a flight. USB-C charging takes about two hours for a full charge.
The Studio Pro offers approximately 24 to 28 hours with ANC, which is respectable but slightly less than the Sony. Quick charging provides about 4 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. Both headphones charge via USB-C, and both include auto-off features to conserve battery when not in use.
The difference is not dramatic, but Sony’s longer battery life and faster quick charging give it a practical edge for frequent travelers and heavy users.
Connectivity and App Experience
The Studio Pro uses Bluetooth 5.3 with support for Apple’s H2 chip features when paired with iOS devices. This includes automatic device switching across your Apple ecosystem, spatial audio with head tracking, and seamless pairing. Multipoint connection is not supported, which is a significant limitation if you regularly switch between devices from different manufacturers.
Sony’s XM5 uses Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint support for two simultaneous devices. The Headphones Connect app is comprehensive, offering parametric EQ, adaptive sound control, speak-to-chat that pauses music when you start talking, and detailed customization of touch controls. The app works equally well on iOS and Android, making the XM5 platform-agnostic.
For Apple users, the Studio Pro’s integration is seamless and convenient. For everyone else, Sony’s broader compatibility and multipoint support make it the more versatile choice.
Call quality is excellent on both headphones. The Studio Pro uses beamforming microphones with voice isolation that works well in most environments. The XM5 uses four microphones with AI-based noise reduction that delivers clear call quality even in moderately noisy settings. In side-by-side tests, both performed similarly, with clear voice transmission and effective background noise suppression.
Features and Extras
Sony packs more features into the XM5. Speak-to-chat automatically pauses music when you start talking and resumes when you stop. Adaptive sound control adjusts ANC based on your activity and location. Quick Attention mode lets you temporarily lower volume and increase ambient sound by covering the right ear cup. Wear detection pauses music when you remove the headphones.
Beats keeps features simpler. Spatial audio with head tracking is the standout feature, creating an immersive listening experience with compatible content. One-touch pairing with Apple devices is convenient. The USB-C lossless audio option is unique and valuable for critical listening.
Sony’s feature set is more comprehensive and works across all platforms. Beats’ features are more focused but deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
The Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM5 wins this comparison for most users. It delivers superior noise cancellation, longer battery life, better comfort for extended wear, platform-agnostic features, and multipoint connectivity. The sound quality is warm and engaging across all genres, and the comprehensive app gives you control over every aspect of the listening experience. For anyone who wants the most complete wireless headphone package, the XM5 remains the benchmark.
The Beats Studio Pro is the better choice for Apple ecosystem users who prioritize spatial audio and seamless device integration. The more neutral sound signature appeals to listeners who want accuracy over coloration, and the USB-C lossless option is valuable for critical listening. The design is bold and premium, and the build quality is excellent.
For the broader market, Sony’s combination of best-in-class noise cancellation, superior comfort, longer battery life, and platform flexibility makes the XM5 the smarter purchase. Beats has closed the gap notably with the Studio Pro, but Sony still holds the crown in the premium wireless headphone category.