Side By Side Comparison - AirPods Max, B&O H95, Dali iO-6, B&W PX8, ML 5909, M&D MW75, Focal Bathys and more

[streetbeat]

Anyone have any thoughts on the B&W PX7 S3 ?

Not much but at least some initial impressions in PX8 thread

 

[Bahnhof Zoo]

Best review yet…includes the xm6 and px7s3. Actually has me wanting to give the Cambridge p100s another whirl.

 

[mainguy]

Best review yet…includes the xm6 and px7s3. Actually has me wanting to give the Cambridge p100s another whirl.

Damn that was great, in the PX7 vs XM6 part he says "I much prefer the may the PX7 sounds". Makes me want to compare it to the px8.

 

[angelom]

B&O H100, Sony XM6, Sony XM3

 

[Maukey]

Damn that was great, in the PX7 vs XM6 part he says "I much prefer the may the PX7 sounds". Makes me want to compare it to the px8.

PX7 S3 to be exact . 2 key things he said that I personally disagree with. First, let me say he's correct in saying, "Similar bassy, forwardness, and spaciousness in soundstage to the XM5". However, to say the XM6 has the SAME "low mid bloat and darkness to the treble as the XM5" is just not what my ears hear. The first thing I noticed when I first put on the XM6 is that it sounded more detailed and cleaner up top, as well as less of the blanket effect that I associate with low mid and high bass bloat. Just yesterday I went back and forth comparing the XM6 to the Fokus Apollo, and let's just say, it was not a blowout by any means to my ears.

Also, I'm not a measurement person so maybe someone can explain them to me, but his measurements look very different from Soundguys. If I'm reading them right, his measurements show the treble as pretty severely underemphasized. Again, I don't hear that, and treble is the part of my hearing that most personal eq programs turn up for me LOL.

 

[angelom]

XM6 initial impressions.

Sound quality:

The first thing I do immediately is comparing the XM6 to the XM3. Why? Because I also owning (and returning) the XM4 few years ago and the sound is almost identical to the XM3 (even the graphs showing this), but the XM4 is uncomfortable and isn't providing any real benefits than the XM3.

I never trying the XM5, but I reading that the sound quality is very similar to the XM4, so I have no interest at all even when supposedly the ANC is better and, specially, the mics for telephone calls too.

So, yes, the XM6 have better sound quality than the XM3, this is instantly clear -- the muddy and dull sound of the XM3, with what is like having 'a thick blanket on top of the drivers', isn't present in the XM6. The XM6 is a sound that I can listening in its factory sound configuration even if still not exactly my favourite type of sound -- with the XM3 EQ is 100% mandatory, if not, I can't listening to this headphone at all with its factory sound.

I also quickly testing how effective is the new 10-bands EQ of the XM6 -- yes, is doing a very good job for changing AND improving the sound even more. This is very good news.

I doing some extremely quick comparisons with my H100 and the XM6 (with and without EQ) and in both cases I prefer the H100 with its factory sound. BUT, when EQ'ing the XM6 the difference isn't so night and day for the average consumer. The H100 still have better resolution, more delineation of bass notes, more correct midrange, more realistic timbre, little better soundstage, and instruments being separated (breathing) a little better. The XM6 still sound a little congested in comparison, but with EQ on the XM6 this difference isn't so big but is still there clearly for my ears.

Then I doing some serious ANC and transparency mode testing ---- AND here is where I have some surprises:

1. ANC with airplane cabin noise (simulation using a YouTube video with speakers for making the sound level as realistic as is possible):

The winner, for my surprise, is the Apple AirPods Pro 2 USBC version (APP2) that blocking just a little more noise than the XM6. I testing this several times because I'm surprised and I want being 100% sure. Then, after the APP2 and XM6 is coming the H100 and XM3 with very similar level of ANC and NOT so far from the other two, but there is clearly a discernible difference. (Note: Is important knowing that the APP2 taking 5-7 seconds for achieving the excellent max ANC performance -- I think that is adapting to how strong is the noise outside)

2. ANC with loud cafe noise (simulation using youtube video with speakers for making the sound level as realistic as is possible):

The winner again is the APP2 (!!). The XM6 is very close but is coming in second position. 3rd position is for the XM3 and the H100 in 4th position by small margin from XM3.

3. ANC with loud fan (at max position # 4):

Here the winner by very small margin is the XM6, then, by very small difference, at same second position the APP2 and H100, then the XM3. BUT, the H100 is the ONLY one of the four where you can't hearing any wind noise at all, then the APP2, then the XM6, then the XM3.

Transparency mode:

The APP2 and H100 providing the best, more natural sounding transparency, more like not wearing earphones/headphones. The XM6 isn't far at all but is have little more artificial amplification but still is very good. The XM3 is very far behind in 4th position.

Fit and comfort:

I prefer the fit of the XM6 than the XM3 --- the XM6 have more clamping force but isn't uncomfortable at all for me, and is feeling more secure on the head. BUT the XM3 is still more comfortable, at least right now. Curiously, even when the H100 have more clamping force than the XM6, the H100 is clearly more comfortable with the more small earcups, but maybe this is because I already owning for 8.5 months and using them every day. (But the more big earcups of the XM6 is giving a similar feeling of the BIG iO-12 earcups, but the iO-12 earpads are genuine leather so they're clearly better for me)

Construction quality and design:

The XM6 is feeling better, more strong/less flimsy than the XM3. BUT I'm not sure I actually like the XM6 design better because some aspects of the XM3 design I still prefer, specially the earcups. I like the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra very better in every aspect in this two categories than the XM6 and XM3.

The XM6 travel case I think is the absolute best travel case I seeing in my life --- strong, compact AND very practical with a great magnetic closure...and with a very nice material, design and colour. Genius really.

I think is taking my ears more long time for my ears becoming hot and later start sweating a little with the XM6 than with the XM3 (the XM3 is absolutely terrible for me) but I need testing this properly when I'm not changing headphones constantly for testing)

 

[Maukey]

XM6 initial impressions.

Sound quality:

The first thing I do immediately is comparing the XM6 to the XM3. Why? Because I also owning (and returning) the XM4 few years ago and the sound is almost identical to the XM3 (even the graphs showing this), but the XM4 is uncomfortable and isn't providing any real benefits than the XM3.

I never trying the XM5, but I reading that the sound quality is very similar to the XM4, so I have no interest at all even when supposedly the ANC is better and, specially, the mics for telephone calls too.

So, yes, the XM6 have better sound quality than the XM3, this is instantly clear -- the muddy and dull sound of the XM3, with what is like having 'a thick blanket on top of the drivers', isn't present in the XM6. The XM6 is a sound that I can listening in its factory sound configuration even if still not exactly my favourite type of sound -- with the XM3 EQ is 100% mandatory, if not, I can't listening to this headphone at all with its factory sound.

I also quickly testing how effective is the new 10-bands EQ of the XM6 -- yes, is doing a very good job for changing AND improving the sound even more. This is very good news.

I doing some extremely quick comparisons with my H100 and the XM6 (with and without EQ) and in both cases I prefer the H100 with its factory sound. BUT, when EQ'ing the XM6 the difference isn't so night and day for the average consumer. The H100 still have better resolution, more delineation of bass notes, more correct midrange, more realistic timbre, little better soundstage, and instruments being separated (breathing) a little better. The XM6 still sound a little congested in comparison, but with EQ on the XM6 this difference isn't so big but is still there clearly for my ears.

Then I doing some serious ANC and transparency mode testing ---- AND here is where I have some surprises:

1. ANC with airplane cabin noise (simulation using a YouTube video with speakers for making the sound level as realistic as is possible):

The winner, for my surprise, is the Apple AirPods Pro 2 USBC version (APP2) that blocking just a little more noise than the XM6. I testing this several times because I'm surprised and I want being 100% sure. Then, after the APP2 and XM6 is coming the H100 and XM3 with very similar level of ANC and NOT so far from the other two, but there is clearly a discernible difference. (Note: Is important knowing that the APP2 taking 5-7 seconds for achieving the excellent max ANC performance -- I think that is adapting to how strong is the noise outside)

2. ANC with loud cafe noise (simulation using youtube video with speakers for making the sound level as realistic as is possible):

The winner again is the APP2 (!!). The XM6 is very close but is coming in second position. 3rd position is for the XM3 and the H100 in 4th position by small margin from XM3.

3. ANC with loud fan (at max position # 4):

Here the winner by very small margin is the XM6, then, by very small difference, at same second position the APP2 and H100, then the XM3. BUT, the H100 is the ONLY one of the four where you can't hearing any wind noise at all, then the APP2, then the XM6, then the XM3.

Transparency mode:

The APP2 and H100 providing the best, more natural sounding transparency, more like not wearing earphones/headphones. The XM6 isn't far at all but is have little more artificial amplification but still is very good. The XM3 is very far behind in 4th position.

Fit and comfort:

I prefer the fit of the XM6 than the XM3 --- the XM6 have more clamping force but isn't uncomfortable at all for me, and is feeling more secure on the head. BUT the XM3 is still more comfortable, at least right now. Curiously, even when the H100 have more clamping force than the XM6, the H100 is clearly more comfortable with the more small earcups, but maybe this is because I already owning for 8.5 months and using them every day. (But the more big earcups of the XM6 is giving a similar feeling of the BIG iO-12 earcups, but the iO-12 earpads are genuine leather so they're clearly better for me)

Construction quality and design:

The XM6 is feeling better, more strong/less flimsy than the XM3. BUT I'm not sure I actually like the XM6 design better because some aspects of the XM3 design I still prefer, specially the earcups. I like the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra very better in every aspect in this two categories than the XM6 and XM3.

The XM6 travel case I think is the absolute best travel case I seeing in my life --- strong, compact AND very practical with a great magnetic closure...and with a very nice material, design and colour. Genius really.

I think is taking my ears more long time for my ears becoming hot and later start sweating a little with the XM6 than with the XM3 (the XM3 is absolutely terrible for me) but I need testing this properly when I'm not changing headphones constantly for testing)

Very well said!

 

[angelom]

Very well said!

@Maukey, I'm sorry that I'm writing more posts about the XM6 in your thread. I know I can posting this new impressions in the dedicated XM6 thread but I think that posting here is more useful. Why? Because the XM6 is, like the XM5, one of the more relevant ANC headphones and I think that my impressions and perspective are more useful here because of my experience with so many ANC headphones (of all price ranges). If you still think you prefer that I post more impressions in the XM6 thread --I'm not planning posting a lot more posts about this headphone, by the way-- please send me a PM.

Anyway, the good:

1. The EQ of the XM6 is really very good -- this is great when you have different types of masters, some that aren't always very good for several reasons (maybe too thin sounding, or too dull sounding or too bright...). I really can obtaining the sound very, very close as I like with so many different types of music/albums. AND, is great that you can saving 3 custom EQ configurations that are saved in the headphone so you can using in any device. I really think that headphones costing 300 EUR or more must coming with a 10 or 12 bands EQ. BUT, similarly important, for achieving this type of sound improvement, the factory sound must be already decently good because, if not, EQ'ing isn't always really solving a bad factory sound/FR curve. With my XM3, for example (that only have a 5-bands EQ), I can improving the sound, but is never remotely close of what good sound I'm obtaining with the XM6.

2. My ears with the XM6 don't becoming hot so soon like with the (terrible for me in this aspect) XM3 -- definitely great news for me (but still not so good like the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra). I can using the XM6 very more long time and my ears still becoming hot but very later, and they are only borderline causing sweating but not really doing this (the XM3 is so bad for in this area and happening soooo quickly).

3. Multi point connection is excellent, at least with my 2 Apple devices (16" MacBook Pro and iPhone 16 Pro) -- I don't even have to pause one device and then press play in the other; I can just pressing play in the second device and is working great, and same if I going back to first device.

4. From 2 test with telephone calls I don't have complaints at all (the XM3 is terrible here) and when using transparency mode you can hearing your own voice very well, almost very natural (this is great!). I also think the XM6 call quality maybe better than the H100 but I don't testing at the same time, so I'm not 100% sure. The important thing is that telephone calls quality is (very) good.

5. Not so important but I see that the XM6 have genuine fast forward and rewind not just next or previous track -- and the more big surprise is that is working beautifully, going very more fast if you wait and keep pressing the touch surface (!)

The negative:

1. This is day 5 with the XM6 for me and isn't matter how long I using this headphone, is always becoming uncomfortable relatively soon (and I try and I try giving more time!) -- this really is a mystery for me. The H100 have more clamping force but, after maybe 15 mins, I forgetting I'm using the H100 and they are ALWAYS very more comfortable (!). With the XM6 I'm always, ALWAYS feeling the headphone in my head and is becoming more and more uncomfortable the more time I using this on my head, specially outside the top of my left ear and the front, too, near my temple (but is similarly uncomfortable, but not so bad, in the same areas in the right ear).

2. Less important, obviously, but I don't like very much the design of this headphone when is on my head (is looking better when holding in my hands) -- even when the design of the XM3 is looking more old, I think is aesthetically more pleasing. There is something about the big size of the XM6 earcups in combination with the funny shape of the headband that isn't really a design that I like.