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Last Updated on March 9, 2024 by Rifthy

Headphones have become an essential tech accessory for many. Whether you love listening to music on the go, want to block out distractions while working, or need better sound for movies and gaming, a good pair of headphones improves the experience. But with so many options out there, how do you choose?

In this post, we’ll compare two popular headphones choices:

• Soundcore Space One: Budget-friendly wireless over-ear headphones by Anker, priced at $99
• Sony WH-1000XM5: Sony’s flagship wireless noise-cancelling headphones, priced at $399

We’ll break down how they compare on critical factors like comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation, features, and value. Read on to see which pair may be the right fit for your needs and budget!

Soundcore Space One VS Sony WH-1000XM5 Comparison Summary

Before diving into the details, here is a high-level overview of how the Soundcore Space One and Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones stack up:

	Soundcore Space One Check Latest Price	Sony WH-1000XM5 Check Latest Price
Price	$99	$399
Comfort	Very good	Excellent
Build Quality	Plastic feel	Premium metals
Battery Life	40 hours (ANC on) or 55 hours with ANC switched off	30 Hours with ANC
Noise Cancellation	Very good	Best in class
Features	Surprising amount for budget headphones	Good for the premium price
Controls	Buttons & touch	Touch only
Carry Case	Soft pouch	Hard case

As you can see, there are some clear differences in terms of design, features, and price point. Keep reading as we explore these categories more in-depth.

Comfort and Design

Comfort is crucial for long listening sessions. Let’s examine the ergonomic design and wearability of each model:

Soundcore Space One

• Over-ear, closed back headphones
• Padded headband and ear cups made of synthetic leather material
• Earcups feature an 8° angled driver for better fit around the ear
• Foldable design with swivel earcups for portability
• Weight of 8.8 oz for comfortable long wear

The Space One has a pretty standard over-ear design. The angled earcups and padding allow it to fit comfortably over the ears for most head sizes. While the materials feel plasticky and cheap compared to premium models, the light weight helps with extended wear. The foldable design lets you pack it away in the included carrying case.

Sony WH-1000XM5

• Over-ear, closed back wireless headphones
• Padded headband and ear cups made of synthetic leather and soft-fit foam material
• Reinforced carbon fiber blended shell for lightweight feel
• Foldable swivel design for portability
• Weight of 8.8 oz, same as Space One

Sony put attention into the ergonomics of the WH-1000XM5, with a step-up in materials from plastic to a carbon fiber blend. The rounded earcups and soft padding provide a super comfortable fit that reduces ear fatigue over long listening sessions. And even with the premium materials, Sony kept the weight down to just 8.8oz, on par with the budget Space One.

Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5 wins for comfort and materials

While both models are lightweight enough for extended wear, the WH-1000XM5 edges out with a more luxurious feel on the head. The soft rounded earcups and carbon shell justify the 3x price difference. But the Space One is certainly satisfactory for the price.

Sound Quality

Now let’s examine the most important factor – how do these headphones actually sound?

Soundcore Space One

• 40mm dynamic drivers
• 20 – 40,000 Hz frequency response range

With large 40mm drivers, the Space One produces impressively big sound for a budget pair. The headphones get loud with punchy bass that’s fun for pop music and movies. Mids are clear for vocals and instruments. Highs can be a bit harsh at max volumes but smooth out at moderate levels. Overall, the sound profile is V-shaped, emphasizing bass and treble over a recessed midrange. This energetic sound matches the Space One’s target at casual listeners rather than audiophiles.

Sony WH-1000XM5

• 30mm dynamic drivers with carbon fiber domes
• 20 – 40,000 Hz frequency response
• Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, AAC, SBC codec support
• Edge-AI and new integrated processor for upscaling compressed music

Sony tuned the WH-1000XM5 drivers for a very natural, realistic playback. The bass has a softer punch than the Space One. Mids are forward and smooth, making vocals shine. Highs are crisply defined without harsh sibilance. Sony supports high-res LDAC audio over Bluetooth for the best quality, and the integrated processor further upscales compressed music like MP3s. The overall sound signature aims for accuracy versus a sculpted V-shape.

Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5 offers better fidelity and resolution

The Sony headphones produce audibly cleaner and more natural sound. Their codec support and processing tech help bridge the gap vs wired headphones. The Space One boast big bass but can’t match the clarity and resolution of the pricier Sonys. Still, the Space One sounds very decent given its budget limitations.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancelling tech is essential for blocking out external sounds around you. How do they compare?

Soundcore Space One

• Hybrid dual-level ANC up to 35dB
• 3 ANC microphones
• Transport control for adjusting ANC levels

The Space One packs impressive noise cancellation for the price point. In testing, it blocked out most constant ambient sounds like A/C units or engine rumble. Voices were muted but still audible in the background. Overall, it provides meaningful isolation that makes music and calls much clearer. You can crank up the ANC intensity as needed via the control buttons.

Sony WH-1000XM5

• Industry-leading dual noise sensor ANC
• 8 ANC microphones total
• Auto NC optimizer and new integrated processor
• Transport control for adjusting ANC levels

Sony’s noise cancelling reigns supreme, thanks to leading-edge processors powering the dual sensor and 8 mic system. It effortlessly blocks even loud ambient noise, rivaling the isolation of an anechoic chamber. Voices become nearly inaudible, letting you focus fully on your audio. Sony also developed automatic adjustments that adapt the ANC in real-time to your environment for the best performance.

Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5 offers best-in-class noise cancelling

While the Space One can mute ambient distractions, the Sony takes it to the next level with its brilliant NC algorithm and processors. This makes the WH-1000XM5 especially great for noisy commutes or offices. But the Space One should suffice if you mainly need basic ANC capability.

Features and Controls

What about extra features and functionality beyond audio playback?

Soundcore Space One

Space One packs impressive controls and extras. The intuitive touch interface provides a convenient command of music, noise canceling, and transparency mode. Taking calls works well with the built-in mic. Wear detection adds useful auto-pause functionality. And the mobile app unlocks custom EQ and firmware updates.

Sony WH-1000XM5

With Bluetooth pairing, the WH-1000XM5 offers wireless convenience and can connect to two devices simultaneously. The touch controls deliver all essential commands. Wear detection, EQ presets, spatial audio, and speak-to-chat all maximize functionality. And the Sony Headphones app enables firmware updates and personalized sound.

Verdict: Tied

Spatial audio, and speak-to-chat give the Sony model greater versatility and futuristic appeal. But the Space One still impresses at its price with the quality touch controls and wear detection.

Battery Life

For wireless headphones, battery life is an important factor:

• Sony WH-1000XM5 gets up to 30 hours of playback with ANC on. Quick charging gives 3 hours from a 3 minute charge.
• The Space One is Battery Stands 40 hours (ANC on) or 55 hours with ANC switched off

This round clearly goes to the Soundcore Space one.

Verdict: Soundcore Space one

Value and Conclusion

Let’s sum up the main findings from our comparison:

• Comfort: Sony WH-1000XM5 for its plush, lightweight construction
• Sound Quality: Sony WH-1000XM5 for superior resolution and natural accuracy
• Noise Cancellation: Sony WH-1000XM5 with its industry-leading adaptive ANC but Soundcore Space one not fall behind much.
• Features: Both have needed features for a listener
• Battery Life: Soundcore Space One Battery Stands 40 hours (ANC on) or 55 hours with ANC switched off

The Sony WH-1000XM5 clearly justifies its $399 price tag by winning out in every category. Its exquisite comfort, audio fidelity, smart features, and best-in-class noise cancelling leave no doubt these are premium headphones worth the investment.

However, the $99 Soundcore Space One deliver shockingly good performance for the budget price point. The comfort, sound, and ANC all punch far above their weight. For 1/4 the cost of the Sony pair, the Space One still add serious enjoyment to music listening and movie watching.

The Space One make an outstanding choice if you want basic over-ear headphones with noise cancelling on a tight budget. But for hardcore audiophiles and frequent travelers, the Sony WH-1000XM5 represents the ultimate wireless headphones available today.

Key Takeaways

• Sony WH-1000XM5 are better overall but cost 4X more than the Soundcore Space One
• Space One provide surprisingly decent sound and ANC for only $99
• Sony headphones excel with comfort, sound clarity, noise cancelling, and premium features
• Consider your budget – Space One good “bang for buck”, Sony better for those who can invest
• Both are quality choices – pick Sony for premium experience or Space One to save

Soundcore Space One VS Sony WH-1000XM5 Comparison summary