We have recently assessed the PSB M4U8 MkII headphones and were thoroughly impressed by how well they performed. Priced at $349, these headphones deliver sound quality that competes well with the best bluetooth headphones in the price-range. To provide a comprehensive evaluation, we decided to pit them against another strong competitor, the Sony WH-1000XM5. Each model boasts unique advantages and drawbacks. Let's find out in the PSB M4U 8 MKII vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 comparison review. 

What’s In The Box

Design and Comfort

The Sony WH-1000 XM5 sports a 30mm driver rated at 48 ohms. As expected from bluetooth headphones, they’re easy to drive and pair. 360 spatial audio Dolby Atmos compatibility means that listening to hi-res, Dolby compatible tracks will make the most of this soundstage. They’re only 250g, giving the listener a supremely light feeling that makes one forget they’re even wearing headphones. Comfort is king with the XM5, giving you the most out of extended listening sessions. The Q1NE chip responsible for noise canceling is top of its class. A 30 hour playtime is useful although standard in the market at this point.

PSB takes some big risks that pay off in some ways but fall short in others. In order to compete with the lightness of the XM5, there’s a plethora of cheap plastic components on here. Despite it being 92g heavier than the Sony, it’s still very comfortable. I would not have minded a bit more weight on these if they had used heavier materials. With a 40mm driver rated for 32 ohms, you get a bit more volume than the XM5, but this comes at the cost of a 25 hour battery-life. A huge plus is the interchangeable AAA batteries, which can still be charged with a wire. This means that you’ll be able to extend battery life for as long as you need to when on-the-go. A 15-degree driver angle pushes the bass in these more naturally than the XM5. Despite all of this, the WH-1000 XM5 is still a more durable, better designed product in my opinion.

Soundstage

The soundstage on the MKU4 is analytical and decisive. Although not the most naturally wide sounding, there’s a nice accuracy to their imaging and staging that’s rare to find in a Bluetooth headphone. The ANC doesn’t negatively impact the soundstage, and there isn’t the characteristic “whoosh” of noise cancellation that shortens the distance of sounds. Overall, if you’re looking for accuracy in sound reproduction from a pair of bluetooth headphones under $500, these deliver without compromising

The Sony soundstage is trailing and a little more hazy than the MKU4 MKII. There’s a strong reverb character with the soundstage that pushes sounds further away. Although we do get a strong supplemental distance from these headphones, I also noticed a significant drop-off in width with the ANC mode on. The whooshing sound is palpably stronger, which makes the opaque soundstage a little less exciting. There’s nothing too exciting from both these closed backs, but the accuracy of the MKU4 does set it apart from a lot of others in the market. For this reason I have to choose the PSB for soundstage.

Sound Signature: M4U 8 MKII vs. WH-1000XM5

Bass

The WH-1000 XM5 is ultra bassy with good extension into sub-bass frequencies. It’s definitely boosted, catering well to bassheads without becoming muddy. However, the upper bass frequencies are less pronounced, contributing to a cleaner overall sound signature.

In contrast, the M4U 8 MKII offers a more natural and articulate bass response. It lacks the booming sub-bass of the XM5 but provides detailed warmth. The bass is overall flat, with a tasteful addition of high bass for roundness, resulting in a balanced feel.

Mids

The mids on the WH-1000 XM5 take a backseat compared to the bass. There’s a light shelf from the low mids upwards, which cleans up the sound signature significantly. While not the main focus, clarity in the upper mids remains present. The mids interact well with the bass and treble, contributing to the headphone’s overall character.

 The M4U 8 MKII has a more balanced midrange, reminiscent of headphones like the Audeze MM-100 and Sennheiser HD600. There’s a noticeable bump in presence (1khz - 2.5khz) that makes mid-voices very clear and discernible. This characteristic is particularly appealing for vocal enthusiasts, as the mids are crisp, clear, and engaging, yet still retain the headphone’s flat signature.

Treble

The treble in the WH-1000 XM5 is controlled and harmonizes well with the boosted bass. It tends towards warmth rather than brightness, with colors and articulation that are subtle rather than pronounced. Treble isn’t the focus of the tuning here. If you’re a fan of analytical listening, the XM5 may fall a little flat for you.

The M4U 8 MKII features detailed and balanced treble that complements its overall flat sound signature. It’s not overly revealing or fatiguing, striking a good balance between depth and smoothness. The treble is natural and well-integrated into the headphone’s sound profile, avoiding any sharpness or sibilance in the mix.

Summary

In summary, the Sony WH-1000 XM5 offers a bass-heavy sound with controlled treble, while the PSB M4U 8 MKII provides a more balanced and natural sound across bass, mids, and treble. The M4U 8 MKII particularly shines with its articulate mids and detailed yet smooth treble, appealing to listeners looking for accuracy and clarity in their audio experience. Depending on your preferences, you may want to opt for one or the other. To me, I feel that the XM5 wins out solely based upon comfort and lightweight. Although I prefer the batteries and sound of the M4U, the ease of use on the