A clear winner! The best premium headphones from Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins and Apple

Product set reviewed

The video compares five premium over-ear headphones (Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins, and Apple) and repeatedly warns that higher price doesn’t automatically mean better sound or features.

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1) Sennheiser Momentum 5 (≈ $399)

Positioning / key points

• Emphasis on sound + sustainability.
• Bass-focused tuning; the reviewer would personally reduce bass and boost mids/treble (noted EQ flexibility).
• 8-band EQ (described as highly responsive).
• Codecs: SBC, AAC, and an “aptX lossless” mode (video phrase: “ax lossless suite” / “lossless suite”).
• Features:
  • High-res mode (disabled by default)
  • USB audio + audio jack
    • Not passively usable via jack: the headphones must be powered on.

Comfort & build

• Weight: about 290 g
• Comfortable with medium clamp force and good cushioning; no notable head pressure.
• Ear pads may generate heat; ear cups aren’t the most spacious.
• Carrying/storage: hard shell case with built-in handle; they don’t fold but are still considered portable.

Battery & durability

• Battery claim: ~57 hours (with ANC + lossless audio).
• User-replaceable battery (Phillips screws; replacement demonstrated).
• IP54 dust/water resistance.
• Mic quality: “okay” (quiet/noisy/windy mic tests included).
• Call features: basic controls (answer/hang up/volume), mute from headphones, and wear detection for call handling.
• ANC / transparency:
  • ANC: very good (“tier A”), improved vs Momentum 4
  • Transparency: excellent (“tier S”), natural with minimal occlusion/white noise (some body noise when walking)

Pros

• Strong EQ/control flexibility (8-band)
• Very long battery + replaceable battery
• IP54 dust/water resistance
• Excellent transparency

Cons

• Not “audio-file level” performance (framed as consumer-oriented)
• No passive jack use (must be powered on)
• Mic quality only okay
• Pads can get hot; ear cups not very spacious

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2) Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 (Gen 2) (≈ $450)

Positioning / key points

• Framed as travel/lifestyle ANC utility, with Bose “quiet-for-flights” heritage.
• Lightweight: about 264 g (lightest in the lineup).
• Core identity: comfort + strongest noise cancelling.
• ANC/transparency: “some of the best in the business”
  • ANC includes “active sense” behavior to handle sudden spikes in harsh sounds.
• Only model here that folds (best travel portability).

Controls / software / features

• Folds, but case stowing is described as a puzzle.
• Codecs: basics + aptX Lossless (“APX lossless suite”).
• Custom EQ bands: very limited (3 bands).
• CustomTune:
  • Puts on headphones → generates a sound → analyzes ears → tunes audio automatically.
• Power: power button exists, but auto power on/off also works.
• App: “straightforward,” with limited customizability.
• Battery: about 30 hours (disappointing vs Sennheiser, but still adequate).
• Calls: mic quality average (quiet/noisy/windy mic tests included).
• USB-C cable mic mode:
  • A software update claims to route USB-C as a mic, but it doesn’t work (bugs remain).

Sound

• Fun bass-forward tuning; punchy lows can recess vocals/mids.
• Treble described as refined/non-fatiguing.
• EQ adjustability is limited.

Pros

• Most comfortable (strong consensus)
• Top ANC on the list
• CustomTune automatically tailors sound
• Folding = better travel portability

Cons

• EQ limited to 3 bands
• Bass can overpower vocals/mids
• Mic quality only average; some software/USB-C mic routing issues
• Battery shorter than Sennheiser

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3) Apple AirPods Max 2 (≈ $550)

Positioning / key points

• Luxury/vibe category with heavy emphasis on Apple ecosystem integration.
• Weight: about 385 g; premium aluminum/stainless design.
• Downsides noted:
  • Aluminum can feel cold
  • Heavy feel over time
  • Ears can feel weighed down
  • Warmth/pressure around ears during use

Compatibility & ecosystem

• Best experience with Apple devices:
  • automatic switching
  • settings accessible mainly via Apple devices
  • deep integration (examples mentioned: Find My, gestures, Live Translation)
• Reviewer stance: they don’t make much sense unless you’re deeply in the Apple ecosystem.

Audio performance

• Top-tier ANC and transparency praised.
• Controls praised:
  • rotating crown (stepless volume)
  • two-button system
• Sound: “uber high-res presentation”
  • some dislike the presentation of music
  • treble can be “too spicy” / sibilant (“S” sounds)
• Uses “Magic” (implying consistency across heads/ears).
• Spatial audio mentioned as marketing; reviewer implies limited customization vs others.

Battery & microphones/calls

• Battery: about 20 hours (“borderline shameful”).
• Mic quality: surprisingly poor in wind.
• Quiet/noisy sound capture: decent, but mic wind performance is a major negative.
• Call/capture performance not heavily praised; mic limitations emphasized.
• Case: protective case criticized as under-protective—like an “undergarment.”

Pros

• Very strong ANC + transparency
• Excellent controls (rotary crown)
• Good overall sound (especially bass), improves vs prior gen

Cons

• Only ~20 hours battery
• Windy mic performance poor
• Limited customization; likely not ideal outside Apple ecosystem
• Heavy and can feel warm/pressing on long sessions
• Case provides weak protection

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4) Sony 1000X “The Collection” (≈ $550)

(The transcript clearly refers to Sony “1000X The Collection.”)

Positioning / key points

• Luxury styling, with cues compared to Sonos Ace (but said to be more comfortable with spacious/deep ear cups).
• Build: hand-polished stainless steel; no plastic outside; vegan leather noted.
• Slimmer profile (less bulky side protrusion), though corners are cut to achieve it.

Comfort & portability

• Weight: about 320 g
• Surprisingly comfortable for long periods.
• Case and magnets/handle referenced; case has built-in handle and magnetic clasp.
• Quick access because headphones don’t fold.

ANC/transparency/mics

• ANC/transparency: excellent
  • ANC: “tier A”
  • transparency: top-tier
• Mic quality: great in all conditions (quiet/noisy/windy mic tests described as performing well).
• Call mute: mute mic from headphones; standard call controls.

Sound & tuning

• Sound: relaxed, darker presentation with bass emphasis.
• Reviewers liked Sony’s treble best among the group.
• Main concern: factory tuning is unpredictable
  • listening modes (ANC/transparency/off) change sound significantly
• Stock tuning described as too bright/sparkly for some music—requires heavy EQ
• After EQ, it can sound great.
• App customization: very customizable
  • “too many options”
  • 10-band EQ + 360 upmix

Controls & features

• Buttons praised (slightly small, but textured for distinction).
• Power/pairing via earcup slider.
• Battery: ~24 hours with ANC on (criticized vs Sennheiser’s ~57 hours).
• USB-C audio is missing (explicit con).

Codecs

• Basics + LC3/LDC (video mentions “LDC and the LC3 codecs”)
• Also references aptX suite (“APX suite of codecs”).

Pros

• Very good comfort + premium materials/design
• ANC/transparency excellent
• Best phone calls per one reviewer (mics perform great)
• Highly customizable app + EQ

Cons

• No USB-C audio
• Tuning can be unpredictable; modes change sound a lot
• Battery shorter than Sennheiser

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5) Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 (≈ $?)

(Video calls it the most expensive on the table; exact price isn’t clearly stated in the transcript.)

Positioning / key points

• Premium statement model with emphasis on sound preference, build, and controls.
• Weight: about 310 g
• Premium look and spacious, heat-managing plush ear cups.
• Ear pads and headband padding are completely user-replaceable.

Controls

• Full button controls (answer/hang up/volume + mic mute).
• Buttons are small, but textured for easy identification.
• Power/pairing via a dedicated slider.

Audio features

• Codecs: basics + aptX suite
• Supports 360 upmix and 10-band EQ
• Sound: generally relaxed, bass-focused; “quite good for most genres”
• Tuning concern: listening modes (ANC/transparency/off) can significantly affect sound
  • stock tuning too bright; may require aggressive EQ

ANC/transparency/mics

• ANC: tier A (top-tier but described as not absolute #1)
• Transparency: natural
• Mic quality: okay (quiet/noisy/windy mic tests included)

Battery

• Battery: ~30 hours with ANC on.
• User-replaceable pads/headband padding noted (battery replaceability not explicitly stated).

Pros

• Premium feel and comfortable heat-managed ear cups
• Spacious plush comfort
• Good ANC/transparency
• Full button controls and quick pairing slider

Cons

• Factory tuning may be too bright/unpredictable by mode
• Mic only okay
• Battery not as long as Sennheiser

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Comparisons and recurring themes

• Price vs performance caution: “more expensive does not always mean better.”
• ANC leaders: Bose is described as canceling the most noise; Sennheiser and Sony are also praised as top-tier (“tier A”).
• Transparency leaders:
  • Sennheiser: excellent transparency (“tier S”)
  • Sony: top-tier transparency
• Comfort winner: Bose is described as the most comfortable “almost anywhere” (strong consensus).
• Customization:
  • Sony and B&W praised for EQ depth
  • Bose has limited EQ bands
  • Apple has limited customization
• USB-C audio:
  • Bose, Sennheiser, and B&W support USB-C audio
  • Sony 1000X does not
• Battery longevity:
  • Sennheiser: dramatically ahead (57h + replaceable battery)
  • Others: Bose ~30h, Sony ~24h, Apple ~20h
• Portability: Bose folds; Sennheiser doesn’t fold but travels with a hard case; Sony and Apple don’t fold.

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Unique points explicitly mentioned (consolidated list)

• Sennheiser Momentum 5

  • 8-band responsive EQ; user-adjustable bass/mids/treble
  • USB audio + audio jack, requires power
  • High-res mode off by default
  • Comfort: 290 g, medium clamp, low pressure; pads may get hot
  • Hard shell case with built-in handle
  • 57h battery, user-replaceable battery
  • IP54 rating
  • Mic: okay; call mute + wear detection behavior
  • ANC improved vs Momentum 4; transparency excellent (“tier S”)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2

  • 264 g; lightest; top comfort
  • Folds; best travel option
  • Active sense ANC for spikes
  • CustomTune auto-tunes to ears
  • EQ limited to 3 bands
  • 30h battery
  • Straightforward app; limited customization
  • Calls: mic average; tests include wind/quiet/noisy
  • USB-C mic-mode bug (cable mic selection doesn’t work)
  • Sound bass-forward; vocals/mids can recede; refined treble

• Apple AirPods Max 2

  • 385 g; premium aluminum/stainless
  • Comfort downsides: heavy/weighted feel; warmth around ears; cold aluminum
  • Best with Apple ecosystem: switching + deep features (Find My, translation, gestures)
  • Strong ANC/transparency
  • Controls: rotary crown + two-button system
  • Battery 20h criticized
  • Mic weak in wind
  • High-res presentation; treble can be “too spicy”/sibilant
  • Case criticized as under-protective
  • Limited customization; spatial audio mentioned as marketing

• Sony 1000X The Collection

  • Premium stainless + vegan leather; no plastic outside
  • Comfortable deep/spacious ear cups; slim profile
  • ANC/transparency excellent (“tier A” ANC)
  • Mic/calls very good; great across conditions
  • Sound relaxed/darker with bass emphasis; treble best among group
  • Tuning issue: modes change sound; factory bright/unpredictable; EQ may be needed
  • App: very customizable (10-band EQ + 360 upmix)
  • 24h battery criticized vs Sennheiser
  • No USB-C audio
  • Power/pairing via slider; buttons praised for feel

• Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2

  • Most expensive; premium statement
  • 310 g; plush spacious heat-managed cups
  • User-replaceable pads/headband padding
  • Full button controls + textured buttons; slider for power/pairing
  • 30h battery (ANC on)
  • aptX suite + 360 upmix + 10-band EQ
  • Sound relaxed; stock tuning may be too bright; listening modes change sound a lot
  • ANC tier A; natural transparency
  • Mic: okay; mic mute + call controls

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Overall verdict / recommendation (based on the video’s conclusion)

• The “best overall” varies by reviewer, but the final “most chosen” seems to include:
  • Sony 1000X The Collection (one reviewer): praised build/comfort/case/buttons and phone call performance
  • Sennheiser Momentum 5 (another reviewer): chosen for 57h battery + user-replaceable battery (with dislike of touch controls)
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 (another reviewer): chosen for comfort/travel ease and strong ANC

Concise guide

• Choose Bose QC Ultra 2 for comfort and strongest travel ANC.
• Choose Sennheiser Momentum 5 for maximum battery life, IP54 durability, and excellent transparency with strong EQ flexibility.
• Choose Sony 1000X The Collection for premium design/comfort, best call performance, and deep customization—but note no USB-C audio and possible tuning quirks across modes.
• Choose AirPods Max 2 only if you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem and accept short battery plus weak wind mics.
• Choose Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 for premium comfort/build and solid ANC/transparency—expect to EQ if you dislike factory brightness/unpredictable mode sound.

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Speaker-specific views (as presented)

• Kevin / speaker 1

  • Momentum 5: EQ responsiveness and long-term practicality (replaceable battery)
  • Bose: next-level ANC and comfort; later picks Bose for travel friendliness/comfort
  • Calls: indicates Sony is strong for phone calls in final discussion

• Rohan / speaker 2

  • Momentum 5: medium clamping; comfort praised
  • Sony: likes build quality, comfort, case/buttons/swipe, and sound
  • Long-term/value: leans toward Sennheiser for replaceable battery despite touch-control dislike

• Other panel member “Tony” / panel contribution

  • Picks Sony 1000X from the collection: cites comfort/build/buttons and best phone calls

(Some final votes/brand selections appear overlapping rather than perfectly assigned to each speaker.)