True Wireless
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
78Great
$147
Full review dataBeyerdynamic Free BYRD vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM5
88Outstanding
$249
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery8.0
Calls6.5
Value7.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Beyerdynamic Free BYRD | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $147 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-22kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 11 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8.5 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 70 min | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | hybrid | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 7 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 60 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 6 |
| Call noise reduction | Qualcomm cVc | - |
What reviewers said
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
The Beyerdynamic Free BYRD are premium true-wireless earbuds that combine solid audio performance with a robust feature set, including hybrid ANC, transparency mode, and multi-device connectivity. They offer dependable battery life—around eight hours with ANC active and 30 hours total with the case—along with wireless charging and strong codec support, though their larger case and fit may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Strong, detailed sound with dynamic drivers
- Pro:Good battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Hybrid ANC and transparency mode work well
- Con:Case is bulky and not pocket-friendly
- Con:Fit may be tricky for smaller ears
- Con:No wireless charging for the buds themselves
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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