Over-Ear
Fosi I5
76Great
$550
Full review dataFosi I5 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 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 WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Fosi I5
Sound7.5
Value8.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Fosi I5 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $550 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | 97 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-50kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 28 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 550 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
What reviewers said
Fosi I5
The Fosi I5 is an open-back planar headphone that offers solid technical performance and a warm, engaging sound signature at a competitive price. It is relatively easy to drive, though it performs best with adequate amplification, and its build quality and comfort are generally praised despite its substantial weight. The tuning may not suit everyone due to some emphasis in the upper frequencies, but it remains a strong value for those seeking a capable planar option.
- Pro:Solid technical performance for the price
- Pro:Comfortable and well-built despite being heavy
- Pro:Easy to drive with modest sources
- Con:Heavy weight may be tiring over long sessions
- Con:Treble can sound brittle or emphasized
- Con:Benefits from a good amplifier to reach full potential
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.