Koss Utility 21299195352
Sony WF-1000XM5
What Buyers Say
Koss Utility 21299195352
The Koss KEB90 earphones deliver clear highs and punchy bass when paired with a DAC, but many users find the stock sound too bright and lacking bass without one. Build quality is a mixed bag—some appreciate the detachable cables and included tips, while others note flimsy wires and uncomfortable foam tips. Overall, they are a good value for the sale price, especially for those willing to use DSP correction or aftermarket ear tips.
Pros
- Clear highs with DAC
- Punchy bass with DAC
- Detachable cable design
- Comfortable silicone tips
- Good value on sale
Cons
- Bright sound without DAC
- Lack of bass without DAC
- Flimsy cable quality
- Uncomfortable foam tips
- Crinkling sound when inserting
Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds receive mixed feedback. Many users praise the excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, making them great for travel and workouts. However, a significant number of complaints focus on Bluetooth connectivity issues, poor ANC compared to previous models, and fit problems that cause discomfort or earbuds falling out. Battery life and case charging also draw criticism, with some users experiencing defects. Overall, while the audio performance is often lauded, reliability and fit concerns prevent a higher rating.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Great battery life
- Customizable app
Cons
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
- Poor ANC compared to previous models
- Fit problems causing discomfort
- Earbuds fall out easily
- Case battery drains quickly
Scores
Specifications
| Koss Utility 21299195352 | Sony WF-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | — | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | S, M & L Silicone Cushions and S & M Foam Cushions | XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.22 kg | 0.01 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 16 mm★ | 8.399999618530273 mm |
| Drivers | 1 | 1 |
| Freq Min | 10 Hz★ | 20 Hz |
| Freq Max | 25 kHz | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB | 102 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | Koss KEB90 Utility Earbud, Detachable Interchangeable Cord System, Noise Isolation Design, Stealth Grey | AAC, LC3, LDAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Dolby Atmos |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✗ | ✓★ |
| ANC Type | — | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | — | ✓★ |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3★ |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | — | ✓★ |
| Wired Connector | — | USB Type C |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | — | 8 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | — | 2 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | — | 3 Minutes for 1 Hour |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | — | 24 hrs★ |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | — | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | — | 6★ |
| NC Mic | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | — | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Touch Controls | ✗ | ✓★ |
| App | — | Sony Headphone Connect App |
| Volume Limiting | — | ✗ |
| Gaming Mode | — | ✓★ |
| Bone Conduction | — | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | — | IPX4 |
Pros & Cons
Koss Utility 21299195352
- Strong sound (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Below average connectivity (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average comfort (29th percentile)
- Below average social proof (31st percentile)
Sony WF-1000XM5
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong sound (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (12th percentile)12th %ile
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 17 of 40 specs.