Turtle Beach Atlas Air TBS-5101-05
Sony WH-1000XM6
What Buyers Say
Turtle Beach Atlas Air TBS-5101-05
The Turtle Beach Atlas Air is a rare open-back wireless headset that delivers crisp, natural sound and an impressive soundstage, especially praised for immersive gaming. Comfort and lightweight design are standout features, though the microphone quality is average and the Swarm II software can be finicky with firmware updates. Some users report issues with the mic flip-to-mute sensor causing beeping or crashes, and the volume wheel is too aggressive. Overall, it's highly recommended for those seeking open-back wireless, but best bought on sale.
Pros
- Crisp natural sound
- Impressive soundstage
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Open-back design for immersion
- Good battery life
Cons
- Average microphone quality
- Swarm II software issues
- Firmware update problems
- Mic flip-to-mute sensor failure
- Aggressive volume wheel
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 earns praise for its exceptional noise cancellation, clear sound quality, and comfortable fit for many users, with several calling it the best headphones they've owned. However, a significant number of reviews highlight serious drawbacks: uncomfortable clamping force and shallow earcups causing pain, buggy multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, a fingerprint-prone finish, and disappointing customer service regarding warranty repairs and promised free gifts. While the ANC and audio are top-tier, comfort and reliability issues prevent it from being a universal recommendation.
Pros
- Exceptional noise cancellation
- Clear and detailed sound quality
- Comfortable for many users
- Long battery life
- Foldable design
Cons
- Uncomfortable clamping force
- Shallow earcups causing pain
- Buggy multipoint Bluetooth
- Fingerprint-prone finish
- Poor customer service
Scores
Specifications
| Turtle Beach Atlas Air TBS-5101-05 | Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | open | closed |
| Foldable | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.30 kg | 0.25 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | Memory Foam | synthetic leather |
| Headband | breathable mesh material | synthetic leather |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm★ | 30 mm |
| Drivers | — | 1★ |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz | 4 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz | 40 kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 48 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 103 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless Open Back PC Gaming Headset - PC, PS5, PS4, Mobile - 24-bit High-Fidelity Audio, Broadcast Grade Mic, Bluetooth, Floating Earcup, Memory Foam Cushions, 50-Hr Battery | LDAC |
| Surround | — | Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones, HD NC Processor QN3, 12 Microphones, Studio-Quality, New Sandstone Color | Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless | Sony | Sa |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✗ | ✓★ |
| ANC Type | — | adaptive |
| Transparency | — | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3★ |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, PBP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.7999999523162842 m | 1.2000000476837158 m |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 50 hrs★ | 30 hrs |
| Charge Time | — | 3 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | quick charge | 3 minutes for 3 hours playback |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 1 | 6★ |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | — | Siri, Google Assistant |
| Touch Controls | — | ✓★ |
| App | Swarm II | Sony | Sound Connect |
| Gaming Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Resistance | — | Waterproof |
Pros & Cons
Turtle Beach Atlas Air TBS-5101-05
- Strong mic (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong connectivity (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong sound (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong battery (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
Pricing
Turtle Beach Atlas Air TBS-5101-05 offers 1.6x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 12 of 41 specs.
