Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs EAH-AZ100: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the EAH-AZ100: 55% of 233 owners recommend it, vs 39% of 483 for the Sony WF-1000XM5.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Sony WF-1000XM5

39%of 483 owners recommend

39% recommend · 14% neutral · 47% don't

Owners praise

Class-leading noise cancellation
Rich, detailed sound quality
Comfortable for long listening

Owners complain about

Finicky, fragile foam eartips
Buds slip out during exercise
Connection cuts out when moving

Full owner report →

EAH-AZ100

55%of 233 owners recommend

55% recommend · 26% neutral · 19% don't

Owners praise

Rich, detailed sound quality with strong bass, wide soundstage, and clear separation that many owners rank above rivals like the Sony XM5/XM6 and AZ80
Frequently called the best or most well-rounded earbuds owners have used, excelling across sound, features, and daily usability
Firmware updates have meaningfully improved sound tuning and ANC over time, with owners noting clearer vocals, better bass focus, and improved call quality after updating

Owners complain about

ANC is inconsistent across owners, described by many as mediocre, weak, or nearly nonexistent for the price, especially compared to Bose and Sony
Fit and comfort problems are common, including buds falling out, painful hard-shell pressure, and slick stock tips that don't stay seated
Stock tuning is often described as muddy or overly bass-heavy, requiring EQ adjustment to sound its best

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Sony WF-1000XM5 if

✓Commuters wanting to silence trains, planes, and offices
✓Listeners who prioritize detailed, balanced sound
✓Android users who want LDAC and multi-device pairing
✓All-day wearers valuing comfort and battery life

Skip it if

Runners and gym-goers whose buds slip or cut out
Anyone who needs top-tier call and mic quality

Get the EAH-AZ100 if

✓Listeners willing to EQ for detailed, audiophile-leaning sound and wide soundstage
✓All-rounders wanting one bud for music, calls, movies, and long battery life
✓Buyers who prioritize sound quality and deep bass over class-leading ANC
✓Owners who find a snug alt-tip fit (Comply/Spinfit) for stability and comfort

Skip it if

Metal/rock fans annoyed by the bloated, muddy stock bass tuning
Gamers or video watchers sensitive to noticeable audio latency

What Sony WF-1000XM5 owners say

“Llevo 1 mes y es lo mejor de lo mejor, vengo de los samsung buds 2 pro y se los lleva por mucho, la cancelación de ruido una barbaridad.”
— @lIObiIl on YouTube

“I bought a second pair and gotta say I’m pleased.”
— @GriffithFromBerk on YouTube

“mic quality is crap in a slightly noisy environment”
— @av365 on YouTube

What EAH-AZ100 owners say

“EAH-AZ100 is in another league”
— Master_Cartoonist_16 on Reddit

“I love them, got them $80 off.”
— Harkwit on Reddit

“I felt the same as well. These are so overrated”
— 1ElectricalZ1 on Reddit

Sony WF-1000XM5 vs EAH-AZ100: frequently asked questions

Is the Sony WF-1000XM5 or the EAH-AZ100 better?

Real owners lean toward the EAH-AZ100: 55% of 233 owners recommend it, vs 39% of 483 for the Sony WF-1000XM5.

Who should get the Sony WF-1000XM5?

Owners point the Sony WF-1000XM5 at commuters wanting to silence trains, planes, and offices, and listeners who prioritize detailed, balanced sound.

Who should get the EAH-AZ100?

Owners point the EAH-AZ100 at listeners willing to EQ for detailed, audiophile-leaning sound and wide soundstage, and all-rounders wanting one bud for music, calls, movies, and long battery life.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Sony WF-1000XM5 is finicky, fragile foam eartips. For the EAH-AZ100, it's aNC is inconsistent across owners, described by many as mediocre, weak, or nearly nonexistent for the price, especially compared to Bose and Sony.