Short answer: the JBL Tour Pro 2. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#114 and #116 of 467 in-ear headphones), and the JBL Tour Pro 2 costs $169.95 against $198 for the Sony WF-1000XM5, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the JBL Tour Pro 2: In hobbyist measurements it tracks the preferred target closely, with a preference score of 79.2 and a very smooth 1.77 dB deviation, so music sounds balanced from bass to treble. The tradeoff: The presence region near 3 to 6 kHz sits about 3 dB low, which slightly softens vocal edge and instrument detail.
The case for the Sony WF-1000XM5: Mild bass emphasis, about 1.9 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, adds warmth without muddying the midrange, which stays within 0.8 dB of the target for a preference score of 78. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Tour Pro 2 lacks. Watch for: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2.2 dB low, with a 4.9 dB dip near 8 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance lose some bite.
Buy the JBL Tour Pro 2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $28.05 less than the Sony WF-1000XM5.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Tour Pro 2 | Sony WF-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.95 | $198.00 |
| Ranked | #114 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones | #116 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.77 dB standard deviation | 1.87 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL @ 1kHz/1mW | - |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.1 g) per earbud | 0 lbs (5.9 g) per earbud |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (40 with case, Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX4 |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How JBL Tour Pro 2 compares with other leading options:
- Sony LinkBuds Fit vs Sony WF-1000XM5
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Hidizs MP145 Pro
- Queen of Audio Aviation vs Sony WF-1000XM5
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Apevoix Nebula
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
JBL Tour Pro 2: $169.95 TWS Amazon $169.95 eBay
Pros: In hobbyist measurements it tracks the preferred target closely, with a preference score of 79.2 and a very smooth 1.77 dB deviation, so music sounds balanced from bass to treble. Sub-bass stays within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz and the bass is only 1.4 dB elevated, giving full but controlled low end. It adds active noise cancelling, IPX5 water resistance and a claimed 10 hours per charge (40 with the case), and it matches the rating of the pricier DUNU Falcon Ultra.
Cons: The presence region near 3 to 6 kHz sits about 3 dB low, which slightly softens vocal edge and instrument detail. A 5.2 dB dip near 11.9 kHz takes away some airiness at the top. Codec support stops at SBC, AAC and LC3, with no LDAC or aptX for higher bitrate Android streaming.
Full JBL Tour Pro 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (40 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.77 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL @ 1kHz/1mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.1 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Sony WF-1000XM5: $198.00 TWS Amazon $198.00 eBay
Pros: Mild bass emphasis, about 1.9 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, adds warmth without muddying the midrange, which stays within 0.8 dB of the target for a preference score of 78. Active noise cancelling, LDAC, AAC and SBC support, Bluetooth 5.3 and an IPX4 rating make it a full-featured true wireless set. Battery lasts about 8 hours per charge, 24 with the case, and each bud weighs 5.9 g.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2.2 dB low, with a 4.9 dB dip near 8 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance lose some bite. A 2.9 dB peak near 10.6 kHz can add a touch of artificial shimmer. Sub-bass sits about 1.9 dB below target, so the bass is punchy more than deep. The wired Sennheiser IE 200 matches its rating at a lower price and without charging.
Full Sony WF-1000XM5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.87 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.9 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.27 |
| Peak | 1,377 Hz | +2.6 dB | 0.31 |
| Peak | 1,806 Hz | -3.5 dB | 1.16 |
| Peak | 6,875 Hz | +1.8 dB | 3.49 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,757 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.56 |
| Peak | 5,057 Hz | -0.7 dB | 5.70 |
| Peak | 449 Hz | +0.3 dB | 4.15 |
| Peak | 677 Hz | -0.2 dB | 2.75 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons