Short answer: the Sony WF-1000XM5. It ranks #115 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $198; the Apevoix Nebula ranks #170, rated 4.3/5, and costs $199.20, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick 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. The catch: 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 Sony WF-1000XM5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Apevoix Nebula and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony WF-1000XM5 | Apevoix Nebula | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $198.00 | $199.20 |
| Ranked | #115 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #170 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 77 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.87 dB standard deviation | 1.54 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 8 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic | 1 x dynamic + 8 x balanced armature |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.9 g) per earbud | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Impedance | - | 21 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 101 dB/mW |
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- Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Hidizs MP145 Pro
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.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sony WF-1000XM5: $198.00 TWS Amazon 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
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Apevoix Nebula: $199.20 Linsoul eBay
Full Apevoix Nebula review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2026 (6 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.54 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 8 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 8 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 21 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons