Short answer: the Sony WF-1000XM5. It ranks #163 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $248; the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 ranks #233, rated 4.3/5, and costs $249, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Beats Powerbeats 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.
The case for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: A preference score of 77 in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a smooth 1.8 dB standard deviation and every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target, gives a balanced and natural sound. The tradeoff: Treble above 10 kHz runs about 8 dB below target, with a 13.6 dB dip near 11.2 kHz, so cymbals and room ambience lose their airy shimmer.
Buy the Sony WF-1000XM5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
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.
Amazon $248.00 Lowest Sony $249.99 eBay
A preference score of 77 in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a smooth 1.8 dB standard deviation and every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target, gives a balanced and natural sound.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony WF-1000XM5 | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $248.00 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #163 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #233 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 77 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.87 dB standard deviation | 1.78 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.22 (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 (-1.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | - |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic | - |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.9 g) per earbud | 0 lbs (8.7 g) per earbud |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (45 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
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