Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green
Over-ear · 2022
Focal Utopia 2022
Open-back
Focal Utopia 2022 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green lands at 93 and Focal Utopia 2022 at 96. That puts Focal Utopia 2022 ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Focal Utopia 2022 if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Focal Utopia 2022Tuning, detail, and staging
Focal Utopia 2022 leads on sound (96 vs 93).
Noise cancelling
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss GreenANC strength for commute and travel
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green leads on anc (91 vs 0).
Comfort
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss GreenLong-session wearability
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green leads on comfort (92 vs 88).
Value for money
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss GreenSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green more score per dollar ($399 vs $4,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green | Focal Utopia 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Open-back |
| Release year | 2022 | — |
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
Focal Utopia 2022
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
FAQ: Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green vs Focal Utopia 2022
Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green or Focal Utopia 2022? +
Focal Utopia 2022 scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green worth the price? +
At $399, Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in sound.
Is Focal Utopia 2022 worth the price? +
At $4,999, Focal Utopia 2022 delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in battery.
Does Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green or Focal Utopia 2022 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sound quality, Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green or Focal Utopia 2022? +
Focal Utopia 2022 — leads on sound (96 vs 93). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green or Focal Utopia 2022? +
Sony WH-1000XM5 · Moss Green — leads on anc (91 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.