Sony WH-1000XM4: Review

Sony WH-1000XM4
90 / 100

If you are in the market for a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones, then you have likely come across the Sony WH-1000XM4.

These headphones have been making waves in the audio industry since their release, and for good reason.

One of the standout features of the Sony WH-1000XM4 is its noise cancellation technology.

Pros

  • Powerful Custom ANC
  • Dynamic Sound
  • Comfortable Fit
  • Customizable EQ

Cons

  • High Price
  • Poor Passive Soundstage
  • Microphone Quality

Sony WH-1000XM4 Price

Sony WH-1000XM4 Launch at $350.

You can buy it from Amazon.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Overview

Sony WH-1000XM4 Overview

These headphones are the successor to the popular WH-1000XM3, and they come with several improvements that make them a great choice for music lovers and frequent travelers.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones feature advanced noise-canceling technology, which blocks out a wide range of ambient sounds.

This makes them perfect for use in noisy environments, such as airplanes or busy offices.

The headphones also come with a range of features that allow you to customize the noise-canceling settings to your liking.

They feature 40mm drivers that deliver rich, detailed audio across a wide frequency range.

The headphones also come with support for a range of high-resolution audio codecs, including LDAC and aptX HD.

This headphones have battery life with up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge

Sony WH-1000XM4 Specification

FeatureSpecification
TypeOver-ear, closed-back headphones
Driver Unit40mm, dome type
Driver TypeDynamic
Impedance47 ohms
Frequency Response4 Hz to 40,000 Hz
Sensitivity (dB/mW)104.5 dB/mW (1 kHz)
Noise CancellationActive noise cancellation
Noise Cancellation TypeAdaptive, ambient sound control
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0
NFCYes
Battery LifeUp to 30 hours (with noise cancellation)
Charging TimeApproximately 3 hours
Quick Charge10 minutes for up to 5 hours of playback
Microphone Type5 built-in microphones
Voice AssistantGoogle Assistant and Amazon Alexa compatible
Touch ControlsYes
Customizable EQYes
Audio Codecs SupportedSBC, AAC, LDAC
Foldable DesignYes
WeightApproximately 254 grams
Color OptionsBlack, Silver
Included AccessoriesCarrying case, audio cable, USB-C cable
CompatibilityWorks with Android and iOS devices

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Other Features

Some of the other features of the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones include:

  • DSEE Extreme: This feature enhances the sound quality of compressed audio files, so you can enjoy your music in high quality.
  • Adaptive Sound Control: This feature automatically adjusts the noise cancellation level based on your activity and surroundings.
  • Voice Assistant: The headphones have built-in support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can control your music and get information hands-free.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Design

Sony WH-1000XM4 Design

The Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones feature a sleek and modern design that is both stylish and comfortable.

The headphones come in two colors, black and silver, and have a matte finish that gives them a premium look and feel.

The ear cups are made of soft and supple synthetic leather that is gentle on your skin and provides a comfortable fit, even during extended listening sessions.

The ear cups are also design to swivel, which makes it easy to adjust the fit and find the most comfortable position.

The headphones have touch controls on the right ear cup that allow you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, and take calls without having to reach for your phone.

The touch controls are intuitive and easy to use, and they respond quickly to your commands.

Sound Quality

Sony WH 1000XM4 Sound

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones deliver exceptional sound quality that will satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles.

The headphones have a frequency response range of 4 Hz to 40 kHz, which is wider than most other headphones in the market.

This means that you can hear every detail in your music, from the deep bass to the high treble notes.

The headphones also feature Sony’s proprietary LDAC codec, which allows for high-resolution audio streaming.

This means that you can stream audio at a higher bitrate than standard Bluetooth codecs, resulting in better sound quality.

LDAC is compatible with most Android devices, but unfortunately, it is not support to iOS devices.

The noise-canceling technology on the WH-1000XM4 is also top-notch.

The headphones use dual noise sensor technology that captures ambient noise from both inside and outside the headphones, and then cancels it out with an anti-noise signal.

If you prefer a more personalized audio experience, the headphones also come with an EQ setting that you can adjust using the Sony Headphones Connect app.

This allows you to customize the sound to your liking and get the most out of your music.

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Noise Cancellation

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are design with advanced noise-cancellation technology to provide you with an immersive listening experience.

The headphones use dual noise sensor technology to detect ambient noise and cancel it out.

The Personal Noise Cancelling Optimizer feature analyzes your unique features like head size, glasses, and hair to adjust the noise-cancellation settings accordingly.

The headphones also come with an Ambient Sound Control feature, which lets you adjust the amount of ambient noise you want to let in.

This feature is particularly helpful when you are commuting or walking on a busy street, and you want to be aware of your surroundings.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones come with a Quick Attention feature that allows you to turn off the noise-cancellation feature temporarily by placing your hand over the right earcup.

This feature is particularly useful when you need to hear someone talking to you or when you need to listen to an announcement.

The noise-cancellation feature can also be customized using the Sony Headphones Connect app.

The app lets you adjust the noise-cancellation settings based on your preferences.

Sensors

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones come with several sensors that enhance the user experience.

These sensors are designed to detect the user’s actions and adjust the headphones’ settings accordingly.

Location Recognizer

The Location Recognizer is a sensor that can detect the user’s location and adjust the noise-cancellation settings accordingly.

If you’re on a plane, the headphones will automatically switch to the “airplane” noise-cancellation mode. Similarly, if you’re in a noisy environment, the headphones will switch to the “ambient sound” mode, which lets you hear your surroundings.

Battery

Sony WH 1000XM4 battery

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a long battery life, which is one of its most impressive features.

With noise-canceling turned on, you can expect up to 30 hours of continuous music playback time.

If you turn off the noise-canceling feature, the battery life increases to up to 38 hours.

This is a significant improvement over the previous model, the WH-1000XM3, which had a battery life of up to 24 hours with noise-canceling turned on.

The headphones charge quickly, taking approximately 3 hours to reach a full charge.

If you are in a hurry, you can get up to 5 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging.

To conserve battery life, you can turn off the DSEE HX Auto or Equalizer setting on the Sony Headphones Connect app.

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Sony WH-1000XM4 Connectivity

Bluetooth

The headphones can be paired with any Bluetooth-enabled device, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

To pair the headphones, turn them on and put them in pairing mode by pressing and holding the power button until the indicator light flashes.

Then, search for available Bluetooth devices on your device and select “WH-1000XM4” to connect.

Multipoint Pairing

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones support multipoint pairing, which means you can connect them to two devices simultaneously. This is a handy feature that allows you to switch between devices seamlessly without having to disconnect and reconnect each time.

Touch Controls

These headphones come with touch controls that allow you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, and take calls with ease. The touch controls are intuitive and easy to use, making it a breeze to control your music playback.

NFC

If your device supports NFC, you can quickly and easily connect the headphones by simply touching them to your device.

To use NFC pairing, turn on the headphones and place them near your device’s NFC antenna until the device recognizes them.

Multiple Device Connection

The WH-1000XM4 headphones allow you to connect to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between devices without having to disconnect and reconnect each time.

To connect to a second device, simply hold down the Custom button on the headphones until you hear a voice prompt indicating that the headphones are in pairing mode.

Sony Headphones Connect App

The Sony Headphones Connect app allows you to customize your listening experience and access additional features, such as noise cancellation settings and sound position control.

To use the app, download it from the App Store or Google Play Store and connect your headphones to your device via Bluetooth.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Comfort

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are designed with comfort in mind.

The ear cups are made of soft, plush material that feels great against your skin.

They are also designed to fit snugly around your ears, which helps to block out external noise and enhance the overall listening experience.

The headphones are also lightweight, which means you can wear them for hours without feeling any discomfort.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones is also the ability to adjust the ear cups.

Accessories

Sony WH 1000XM4 Accessories
  • Carrying case
  • Audio cable
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Airplane adapter
  • Replacement earpads
  • Replacement audio cable
  • Replacement carrying case

Comparisons with Other Headphones

FeatureSony WH-1000XM4Bose QuietComfort 35 IISennheiser Momentum 3Apple AirPods Max
TypeOver-earOver-earOver-earOver-ear
Noise CancellationYesYesYesYes
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 4.1Bluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
Battery LifeUp to 30 hoursUp to 20 hoursUp to 17 hoursUp to 20 hours
Charging TimeApprox. 3 hoursApprox. 2.25 hoursApprox. 3 hoursApprox. 1.5 hours
Quick Charge10 min = 5 hours15 min = 2.5 hoursN/A5 min = 1.5 hours
Noise-Canceling TypeAdaptive ANCAdjustable ANCAdaptive ANCAdaptive ANC
Voice AssistantYes (Google & Alexa)Yes (Google Assistant)Yes (Google Assistant)Yes (Siri)
Touch ControlsYesYesYesYes
Audio Codecs SupportedSBC, AAC, LDACSBC, AACSBC, AAC, aptXAAC, SBC
Foldable DesignYesYesYesNo
WeightApprox. 254 gramsApprox. 235 gramsApprox. 305 gramsApprox. 385 grams
Color OptionsBlack, SilverBlack, Silver, Rose GoldBlackSpace Gray, Silver

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Conclusion

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have a bass-heavy sound that delivers intense thump, punch, and boom to mixes, making them suitable for those who enjoy bass-heavy music.

They also have excellent noise-canceling capabilities, which make them ideal for use in noisy environments.

The WH-1000XM4 headphones are Sony’s top-of-the-line wireless over-ear noise-canceling headphones, and they have been reviewed extensively by audiophiles and tech experts.

They are a great investment for anyone who values quality sound and comfort.

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