Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones Review
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a top-tier choice for those seeking premium noise-cancelling headphones. They offer advanced features, excellent sound quality, and robust battery life, making them one of the best options available.
Design and Build
The WH-1000XM4 features a sleek, high-quality plastic build with comfortable pleather padding. The earcups have physical buttons for power/pairing and noise-cancelling mode, along with a 3.5mm jack and USB-C port for charging. Touch-sensitive controls on the earcups allow for intuitive management of music playback and volume.
Performance
The noise cancellation is superb, utilizing the QN1 Processor and a new SoC to continuously adjust to ambient sounds. This results in superior noise reduction, especially in mid-range frequencies like office noise or airplane hum. Adaptive sound control adjusts noise cancellation based on your activity and location, providing a personalized experience​.
Battery Life and Charging
The WH-1000XM4 offers up to 30 hours of battery life with noise-cancelling activated, and up to 38 hours without. Fast charging via USB-C allows for five hours of playback from just a ten-minute charge.
Features and Usability
Key features include multipoint pairing, which allows connection to two devices simultaneously, and Speak-to-Chat, which pauses playback when you start talking. Wearing detection pauses audio when the headphones are removed and resumes when they are put back on. Sony’s Headphones Connect app enables customization of these features and sound profiles.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is exceptional, with a wide frequency response range (4Hz to 40kHz) and support for high-resolution audio. The WH-1000XM4 provides a balanced sound profile with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. Sony’s DSEE Extreme technology upscales compressed music files in real-time, enhancing audio quality further.
Comparisons
Compared to the WH-1000XM3, the WH-1000XM4 offers better noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and new features like Speak-to-Chat and multipoint pairing. While Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 might edge out the Sony in some areas of noise cancellation, the WH-1000XM4 remains a top contender in the market.
Value for Money
Priced higher than many competitors, the WH-1000XM4’s advanced features, superior noise cancellation, and excellent sound quality justify the investment. They are often available at discounted prices during sales events, enhancing their value proposition.
Conclusion
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a superb choice for anyone seeking top-tier noise-cancelling headphones with exceptional sound quality and a plethora of advanced features. Their comfort, battery life, and usability make them a standout option in the premium headphone market.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Outstanding noise cancellation
- Excellent sound quality
- Long battery life
- Multipoint pairing and advanced features
Cons:
- Not water-resistant
- Higher price point
Overall Rating: