Sony WH-1000XM4 Review: The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a popular set of over-ear headphones that was released in August 2020. They are the successor to the highly regarded Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones and come with several improvements and upgrades. Here are some key features and specs of the Sony WH-1000XM4:

Active noise-cancellation (ANC) technology that can be adjusted in real-time based on your surroundings using Sony’s advanced noise-cancelling processor, the QN1
40mm drivers that deliver high-quality sound with a wide frequency response range (4 Hz-40,000 Hz)
Up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC on and up to 38 hours with ANC off
Quick charging capability that provides 5 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging
Touch controls on the ear cups for adjusting volume, skipping tracks, and taking phone calls
Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts the ANC and ambient sound settings based on your activity, location, and behavior
Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity that supports high-quality audio codecs like LDAC, aptX HD, and AAC
Voice assistant support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Ability to connect to two devices simultaneously

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are well-regarded for their excellent noise-cancellation, sound quality, and overall comfort. They are a popular choice for audiophiles and frequent travelers.

Product information:

Here is a specification table for the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones:

Specifications	Details
Year of manufacture	2020
Company	Sony
Official website	www.sony.com
Fit Type	Over-ear
Item Dimensions	7.27 x 3.03 x 9.94 inches (18.4 x 7.7 x 25.2 cm)
Item Weight	0.57 lbs (254 g)
Special Features	Active noise-cancellation, adaptive sound control, voice assistant support
Driver size	40mm
Frequency response	4 Hz-40,000 Hz
Impedance	47 ohm (1 kHz)
Bluetooth version	5.0
Bluetooth range	Up to 30 feet (10 meters)
ANC modes	Dual Noise Sensor Technology, HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1, ANC optimization
Audio codec	SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD
Battery life	Up to 30 hours with ANC on, up to 38 hours with ANC off
Charging time	Approx. 3 hours
Quick charging	5 hours playback time with 10 minutes charging
Controls	Touch controls on ear cups
Price	$348.00 USD

What is included in the delivery set with Sony WH-1000XM4?

The contents of the delivery set for the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones may vary depending on the retailer and region, but typically it includes the following items:

Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones
USB charging cable
Audio cable (3.5mm)
Carrying case
Instruction manual

The USB charging cable is used to charge the headphones’ battery, while the audio cable can be used to connect the headphones to devices that don’t have Bluetooth connectivity. The carrying case is designed to protect the headphones during transport, and the instruction manual provides information on how to use and set up the headphones. Some retailers may also include additional items, such as an airplane adapter or cleaning cloth.

What about design, materials, assembly?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have a sleek and modern design with a sturdy build quality. The headphones are made from high-quality materials that give them a premium feel. The ear cups and headband are cushioned with soft foam and covered with synthetic leather, which provides a comfortable and durable feel. The ear cups also swivel and fold for easy storage in the included carrying case.

The assembly of the headphones is precise, and the different components fit together seamlessly. The ear cups can be adjusted to fit different head sizes, and the metal hinges that connect the ear cups to the headband feel sturdy and well-made. The buttons and touch controls on the headphones are easy to use and responsive.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are designed with both comfort and durability in mind, and they are assembled with high-quality materials and attention to detail.

What about ergonomics and usability?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are designed with ergonomics and usability in mind, making them comfortable to wear for long periods and easy to use. Here are some of the features that make the headphones user-friendly:

Comfortable fit: The ear cups are padded with soft foam and covered with synthetic leather, and the headband is adjustable to fit different head sizes. The headphones are also lightweight, which reduces fatigue during extended use.
Intuitive touch controls: The touch controls on the ear cups are easy to use and responsive. You can adjust the volume, skip tracks, pause music, and activate the voice assistant with just a few taps or swipes.
Quick Attention mode: By placing your hand over the right ear cup, you can activate Quick Attention mode, which reduces the volume and allows you to hear your surroundings without taking off the headphones.
Adaptive Sound Control: The headphones can detect your activity and adjust the noise-cancellation and ambient sound settings accordingly. For example, if you’re walking or running, the headphones will allow some ambient sound to keep you aware of your surroundings.
Voice assistant support: You can activate Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa by pressing a button on the ear cup, allowing you to control your music or smart home devices with voice commands.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are designed to be user-friendly and comfortable, with intuitive touch controls and advanced features like adaptive sound control and voice assistant support.

What about connection, control and software?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer several options for connection, control, and software:

Connection: The headphones can be connected to your device via Bluetooth 5.0, which provides stable and high-quality audio streaming. They also support NFC for quick and easy pairing with compatible devices.
Control: The touch controls on the ear cups allow you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, pause/play music, and take phone calls. You can also activate Quick Attention mode by placing your hand over the right ear cup, and activate the voice assistant by pressing a button on the ear cup.
Software: The headphones come with the Sony Headphones Connect app, which allows you to customize the sound profile, adjust the noise-cancellation settings, and update the firmware. The app also features Adaptive Sound Control, which can detect your activity and adjust the settings accordingly. You can also adjust the ambient sound settings to let in more or less sound from your surroundings.
Multi-device connectivity: The headphones support simultaneous pairing with two devices, so you can easily switch between your phone and laptop without having to disconnect and reconnect.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer several options for connection, control, and software, making them a versatile and customizable choice for users who value flexibility and convenience.

How’s the sound quality?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are known for their excellent sound quality, which is achieved through a combination of advanced audio technology and high-quality components. Here are some of the features that contribute to the headphones’ impressive sound performance:

High-quality drivers: The headphones are equipped with 40mm dome-type drivers that deliver clear and detailed sound across the frequency range.
DSEE Extreme: Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Extreme technology upscales compressed digital music files in real-time, restoring high-range sound lost in compression to produce a more natural and spacious sound.
LDAC codec: The headphones support the LDAC codec, which is capable of transmitting up to three times more data than conventional Bluetooth audio for high-quality wireless streaming.
Customizable EQ: The Sony Headphones Connect app allows you to adjust the equalizer settings to your preferences, so you can boost or cut certain frequencies to tailor the sound to your liking.
Ambient sound control: The headphones’ advanced noise-cancellation technology can be adjusted to allow some ambient sound to come through, giving you a more natural and immersive listening experience.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer excellent sound quality that is well-balanced and detailed, with a wide soundstage and clear vocals. The combination of advanced audio technology and customizable settings makes them a popular choice among audiophiles and music lovers.

What about the energy efficiency and Battery life?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have a long battery life and energy-efficient features that make them convenient for extended use. Here are some of the details about their energy efficiency and battery life:

Battery life: The headphones can last up to 30 hours with active noise-cancellation (ANC) on, and up to 38 hours with ANC off. This is longer than the battery life of many other high-end wireless headphones on the market.
Quick charging: The headphones have a quick charging feature that allows you to get 5 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging. A full charge takes around 3 hours.
Auto power-off: The headphones have an auto power-off feature that helps to conserve battery life. If there is no audio signal for 15 minutes, the headphones will automatically turn off.
Energy-efficient components: The headphones are equipped with energy-efficient components, such as the Bluetooth 5.0 chip, which helps to reduce power consumption.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer excellent energy efficiency and battery life, with a long-lasting battery and quick charging feature that makes them convenient for use on the go. The auto power-off feature and energy-efficient components help to conserve battery life, ensuring that the headphones will last throughout the day.

Note: These specifications are based on the manufacturer’s claims and may vary depending on usage and environmental factors.

What are the differences and similarities with Bose QuietComfort 35 II?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones and Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are both popular over-ear headphones with noise-cancellation and advanced features. Here are some similarities and differences between the two models:

Similarities:

Both headphones feature active noise-cancellation technology to block out ambient noise.
They both offer Bluetooth connectivity and support high-quality audio codecs.
They have a built-in microphone for taking phone calls and activating voice assistants.
The headphones are designed for long-term comfort during extended use.

Differences:

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a longer battery life of up to 30 hours with ANC on and up to 38 hours with ANC off, compared to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II’s battery life of up to 20 hours.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a more advanced noise-cancellation processor, the QN1, which allows it to adapt to different environments and provide more effective noise-cancellation.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a touch control panel on the ear cups, whereas the Bose QuietComfort 35 II has physical buttons for control.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 has an auto-pause feature that stops playback when you take off the headphones, while the Bose QuietComfort 35 II does not.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 supports simultaneous pairing with two devices, while the Bose QuietComfort 35 II only supports one device at a time.

Overall, both the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II are high-quality headphones with excellent noise-cancellation and advanced features. The choice between the two will come down to personal preference and priorities, such as battery life, noise-cancellation effectiveness, and control options.

Conclusions

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a high-end set of over-ear headphones that offer excellent noise-cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. They feature advanced noise-cancellation technology that can be adjusted in real-time based on your surroundings, and they support high-quality audio codecs like LDAC and aptX HD for wireless streaming. The headphones have a long battery life of up to 30 hours with ANC on and 38 hours with ANC off, and they feature quick charging capability and energy-efficient components. The touch controls on the ear cups are intuitive and easy to use, and the headphones support voice assistant activation and multi-device connectivity. Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a popular choice among audiophiles and frequent travelers who value sound quality, comfort, and convenience.