Sony Wh-1000xm4: Specs

• Acoustic design: Closed
• Weight: 253g
• Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz
• Drivers: 1.57-inch dome-type
• Battery life: 30 hours
• Active noise cancellation? Yes
• Extra features: Speak to Chat, DSEE Extreme, 360 Reality Audio

Sony Wh-1000xm4: Design

The new Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have some new stuff inside, but they look pretty similar to the older ones. They're designed to blend in, so they won't stand out when you're in places like subways or offices. They're made mostly of good quality plastic with soft padding, so they feel strong and comfy. On the outside, there are buttons for power, pairing, and changing noise-canceling modes, as well as ports for charging and plugging in. You can also control them by touching the outside of the ear cups.

Inside, Sony made some improvements for better noise cancellation. They have a special processor that adjusts noise cancellation based on the sounds around you. It's a smart design that sets them apart from other headphones.

But here's the downside: they're not waterproof or even very resistant to water. Sony says you should keep them dry to avoid damage. So, if you want headphones for activities like running, these might not be the best choice.

Features

When the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones came out, they had lots of cool features, like smart controls and great noise cancellation. Now, with the WH-1000XM4 headphones, all the good things from before are still there, plus some new stuff that actually works well.

Let's talk about the new stuff first. Sony made improvements to their wireless noise cancellation, which might not be obvious at first because it's so well done.

With the WH-1000XM4 headphones, you get even better noise cancellation, especially for sounds like humming from fans or engines. When you're listening to music, you can't hear anything else at all. Although strong wind might still cause a bit of noise, overall it's one of the best noise-canceling systems in wireless headphones.

These headphones are smart too. They can learn where you are and adjust the noise cancellation accordingly. For example, at home, you might want total silence, but at the office, you might want to hear voices. The headphones can also pause music when you take them off and resume when you put them back on. They can even turn off after being paused for a while to save battery. Plus, they can connect to two devices at once and switch between them as needed.

One cool feature is called Speak-to-Chat. When you start talking, it pauses your music and lets in outside noise so you can have a conversation without taking off your headphones. But be careful, if you start singing along, it'll pause your music too. Overall, these features make the WH-1000XM4 headphones really convenient to use.

Audio Quality

Sony is using the same 40mm drivers in the WH-1000XM4 as in the WH-1000XM3. So, in terms of sound quality, there's not much difference between them. The sound is warm and balanced, with good detail and a wide soundstage. The noise cancellation is really powerful too, adjusting quickly to block out unwanted noise without affecting your music.

Although it would have been nice to have aptX HD support, the LDAC codec does a good job for devices that support it, delivering detailed sound wirelessly. The new DSEE Extreme feature also helps improve the quality of lower-quality music files.

Sony still offers its 360 Reality Audio format for immersive sound, although access to its library is limited to a few streaming services.

The WH-1000XM4 headphones performs well across various types of music. They handle complex mixes with ease. However, one downside is that these headphones leak sound, which means people nearby might hear what you're listening to, especially at higher volumes. Keep this in mind if you plan to use them in quiet places like offices or libraries.

Battery Life

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones don't have a longer battery life than the previous model, but they still offer a good 30 hours with noise cancellation on and about 38 hours with it off.

At first, we were a bit disappointed that the battery life didn't improve, but then we realized that they added new features like speech detection and sensors without making it worse, which is pretty impressive.

The headphones now have a feature that turns them off when you take them off, which helps save battery if you forget to turn them off yourself. The 30-hour battery should be enough for long flights or days at work, and they also charge quickly, giving you about five hours of use from just 10 minutes of charging.

Compared to other brands like Bose and Bowers and Wilkins, Sony's battery life holds up well. Bose's headphones only last around 20 hours with noise cancellation, while Bowers and Wilkins matches Sony's 30 hours.

Final Thoughts

The Sony WH-1000XM4 excels in reducing background noise, making them ideal for travel with their long battery life and excellent ANC. They are top choice for travelers, offering both exceptional noise cancellation and audio playback quality. With volume up and noise cancellation activated, these headphones provide the peace and quiet you need at home.

Consider the WH-1000XM4's loose fit and lack of water-resistance before using them at the gym. For phone calls and meetings, opt for Jabras for better voice quality. Explore the Sony Headphones app for EQ adjustments, Speak-to-Chat, Ambient Sound Control, DSEE Extreme, and smart assistant settings. Download and use the app regularly for the best experience.