Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones review

The Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones’ noise-cancelling abilities are among the best in the business, and the headphones’ lightweight and comfortable design are additional selling features. Multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness, and auto-play/pause using a built-in sensor are just a few of the new features available on the WH-1000XM4 headphones. Despite having a similar appearance to their predecessors, these characteristics enable the WH-1000XM4 headphones to compete for the title of finest headphones on the market.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are great wireless headphones that block out noise and should be looked at right away.

The XM4 should surely be at the top of your wishlist if you have around $350 to spend on wireless noise-canceling headphones but read the full review below to make sure they’re right for you.

A brief recap

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones are outstanding in every way as a pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones. Long periods of time can be spent using them without discomfort. If you really need the most modern Sony wireless over-ear headphones, despite the fact that the WH-1000XM5 was just released and made them obsolete, you should consider buying the five-star Sony WH-1000XM5, which was released in May 2022. You should be mindful of the following, though: The new design, while innovative and providing a high level of comfort, only allows the ear cup to swivel so that it may rest flat rather than folding over and becoming part of the headband. As a result, the acoustic improvements are only marginally better.

Due to the outstanding noise suppression and state-of-the-art codec support they offer, we greatly appreciate that they not only keep their promises but go above and beyond to do so.

Stereo headphones can be used to listen to multidimensional audio thanks to Sony’s 360 Reality Music format, which is a feature of the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. Additionally, the LDAC codec, which can transmit data at up to 990 kbps, is supported by these headphones. It no longer works with aptX or aptX HD, so the quality of the high-resolution audio support will depend on the device you use.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones were released in 2018, but their outward look has not undergone any substantial changes since then. However, the WH-1000XM4 headphones include many more enhancements, including multipoint connectivity and DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. These two new features are the only ones.

For the vast majority of individuals, but especially for those who frequently travel or have lengthy commutes, we strongly advise the Sony WH-1000XM4 as the best headphones and the best over-ear headphones. They are the greatest headphones and the best over-ear headphones because of their superb noise cancellation and exceptionally comfortable fit. However, they are not the best option for people who engage in strenuous physical activity and require a secure fit and moisture resistance, nor are they appropriate for professionals who require a top-of-the-line microphone for receiving and placing phone calls. If you don’t mind that the headphones don’t have wires, these are some of the best wireless headphones you can get from a company with a great reputation in the audio equipment industry.

First, Sony created a limited-edition PlayStation 4 colorway in white with a gold finish. Sony has corrected a bug that made it difficult for customers to connect the WH-1000XM4 to their Windows PCs and has also provided a firmware upgrade. The update fixes the error and increases Bluetooth stability when using several devices at once with the headphones.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the best noise-canceling headphones currently on the market in our in-depth analysis of the Sony WH-1000XM4.

Features of the Sony WH-1000XM4

• two devices can be connected using multi-point pairing.
• exceptional noise cancellation
• In case you start singing along, the music might stop.
• having verbal and situational awareness

The WH-1000XM4 headphones are the WH-1000XM3 headphones’ successors, and they come equipped with all of the same fantastic features as well as some brand-new ones. These are useful features that work exactly as promised in the marketing; they are not merely gimmicks.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 boasted an astounding number of features when it was initially introduced, including numerous inventive control schemes and deft applications of its noise-cancelling technology. 

So, shall we begin with the most recent material? First, and maybe most importantly, Sony has enhanced the process it employs to wirelessly cancel out noise. As with any outstanding design, it is so subdued that you might not even notice it at first (such was the strength of the previous system, anyway).

But if you use the WH-1000XM4, you will get much better midrange noise cancellation. These are the kinds of places where you might hear a low-level humming sound, which could come from a fan, an air conditioner, or an engine. Even though it is never completely quiet, it is very quiet. As soon as real music starts coming through the cans, you can’t hear anything else.

These wireless headphones have some of the best noise-cancelling technology we’ve ever used. When there is a lot of wind, however, some background noise may still be able to get through.

If you turn this feature on, the Sony headphones will make a faint chiming sound when they get close to one of the preset locations, and the amount of noise cancellation will change to match. The Headphones Connect app that goes with the headphones lets you save your station or travel hub and tell it to turn on your preferred noise-canceling settings while you are still above ground before you start your descent, even though it can’t work underground because it needs GPS.

These settings for blocking out noise are also very high-tech. If you let the WH-1000XM4 headphones know where you are, they will use your preferred level of noise cancellation or ambient sound passthrough based on where you are. To do this, you must give them permission to find out where you are. So, while at home you might like a place with no background noise at all, at work you might want to be able to hear people talking.

The most amazing feature is the new Speak-to-Chat feature. If you choose this option and turn it on, the microphone in the headphones will be smart enough to stop the music when you start talking. It will also make more background noise come into the headphones. You won’t have to take off your headphones to talk normally, and when you’re done talking, there will be a short break before the music starts.

But the WH-1000XM4’s best selling points are its features that make it easy to use. They work well and are easy to implement. A sensor in the earcups stops the music as soon as you take off your headphones. When you put your headphones back on, the music will start again. After being put on hold for a certain amount of time, they will turn off on their own to save battery life (the delay can be set by the user). The headphones can now connect to two different devices at the same time. This is possible thanks to a new multipoint connection that allows smart switching between the two connections based on what each device needs to do, like send a message or take a call.

When the function is on, if you start singing along with your songs, it will stop the track and end your karaoke session. But this has a double-edged effect because it’s almost too good. As long as you don’t use too many language tricks, it’s easy to use.

The sound quality of the Sony WH-1000XM4

• favoring 360-degree reality Spatial audio audio
• Bass that is clean and strong and warmly matched.
• 40mm circumaural drives
• Not aptX or aptX HD, but LDAC and AAC

When it comes to noise cancellation, Sony uses a technology called Dual Noise Sensor. This uses two microphones built into each earcup to pick up noise from the environment and send it to the QN1 noise cancelling processor for analysis. Because of this, the headphones can change how they cancel out noise at a rate of over 700 times per second, which is so fast that you can’t even feel it. It has a surprising amount of power while not getting in the way of the music you’re listening to at all.

Because Sony used the same 40mm drivers in the WH-1000XM4 headphones as it did in the WH-1000XM3, there is not much difference in tone or mix between the WH-1000XM4 headphones and the WH-1000XM3 headphones that came before them. It has a sound that is both warm and well-balanced, and when needed, it can deliver a large soundstage and details that can cut through a strong bass performance.

Even though only a few streaming services can give you access to its library, and growth has been slow, Sony is still pushing its 360 Reality Audio offering. This is Sony’s own immersive audio format that puts you in the middle of a surround-sound mix, and it is still impressive. The format puts you right in the middle of a mix. It was made by Sony and is called “immersive audio.”

Even though it would have been nice to have support for aptX HD, the LDAC codec from Sony does a good job with devices that also support it. This lets a lot of information be sent wirelessly. Even files and formats of lower quality that you throw at the WH-1000XM4 can benefit from DSEE Extreme, which is an AI-driven method that tries to recover information from lossy compressed formats.

As we always do, we put the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones through their paces with a variety of streaming services, file types, and spoken word clips. They blew us away in every way.

The fact that the XM4s can be changed is a blessing because I don’t like how they sound out of the box. The XM4s have a big, powerful sound that puts a lot of emphasis on the bass and ignores the higher frequencies. This makes for a muffled sound that, to be honest, isn’t that great. If you like clarity and a better balance with a little more treble and highs, the XM4 isn’t for you. Instead, you should use the Sony Headphones app to change the sound.

I tried it, and as a result, I made a change that, in my opinion, made my music sound better. Also, everything went quickly and was very easy. The XM4 is a pair of headphones that will be hard to replace because of the changes I made to them. I like how the XM4 sounds better than the Bose, so being able to use the app and change the sound settings was helpful. If you’re interested, I use the “Bright” setting with the “Clear Bass” set to at least +5.

When looking at the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones from the point of view of a user who works from home and shares a kitchen table with a roommate, those around us did notice a significant amount of noise leakage from the headphones, enough to be distracting even when the volume was turned down to half of its maximum level. You might not be able to hear what’s going on outside, but everyone else will be able to hear what you’re listening to. Keep this in mind if you plan to wear them in a place with low background noise, like a library or workplace.

The XM4 gets the basics right, which is a fact that can’t be argued with. The sound that these headphones make is pretty full, and the soundstage is decent and has a lot of space. Sony is also proud of how good the XM4s sound, which is said to have been made with the help of Sony Music Studios Tokyo. To be honest, I’m probably not the best person to ask about how important that part is, but I still thought it was important to bring up.

I’m glad that the XM4s can be changed because I don’t like how they sound by default. The factory settings for the XM4s give them a loud, powerful sound with a lot of bass frequencies. On the other hand, the upper frequencies are not taken into account nearly as much as they should be. This makes the sound muffled and, to be honest, not very interesting. If you like clarity and a better balance with a little more treble and highs, the XM4 are not the best headphones for you. Instead, you should use the Sony Headphones app to change the sound to your liking.

I did that, and as a result, I found a change that not only changes how my music sounds to me, but also makes it really easy and quick to use. Because of the changes I made to them, the XM4 are now a great pair of headphones that will be hard to find a replacement for. Since I think the XM4 sounds better than the Bose, it was well worth my time to go into the app and try out the different sound settings. (If it helps, I use the “Bright” setting and set “Clear Bass” to +5 or higher.)

Also, since everyone has a different way of hearing and likes different sounds in the music they listen to, it’s hard for me to say if they sound good or not. It just so happens that the XM4s are very powerful in this area. With the Sony Headphones app, which lets you customize the sound of the headphones, you can change the sound to anything you want. It’s not a new idea to use equalization (EQ) settings to personalize music, but Sony’s software and the XM4 headphones make it very useful.

Others don’t care as much and just want a pair of headphones that sound good without having to mess with an app. For these people, they sound great right out of the box.

Design of the Sony WH-1000XM4

• Strong construction and cozy padding
• Since the 1000XM3, there have been subtle design adjustments.
• have no water resistance of any kind
• Improved noise cancellation with a new SoC

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are not splash-proof, water-resistant, or even very water-resistant. The bad news is this. This is the case because the headphones are not sealed. Sony recommends that you keep them dry and far away from any water sources that could hurt them. Because of this, there are some places where you can’t use them. For example, if you want headphones to use while jogging, these aren’t the right ones for you. This might seem like something everyone should know, and it’s easy to do.

The Sony WH-100XM4 headphones have a lot of new parts, but they don’t look much different from the headphones that came before them. If you put the 1000XM3 and the 1000XM4 next to each other, it would be hard to tell which one is which.

But that’s not the end of the world because the 1000XM3’s design is elegant and unobtrusive, so it doesn’t stand out on trains, planes, or in the workplace.

Most of the parts have a strong structure made of high-quality plastic and soft pleather padding. The result is a device that seems to be mostly long-lasting and is still very comfortable even after long periods of use.

The headphones come with a 3.5mm aux cable, a USB-C port for charging, two physical buttons for power and pairing, a button that cycles through the different noise-canceling settings, and another button that does the same. The headphones have a touch-capacitive control panel on the outside of the earcups. This panel can be used to play, pause, skip, or skip over music, as well as raise or lower the volume.

But the real magic happens inside the headphones. Sony says that the new system-on-a-chip (SoC) is better at getting rid of background noise than the old one. Of course, this can’t be done without the Sony QNe1 Processor, whose job it is to constantly sample the sound around it so that the amount of noise cancellation can be changed on the fly. It is different from noise-cancelling products made by other companies because it is set up and designed in a unique way. Other companies make noise-cancelling products that work for everyone.

Battery life of the Sony WH-1000XM4

• The battery life has not improved over previous models.
• 38 hours without noise cancellation vs. 30 hours with noise cancellation.
• Rapid charging ,five hours of operation after just 10 minutes.
• Last longer than their rivals.

Even though the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones don’t have a longer battery life than their predecessors, the playback time is extended as much as possible by a new auto-on/off and play/pause sensor built into the earcup. This sensor can tell when you take the headphones off. Because of this, the headphones can play for as long as they can. People who forget to turn off their headphones at the end of the day and wake up dead will find this to be a very helpful development.

Even though the Sony WH-1000XM4 doesn’t have a longer battery life than its predecessors, the headphones can still be used for a good 30 hours with the noise-canceling technology on and 38 hours without it.

At first, we were a little sad about that number because we didn’t understand why a device’s battery life couldn’t get better over time. Then, though, we quickly realized that the headphones now have voice recognition, a new system on a chip (SoC), an algorithm, and more sensors. Even though it has a lot of new features, it still works the way it used to.

In light of this, how does the Sony WH-1000XM4 compare to its competitors? in a very favorable manner. When noise cancellation was turned on, the Bose Noise-Canceling 700 only had a battery life of about 20 hours. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7, on the other hand, had a battery life of 30 hours, which was the same as the Sony.

With 30 hours of playback time, you should be able to get through a few long international flights or a few days at work. But it’s good to know that the headphones can be charged quickly in just a few minutes thanks to their rapid charging feature. Sony says that ten minutes of power can give you more than five hours of charge, and three hours can give you a full charge.

Comfort of the Sony WH-1000XM4

The XM4 are headphones that provide an exceptional level of comfort. The earcups have a smooth leatherette covering, and they are soft and do not hold onto my head. However, they are just tight enough and lightweight enough that the headphones remain on even when I tilt and spin my head in every direction. As a point of comparison, the circumference of my skull, from the top of my brow to the top of my ears, is about 23 inches. The headband is constructed of a material that is more rigid, but it is also coated in smooth leatherette. Because of this, it does not apply an excessive amount of pressure, and the top of my head does not get painful after prolonged listening.

Phone calls

Sony’s efforts, which worked in the end, have helped reduce background noise during phone calls. The person I was talking to said that they wouldn’t usually notice if I was talking on the phone while sitting next to a noisy engine. I stayed close to my noisy engine while we talked.

Simply put, this means that you won’t hear much background noise while talking on the phone while walking through a busy city.

Is it worth it to buy the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones?

Once the volume is reduced and the noise cancellation is activated, there’s no doubt that these headphones will help you get some much-needed rest at home. Noise cancellation can be turned on and off with a switch. If you’ve been looking for aural nirvana but haven’t found it, the Sony WH-1000XM4 might give you the peace you’ve been looking for.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is, without a doubt, the best option on the market right now if you want to cut down on background noise in a certain place. They are the perfect carry-on item for your next trip because they have a long battery life and great ANC, and travelers say they are well worth the price.

Most of the time, you will have to choose between a pair of headphones that are great for listening to music and a set of noise-cancelling headphones that block out noise well. You don’t have to choose between the two because the Sony WH-1000XM4 is great at both.

The WH-1000XM4 headphones have a looser fit and are not water-resistant, but they might be able to block out the grunts of the person working out next to you at the gym. Because of this, you should carefully think about your options before putting them in your workout bag.

While the Sony WH-1000XM4 are ideal for use while traveling between appointments, they are not ideal for use during meetings.If you talk on the phone a lot and need the clearest sound, you might want to buy a pair of Jabra headphones.

Sony has hidden a lot of useful features inside the Sony Headphones app for consumers to find. Here, you can change the EQ, turn on Speak-to-Chat and Ambient Sound Control, turn on DSEE Extreme, and choose which smart assistant you want to use. Even if you don’t want to install stand-alone programs at all, you should still get this one and use it.

The terms “wireless” and “noise canceling” are now commonly acknowledged as necessities, and Sony excels in both instances. You can tailor the sound quality to your preferences using the Sony Headphones app. They might be better for you than the  Bose 700, which was the previous benchmark for wireless noise-cancelling headphones.