The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have been making waves in the audio world with their impressive noise-canceling capabilities and sleek design. As a follow-up to the highly acclaimed WH-1000XM3, these new headphones promise even better performance, features, and value for money.

Design and Build Quality

The WH-1000XM4 retains its predecessor’s premium look and feel, with a durable aluminum body and soft ear cushions that provide long-lasting comfort during extended wear. The headphones weigh in at around 254g (8.96oz), making them comfortable to wear for hours on end.

One of the most notable design changes is the addition of new sensors that detect when you’re wearing the headphones, automatically pausing music playback and adjusting noise-canceling settings accordingly. This feature ensures seamless transitions between listening modes and helps extend battery life.

Noise-Canceling Performance

Sony has taken its renowned noise-canceling technology to the next level with the WH-1000XM4. These headphones boast 20 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, while maintaining exceptional sound quality even in noisy environments.

The new QN1 (Quad Noise Cancellation) chip processes ambient sounds and produces an inverse signal to cancel them out, resulting in astonishing noise reduction. We tested the WH-1000XM4 in various scenarios, from busy city streets to airplane cabins, and were consistently impressed by their ability to block out distractions.

Sound Quality

The WH-1000XM4 delivers exceptional sound quality, with deep bass response, clear trebles, and a wide soundstage. Sony’s proprietary 40mm drivers are optimized for immersive audio experiences, making these headphones perfect for music enthusiasts, gamers, or movie buffs.

Additional Features

Some notable features include:

• Quick Attention Mode: Temporarily reduces noise cancellation to allow for easier conversations
• Speak-to-Chat: Automatically pauses music playback when you start speaking
• Adaptive Sound Control: Adjusts noise-canceling settings based on your environment and activities
• Wireless connectivity (Bluetooth 5.0, NFC)
• Dual-microphone setup for enhanced voice calls and voice assistant interactions

Battery Life

The WH-1000XM4 boasts a respectable battery life of up to 30 hours with noise cancellation enabled and up to 38 hours without it. Fast charging allows you to get an additional 5 hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging.

Comparison with Competitors

While other noise-canceling headphones, such as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or Sennheiser PXC 559, offer impressive performance, the Sony WH-1000XM4 stands out for its exceptional sound quality and feature set. The WH-1000XM4 also boasts a more compact design and longer battery life than many of its competitors.

Conclusion

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have solidified their position as industry leaders in noise-canceling audio technology. With improved performance, features, and value for money, these headphones are an excellent choice for anyone seeking an exceptional listening experience on-the-go or at home.

Technical Specifications:

• Driver size: 40mm
• Frequency response: 4 Hz – 40 kHz
• Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
• Impedance: 47 ohms
• Battery life: Up to 30 hours (with noise cancellation), up to 38 hours (without noise cancellation)
• Charging time: 3.5 hours for a full charge, fast charging available
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
• Dimensions: 7.08 x 6.85 x 2.56 inches (180 x 174 x 65 mm)