The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a standout in the world of noise-canceling headphones. Praised for its exceptional audio quality and advanced features, it has set a high bar for what users can expect from premium headphones. This guide will walk you through various aspects of the WH-1000XM4, including its price, colors, features, and specifications, providing a detailed look at what makes these headphones so remarkable.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones were officially released on August 6, 2020. This release marked the introduction of Sony’s latest iteration in its highly praised line of noise-canceling headphones. The headphones quickly gained recognition for their exceptional performance and became a top choice among audiophiles and casual listeners alike
In the U.S., the Sony WH-1000XM4 is priced at $349.99. This price point reflects the advanced technology and premium features embedded in the headphones. The cost is consistent with other high-end noise-canceling headphones, positioning the WH-1000XM4 as a top contender in its category.
For the Indian market, the WH-1000XM4 is available at Rs. 29,990. While this is a higher price compared to some local brands, it is competitive within the premium headphone segment. This pricing reflects the advanced noise-canceling technology and superior sound quality offered by Sony.
Black
The classic black variant of the WH-1000XM4 exudes a sleek and professional look. It is a versatile choice that complements any style, making it suitable for both business and casual use. The black finish gives the headphones a timeless, understated elegance.
Midnight Blue
The midnight blue color offers a sophisticated alternative to the traditional black. It adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness without being overly flashy. This color is ideal for those who want their headphones to stand out subtly.
Silver
The silver option of the Sony WH-1000XM4 provides a modern and stylish appearance. It reflects light in a way that adds a sleek, futuristic edge to the headphones. The silver finish is perfect for users who prefer a more contemporary and eye-catching design.
1. Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer top-notch noise cancellation, blocking out external sounds so you can enjoy your audio without interruptions. They use dual microphones on each earcup to capture ambient noise, which is processed by the HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1. This processor adjusts noise-canceling levels in real time, adapting to different environments. Whether you’re on a noisy plane or in a bustling city, these headphones minimize unwanted sounds. The Personal Noise-Canceling Optimizer adjusts settings based on your surroundings, while Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing enhances performance during flights, ensuring you get the best listening experience no matter where you are.
2. Personal Noise-Canceling Optimizer
The Personal Noise-Canceling Optimizer tailors noise-canceling performance to fit your unique needs. It assesses your environment and how well the headphones fit, then adjusts the noise-canceling effect accordingly. This means that whether you’re in a quiet room or a noisy street, the headphones automatically adapt to provide optimal noise reduction. Additionally, it adjusts for changes in your environment, such as moving from indoors to outdoors. This personalized approach ensures you always have effective noise cancellation suited to your specific situation.
3. Ambient Sound Control
Ambient Sound Control lets you manage how much external noise you hear while wearing the Sony WH-1000XM4. Using the Sony Headphones Connect app, you can adjust settings to allow background sounds or voices through. This is useful for staying aware of important announcements or conversations without removing your headphones. The app offers different modes, such as Normal for general ambient sounds and Voice for focusing on human voices. This feature ensures you can enjoy your audio while still being aware of your surroundings as needed.
4. Speak-to-Chat
Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses your music when you start speaking. As soon as you begin talking, the headphones detect your voice through built-in microphones and stop playback, letting ambient sounds in so you can converse easily. When your conversation ends, the music will automatically resume. This hands-free feature is convenient for quick chats while keeping your headphones on, eliminating the need to manually pause or remove them. It helps you stay engaged in conversations without interrupting your music experience.
5. Adaptive Sound Control
Adaptive Sound Control adjusts the headphones’ settings based on your activity and location. It uses sensors to detect whether you’re walking, sitting, or traveling and modifies the noise-canceling and ambient sound settings accordingly. Over time, it learns your preferred locations, like your home or office, and adjusts the settings for those places. This ensures the headphones provide the best audio experience based on what you’re doing and where you are, offering a personalized and adaptive listening experience.
6. Quick Attention
Quick Attention lets you hear external sounds without removing your headphones. Simply place your hand over the right earcup to lower the music volume and let in ambient sounds. This feature is handy for quickly listening to announcements or having brief conversations. When you remove your hand, the music volume returns to its previous level. Quick Attention is a convenient way to manage your listening experience while staying aware of important sounds around you.
7. Extended Battery Life and Rapid Charging
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer up to 30 hours of battery life with noise-canceling activated, making them ideal for long trips or all-day use. If you need a quick charge, just 10 minutes of charging provides up to 5 hours of playback time. This feature ensures you can quickly top up the battery and continue enjoying your music, even when you’re short on time. The combination of long battery life and fast charging makes these headphones reliable and convenient for extended use.
8. Comfortable Design
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are designed for comfort, featuring super-soft ear pads made from pressure-relieving foamed urethane. These pads distribute pressure evenly, reducing discomfort during long listening sessions. The lightweight design, at just 254 grams, makes them easy to wear for extended periods without causing fatigue. The secure and stable fit ensures that the headphones stay in place, offering a comfortable listening experience whether you’re working, traveling, or relaxing.
9. Multipoint Connectivity
Multipoint connectivity allows the Sony WH-1000XM4 to connect to two Bluetooth devices at once. This means you can pair the headphones with both your phone and tablet simultaneously. If you receive a call on your phone while watching a video on your tablet, the headphones automatically switch to the phone for the call. This feature makes it easy to manage multiple devices without having to disconnect and reconnect, providing a seamless audio experience across different devices.
10. Voice Assistant Integration
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones support voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This integration lets you use voice commands to manage tasks such as playing music, setting reminders, or checking the weather. The built-in microphones pick up your voice clearly, allowing you to interact with your voice assistant without needing to use your phone. This feature adds convenience by enabling hands-free control of your music and other tasks, making your daily routines more efficient.
11. 360-Reality Audio
360-Reality Audio provides an immersive listening experience by simulating a three-dimensional sound environment. This technology makes it feel like you’re surrounded by sound, enhancing the depth and realism of your music. To experience 360-degree audio, you need compatible content from supported streaming services. The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are certified for this format, ensuring you get an accurate and engaging audio experience that feels like being in the middle of a live performance or studio recording.
 Top Specifications of Sony WH-1000XM4
1. Audio and Noise-Canceling Technologies
Driver Unit: The Sony WH-1000XM4 is equipped with a 1.57-inch (40mm) driver unit that features a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragm. This advanced design allows the headphones to manage heavy beats and handle a broad range of frequencies, from deep bass to high treble, reaching up to 40 kHz. The LCP diaphragm is known for its rigidity and minimal distortion, which ensures clear and precise sound reproduction, making the WH-1000XM4 suitable for various genres of music, including those with intricate details and deep bass.
HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1: The heart of the WH-1000XM4’s exceptional noise-canceling performance is the HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1. This processor uses dual noise sensors, one on each earcup, to detect and measure ambient noise. It then processes this information in real-time, generating an opposing sound wave to cancel out unwanted noise. The processor is capable of adjusting noise-canceling performance dynamically, adapting to different environments, whether it’s a bustling city street or a quiet office, ensuring that users experience optimal sound isolation and clarity.
DSEE Extreme: Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Extreme is a sophisticated feature that uses Edge-AI (artificial intelligence) developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo. This technology enhances compressed digital audio files by restoring high-frequency details that are often lost during compression. By analyzing and upscaling various elements of the music—such as instruments and vocals—in real-time, DSEE Extreme delivers a richer and more detailed listening experience, bringing compressed audio closer to high-resolution sound quality.
2. Bluetooth and Connectivity
Bluetooth Version: The WH-1000XM4 utilizes Bluetooth 5.0, which provides a stable and efficient wireless connection with a range of about 30 feet (10 meters). Bluetooth 5.0 enhances connectivity stability, reduces latency, and improves battery efficiency compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. This ensures a seamless and reliable connection between the headphones and your devices, whether you’re streaming music or making phone calls. Supported Codecs: The headphones support a range of audio codecs, including SBC, AAC, and LDAC.
3. Battery and Charging
Battery Life: The Sony WH-1000XM4 offers up to 30 hours of continuous playback with noise-canceling turned on, making it ideal for long journeys or extended listening sessions. When noise-canceling is turned off, the battery life extends to up to 38 hours, allowing for even longer use. This extensive battery life ensures that users can enjoy their music or podcasts without frequent recharging, whether they’re traveling or using the headphones throughout the day.
Quick Charging: The quick charging feature is a major convenience. With just a 10-minute charge, users can gain up to 5 hours of playback time. This rapid charging capability is especially useful when you’re in a hurry and need to quickly top up the battery before heading out. The option to quickly recharge ensures that the WH-1000XM4 remains ready for extended use without long waiting periods.
4. Build and Comfort
Weight: Weighing just 254 grams, the WH-1000XM4 is lightweight, contributing to its comfort during prolonged use. The lightweight design reduces pressure on the head and ears, making the headphones comfortable for long listening sessions, whether you’re traveling, working, or relaxing at home.
Ear Cups: The ear cups are designed to swivel inward, making it easy to pack the headphones into the included carrying case. This swivel feature enhances portability and protection during travel. The ear pads are made from super-soft foamed urethane, which provides a plush and comfortable fit. The pressure-relieving design ensures that the headphones sit comfortably on the ears without causing fatigue, allowing users to wear them for extended periods without discomfort. The combination of lightweight construction and soft ear pads makes the Sony WH-1000XM4 an excellent choice for users seeking comfort and convenience in their audio gear.
5. Controls and Features
Touch Sensor Control Panel: Allows you to control music playback, adjust volume, and take calls with simple taps and swipes.
NFC and USB-C: The Sony WH-1000XM4 supports NFC for easy pairing and USB-C for charging, ensuring compatibility with modern devices.
6. Additional Features
Ambient Sound Mode: Includes Normal and Voice modes to let in external sounds as needed.
Personal NC Optimizer: Tailors noise-canceling settings based on individual preferences and environments.
Adaptive Sound Control: Customizes ambient sound settings according to your activity and location.
7. Included Accessories
Carrying Case: A durable case is included for protection and portability.
Cables: Comes with a USB Type-C cable for charging and an audio cable for wired listening.
In-Flight Adapter: An adapter is included for use on airplanes.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are widely acclaimed for their superior sound quality and advanced features, making them a top choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. The first standout feature is their industry-leading noise cancellation. Equipped with Dual Noise Sensor Technology, the Sony WH-1000XM4 effectively blocks out ambient sounds, whether you’re in a busy city or a noisy office, providing an immersive listening experience. This is complemented by the adaptive sound control, which customizes noise-canceling levels based on your activity and surroundings.
The sound quality of the Sony WH-1000XM4 is equally impressive. The headphones boast a wide frequency range (4 Hz to 40,000 Hz) and powerful 40mm drivers with Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragms, ensuring rich, clear, and well-balanced audio. The inclusion of DSEE Extreme technology further enhances compressed audio files, restoring lost details for a more lifelike sound experience. Additionally, their Hi-Res Audio compatibility and support for LDAC provide high-resolution audio streaming for the best possible sound quality.
Comfort is another strong point. The Sony WH-1000XM4 features super-soft ear cushions and a lightweight design, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The headphones also offer excellent battery life, with up to 30 hours of playback time with noise-canceling on and a quick 10-minute charge providing 5 hours of use.
The touch controls and voice assistant integration add convenience, allowing easy management of playback and hands-free interaction. Features like Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention provide seamless transitions between listening and interacting with the environment.
Reasons to Purchase:
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones represent the pinnacle of audio technology and comfort. With their industry-leading noise-canceling features, exceptional sound quality, and advanced smart technologies, they are designed to provide an unrivaled listening experience. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a music enthusiast, or someone who simply values high-quality audio, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is an excellent choice that combines innovation with user-friendly features.
Pros:
Cons:
To activate noise cancellation, press the NC/Ambient button on the left earcup of the headphones. You can also adjust and customize noise-canceling settings through the Sony | Headphones Connect app on your smartphone.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 offers up to 30 hours of battery life with noise-canceling turned on. With noise-canceling off, it can last up to 38 hours. Additionally, a 10-minute quick charge provides about 5 hours of playback.
Yes, you can use the headphones while they’re charging. Just connect them to a power source with the included USB Type-C cable.
To update the firmware, use the Sony | Headphones Connect app. The app will notify you if a firmware update is available and guide you through the update process.
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