Sony WF-1000XM4 Review
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 noise-canceling earphones launch. Their size and fit may not be ideal for everyone, and they don’t quite match Apple’s AirPods Pro when it comes to voice calls. Even at their high price, their superior sound and noise cancellation make them difficult to surpass. The Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds are just around 10% smaller than the XM3s, but they have a more compact design and don’t emerge from your ears. The XM4 case is 40% smaller than the XM3 case, weighing 41.1 grams instead of 76.5 grams, and has a flat-bottom that allows it to be stood up.
Design and Controls:
New polyurethane ear tips (small, medium, and large sizes) are included with the noise-canceling headphones to enable greater passive noise reduction. ‘Speak to chat’ requires you to make a noise to pause your music and have a quick conversation without taking off your headphones. Sony has also removed a significant portion of the packing. The top three voice assistants – Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa – may also be summoned using their pre-programmed ‘wake’ words. A bone conduction sensor has also been integrated, which detects voice vibration but does not register it as ambient sound.
Features:
Sony’s new WF-1000XM4 noise-canceling earphones have increased audio quality. They use Sony’s DSEE Extreme audio processor with Edge-AI to upgrade low-bitrate music files to near-hi-res quality. Although the XM4 lacks aptX HD functionality, it is powered by a new Integrated Processor V1. Each earpiece’s round outer surface includes a touchpad, and you can customize its functionality using the Headphones Connect app. The noise-canceling capabilities are exceptional, especially for a pair of wireless earphones.
With new capabilities like beam-forming and a bone conduction sensor that prevents the mics from picking up annoying ambient sounds, Sony hopes to improve call quality. Android users will be glad to learn that the Sonys are Fast Pair compatible, allowing you to get up and running quickly.
Build:
Packaging is comprised of a particular blend of paper and plastic that is recyclable and good for the environment. Comes with a 40 percent smaller charging case than the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds case. Wireless charging now includes support for Qi pads, allowing you to use their power to charge your phone. The battery life is marginally better than the XM3, and for the first time, it charges via USB-C. Sony claims that its noise-canceling earbuds can last eight hours on a single charge and 24 hours with the case connected. In terms of total battery life, they outperform competitors like the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless.
Excellent Noise Canceling:
Instead of silicone tips, Sony has changed its ear tips and now offers three sizes of polyurethane-coated foam ear tips. Noise cancellation appears to perform across a larger frequency range than it did on the XM3. The buds also did an excellent job of muffling noise outdoors in the streets and even in my home theatre while I was watching an NBA game
The WF-1000XM4 earbuds from Sony are Bluetooth 5.2 compatible and feature Sony’s high-resolution LDAC wireless streaming audio. You may also choose between Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and the speech assistant built into your phone. Although Apple devices only support the AAC audio codec and not LDAC, I found that streaming with Qobuz on an iPhone using AAC sounded better than Spotify.
Comfort:
The Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones are designed to fit inside the ear canal and are rated IPX4 for “splashing from any angle” protection. Thousands of tiny bubbles in the tips are meant to assist in minimizing and dissipating noise. Eartips are constructed of polyurethane, which feels like a combination between silicone and foam. Sony has released a new air-tightness test that can be accessed via the Headphones Connect app.
Top-notch sound:
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds are among the best genuine wireless headphones available. Sony has revamped the 6mm drivers and includes a new V1 chip for digital processing. The PI7 from Bowers & Wilkins could be the best-sounding true wireless earphones on the market right now. Sennheiser CX Plus is an inexpensive option that delivers outstanding sound, effective noise-canceling, and decent voice-calling.
Battery life and connectivity:
They now have Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and are Qi charging pad compatible, allowing you to charge them for up to eight hours on a single charge. Depending on whether active noise canceling is turned on or off, the best-case real-world scenario is up to 24 hours, plus a couple of additional charges in the case.
Pros:
- und that is quick, full-bodied, and articulate.
- Excellent ergonomics and some extremely handy features.
- Excellent call quality.
Cons:
- Sony’s Multipoint function isn’t available.
- aptX HD isn’t available.
Conclusion:
The noise-canceling on Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earbuds is among the best we’ve heard in this category. Apple’s AirPods Pro is more lightweight and easy to wear, and they provide excellent noise cancellation. With a smaller design for both the buds and the case, improved headset performance, and somewhat better sound, Sony buds have the upper hand. I enjoy the sound of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, but the XM4 has a more refined, fuller sound.
