Unmatched Sound: Review of Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Canceling Headphones
- Active Noise Cancellation: Features Dual Noise Sensor technology for premium noise cancellation.
- Long Battery Life: Offers up to 30 hours of playback with quick charging (10 minutes for 5 hours).
- Touch Sensor Controls: Easily manage music playback, volume, and voice assistant with touch controls.
- Speak-to-Chat: Automatically lowers music volume when conversations occur.
- Superior Call Quality: Equipped with five microphones for clear voice capture during calls.
- Wearing Detection: Playback pauses automatically when headphones are removed.
- Multipoint Connection: Allows seamless pairing with multiple devices.
- Comfortable Design: Updated design ensures long-lasting comfort during use.
Original price was: $348.00.$228.00Current price is: $228.00.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are truly a game changer in the world of audio. With their exceptional active noise cancellation, it’s like stepping into your own private sound bubble. Whether you’re commuting, working from home, or just trying to enjoy some peace and quiet, these headphones do an incredible job of blocking out background noise.
The sound quality is simply outstanding. The bass is rich and deep, while the mids and highs are crystal clear. There’s no need to tweak the EQ settings; the audio is perfectly balanced right out of the box.
Battery life is another major highlight. With up to 30 hours of playback time and quick charging capabilities, they are perfect for long trips or extended use. The added convenience of touch sensor controls makes it easy to manage your music and calls without fumbling for buttons.
The design is sleek and comfortable, allowing for hours of wear without any discomfort. Plus, the wear detection feature that pauses music when you take them off is a thoughtful touch.
Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are an investment worth making for anyone serious about audio quality and noise cancellation. Highly recommended!
The sound quality is simply outstanding. The bass is rich and deep, while the mids and highs are crystal clear. There’s no need to tweak the EQ settings; the audio is perfectly balanced right out of the box.
Battery life is another major highlight. With up to 30 hours of playback time and quick charging capabilities, they are perfect for long trips or extended use. The added convenience of touch sensor controls makes it easy to manage your music and calls without fumbling for buttons.
The design is sleek and comfortable, allowing for hours of wear without any discomfort. Plus, the wear detection feature that pauses music when you take them off is a thoughtful touch.
Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are an investment worth making for anyone serious about audio quality and noise cancellation. Highly recommended!
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June 6, 2025
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Specification: Unmatched Sound: Review of Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Canceling Headphones
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7 reviews for Unmatched Sound: Review of Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Canceling Headphones
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Amazon Customer –
Vivid and clear audio quality.
b –
Disclaimer: I purchased mine used in like-new condition through Amazon.
I initially bought the Sony XM5 based on their outstanding reviews, but after returning them for the XM4, I’m much happier with my choice. Here’s how the XM4 stacks up against the XM5, Apple AirPods Max, and Bose QuietComfort 45.
Noise Cancellation (4.5/5): The XM4’s noise cancellation is impressive, nearly rivaling that of the Apple AirPods Max. I rated it 4.5 because I still believe the AirPods have the edge in this department, but the Sony XM4 is very close. I appreciate the dedicated button for turning noise cancellation on and off, a feature absent in the Bose QuietComfort 45. The XM4’s noise cancellation is significantly better than that of the XM5, which had issues with randomly turning on and off. While it doesn’t block all sound, it reduces it to the point where I can hear conversations and music but can’t discern words. The XM4 can automatically disable noise cancellation when it detects you’re speaking, though the accompanying announcement can be somewhat disruptive.
Sound Quality (4/5): The sound quality is excellent—much better than the XM5, though not quite on par with the Apple AirPods Max, which offer a crisper sound. The 360 sound feature is nice, but I rarely use it. The audio is clear, and I haven’t encountered any problems; unlike the XM5, which occasionally produced muffled sound.
Comfort (5/5): The XM4s are incredibly comfortable. I wear glasses with plastic frames, and many headphones are uncomfortable. The Apple AirPods Max, in particular, were not a good fit. I prefer not to wear contacts for long periods, especially when studying. The XM5s were decent but would slip out of place often. The XM4s fully cover my ears, and the soft ear pads don’t squeeze my head or cause any discomfort. However, after nearly 10 hours of wear, the headband can get a bit uncomfortable. As someone with TMJ, I occasionally switch to earbuds, but overall, these are the most comfortable headphones I’ve tried.
Product Quality (3.5/5): Let’s be real, they feel plastic, which affects the perceived quality. However, they feel sturdier than the XM5, which felt toy-like. The Apple AirPods Max are also plastic but seem a bit more premium, though nothing extraordinary.
Aesthetic (3.5/5): If looks matter, they’re decent. They are slightly bulky but not overly so. While not as sleek as some options, they don’t look outlandish. I initially worried about their clunkiness, but after wearing them, I think they look just fine.
Connectivity (4/5): I use Apple devices (iPhone, MacBook, etc.), and the connectivity is excellent. My experience with the XM5 was fraught with connection issues, but I’ve had no problems with the XM4. It was a bit odd needing the Sony Connect app to manage the headphones, but it’s user-friendly and provides nice control options.
Battery Life (5/5): The battery life is phenomenal. I’ve had them for eight days without a charge, and they still have around 40% left. They turn off automatically to conserve battery, which I appreciate.
OVERALL (4.5/5): The XM4s are fantastic headphones at a more reasonable price than the Apple AirPods Max. While the Bose QuietComfort 45 may be similar in quality, I can’t personally attest to that. The XM4s are a significant improvement over the XM5 in terms of quality and price, offering comfort, excellent noise cancellation, sound quality, and outstanding battery life.
Gabi –
This is hands down the best headphone I’ve ever purchased. If you’re in the market for noise-canceling headphones, I highly recommend these! I bought them five years ago, and they’re still in great condition. The battery lasts about two months, and the touch controls on the right earcup, along with the automatic noise-canceling feature, are truly unique compared to other products out there.
Jerome Jr –
Great fit and finish. Outstanding sound quality, and the ANC functions perfectly. The multi-point feature is a nice touch for added convenience.
Gerard –
These are the best active noise cancellation headphones I’ve ever owned. I have multiple pairs, but I specifically purchased these to block out noise during extensive home renovations, and they truly surpassed my expectations.
Noise Cancellation Performance: Just putting them on reduces loud sounds by about 50%. With the noise cancellation activated and music at a moderate level, they can drown out a jackhammer right next to you. They effectively block everything—from airplane engine noise to nail guns, miter saws, construction equipment, and even voices.
Important Purchase Tip: Make sure to buy Sony OEM ear cup cushions. I already picked up a spare pair to keep in my storage case. With two newer models released, I wanted to secure OEM parts before they became hard to find. Fortunately, these headphones are so popular that even niche parts are available through authorized Sony dealers in the US.
Software Features: While the companion software receives some criticism, I find it quite handy. Key features include:
Audio Customization: You can tweak the sound using a traditional equalizer or an intuitive system where you listen to music samples and select your preferences from four circles. Four new options appear, and you repeat the process until the sound is perfectly personalized.
Value: I snagged mine during a Memorial Day sale for under $250. After the sale, prices went up, but following the release of newer models, these top-tier headphones are now available for even less than what I paid. If you want best-in-class noise cancellation without spending nearly $500, grab these now.
Dusky –
Sound Quality (5/5)
These are the first headphones I’ve tried that didn’t make me immediately reach for the EQ. I’m no sound expert, but the bass is impressive, and the mids and highs sound excellent.
Noise Cancellation (5/5)
This is my first experience with noise-canceling headphones, and I’m truly amazed. I have an air purifier in my office, and even on a medium setting, it’s quite loud. However, with these headphones on, I can barely hear it—especially with music or a movie playing. I read reviews mentioning they could still hear background noises, but all I experience is silence or the audio I’m focused on.
Wireless/Wired (4/5)
The ability to use these headphones wired when powered off or connect them via Bluetooth wirelessly is fantastic, and it performs exceptionally well! However, I was surprised to find that I can’t connect them to my main PC’s Bluetooth, possibly due to its thick glass panel. If you have a case with a glass panel, you might want to test it with another set of Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.
Audio Delay/Lag on Bluetooth (5/5)
I have a mini laptop with Bluetooth 4.1, and I can hardly notice any lag when watching videos or movies. This is a significant improvement compared to other Bluetooth earbuds I’ve owned, where delay was frustrating. Thankfully, I don’t experience that issue here!
Gestures (4/5)
I wasn’t particularly excited about the gesture pad, but it works surprisingly well. Occasionally, an action might not register, but that happens very rarely. However, using the play/pause function on a PC can be a bit tricky. One day, while listening to Spotify and then switching to YouTube, pausing and unpausing caused both tabs to start playing simultaneously.
Comfort (4/5)
On the first day, I found the headphones a bit tight on my small head. However, after just two days of use, they feel much better—either I’ve gotten used to them or they’ve begun to break in. The ear cups are comfortable, though I wish they were slightly larger; I can feel my right ear touching the pad. I wonder if long gaming or work sessions will make my ear feel cramped, as has happened with older headsets. On a positive note, I was surprised by how light they are despite the impressive battery life and features. They feel much lighter than the Corsair Void.
Pairing Headphones with 2 Devices (3/5)
This feature only works through the headphones’ app, not via the physical sync button. Once devices are registered in the app, you can enable a setting to choose which two devices to connect. I wish I had read more about this before, as I use two PCs at home—a media PC and a work/gaming PC. I expected to switch between audio on the fly, but you can only connect to one phone and one other device. It can be two phones, but not two PCs.
Included Accessories (3/5)
The case that comes with the headphones is excellent—a hard-shell clam design with a nice compartment for the USB-C charging cable, audio cable, and airplane adapter. While I appreciate the quality and protection it offers, the decision to sew the elastic mesh bag on the bottom seems a bit odd. The audio cable is fine for phone use, but if you plan to use it with a PC, you’ll likely need a longer cable. It’s usable but a bit on the short side. As for the USB Type-C charging cable, you might need a USB hub. Depending on your setup, you may find it difficult to connect the headphones to your PC’s rear USB ports without them dangling, which isn’t ideal.
Benoit l. –
I own a pair of Bose wired QC-35 headphones, which I used as my baseline for comparison. I decided to purchase the Sony XM4 because I was tired of dealing with cables getting in my way.
I primarily use the XM4 with my laptop, but they are also paired with my Galaxy S10. The only background noise I encounter is my wife, who works loudly during her virtual meetings just a meter away from me. Hence, I often rely on noise cancellation to filter out her voice and keyboard sounds.
Starting with noise cancellation, the Sony XM4 performs similarly to the wired QC-35. However, the XM4 does produce some white noise when idle, which can be slightly distracting, whereas the QC-35 remains silent while effectively cancelling noise. Both headphones manage to block about 60% of my wife’s voice, allowing me to enjoy my music without distraction, even at lower volumes.
In terms of sound quality, the XM4 is a step up from the wired QC-35. The bass is deep, and all frequencies come through crisp and clear. I can distinguish every instrument in my music, enhancing my listening experience significantly. These headphones should satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles and can reach volumes that could potentially damage your hearing, which is impressive for wireless headphones. The sound quality remains consistent whether I’m using my laptop or my Galaxy S10.
For calls on my Galaxy S10, if I’m listening to music and a call comes in, the XM4 pauses the music and rings in my headphones. A quick double tap on the touch sensor lets me answer the call, while holding the sensor allows me to reject it. Call quality is excellent; I can hear clearly, and others have reported that my voice sounds great on their end. I haven’t tested them in noisy environments or windy conditions, but Sony claims that the XM4 effectively reduces ambient noise for clearer calls.
I appreciate the numerous features the XM4 offers. Here are a few highlights: 1. When I take them off, the headphones automatically pause the music thanks to a proximity sensor, and they resume playback as soon as I put them back on. 2. If I want to talk to someone while listening to music, I simply start talking, and the music pauses automatically, allowing me to converse without removing the headphones. After 15 or 30 seconds of silence (configurable), the music resumes. 3. The touch sensor controls for volume adjustments, song navigation, and more are very convenient. There’s also integration with Alexa or Google Assistant, but I can’t comment on that since I don’t use these features.
Comfort-wise, my ears fit well within the cups, which don’t exert any pressure. I managed to wear them for up to nine hours straight (even while wearing glasses) with just a short break for lunch, and experienced no discomfort. While the QC-35 cups are similar in size, I find their leather to be slightly more comfortable than that of the XM4.
The Sony “Headphone” app is user-friendly and comprehensive, allowing easy customization of sound and headphone behavior. You can adjust the equalizer to suit your preferences, customize button functions, toggle various features, update firmware, and more. Unlike the Bose app, which requires GPS location permission for pairing, the Sony app allows for customization without this requirement. I appreciate this flexibility, even though I don’t use the location feature.
As for drawbacks, I had to think hard to find any. 1. You cannot use the headphones while charging, but given the long battery life, this is a minor issue. You can use the supplied 3.5mm cord, but the mic function won’t work. 2. The cushions on the QC-35 are softer and more comfortable than those on the XM4. I also tested the XM4 with my Samsung Smart TV, and while pairing was easy, the sound was choppy, so I wouldn’t recommend them for TV watching.
In summary, these are, without a doubt, the best wireless headphones currently available! With fantastic sound, rich features, and impressive comfort, they are a standout option, though not ideal for watching TV.