Sony WH-1000XM4 Review: Immerse Yourself in a World of Crystal Clear Audio

Published on Sunday, May 14, 2023
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones

Introduction

Welcome to the world of Sony WH-1000XM4, the latest addition to Sony's prestigious line of noise-cancelling headphones. These headphones are designed to provide an unparalleled listening experience, combining cutting-edge technology with a sleek and comfortable design. The WH-1000XM4 is the successor to the highly acclaimed WH-1000XM3, and it comes with a plethora of improvements and new features that make it a worthy upgrade. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a frequent traveler, or simply someone who values peace and quiet, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is here to elevate your audio experience to new heights.

Design and Comfort

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones boast a sleek and modern design that not only looks great but also provides exceptional comfort for extended listening sessions. The headphones feature a lightweight build, with soft, pressure-relieving earpads that evenly distribute weight and provide a secure fit. The adjustable headband ensures a customized fit for users with different head sizes, while the swivel and foldable design makes it easy to store and carry the headphones when not in use.

Available in two classic colors, black and silver, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have a minimalist aesthetic that complements any style. The outer ear cups are adorned with a subtle Sony logo and a smooth matte finish, giving the headphones a premium look and feel. The intuitive touch controls are seamlessly integrated into the right ear cup, allowing users to easily adjust volume, play or pause music, and answer phone calls without fumbling for buttons. Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a perfect blend of form and function, offering a stylish design that doesn't compromise on comfort or usability.

Noise-Cancelling Performance

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones take noise-cancellation to a whole new level, allowing you to immerse yourself in your favorite tunes without any distractions. Sony's industry-leading HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1 is the secret behind this exceptional feature. It not only eliminates external noise but also enhances the audio quality by reducing distortion and providing a more natural sound.

What sets the WH-1000XM4 apart from its competitors is its Adaptive Sound Control. This smart feature automatically adjusts the noise-cancellation levels based on your surroundings and activities. Whether you're walking down a busy street, sitting in a quiet office, or traveling on a noisy train, the headphones will adapt to provide the perfect balance between noise-cancellation and ambient sound. Additionally, the Quick Attention mode allows you to instantly lower the volume and let in ambient sound by simply placing your hand over the right earcup, making it easy to have a quick conversation without removing your headphones.

Users have praised the Sony WH-1000XM4's noise-cancellation capabilities, claiming it to be one of the best in the market. The combination of advanced technology and user-friendly features make these headphones a top choice for anyone seeking a truly immersive audio experience.

Sound Quality

The audio performance of the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones is truly remarkable, offering a listening experience that is both immersive and enjoyable. These headphones are equipped with a 40mm Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragm, which ensures a consistent and precise sound across the entire frequency range. The result is a rich, detailed audio output that brings out the best in your favorite tunes.

One of the standout features of the WH-1000XM4 is its DSEE Extreme technology. This advanced audio processing system uses artificial intelligence to upscale compressed digital music files in real-time, restoring the high-range sound that is often lost during compression. This means that even if you're listening to lower-quality audio files, the WH-1000XM4 will work its magic to deliver a more satisfying and dynamic listening experience. Furthermore, the headphones support LDAC and High-Resolution Audio, ensuring that audiophiles can enjoy their high-quality music files without compromise.

Another noteworthy aspect of the WH-1000XM4's audio performance is its Adaptive Sound Control. This smart feature automatically adjusts the ambient sound settings based on your activity and surroundings, ensuring that you always have the optimal balance between your music and the world around you. Whether you're walking down a busy street or sitting in a quiet room, the WH-1000XM4 will adapt to provide the perfect audio experience for your situation.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the most important aspects of any wireless headphones is their battery performance, and the Sony WH-1000XM4 does not disappoint in this department. Boasting an impressive 30 hours of playback time on a single charge, these headphones ensure that you can enjoy your favorite tunes or podcasts without constantly worrying about recharging. Additionally, the quick charge feature allows you to gain 5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge, perfect for those moments when you need a quick boost before heading out.

The battery performance of the Sony WH-1000XM4 is further enhanced by its power-saving features. The headphones automatically enter a standby mode when not in use, conserving battery life and ensuring that you can pick up right where you left off when you're ready to listen again. Furthermore, the adaptive sound control feature intelligently adjusts the noise-cancellation levels based on your surroundings, optimizing battery usage and providing an overall better listening experience. With such a reliable and efficient battery performance, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a top choice for users who value both convenience and quality in their wireless headphones.

Connectivity and Multi-Device Support

One of the standout features of the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones is their seamless Bluetooth connectivity. These headphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, which ensures a stable and fast connection with your devices. This means you can enjoy your favorite tunes without any interruptions or lags, even when you're on the move.

Another impressive aspect of the WH-1000XM4's Bluetooth connectivity is its multi-device support. This feature allows you to connect the headphones to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between your smartphone and laptop, for example. This is particularly useful for those who need to stay connected to multiple devices throughout the day, whether for work or leisure. Additionally, the headphones support LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs, ensuring high-quality audio transmission over Bluetooth for a superior listening experience.

Smart Features and App Integration

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones come packed with a plethora of smart features that elevate your listening experience to a whole new level. One of the most notable features is the Adaptive Sound Control, which intelligently adjusts the noise-cancellation levels based on your surroundings and activities. Whether you're walking, running, or sitting in a quiet room, the headphones will automatically optimize the noise-cancellation for your current situation.

Another impressive smart feature is the Speak-to-Chat function. This innovative technology automatically pauses your music when you start talking, allowing you to have a conversation without needing to remove your headphones or manually pause your music. The built-in sensors detect your voice and pause the music, resuming playback 30 seconds after you've stopped talking. This feature can be a game-changer for those who frequently need to engage in conversations while wearing their headphones.

Furthermore, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are equipped with Quick Attention Mode. By simply placing your hand over the right earcup, you can instantly lower the volume and let in ambient sound, making it easy to quickly listen to announcements or have a brief conversation without removing your headphones. Lastly, the headphones are compatible with popular voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control your music, get information, and more, all with just your voice.

Pros

One of the most praised aspects of the Sony WH-1000XM4 is its industry-leading noise-cancellation technology. Users rave about the ability to block out distractions and immerse themselves in their music, podcasts, or calls. The customizable ambient sound settings are also a hit, allowing users to adjust the level of noise-cancellation to their preference.

Another feature that users appreciate is the audio performance of these headphones. The WH-1000XM4 delivers a rich, balanced sound with deep bass and clear highs, making it perfect for various music genres and audio content. The LDAC codec support ensures high-quality audio streaming, and the DSEE Extreme upscaling technology enhances compressed audio files for a more enjoyable listening experience.

Users also love the comfortable design of the WH-1000XM4, with its lightweight build, soft ear cushions, and adjustable headband. This makes it easy to wear the headphones for extended periods without discomfort. The foldable design and carrying case are added bonuses, making it convenient for travel and storage.

Cons

While the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have received rave reviews for their performance and features, there are a few aspects that some users have found less than perfect.

One common complaint is the touch controls on the ear cups. Some users find them to be overly sensitive, leading to accidental adjustments in volume or track skipping. Others feel that the touch controls are not responsive enough, requiring multiple attempts to register a command.

Another issue that some users have encountered is the headphone's comfort during extended periods of use. While the WH-1000XM4 is designed with plush ear pads and a lightweight build, a few users have reported discomfort or pressure on their ears after several hours of continuous use.

Lastly, some users have expressed disappointment with the voice call quality on the WH-1000XM4. While the headphones excel in noise-cancellation for music and media, a few users have reported that the microphone picks up background noise during calls, making it difficult for the person on the other end to hear them clearly.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Sony WH-1000XM4 remains a popular choice for its exceptional audio performance and noise-cancellation capabilities.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a remarkable combination of design, noise-cancellation, audio performance, battery life, and smart features. These headphones have managed to impress users with their sleek design and comfortable fit, making them perfect for long listening sessions. The noise-cancellation feature is top-notch, allowing users to immerse themselves in their music or focus on work without any distractions.

The audio performance is exceptional, delivering crisp and clear sound across various genres. The battery performance is also noteworthy, providing up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge. The Bluetooth connectivity ensures seamless pairing with devices, while the smart features like touch controls and voice assistant integration make these headphones a user-friendly choice.

Although some users may have minor gripes, such as the lack of a folding design or the price point, the overall consensus is that the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a fantastic investment for those seeking a premium listening experience. If you're in the market for a new pair of headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 should definitely be on your radar.