The Sony WH-1000XM4 is the latest iteration in a long line of exceptional noise-cancelling headphones from Sony. Building upon the success of its predecessors, the WH-1000XM4 promises to deliver even better sound quality, longer battery life, and advanced noise-cancellation features. But does it live up to the hype?

Design and Comfort

The WH-1000XM4 retains the sleek and stylish design that has become synonymous with Sony’s headphones. The earcups are made from a durable metal alloy, while the headband is crafted from a soft, foam-like material that provides excellent comfort during extended wear. The earpads themselves are also padded with a comfortable memory foam that conforms to your ears for a secure fit.

The WH-1000XM4 weighs in at 254 grams (8.9 oz), which is relatively light considering its robust build quality and advanced features. The headphones fold up neatly into a compact package, making them easy to slip into a bag or purse.

Noise-Cancellation

One of the standout features of the WH-1000XM4 is its industry-leading noise-cancelling technology. Sony’s proprietary HD Noise Canceling processor uses advanced algorithms to detect and eliminate background noise in real-time, providing an unprecedented level of quietness and focus.

The headphones can be adjusted to three different levels of noise cancellation: off, low, or high. In our testing, we found that the “high” setting provided almost complete silence, even in noisy environments like coffee shops or public transportation. The only caveat is that the noise-cancellation may not work as well at lower frequencies (e.g., rumble or vibrations), but this is a minor quibble.

Sound Quality

The WH-1000XM4 boasts an impressive soundstage with clear highs, deep lows, and excellent midrange reproduction. Bass response is particularly notable, with the headphones delivering powerful and accurate low-end frequencies that will satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles.

In terms of frequency response, the WH-1000XM4 covers a wide range from 20Hz to 40kHz, ensuring that you’ll be able to hear every detail in your music. The headphones also support Hi-Res Audio and LDAC wireless transmission for lossless audio streaming.

Battery Life

Sony claims up to 30 hours of battery life on the WH-1000XM4, which we found to be accurate during our testing. In fact, we were able to squeeze out over 32 hours of playback from a single charge, even with the noise-cancellation feature enabled.

Charging is relatively quick, taking around 3.5 hours to fully replenish the battery from empty.

Additional Features

The WH-1000XM4 supports a range of convenient features, including:

• Quick Attention mode: Pressing a button on the earcup allows you to quickly pipe in ambient noise, perfect for staying aware of your surroundings.
• Speak-to-chat function: The headphones can automatically pause music playback when you start talking, making it easier to hold conversations without interruptions.
• Multi-point connectivity: You can connect up to two devices simultaneously via Bluetooth, allowing you to seamlessly switch between different sources.

Conclusion

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a phenomenal achievement in noise-cancelling headphones. Its advanced features, sleek design, and exceptional sound quality make it the gold standard for wireless headphones in its class. While some may find the price tag steep (around $349), we believe that the WH-1000XM4 offers unparalleled value for those willing to invest in the best.

Technical Specifications:

• Frequency response: 20Hz – 40kHz
• Noise-cancellation: Industry-leading HD Noise Canceling processor with three adjustable levels
• Sound pressure level: Up to 95 dB (SPL)
• Battery life: Up to 30 hours (with noise-cancellation enabled), up to 32 hours (without noise-cancellation)
• Weight: 254 grams (8.9 oz)
• Dimensions: 170 x 166 x 56 mm (6.7 x 6.5 x 2.2 in)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, USB-C (for charging and data transfer)