Sony WH-1000XM4

Description

The Sony WH-1000XM4, released in 2020, remains one of the best wireless noise-canceling headphones, known for its impressive noise-cancellation, superior sound quality, and smart features. While the WH-1000XM5 has introduced some upgrades, the XM4 still offers an outstanding mix of performance and value.

Key Features:

1. Noise Cancellation

• Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation: The WH-1000XM4 uses Sony’s advanced HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1, offering exceptional noise cancellation, especially for lower frequencies like airplane engine noise or office hum.
• Dual Noise Sensor Technology: These headphones use two microphones on each earcup to capture ambient noise, allowing the QN1 processor to analyze and cancel the sound in real-time.

2. Sound Quality

• High-Resolution Audio: The WH-1000XM4 supports LDAC, delivering higher-quality audio over Bluetooth by transmitting approximately three times more data than conventional Bluetooth audio.
• DSEE Extreme: Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Extreme enhances the quality of compressed audio files in real-time, upscaling them to near high-resolution sound.
• Customizable Sound: The headphones come with the Sony Headphones Connect app, allowing users to adjust equalizer settings and fine-tune the sound to their preferences.

3. Design and Comfort

• Comfortable Fit: With soft ear cushions and a lightweight design (254 grams), these headphones are built for extended listening. The headband and earcups offer pressure-relieving comfort, making them suitable for long flights or workdays.
• Foldable Design: The WH-1000XM4 can be folded into a compact size, making them easy to carry in the included travel case.

4. Battery Life

• Up to 30 Hours of Playback: The battery lasts up to 30 hours with noise cancellation turned on, and even longer when it’s off, making it perfect for long journeys or frequent use.
• Fast Charging: With 10 minutes of charging, the headphones provide up to 5 hours of playback. A full charge takes about 3 hours via USB-C.

5. Smart Features

• Adaptive Sound Control: Automatically adjusts the noise-cancellation level based on your activity and location. Whether you’re walking, sitting, or commuting, the headphones tailor the experience to match your surroundings.
• Speak-to-Chat: Pauses the audio when you start talking and resumes after a few seconds of silence, ideal for quick conversations without having to remove your headphones.
• Wear Detection: A proximity sensor detects when you remove the headphones, automatically pausing playback, and resumes when you put them back on.
• Multipoint Connectivity: Allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, making it easier to switch between your phone and laptop.

6. Call Quality

• Precise Voice Pickup: Uses five microphones and advanced signal processing to deliver clear voice quality during calls, even in noisy environments.

7. Build and Materials

• Premium Design: The WH-1000XM4 has a sleek and minimalist design with high-quality plastic and synthetic leather materials that give it a premium look and feel.

Connectivity

• Bluetooth 5.0: Ensures a stable wireless connection with less power consumption. It also offers quick pairing with Android devices via Google Fast Pair.
• Wired Option: Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired listening when you want to save battery or use with devices that don’t support Bluetooth.

8. Voice Assistant Integration

• Google Assistant and Alexa: Integrated support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control music, get information, and manage your smart devices hands-free.