If you have the money and want a sophisticated pair of headphones for modern life, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is the way to go. A combination
of smart features like high-quality Bluetooth codecs, good sound, better noise cancellation, good battery life, automatic shutdown, and multi-
part Bluetooth is the best choice for most people.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is finally here. Their predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones, stole the crown from Bose when it was first
released in 2018 – and we’ve been waiting for a replacement since then. Sony has now released a new and improved headset that adds multi-point connectivity at the expense of aptX. But is it enough to compete in the bustling arena of noise-canceling headphones?
What’s in the box
In the box, you will find a Sony WH-1000XM4 headphone, a hard case, a 3.5mm audio cable, a tactile aircraft adapter and a USB-A to USB-C
charging cable.
Who is the Sony WH-1000XM4 for?
Each. I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be happy with that. If you have the money to buy quality headphones, this is a no-brainer.
Those who want the best active noise cancellation. The WH-1000XM3 is really a great pair of Active Noise Canceling (ANC) headphones, and now the WH-1000XM4 is even better.
Passengers and aircraft officials will appreciate battery life, noise cancellation, and sound quality, and won’t have to choose
between the two.
While the WH-1000XM4 headphones are nearly identical to their predecessors, it has some new features. Multiple Bluetooth technologies
make it more convenient for everyday use by allowing you to connect to two devices at the same time (more on this later). It changes everything from listening to music while you work at your desk to watching YouTube videos on your phone,
and again without opening the Bluetooth settings. This is one of the biggest complaints with the WH-1000XM3, and being on a Sony WH-1000XM4 with a large aperture, it is sure to please a lot of people. If you are going to use multiple nodes, the two connected devices must use the Bluetooth AAC codec.
In addition to being able to connect to two devices simultaneously, there are also some new features, which you can only use when downloading the Sony Headphone Connect app, such as talking to the chat function. When the headphones detect that you are talking, your music stops when enabled. While it certainly works, the feature crosses the fine line between useless and annoying, especially given how sensitive it is to detect.
How well can the Sony WH-1000XM4 block noise?
If you expect an increase in noise cancellation with the WH-1000XM4, it will make you very happy. In a way, Sony’s team is working to make ANC better than ever.
How strong is the connection?
The Sony WH-1000XM4 rocks Bluetooth 5.0, with plenty of Bluetooth, supports Sony’s SBC, AAC, and LDAC, which is the highest broadcast quality if you’re willing to deal with a slightly less stable connection. If you are using something that is not compatible with any of these codecs, it is set by default to SBC, which is the primary codec that all Bluetooth audio devices share. Devices without Bluetooth can always communicate via the included 3.5mm audio cable.
What is the microphone quality on the Sony WH-1000XM4?
The microphone on the Sony WH-1000XM3 is fine, and it’s not much different here. There is a slight drop in the frequency response below 150-200Hz which is common for Bluetooth headsets, but this is more pronounced than previous versions. This could be an attempt to get the affinity effect – a Pesky event that also makes some podcasts and other recordings out of date. It should be good enough to help you maximize phone calls and meetings.
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