Sony WF-1000XM4
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Top-end in-ear wireless headphones with long autonomy, built-in microphone, bone conduction technology for enhanced voice capture, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and support for high-quality LDAC audio codec. Positioned as a premium product of 2021, aimed at demanding mobile users who use headphones often and for a long time in places with an unfavorable acoustic background (in transport, on busy city streets, in a noisy shopping center, etc.).
The perfect sound quality of the Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones is provided by advanced dynamic drivers that reproduce an extended frequency range (from 20 Hz to 40 kHz, only with the LDAC codec). The Bluetooth 5.2 wireless interface guarantees fast connection and complete stability of connections with gadgets (including with several devices at once using Multipoint technology).
Also worth mentioning are the optimized ergonomics and a secure fit in the ear canal during active movements, including gym sessions. Convenient touch control allows you to easily and quickly switch to acoustic transparency mode. Built-in rechargeable batteries provide incredible autonomy for such a compact form factor, providing up to 12 hours of music listening time without ANC and up to 8 hours with noise cancellation.
Always clarify the specifications and configuration of the product with the online store manager before purchasing.
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Good day! I bought these headphones over a year ago. And throughout their use, I haven't regretted my choice even once. The sound is very good, although not very loud. But in my opinion, very loud sound is more of a way to mask low sound quality. They have a very wide range of settings. They hold a charge exceptionally well. In my opinion, the noise cancellation in these headphones is top-notch. Additionally, the transparency mode is unparalleled. The only issue is with the quality of the ear cushions. They need to be cleaned quite often. But this encourages more careful attention to the cleanliness of what you're putting into your ears. In short, these are the best headphones I've ever come across! Very flexible settings system. Clear and voluminous sound. Constant updates from the manufacturer. Best implementation of noise cancellation and transparency mode. Powerful information processing chip. Very compact case size. Not detected.  Alexandr Fischer: use Sony WF-1000XM4 more than year |
For half a year now I have been gradually sorting out the TOP segment of TWS headphones. Before Sony, 4 months passed with B&W PI7 and a month with Klipsch T5 II TW ANC. And here’s the summary: headphones are one of the most technologically advanced, but with a very large number of nuances. One of the most important is ergonomics. Headphones are not for everyone. Sound quality is average. It is much better than the hospital average, but at the same time it does not reach PI7, even the LDAC codec does not help much. Equalization can achieve an acceptable level. Shumodav is a cannon. This is the strongest side of the headphones, so if you are looking for the best noise reduction, this is your choice. The transparency mode is one of the best - there is no delay, there is no amplification of sharp sounds either, everything is very smooth. I wasn't pleased with the packaging, it doesn't look like a premium product. I wasn’t pleased with the plastic from which the headphones and the case are made, it’s thick, but not soft-touch, it collects dust very well, but there are almost no fingerprints. It is better not to carry with foreign objects - this is the only way to get scratches. Management is also not all smooth sailing. You won't be able to get full functionality on headphones; you'll have to choose between ex. shamodav, ex. playback and control volume. You can choose two out of three. In LDAC 990 mode, the sound always stutters in very crowded places; in adaptive mode, LDAC generally stays at 660, very rarely at home it rises to 990, in the metro it’s stable at 330. Although if you force 660 on, it’s also normal in the metro, stuttering is very rare . This is on the Pixel 4. Very disappointing 360 Reality Audio. The feature is cool, but there are very few songs + Decent sound quality + Best noise cancellation and transparency mode in TWS on the market + Foam ear tips included - There are questions about the fit ergonomics in the ears - No multipoint (apparently due to LDAC) - 360 Reality Audio is purely a gimmick, and there is no full support for Dolby Atmos in the headphones. - Full control of all functions via the earphones' sensors is not available. - When Google Assistant is on, the left earbud cannot function without the right one, and the right discharges 20% faster than the left.  Vladimir: use Sony WF-1000XM4 less than month |
Excellent sound, with which most can distinguish the quality of the recorded track by bitrate. Although that is not the main thing. The main thing is that the headphones will please with sound, range, build quality, thus addressing any concerns about the price! Cool ear pads made of some kind of foam-rubber. 1. Sound! You will definitely hear the familiar and favorite in a new way! Cymbals or backing vocals in a song you’ve listened to 100 times – imagine, they are actually there! 2. Noise cancellation/transparency. They work excellently, and with the adjustable intensity of the second – it's very convenient. I must note that the range in both the on and off mode for the played music is almost indistinguishable, which was a revelation for me. 3. Fit and size comfort. Exactly what you need, though those with a small ear canal may need to get used to them. Great for sports, they don't "bounce" in your ears while running, changing the pressure in the ear, and nothing rattles inside, unlike some in-ear headphones. 4. Design and appearance. Not that it's critical, but the sensor on the sports mode seems very sensitive: when you take off a damp shirt and the earbuds are in your ears -- be ready for a pause/play track or a change in noise-cancelling mode, similar when wiping sweat from your forehead and hair with a towel. With the left earbud set to "noise cancellation" and the right to "play", there's no ability to adjust the volume. Price. At first, before you get used to them, it seems expensive. After a couple of hours – it feels justified. After a week – for such sound, it's even inexpensive. Vladimir Pronin: use Sony WF-1000XM4 less than month |
In 2019, Sony launched the WF-1000XM3 wireless headphones, which almost immediately became the "gold standard" for the quality of active noise cancellation in the TWS format. The updated version of the WF-1000XM4, released this year, has become more interesting in every sense, however, and almost twice as expensive. The price of the headphones is premium — $ 350, let's see how it is justified.
Design Features
Headphones and case are made of matte plastic and are offered in two colours: black and silver (for some reason, more like ivory). The surface is pleasant to the touch and almost does not collect fingerprints. Not everyone will like the design, but you definitely can’t refuse originality. The case is still quite massive, but not as huge as the XM3. The headphones themselves are also rather big, and in addition heavy, 7.3 g each, and it is felt in the ear.
If the previous model was equipped with both silicone and foam nozzles, then the XM4 has only the latter, and this is a minus. Foam nozzles are not convenient for all users, they can fall out, create a feeling of discomfort during prolonged use, etc. Fortunately, the mount is standard and you can choose more suitable ones. In this case, the wearing sensor will be very useful, which will help you find the correct position of the earpiece in your ear.
The XM4s are IPX4 sweat and splash resistant, but for the price they could have been more ruggedized.
Connection and setup
The model supports Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair for quick pairing with Android and Win 10 devices and automatic account linking. But there is no support for Multipoint. Communication stability can be very different and depends on the codec used (SBC, AAC and LDAC can be selected) and the selected priority mode. There are two of them: “Sound Quality Priority” and “Stable Connection Priority”. That is, if you observe interruptions or out of sync with the video, you should choose the second option or the "easier" codec.
This and other useful settings are offered in the Headphones Connect app. With it, you can select noise reduction and transparency profiles. For example, almost completely eliminate wind noise, or vice versa, enhance the audibility and quality of external sounds. By the way, ANC works very well, no complaints.
For calls, the Speak-to-Chat mode, which uses a bone conduction sensor, will be useful. It automatically stops music playback when there is an incoming call and turns on the transparency mode for a more comfortable conversation. When the call ends, playback resumes. The same thing happens if you take the headphones out of your ears or put them back in, in which case the proximity sensor is triggered.
Sound and speech quality
The sound in the WF-1000XM4 caused mixed emotions. Very pleased with the low-frequency range. The bass sounds quite neutral, but at the same time is clear and with good attack, which is usually a rarity for TWS. The middle is a little off. But in general, it is served well, sometimes even pleasant in its own way, if you do not try to concentrate on the nuances. But the high ones sound indistinct, the sound of hi-hats and cymbals is muffled and “smeared”. This is where DSEE Extreme technology can come in handy. It noticeably improves the transmission of high frequencies in compressed digital audio, but in general, the high-frequency register leaves much to be desired.
An interesting solution is 360 Reality Audio technology. When it is applied, the sound really acquires volume, but it is still far from full-fledged sensations. In addition, you need special content that can only be found on streaming services so far.
Not particularly impressed with the quality of voice communication. Surprisingly, it is "slightly below average." The interlocutors complain about the unnaturalness and illegibility of the voice. Moreover, in a noisy environment, the situation deteriorates significantly.
battery life
The duration of the headset is highly dependent on the codecs and modes used. For example, on a standard SBC with noise canceling and DSEE turned off, you can achieve 12 hours of battery life, but with LDAC and ANC, the headphones will work for only 3.5 hours. Anyway, 12 hours in economy mode is very cool. For a TWS headset, the result is just fantastic. In addition, fast charging is supported. In just 5 minutes, the headphones can be charged for 1 hour of work. The case charges in 1.5 hours, both by wire and by air, and its battery capacity is enough for two full charges of the headphones.
findings
Of course, the Sony WF-1000XM4 has already received a lot of accolades, so ours may look a bit strange against their background. Nevertheless, let's be honest, the model turned out to be very ambiguous. With obvious pluses, there were no less minuses — the lack of a multipoint, a controversial sound, not always a reliable fit, “unfinished” technologies. At the same time, the price of the headphones is quite high, and the potential buyer has a lot of more profitable alternatives.
