Sony WF-1000XM4 review
Our Verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is the wireless earbuds upgrade nosotros've anticipated, with ameliorate aesthetics, sound, noise cancellation and battery life.
For
- Exceptional, full-bodied sound
- Gorgeous redesign
- Strong racket cancellation
- Smashing battery life
- Endless number of personalized features
- Responsive smart controls
Confronting
- Phone call quality still underperforms
- Unstable fit
- No multipoint technology or NFC
Tom's Guide Verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is the wireless earbuds upgrade we've anticipated, with better aesthetics, sound, noise counterfoil and battery life.
Pros
- +
Exceptional, concentrated audio
- +
Gorgeous redesign
- +
Strong noise cancellation
- +
Great battery life
- +
Countless number of personalized features
- +
Responsive smart controls
Cons
- -
Call quality still underperforms
- -
Unstable fit
- -
No multipoint engineering or NFC
After months of leaks, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is finally official. The latest addition to the in-ear Mark serial welcomes several upgrades, headlined by an all-new audio processor (the Sony V1) that promises clearer sound and even better active noise cancellation. These buds also have on a completely dissimilar and more ergonomic design than its predecessor, the already-accomplished Sony WF-1000XM3.
Sony WF-1000XM4 specs
Colors:Black, Silverish
Bombardment life (rated): 8 hours (ANC on), 12 hours (ANC off), 24 hours (with charging example), 35 hours (with charging case and ANC off)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.two
Processor: Sony V1
Size: 1 x 0.8 ten 0.8 inches (per bud), two.4 x 1.5 x i.1 inches (charging case)
Weight: 0.two ounces (per bud), 2 ounces (charging case)
Subsequently days of testing, it'southward safety to call the WF-1000XM4 one of the all-time noise-cancelling earbuds money can purchase — ane of the best wireless earbuds overall, in fact. ANC is better, sound is refined, battery life is longer and the inclusion of new Sony Headphones Connect app features (alongside old favorites like 360 Reality Audio and EQ customization) brand for i terrifically well-rounded bundle. If yous're still on the fence about what wireless earbuds to buy, read our Sony WF-1000XM4 review to see why this model comes highly recommended.
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Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Price and availability
- $279, ships from July one
- Black and silver colour options
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is currently bachelor to pre-order; the Sony store only lists the release date every bit "Bachelor soon," but if yous gild from Amazon or Best Buy it looks like yous should receive your pair from July 1 onwards. The WF-1000XM4 comes in two colors: black and silver.
This pair of buds shares the same MSRP ($279) equally its biggest dissonance-cancelling competitor, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, while also listing college than category favorites like the AirPods Pro ($249) and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro ($199).
For all of the latest sales, bookmark our best headphones deals page.
Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Pattern and comfort
- Improved design with IPX4 rating
- All the same, fit isn't very secure
Mayhap wisely, Sony ditched the WF-1000XM3'south broad and elongated shape to give the WF-1000XM4 a more compact, oval design with larger circular touch panels. It doesn't sit discretely on your ears like other models (like the Beats Studio Buds or Jabra Elite 85t), but the WF-1000XM4'southward form is still less obtrusive than the previous version, and feels both luxurious and sturdy.
Detailing is some of the finest that Sony has exhibited on its headphones. The copper band at the edge of each bud gives these buds a striking presence and doubles equally the ANC mic housing. The embossed logo and mic placement are distinctive touches, too.
If you're thinking almost exercising in these buds, accept satisfaction in knowing they come with an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance. I'm also fond of the shiny matte cease, simply you'll want to go on these stored in the charging case when not in utilise because the surface tin be a magnet for fingerprints and scratches.
Speaking of the charging case, it looks like the Sony took the WF-SP800N charging case and made some modifications. This version is smaller, lighter and rests the buds flat on their respective ports. The LED calorie-free on the front end is longer, to bespeak battery level and pairing statuses, while the Sony logo at the top is gold. It too has a polish matte texture that feels squeamish in the paw.
Fit was a major drawback on the WF-1000XM3, as its length and weight created stability problems. I thought the WF-1000XM4's smaller blueprint would have fixed this, but sadly that's not the case.
The pre-installed foam tips aren't as secure every bit the bundled silicone tips, and neither type can produce an air-tight seal that keeps the buds firmly locked in. Likewise, the elongated sound port seems a fleck too long and must be pushed deep to fill up the ear cavity. Having the buds shoved that far into your ears feels awkward, and the port causes discomfort effectually the concha later on an hour of clothing.
As a result, nosotros can't recommend the WF-1000XM4 equally one of the best sport headphones even with the added water resistance — the risk of them working loose during practise is just too high.
Yous'll need to rely on Sony's Optimal Earbud Tips test to achieve the best fit possible. The adept news is that this is just as reliable Apple's Ear Tip Fit Exam; the app feature could find improper adjustments and provided the necessary feedback to ensure the buds fit securely.
Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Bear upon controls and digital assistant
- Responsive and customizable controls
- Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri all effective
Where the WF-1000XM3 struggled to recognize taps and motion detection, the WF-1000XM4 registers them accurately. The bear upon panels are programmed with a full set of media controls, which includes phone call management, playback, voice activation, volume, and listening way activation. What's cool is that each of these can be assigned to either bud and have their own operation method: single, double, and triple taps or long press. Removing one of the buds from your ear automatically pauses playback every bit well.
I do think Sony missed out on an opportunity to make the copper rings multifunctional — picture them as dials to cycle through listening modes or control volume. That would have been very innovative.
Quick Attention manner tin can be enabled in the companion app, which drops the volume downwards to virtually 10% and so you can conversation with someone or hear what'south happening around you lot without removing the buds. The characteristic works like a amuse and can exist easily activated past performing the long press command on the left bud.
The WF-1000XM4 as well borrows the Speak-to-Chat feature of its outstanding ocer-ear cousin, the Sony WH-1000XM4. This uses the mics and advanced signal processing to recognize your vocalisation and pause music when you're speaking. As useful as it sounds, information technology's too annoying if you lot forget to disable it, as music will interruption every time you utter a word or even hum.
Google Assistant and Alexa integration let you admission either AI bot by speaking their action phrases — "Hey Google" or "Alexa," respectively — instead of requiring transmission activation via touch input. Siri is available for iOS/macOS users as well. All of them work extremely well, with Sony's mic array demonstrating swell spoken language recognition. I had no problems firing off vocalism commands to handle basic daily tasks, searches, and music operation hands-gratis.
Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Agile racket cancellation
- Very effective ANC
- Highly tuneable ambient mode
Bose pulled off quite the feat by squeezing course-leading ANC technology, previously used by the Bose 700, into the tiny QuietComfort Earbuds. Sony seems to do the same, bringing the WH-1000XM4'due south adaptive noise-cancelling circuitry to the WF-1000XM4, which was designed to conform on the fly based on your surround. Was it as successful as Bose's move? Not quite. However, that doesn't make ANC on these buds whatsoever less impressive.
The WF-1000XM4 minimized the impact of incidental sound extremely well when listening to music. Mutual noises effectually the house such as doorbells, kitchen appliances, and the humming noises from my centralized AC all went silent. The buds served me best during piece of work hours while the missus watched over our infant boy. His grunting never made it through the soundscape, though the same couldn't be said about his loud cries, which surprisingly weren't distracting unless occurring in the aforementioned room.
Sony' also tweaked its noise cancellation to meliorate deal with louder frequencies and rumblings. For example, the barge work taking placing correct across my street wasn't noticeable during walks, nor were sirens or car horns coming from several blocks away. Loud joggers taking calls on their Apple AirPods were ghosts. There's as well an Automatic Wind Noise Reduction setting that adjusts ANC to decrease air current presence. Information technology'south decent, and while that doesn't sound quite so flattering, it'south actually a compliment considering how bad air current resistance is on all other Marking series headphones.
Ambient Noise Control returns with twenty levels of adjustable ambience noise. Raising information technology each level opens upwards the mics to pipage in more external sounds; you'll want to go on information technology somewhere in between 10 and xx for heightened awareness. Max level worked best for communicating with my wife and keeping tabs on the baby via babe monitor. Existence able to hear all of the hoopla exterior of the house was rewarding too, from bicyclists ringing their bells on the walkway to whisking cars. There'south too an choice to focus on voice, should clearer conversations be something you value. In improver, yous tin can turn on automated switching, which adjusts the feature based on your actions the locations you frequent.
Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Sound quality
- More balanced sound than WF-1000XM3
- Immersive even outside of 360 Reality Audio
Sony could have just carried over the same audio performance from the WH-1000XM3 and I would have been satisfied. Fortunately, the visitor refined its sound profile, giving the WF-1000XM4 a more than dynamic, well-defined sound profile that complements all media formats, from music and movies to podcasts and eBooks.
The stereo imaging on these buds is phenomenal, with instruments accurately placed and localized on tracks. I pulled up Marvin Gaye's "I Heard Information technology Through the Grapevine," and it was a revelation to hear the gently tapped hello-hats coming out of the left channel and the iconic, looming bassline out of the right channel. There was an immersive quality to the recording that near felt surreal, equally if the musicians were playing in my living room. More astounding was the crispness and prominence of Gaye's strained harmonies; you can feel the hurting in his vocalization.
Monstrous bass is synonymous with Sony sound products, and if you're looking for caput-rattling lows to bang against your eardrum, you're in for a surprise: The depression terminate is much calmer on these buds than previous models. That's because the default EQ was engineered with balance in mind, which translates to a pleasant blend of lows, mids, and highs. The pounding drums on Justin Timberlake'south "Summer Honey" won't striking equally difficult as they do on the WF-1000XM3, but the overall presentation is satisfying even so, as the soundstage widens to pick up on sonic characteristics that would go unnoticed on other wireless earbuds.
Toggling on DSEE Extreme does make a divergence on low-fi tracks. Y'all would swear Sony accustomed the challenge of making an early on Wu-Tang Clan tape sound even more realistically gritty, which the WF-1000XM4 pulls off with finesse every bit exemplary on "Protect Ya Neck." The novelty censored furnishings and Kung-Fu flick samples sounded clean and precipitous. Even poor conversions of ripped YouTube tracks that I had in my library were given a boost in fidelity.
The WF-1000XM4 besides supports 360 Reality Audio, which is basically Sony's answer to Apple'southward spatial audio and brings a 3D effect to supported music. It's noteworthy and delivers a compelling musical experience on compatible music streaming services, which include Deezer. These buds also back up LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs.
Sony WF-1000XM4 review: App and special features
- Both new features and trusted utilities
- No multipoint or NFC, though
The Sony Connect Headphones app is the hub for all extended functionality on Sony wireless headphones and earbuds. Users are gifted numerous customized features and modes that spread across multiple categories, including audio, controls, connectivity, listening modes, and fit. I already touched on a few of these: 360 Reality Audio, ANC, ambience listening, DSEE Extreme, Speak-to-Chat, and Quick Attending to only to name a few. Now let's pause down the rest of the app.
The built-in blaster is a Sony hallmark that lets you create your own sound profile or choice from a wide range of well-engineered presets: Bass Boost, Brilliant, Excited, Mellow, Relaxed, Treble Boost, Speech, and Song. The default EQ is already stellar, but too having the freedom to play around with the frequency levels for personalized sound is a gift that should never exist taken for granted. Underneath the EQ is a Bluetooth Connection Quality setting to prioritize sound quality or connectivity; information technology'due south a serviceable selection based on preference.
Other details like battery level indicators for both earbuds and the charging case, toggle controls for multiple functions, a music player, and firmware updates are highly appreciated.
After Sony finally added multipoint connection support to the WH-1000XM4, I had hopes of this feature being part of the WF-1000XM4 as well. No luck. This isn't much of a loss if you're someone who can alive without pairing these buds to two devices simultaneously. The lack of NFC stings much harder; non having the option of effortlessly pairing the WF-1000XM4 by tapping the charging case on the back of a uniform smartphone is unfortunate.
Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Bombardment life and charging case
- Non exceptional, but still an improvement
- Case now supports wireless charging
The WF-1000XM3 originally set the standard for bombardment life on noise-cancelling earbuds at 6 hours with ANC playback. Times take changed and standards have risen, but appropriately, Sony has upped the WF-1000XM4'southward longevity.
This ready of buds gives you up to 8 hours with ANC on, which tin also be extended to 12 hours when switched off. Factoring in book, heavy streaming, and calling, playtimes drop by about 45 minutes to one hour, which is still longer than the AirPods Pro (4.five hours) and QuietComfort Earbuds (vi hours).
Higher-end earbud rivals similar the Main & Dynamic MW08 may agree longer charges with ANC on (x hours), but I found the WF-1000XM4 has improve battery optimization, squeezing every chip of juice out before having to recharge. And if you're the type who hates hearing depression battery notifications, these buds come with some of the strongest quick-charging applied science out there: a v-minute charge equals 1 hour of use.
The charging instance also receives a generous bump in total playtime, holding between 24 to 36 hours, depending on how you apply the buds. That's impressive when considering how much smaller this case is than the previous version. Qi-enabled wireless charging comes role of the package too, though be mindful that the example gets extremely hot when using wireless charging.
Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Call quality and connectivity
- Call quality needs further piece of work
- Bluetooth 5.2 performs well in general
The 1 area Sony needed to fix even so requires some serious attention. Call quality on the WF-1000XM4 is marginally better than the WF-1000XM3, but don't mistake that for bang-up or even practiced. According to my wife, it was difficult to communicate with me due to muffling and the mics picking upward so much ambient noise. Current of air resistance is subpar besides, though taking calls inside the house didn't produce much better results.
The WF-1000XM4 performs decently for video chats, however. I received positive feedback from a few clients during Zoom calls, though the mics couldn't resist letting through my babe's cries from the opposite room.
More positively, Bluetooth 5.2 grants you strong and steady connectivity. Opening the charging case will enable Pair Mode and the buds will automatically pop up on your available devices list. Google Fast Pair expedites the process on Android smartphones, letting you pair with the touch of a button. This characteristic even offers suggestions to set up your native digital banana or download the companion app, if neither has already been washed.
Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is a sweet upgrade that packages elite sound, dissonance counterfoil, and awesome features into a fancy, revamped blueprint. Pricing might be a deterrent, but the fact that this set of buds offers greater overall functionality than every other model in its toll class makes it well worth the splurge. Add longer bombardment life and stronger specs to the equation, and yous tin come across why information technology's a summit contender for the all-time wireless earbuds rankings.
However, not all changes went according to plan. While the new blueprint is an heart-grabber, it doesn't provide the most secure fit or comfort. Stronger mics don't equate to better phone call quality either.
But permit's be honest: You're likely because the WF-1000XM4 for its audio and noise-cancelling performance over its use as a calling headset. In which case, yes, Sony's newest set of flagship buds is an splendid selection and a prime alternative to heavy hitters similar the AirPods Pro and QuietComfort Earbuds.
- More: Sony WF-1000XM4 vs Sony WF-1000XM3: Should you upgrade?
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/sony-wf-1000xm4
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