Sony - WH-1000XM4C Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (M4 2nd Gen) - Black

If you have ever used any of Sony’s 1000X Series headphones, you probably already know what to expect. But if you have not, you are getting Sony’s premium sound and comfort in a lightweight, sleek package. The Sony WH-1000XM4C over-ear headphones deliver an immersive listening experience that makes music, movies, gaming, commuting, and even working in a noisy home or office much more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at what the XM4C has to offer. Noise Cancellation Over the years, I have tested and used quite a few pairs of Sony 1000X Series headphones, and the noise cancellation is easily one of the best features here. These headphones do a great job reducing everyday sounds like traffic, people talking, office noise, fans, and the general background noise you deal with while commuting or traveling. They do not make the world completely disappear, but they quiet things down enough that you can focus on your music, podcast, movie, or work without needing to crank up the volume. One really useful feature is Adaptive Sound Control, which can automatically switch between ambient sound and noise cancelling based on your location and activity. There is also a feature called Speak-to-Chat. When you start talking, the microphones pick up your voice and automatically pause your music or podcast while adjusting the noise-cancelling settings. You can choose how long the headphones wait before your audio starts again, depending on your preference. If those automatic settings are not for you, there is also a physical button on the headphones that lets you switch between noise cancelling and ambient sound manually. You can also manage these settings through the Sony Sound Connect app. I also wanted to share a personal experience that shows how effective the noise cancellation really is. I recently took these headphones on a short flight from Chicago to Atlanta, and there happened to be a cranky baby onboard. Of course, there is only so much a baby can do, but a crying baby on a plane can make a short flight feel much longer. That is where the noise cancellation really shined. It blocked out a lot of the background noise and made the overall experience much more relaxing. Sound Quality What are headphones if they do not sound great? Fortunately, you will not have to worry about that with the XM4C. The sound quality is excellent, with clear and full audio, punchy bass, clean vocals, and plenty of detail. They work well with just about anything—music, movies, games, YouTube videos, and podcasts all sound great. DSEE Extreme helps make compressed music files sound richer by restoring some of the higher-frequency detail that can be lost during compression. LDAC support is also a nice bonus if you use compatible devices and high-resolution audio sources. If the default sound is not exactly to your liking, you can customize it in the Sony Sound Connect app. The 10-band equalizer makes it easy to adjust the sound based on your preferences, whether you want more bass, brighter vocals, or a more balanced setup. The app also includes shortcut settings, listening history, Safe Listening tools, and other options to make the experience feel more personalized. These headphones are made for more than just entertainment. They also work well for calls and multitasking. Calls come through clearly thanks to Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup Technology, which uses multiple microphones and signal processing to help your voice sound clearer. The multipoint connection is another feature I appreciate because you can pair the headphones with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. For example, you can listen to music on your laptop and have the headphones automatically switch over when a call comes in on your phone. Controls The earcup controls are simple and intuitive. You can tap, swipe, or double-tap to play music, pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume without having to pull out your phone. Once you get used to the gestures, they are very convenient for commuting, working, or relaxing. Battery Life Battery life can be a sticking point for some people because no one wants to run out of power in the middle of a movie or a good music session. On a full charge, the XM4C provides up to 27 hours of listening time. If you forget to charge them, a quick 3-minute charge can provide up to an hour of playback. I actually tested this while on a flight when I forgot to charge them beforehand. I plugged them into my laptop for a few minutes, and they had enough power to get me through the rest of the trip. That quick-charging feature is definitely useful when you are in a rush. Comfort and Portability Last but certainly not least is comfort. The XM4C headphones are designed for extended wear and still feel lightweight and easy to wear during long listening sessions. The earcups have a soft, leather-like finish with memory-foam cushioning that creates a comfortable fit, even after wearing them for hours at a time. The foldable design and included carrying case are also especially convenient for travel, commuting, or storing them neatly in a backpack. Final Thoughts Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4C headphones are a great all-around option if you want strong noise cancelling, excellent sound, useful app features, a comfortable fit, and long battery life. They are a great choice for commuting, travel, working from home, watching movies, gaming, or simply enjoying music with fewer distractions. My only small complaint is the color. Lavender is a nice option and will definitely appeal to some people, but it just was not the right color for me personally. Other than that, these are excellent headphones that offer premium performance and plenty of everyday convenience.

I love these headphones. Sony basically brought back the XM4 line in all its glory, with foldable earcups, better styling (in my opinion), and updated Bluetooth. They cut back a few features from the original XM4, but nothing that is a big deal. Pros: - Design - Comfort - Sound quality - Durable - Foldable Cons: - Lower battery life - No NFC Setup: The device is designed to work with the Sony Connect app. I am not a huge fan of the app as it is designed ideally to work with location always on when using the headphones which I find annoying for battery life purposes (on the phone), but it does help with some features. The app itself is your go-to hub for controlling every aspect of the headphones including EQ, codec, DSEE, noise cancellation tuning and much more. Just getting your device paired is easy, turn it on, find your device in the Bluetooth menu and you are good to go with basic settings. Connectivity: This model has been upgraded to support Bluetooth 6.0. Multi-device pairing is supported so switching between, for example, your phone and laptop is seamless once set up. I tested with AAC and also LDAC and the connection was strong in both setups with 24-bit 192Hz audio, never dropping the signal for me or buffering. Sound Quality: Amazing is the only way to say it. The 40mm drivers deliver all frequencies accurately and clearly. One song I like to test headphones with is Kore de E by Atarashi Gakko! The song is 24-bit (on supported services) and has lots of vocals, bass guitar, electric guitar plucking, trumpets, and chimes. It is great for picking out the details of a song. These headphones deliver every single detail in crystal clear quality with no frequency being overpowering, just well leveled. Obviously if you want more control, the EQ provides that as needed. As for ANC, it is some of the best in the industry. It is hard to hear anything in any environment when ANC is fully on. Sony has a great feature where you can put your hand over the right earcup, and it will seamlessly switch to transparent mode for talking or hearing something outside. It is kind of shocking how well that feature works. You can also turn on conversation detection in the app, but it is somewhat annoying if you like to sing with the music. Transparent mode is good, but I wouldn’t say it is the best as it still sounds somewhat filtered. Comfort and usability: These are wonderful as you can fold them and put them in their compact case. The earcups are great for long wearing sessions and do not get too hot or feel tight. When not wearing, the headphones are comfortable around the neck and fold flat there as needed. Controls are great. I am generally more of a fan of buttons as opposed to touch surfaces, but this headphone does it right. On the right earcup, tap it to pause/play, swipe up or down to change volume, or forward/backward to change songs. It works great. Battery: I couldn’t run the battery down on these in my week of testing! They are rated at 27 hours which is a bit less than the original model, but I fail to see any way to run them out unless you are running them constantly with LDAC and ANC on.

There is nothing quite like listening to music on a set of Sony headphones! It is a sort of experience that fundamentally changes how you understand music and sound in general. Having been using Sony’s flagship over-ear headphones since their earliest days, I highly recommend the Sony WH-1000XM4C, as they are not only an unbeatable deal, but pack in a large set of world-class modern features and undeniably fantastic sound quality. Returning back to the classic folding design of the Sony WH-1000XM4, the headphones are highly portable and extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods. They are very light and cover the ears fully to provide a cushioned seal from outside sounds. This, paired with active noise cancellation that, to me, sounds on par with the WH-1000XM5, creates an almost silent buffer from the everyday soundscape of the outside world. To put this into perspective, wearing these outside by a busy road cuts out almost all of the sound of cars passing, birds chirping, and the underlying hum of a busy day. Passing by a loud lawnmower, it can still be heard, but at more of a “whisper” volume than a “shout”. With average-volume music playing, most outside sounds are virtually imperceivable. Listening to music and other media with these headphones is consistently a 10/10 experience. I can confidently say that while the XM5 and XM6 model headphones probably “technically” provide minutely better sound performance than the XM4C, it’s probably by such a thin margin that most people couldn’t differentiate; the XM4C are absolutely premium, top of the line headphones, right up there with the other modern WH-1000X-series headphones! It is definitely worth the buy alone to be able to hear the intricacies of music the way artists and producers intend with these headphones, especially with noise cancelling on to really hone in on the isolated sound of the music. Having Hi-Res Audio and LDAC support is a must-have and definitely makes a clear difference in the sound! Other features that make these headphones great is their fast charging, fantastic microphone quality for calling (I was told it sounded like I was using my phone’s microphone during a call made with these, which is great!), and the ambient passthrough mode, which is still some of the best in the industry today. Both the gesture control using the right earcup and button shortcuts are also super easy to use and intuitive (especially cupping the right ear for instant pass through), and controlling the 10-band equalizer from the app is an awesome updated touch for customizing the sound you want from these headphones! The final thing worth noting is that you can get a lot more out of these headphones using the Sound Connect app! There are several app-only configuration modes such as EQ modes, wind-resistant noise cancelling, connecting more than one bluetooth device at the same time, and much more! You will definitely want to download the app! *Packaging note: the headphones come with a nice carrying case and a cable for connecting your headphones via 3.5mm wired connections, but does not include a USB-C charger in the box.*

Music is a huge part of my day-to-day activities. It helps me escape. While I own a good pair of earbuds, there are times when I need the over-the-ear envelopment of a headset that isn’t a gaming headset. And this is where this newest Sony wireless headset comes into play. First off, I love the fact that this headset comes with a hard-shell carrying case. You don’t see that too often these days. Setting up/pairing this Sony wireless headset is extremely easy. It had about 60% battery life right out of the box, so I could dive right into the audio pool. I enjoy a wide variety of music. Ghost, deadmau5, some blues, video game symphonic soundtracks, and classical orchestral music. All are important for the best audio experience. I wasn’t disappointed when the latest episode of A State of Trance played first. And this was before I downloaded the Sony Sound Connect app that allowed me to customize the equalizer. You won’t feel intimidated by the options. There are plenty of preset selections. Or you can customize to your heart’s content. It’s quiet: I’ve had my share of noise-cancelling earbuds and headsets, but I have never had such a profound experience as I did with this headset! With the power on but no music playing, I placed the headset over my ears and the world went quiet. My air conditioning was blowing when I placed the earcups on, and I thought the unit had turned off because I didn’t hear anything but quiet. I lifted the headset off only to hear that it was still running. It was somewhat surreal. Even as I am writing this review, I cannot hear any of the mechanical clicks from my keyboard. There are options for having the ambient sound on or turning it off altogether. What’s cooler is that you don’t need to access the app to turn the Noise Cancellation on/off. This headset allows you to tap the left earcup to cycle through the options. You can do more with this quick access after you’ve set it up through the app. I liked this because I don’t have to use muscle memory to feel for a button to execute a function. Quality: The sound performance is astounding. I played Ghost’s live concert album, and it sounded like the same concert that I had attended earlier this year, but I was hearing it as if I were backstage. Not even my favorite earbuds did this. I also paired this headset with my television because I wanted to hear what it would sound like when I was playing my PlayStation 5. The creepy atmosphere sounds that were in Mortal Shell 2 were delivered with perfection. I dare say that it was better than the premium gaming headset that I use. However, you cannot pair this headset with your PS5 directly, which is why I paired it through the TV. If you’re looking for a supreme audio experience while watching your movies/series on your device? Use this headset! I fired up one of my favorite movies, F1 The Movie, and that opening race was just insane to hear. Comfort and Smart: One of the reasons why I wanted a headset again is because when I skateboard, I listen to music, but my earbuds get itchy. This Sony headset doesn’t get itchy, clamped, or hot. I can ride comfortably. And if you’re anything like me, you might fall asleep while listening to music or a podcast. With earbuds, they will fall out, and then you’re looking for them between the cushions. This headset feels natural to a degree. The headset will rest comfortably over your shoulders when needed. Whatever you’re listening to will pause when you take off the headset, much like when you do the same with earbuds. The app will also learn how I use the headphones and adapt accordingly with the sound control. Comfort and Sound are Bliss: I think you can tell that I am a fan of this headset. There’s nothing negative I can think to say.

The Sony WH-1000XM4C Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are a solid product. From the unboxing to the actual use of the headphones — I’m impressed. The Sonys come in a handsome, semi-hardshell storage case - perfect for travel. The case has a kind of subtle tweed look it, as shown in the pictures. Classy. Once you master the twisting and turning, the headphones are easily and quickly stored as you approach your destination. Included in the case is a standard headphone jack cable with gold plated contacts, in case you’d rather not use the updated bluetooth connection capability. There is also enough room for a USB-C cable and a small charger (not supplied). A set-up tutorial and owner’s manual are quickly accessed via QR code. This provides some captivating reading while you give the headphones their first charge. Note: right out of the box, the Sonys were at approximately 60% charged. If you don’t already have it, you’ll want to load Sony’s Sound Connect app. I already had the app on my phone for a different Sony device, and it was extremely easy to add the WH-1000XM4C headphones to my account. Once this is done, you’ll have multiple ways to customize your headphones, not the least of which is the 10-band equalizer. The 10-band EQ allows you choose presets or customize each frequency band to your liking. The sound reproduction of the Sony WH-1000XM4C Headphones is incredible. Whether it’s Tool’s Invincible or Barber’s Adagio for Strings, you’ll be extremely satisfied. When streaming Hunt for Red October, I felt like my head was inside a theatre room with a finely tuned sub-woofer. Just the right amount of rumble. Sony’s noise cancelling is one of the best, if not the best, in the industry. When you initially power up the headphones and want to initiate the NC functions, you can hold in the button on the left earpiece to Optimize the NC to suit your current environment. Notice the capital ‘O’ — that’s because you’ll hear a voice response acknowledging your command with both at the start of the process again at the finish (along with some other techie tones). This only takes seconds, but customizes everything to your needs. From that point, you can either use the same button, or the controls on the app, to choose between full-on noise cancellation, ambient sound, or simply ‘off.’ I also like the fact that when in full-on NC mode, if I notice someone trying to speak to me, I can simply cup my hand over the right earpiece and the system will allow the ambient sound of the voice to be heard. No fumbling around with buttons or removing the headphones necessary. Good job, Sony. There is much more that you’ll learn as you get used to your new headphones, like the finger-swiping, button-free commands on the surface of the right earpiece. And, yes, I said ‘your new headphones.’ You gotta pull the trigger on these. You’re welcome.