Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
The XM4 have some of the best active noise-cancelling technology available, with a level of control that goes beyond most, effectively reducing most droning and low-frequency sound as well as some speech and other more sudden noise, matching the best from Bose. The headphones are generally repairable ( iFixit teardown), and replacement parts, including the earpads, headband and mainboard are available. Sony did not comment on the use of recycled materials and does not publish environmental impact reports for headphones. It publishes annual sustainability reports and its roadmap to have zero environmental impact by 2050. Observations Unlike the Sony WH-1000XM4 vs. WH-1000XM3 contest, the Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. WH-1000XM4 face-off involves differences in hardware. The XM5 has an all-new 30-millimeter driver, which when paired with the previous-gen model's Integrated Processor V1 and other upgrades has support for High-Resolution Audio — with and without wires. The XM5 also benefit from LDAC and DSEE Extreme restoration that upscales digital music files in real time. Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. WH-1000XM4: Noise cancellation and other features Sony’s HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 isn’t just good at drowning out the outside world though; it’s also extremely smart. When you first put the WH-1000XM4 on, you’ll need to optimise the noise-cancelling via the Sony Headphones app. The headphones detect the shape and size of your head, your hairstyle, whether you wear glasses and the surrounding air pressure to calibrate a noise-cancelling profile tailored to you.
It felt as though Britney Spears was in the room with me as she worked through the provocative “Toxic”, while the intro to “Sexual Healing” had me looking over my shoulder as Marvin Gaye’s whispers for me to “get up, get up, get up, get up” and “wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up” darted between my left and right ears. *NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me” was less impactful, however, and my listening experience wasn’t all that different from when I listened to the regular version. They are Sony’s first 1000X set to support the popular multipoint connection feature, which means you can have two devices connected at the same time, such as a phone for calls and a laptop for music. It works reliably with a variety of devices. The high-resolution LDAC audio cannot be used when multipoint is enabled, however, restricting connections to the more standard SBC and AAC.Customers may need to update their Sony | Headphones Connect app for this software to be activated. Because Sony has done away with these joints and hinges, the XM5 doesn't fold into a ball like the XM4. Instead, the headphones fold flat like the Bose Noise Cancelling Heaphones 700. While this makes them a little sleeker, it also makes them feel more delicate – and less premium than the sturdier XM4 – and you are more likely to use the supplied carry case to keep them safe. This is now collapsible to be made thinner but does still take up valuable space in a bag. One tap on the NFC spot is all that is needed to pair and connect compatible Android smartphones. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian If the usage hours of the built-in rechargeable battery decrease significantly, the battery should be replaced. Consult your nearest Sony dealer to replace the rechargeable battery. If the headset is not used for a long time, the charging indicator (red) may not immediately light up when charging. Please wait a moment until the indicator lights up.
The XM4 look a bit bulkier and clumsier by comparison. But the more rugged approach might appeal to anyone not wanting to bring a carry case along for every journey. The Sony WH-1000XM4 build upon the impressive functionality of the WH-1000XM3 by adding a number of new features, all of which successfully enhance the user experience. If the headset is not used for a long time, the rechargeable battery usage hours may be reduced. However, the battery life will improve after a few charges and discharges. If you store the headset for a long time, charge the battery once every 6 months to avoid over-discharge.Custom colour will give you the ultimate customisation for your Sony WH1000MX4, you can mix and match colours and textures to provide a totally unique headphone design The Headphones Connect app has a full equaliser and options for customising noise-cancelling, controls and activating the DSEE Extreme sound enhancer. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian Connecting the headset to both a music player and a smartphone / mobile phone (multipoint connection) The headset cannot be charged when the computer goes into standby (sleep) or hibernation mode. In this case, change the computer settings, and start charging once again. They are not neutral, with a default sound that is more mid-bass heavy than some competitors, but they produce well-controlled, deep and full bass, warm mids and sparkling high notes. Unlike many rivals, they have a full equaliser in the app to customise the sound to your liking, as well as music enhancement systems such as Sony’s DSEE Extreme upscale audio to revive tones lost because of compression at the expense of battery life.
Just like the XM4, it supports Sony's hi-res LDAC music codec (but not aptX or aptX HD), DSEE Extreme (which upscales music files in real time), and Sony's 360 Reality Audio tech, giving you virtual surround sound. There are four ways to pair the headphones – Google’s Fast Pair or via a single tap with an NFC tag for instant pairing with an Android phone, using the Sony Headphones Connect app for Android or the iPhone and iPad, and manual pairing the old-fashioned way by holding down a button. By default, music resumes playing 30 seconds after your conversation ends in Speak-to-Chat mode. This timeframe can be customized using the Sony | Headphones Connect app. The XM4's Adaptive Sound Control also makes a welcome return, with upgrades in tow. Adaptive Sound Control automatically adjusts the sound output depending on your situation – so it will detect if you are in a quiet meadow or a busy city street, for example, and tweak the audio accordingly. This is more advanced than the version found on the XM4, which relies on you running Sony’s NC Optimiser after you have changed surroundings to make sure you are getting the best noise-cancelling possible.
Improved audio, more effective noise cancellation and smart new features make the Sony WH-1000XM4 the over-ear headphones to beat
The Sony WH-1000XM5 improve on the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation abilities, with two processors controlling eight microphones now compared to one processor controlling four microphones. Also, the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a new Automatic Personal NC Optimizer, meaning the headset can automatically tune noise cancellation based on your ambient frequencies. And for anyone else, the XM4 are sure to drop even further in price. This is still a stellar pair of headphones that arguably feel more premium than the XM5, so keep a look out for a bargain. If you already own a pair there's no need to rush out and upgrade straight away.
The XM4 are a regular set of Bluetooth 5.0 headphones, making them compatible with most Bluetooth-sporting phones, tablets, computers and other devices. They support the universal SBC and AAC audio formats used by most devices. But they also support Sony’s high-resolution LDAC Bluetooth audio format that is compatible with many Android devices for some of the highest-quality wireless audio.
Custom Sony WH1000XM4 Wireless Headphone skin details
Google Assistant can read notifications on Android and iOS, while Alexa is also an option or you can use your phone’s voice assistant such as Siri on an iPhone. The case is clearly different, though. With the WH-1000XM5, it’s obvious where the headphones are supposed to sit, whereas with the WH-1000XM4 case you have to contort the headset to stow them away. But what’s probably more noteworthy about the WH-1000XM5 case is that when you have your headphones out, the material bends in a way that flattens it out and saves space. Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. WH-1000XM4: Sound quality
Related:
Great Deal 
New Comment