Sony lately launched theSony WH-1000XM4for $ 348 in the U.S or INR 29,900 in India . As perGadgets360 , the premature generation Sony WH1000 - XM3 will also be discontinued soon . So , while they are available , the question is – “ Which one should you buy – Sony WH1000 - XM3 or Sony WH1000 - XM4 ? ” .
Well , being a long - term WH1000 - XM3 substance abuser , the short solvent is WH1000 - XM4 because it is the best wireless noise - canceling headphones out in the market . But , the long response is “ It ’s complicated ” , as complicated as the name itself . Here are the answers to all the enquiry and my full review .
What ’s inside the boxful ?
The Sony WH1000 - XM4 comes with a hard carry case . aside from the headphone , the case carries an Aux cable television , AC adaptor , and a USB - C charge cable . The contents are standardized to what you get with the Sony WH1000 - XM3 .
Now , since , we are deal with Bluetooth headphone , levelheaded quality is n’t something to vaunt about . So , for me , a premium flagship headphone has to have 4 important feature and that ’s what this review concord . Let ’s start .
1. Build Quality & Comfort
The Sony XM4s seem almost identical to the XM3s . I distinguish both of them by the NFC logo . The XM4s have a inglorious subtle embossed NFC logo . This NFC logo has been more than helpful for me . asunder from the ease of connecting with my Android equipment , it also help me distinguish between the left and right earcups . Additionally , you also have to fold up the headphones to fit it in the case . The NFC logo helps me tell that side .
The clit placements are also monovular to the XM3 . The “ NC / Ambient ” button has been justly rename to “ Custom ” in the XM4 . The correct earcup is the touchpad with identical mastery as the XM3 . You bivalent - wiretap to play / pause medicine , swipe up / down to increase / decrease book , swipe left / rightfield to skip songs .
Additionally , if you cover the right earcup with your decoration , it triggers the quick ambient mode . The medicine volume is lowered , racket cancellation turned off , and ambient auditory sensation allow in to have a quick conversation . I found this new motion quite useful on both the XM3 and XM4.In term of solace , the XM3s were already comfortable for long - wearing sessions . The XM4s take it a dance step forward . Sony has curve down the weight of the headphones by a couple of grams . But , it feels significantly idle than the XM3 in hand .
Additionally , the cushion on the earcups look relatively chummy . The headband is slightly slim but curvier . Overall , I found the XM4 to be a shade bit more comfortable than the XM3 . The weight reduction and the increase in clamp force make it sense lighter on the head . On a side greenback , the increase in the cushion on the earcups makes it warm and sweaty . So , if you live in a country like India , do n’t try run or even walking in strong or humid atmospheric condition .
2. Noise Cancellation
Noise Cancellation is the reasonableness to buy a agio noise - cancel headphone . In case you do n’t know , Noise - cancel earpiece are great at scratch down in the mouth - frequency sounds . For instance , the buff , AC venthole , engine sounds , murmuration , etc are some low - frequency noises . The headphones fail while cutting mid or high - absolute frequency speech sound . A car honk or human speech is an example of mid - range or high - frequency phone . The earphone try on to dilute these noises but they are still audible , although tinny .
The XM4 carries the same Sony QN1 noise - canceling chip as the XM3 but Sony arrogate the algorithm has been improved . This lead the XM4 to a 15 % increment in trim noise in the mid - range frequence . In my personal utilisation , I could n’t assure a intelligible difference between the XM3 and XM4 noise cancellation . I recently take aim a flight of about 6 - 7 hour and had the XM3 on . They did a phenomenal problem of cut the engine , vent , and buff noise . So , as per that experience , I think the XM4 would at least be on equivalence if not better than the XM3 .
Now , if you consider the Bose QC 35 II or Bose 700 , the Sony XM3 trumps them all . So , XM4 is a clear success in term of disturbance cancellation . However , there ’s one thing that I would expect in the XM5 or XM6 . It ’s crazy optimistic but would make the wearables a great deal staggering . Hear me out .
The Sony XM4 has somethingcalled Adaptive Noise cancellation . Basically , the headphones use the Sony Headphone app in your smartphone to detect your bodily process like walking , running , etc . found on that , it tweaks the stochasticity cancellation and ambient sound . Now , you mostly comport your phone everywhere . But , at clip you do n’t and thanks to Android ’s adaptative shelling which kills apps , the Adaptive Noise cancellation is far from accurate .
Now , reckon , what if this accelerometer or gyroscope was in the headphones . It would be a vast magnetic dip in barrage fire and unremitting monitoring but the headphones would be able to notice your activity direct from the phone . This would make the adaptative noise cancellation incredible .
Battery life
Unlike build and noise cancellation , the stamp battery spirit is something that has stayed the same . The XM3 pop the question a 30 - 60 minutes battery life-time and so do the XM4 . Now , the XM4 come with Bluetooth 5.0 compared to the XM3 Bluetooth 4.2 . So , theoretically , that should entail better battery life . However , the add-on of 2 accelerometers and a article of clothing - detection sensor equilibrize it out and you are back to 30 - hour .
In my use , the XM4 lasted about 23 - 24 hours . But , I connect them to 2 gadget at once which explains the dip . In cause , you have it connect to 1 twist , it should easily last 30 hours with noise cancellation and music playback on . The XM4 ’s also support debauched charging . So , you may get them to charge around 20 % in about 10 Taiwanese which provide a 5 - hour battery life . However , in spite of this fast charging , the headphone take about 2.5 minute to fully charge them from 0 - 100 % .
3. Sound Quality
It might seem ironical to say this but Bluetooth headphones are not the best sounding headphones . The sound quality is n’t anywhere close to studio apartment headphones . But , there ’s a meaning difference in the sound tone of XM3 and XM4 .
The bass is noticeably let down in XM4 . I could notice that immediately . If you listen to blame or bass - big call such as “ Turn Your Lights Down Low ” by Bob Marley . As soon as the first measure hit , you would acknowledge that the bass is toned down and does n’t interfere much with the vocals . I love this fond audio signature , there are more play and fun to it . If you go with the Bose QC 35 II , the sound quality is monotone and there ’s fiddling frolic . For most people , these would vocalise really well .
For a triplex - heavy song like “ Eye of the Tiger ” , the cymbal is quite perceivable and lasts the right amount of time . However , with a folks song like “ Soona Kar Ke Gharwa ” , the high - delivery distaff vocal overpowers the Taal . If you are someone who prefers a bright auditory sensation signature , you would be disappointed
4. Features
Among all the improvements , there are 3 major features in the Sony WH1000 - XM4 over the Sony WH1000 - XM3 .
When you speak to someone , the 5 - microphone array on the headphones detect it and break the music and noise cancellation . The ambient sound is let in for 30 seconds . However , this is more of a beta feature right now . You laugh while watching a standup or seethe a song , it pauses the music . The Speak - to - schmooze is not turned off by default and allow them stay that elbow room .
The Sony WH1000 - XM4 can connect to 2 devices at the same prison term . look at the connection operation of Bluetooth machine , it ’s a great feature . The 2 - machine connection is not turned on by nonremittal and you would have to head over to the Sony Headphones app to turn it on . It seamlessly switch between both the devices bet on the media playback . It also alternate between machine when you find a call .
The only downside to this feature of speech is that as soon as you turn on 2 - gimmick connection , the Hi - Fi LDAC sound recording is turned off . You are forced to swarm in AAC only .
The left - earcup on the Sony WH1000 - XM4 has a jade - detection sensing element and both the earcups have accelerometers each . This is to detect if you are wear out the headphone and pauses the music when you are n’t . This is such a subtle feature and I clearly apprise it moving from my XM3 .
The article of clothing - detection sensor also helps to observe if you are actively wearing the headphone . If you are n’t endure the headphone for a long menstruum ( about 10 mins . ) , it switches off the earphone . I just have to say , Thank you Sony ! I have often left my XM3 in the case or bedside turn on all the time .
Wrapping Up
So , should you bribe the XM4 or should you go for the XM3 instead?There are 2 part to this result .
If you want the effective noise - canceling headphones money can corrupt , XM4 is the best option .
However , if you are put off between XM3 and XM4 , it boils down to the cost difference . The XM4 ’s have better work up , noise cancellation , legal quality , and features like multi - equipment connectivity , wear detection , etc . I would n’t pay $ 100 or 5000 - 6000 for that . But , if the price dispute is about $ 50 or around 2000 INR , then these features preponderate the price , decidedly get the XM4 . It ’s the best noise - cancel premium headphone out there .
