Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-Ear Headphones Black

Description

Product highlights
closed-back, over-the-ear headphones with active noise cancellation
form-fitting headband with relaxed, breathable earcups
generous cushioning on headband and earpads
Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for wireless music listening and phone calls with compatible smartphone
LDAC, SBC and AAC decoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices
NFC-compatible for one-touch pairing with compatible devices
multi-point connection for pairing to two devices at once
dynamic 40mm drivers with an aluminum-coated, Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm
tuned for clear, detailed mids and highs with deep bass punch
DSEE Extreme™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) processing restores high-frequency signals to compressed digital formats
uses artificial intelligence to dynamically recognize song elements and restore in real time
co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo
includes Sony's sophisticated HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 chip
strengthens noise cancellation for human voices and other higher-frequency sounds
active noise cancellation circuitry adjusts to the level of external sound
two microphones in each earcup to capture ambient noise
QN1 chip senses and adjusts to music and noise signals up to 700 times per second
free Sony Headphones Connect app for Apple® and Android™ lets you adjust settings
customize the sound and manually choose the level of noise cancellation
20 steps of ambient sound control for allowing external sounds in
personalized Sony 360 reality audio experience with select music services (firmware update required)
Adaptive Sound Control uses movement sensors to adapt noise cancellation
detects whether you're running, walking, standing still, or riding in a car (app required)
barometric pressure sensor optimizes noise-canceling and sound to your altitude when in flight
dedicated earcup button summons Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa on your smartphone or tablet
ask questions, dictate texts, and control music by voice
available for Apple® and Android™
only one voice assistant can be set up at a time
must repurpose the earcup Noise Cancellation button using the Headphone Connect app
NFC-compatible for one-touch Bluetooth pairing with compatible devices
earcup touch controls let you answer calls, play/pause music, skip tracks, and control volume
Ambient awareness features:
"Quick Attention" turns off noise-canceling and engages ambient mode by covering the right earcup with hand
"Speak-to-chat" detects when you're speaking and automatically cuts off music and lets in external sounds
built-in microphone for making calls with a smartphone
three-mic system filters out background noise for clearer calls
music automatically pauses when headphones are removed
built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 30 hours of wireless use with noise cancellation
10 minutes of recharging provides enough power for 5 hours of listening
includes USB-C cable for charging
47" audio cable with 3.5mm plug for wired use
airline adapter included for in-flight entertainment systems
portable folding design with carrying case included
frequency response: 4-40,000 Hz (wired), 20-40,000 Hz (wireless)
weight: 8.9 oz.
warranty: 1 year
What's in the box
Over-ear wireless headphones (black)
48" Audio cable (straight 3.5mm plug on one end and right-angled 3.5mm plug on other end)
Airline adapter (single 3.5mm jack-to-dual 3.5mm plugs)
9" USB charging cable (Type A USB on one end and USB-C on other end)
Zippered hard storage case
Reference Guide
Operating Instructions
Limited Warranty sheet
Sony Headphones Connect app features
360 Reality Audio free trial
About this item
Written by Crutchfield's Jeff Miller
Sony's flagship WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling headphones fold neatly into their carrying case.
Sony takes their world-class noise-cancelers to another level
You're looking at one of the most anticipated headphone releases of all-time — and the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-cancelers live up to all the hype. In my hands-on review, I noted that Sony didn't stray too far from what made the previous-generation WH-1000XM3 arguably the best all-purpose headphones ever. But they made improvements in almost all the key areas:
Even more comfortable:
In late 2019, we named the 'XM3s one of our " Top 5 most comfortable over-ear headphones" after 20 employees tested and scored over 50 headphones. The new WH-1000XM4s manage to feel just as light and secure on my head, but offer a slightly more relaxed fit. I also found the earpads even softer and roomier, making the headphones easy to wear through entire work-from-home shifts.
Even better noise cancellation:
Sony's world-class noise cancellation somehow got even better. Thanks to new algorithms and a state-of-the-art wireless chipset, the noise neutralization is better and more adaptive. Tiny mics "read the room" and optimize the noise cancellation for your surroundings. The results can be pretty staggering. It knocked out both the constant, low-frequency hum of my dishwasher and the less-consistent whistles and draining water sounds. I had to lift an earcup to ensure the machine was actually making noise!
Bluetooth 5.0:
Speaking of that new wireless chipset, the addition of Bluetooth 5.0 is a big deal. It offers a whole new level of wireless reliability.  I could keep my phone charging on my desk and walk clear across the basement, or even upstairs to refill my coffee. There was no audio dropout in the kitchen — something unheard of with Bluetooth headphone less than two years ago.
Pair two devices simultaneously:
A game-changer for working from home. I could pair the ‘XM4s to both my work laptop and my phone at the same time. This made it super easy to toggle back and forth between music, podcasts, and videos, grabbing an incoming phone call, or hopping on a Zoom/Microsoft Teams meeting. I didn't have to re-pair the headphones each time I started a new task on a different screen.
Completely personalized noise cancellation
Sony has used adaptive noise cancellation for a while now, and I've always found the circuitry very effective. Special on-ear sensors detect whether you are moving or standing still — and even if you're wearing glasses or not. Another sensor monitors barometric pressure. So now Sony can serve up noise cancellation that's optimized to the altitude of your flight during travel.
Plus, you can download Sony's Headphones Connect mobile app for direct control over what noises you let in or keep out. You can customize the level of noise cancellation or ambient sound based on your task, movement, or even location. Whenever I pocketed my phone and took the dog for a walk, the app quickly kicked into ambient awareness mode. This allowed some outside noise to seep in, so I could hear whenever a car came down my quiet cul-de-sac.
Listening impressions: Detailed sound with clear vocals and hard-hitting bass
(I have a full review of the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, but here are some of my thoughts on the sound.)
These headphones delivered sound with a clear sense of space and depth. This is what I expected from the Sony "1000X" series — instruments were easy to pick out and pinpoint, and vocals jumped out dead center. But Sony has leaned even more toward the bass with the out-of-box tuning.
I'll admit that I found it a little too boomy for some tracks. Particularly hip-hop, where it might seem counter-intuitive to complain about too much bass. But on the Run the Jewels
RTJ4
album, I thought the bass overpowered the midrange a bit, and actually diminished the emotional impact and energy of some of the songs.
I found the musical sweet spot with Sony's app
But not to worry! Sony always brings next-level sound processing. And in the Headphone Connect app, you can choose from several sound presets or manually adjust the EQ. If you think there's too much bass — or not enough — sliding the "Clear Bass" control up or down should do the trick.
I lowered the bass and played “Even Now” by Walter Wolfman Washington featuring Irma Thomas (a track I often use as a reference for audiophile headphones). The wonderful juxtaposition of the two New Orleans legends' voices can be challenging enough for some headphones to handle — his deep and smoky and hers smooth and thick. The duet sounded just right through the ‘XM4s once I had the bass dialed in.
Meanwhile, the percussion and deep bass notes felt full and substantial, but never at the expense of the vocals or beautifully haunting keys.
A convenient way to hear others
When it comes to controls, Sony brings back much of what I loved about the 'XM3s. Including everyone's favorite “Quick Attention” feature. Simply place your hand over the right earcup to temporarily turn off the noise-canceling technology. Tiny built-in mics will pick up external sounds, so you can hear voices or your surroundings.
Crutchfield Producer Phillip uses the WH-1000XM4's "Quick Attention" feature while editing our video on these headphones.
The right earcup also has a snappy touch-sensitive panel. You control music, volume, and calls with a simple tap or swipe of your finger. And with the Headphones Connect app, you can repurpose the noise cancellation button to immediately pull up Google Assistant or Alexa from your smartphone.
Higher-quality streaming