Sony WF-1000XM4 review: Don't have to hide from the competition

The true wireless in-ears market is densely populated today. I was able to find out in a test whether Sony has a chance with the Sony WF-1000XM4.

There is a great variety in the TW in-ear headphones market. We have Apple with the AirPods Pro, which place particular emphasis on smart features. Nevertheless, the sound quality is also OK. Then there is also Sennheiser where the sound is clearly the focus. Finally there are companies like Skullcandytrying to provide the experience for the lowest possible price.

Sony is also a big player in the sector. With their over-ear headphones, they are probably the biggest competition for Bose and Co. and with the WF series they are also strongly positioned in the in-ear area. I was able to take a closer look at the latest product from this range, the WF-1000XM4, for just over a week.

Unboxing and initial setup

I didn't get the WF-1000XM4 in the original packaging, but I can still briefly explain what is included in the delivery. The earplugs themselves are stored in the charging case and you get a small USB-C cable to charge them (my well-known criticism also applies here: it's too short). There are also two more memory foam attachments and various instructions and other pieces of paper. Sony completely dispensed with silicone for the attachments, which I very much appreciate. However, I would have liked the selection to be a little bigger.

Picture: TechnikNews

The initial setup is completed in just a few moments. First you have to briefly charge the battery when it is empty. Then the pairing mode must be started. This works by touching the touch surfaces on both sides at the same time. If starting from this worked, you will receive a brief message. The headphones should then light up in the Bluetooth settings of the end device. Alternatively, there is a guided setup in the Headphones Connect app. If you have a compatible Android smartphone, you can also use "Fast Pair".

Then it is advisable to spend a few minutes for the Anprobe planned for the ear tips. These should press or hurt as little as possible and shield the outside world as well as possible.

Design, workmanship and comfort

My first impression of the Sony WF-1000XM4: Wow, they look modern! Sony opted for a very simple design with some gold accents and no frills. Both sides are touch-sensitive and are there to control the in-ears. The right side is equipped with the playback controls, the voice assistant and the regulation for telephone calls, while the ANC is regulated on the left side.

The design of the WF-1000XM4 is modern and timeless. (Image: TechnikNews)

I didn't notice any defects in the workmanship. Sony only used plastic, but there are no signs of wear on the casings. They also feel good and not inferior. The in-ears are also protected against the ingress of water and dust according to IPX4. This means that it doesn't matter if the product gets wet. Nothing stands in the way of a workout with the WF-1000XM4.

The transport case was able to convince me throughout. The appearance of this is subtle and the shape compact - two things that are extremely important to me with the associated charging cases. As a result, it simply slips into your pocket and does not make itself uncomfortably noticeable there. The workmanship is also good: The material is plastic, the case feels robust and the flap does not even open when you shake it vigorously. When you open it, you are greeted by a status LED, which informs you that the headphones are activated. It also shows when the battery is about to run out. So I don't have any points of criticism about the box and I think that candidates like Sennheiser can learn something from here.

This is exactly how a charging case has to be designed! (Image: TechnikNews)

When it comes to wearing comfort, my enthusiasm is again limited. It is positive that the memory foam feels very soft and adapts exactly to the shape of the ear canal. With a weight of only 41 grams, the WF-1000XM4 are also very light. On the other hand, it is negative that the plugs, due to their rather bulky shape, can press on the sides of the ear canal after a while. So it was not possible for me to have a listening experience without breaks. On the other hand, they do not fall out of your ears even when you run, which is good.

Battery life

Sony specifies a battery life of 24 hours for these in-ear headphones. You get 8 hours without the charging case, another 16 hours have space in the case's battery. This is the standard value for today's conditions. I can also confirm the manufacturer's information. During my test phase, despite several walks, workouts and hours of work, I only had to recharge once.

Then there are two ways in which the battery can be recharged. Once with the included cable, which then takes about 1,5 hours, and once wirelessly on a Qi charging station, which takes about the same amount of time. It is nice that you can use the in-ears for another hour after a charging time of only 15 minutes.

It is also helpful that you are notified in several ways when the battery level is low. It is not only communicated when switching on, but also via the app, via the status LED and in some cases also via the settings of the end device.

sound quality

A 1000-millimeter in-house driver does its job in the WF-4XM6. It is supported by the SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs, while Bluetooth 5.2 is responsible for a stable connection to a device. Active Noise Canceling, or ANC for short, is also on board - just like the V1 processor, which has three tasks. It improves the sound, among other things by artificially reducing distortion. It also enables the LDAC codec to work, which allows a higher data transfer rate. It also operates the "DSEE Extreme" feature, which restores audio signals compressed by transmission.

Even before music starts playing, you'll notice that the noise cancellation effect is at an extremely high level. With the AirPods Pro, it's generally quieter, but outside noises are still clearly audible. With the Sony WF-1000XM4, you really get complete silence, with the exception of a few marginal influences from the outside world.

And how do they sound? The short answer is that Sony is already scratching the surface of the high-end with this product. Voices and songs come across surprisingly well. You can tell that in “No Time To Die” by Billie Eilish, for example, because you can even hear the little sighs from the background in the verses. The bass really hammers in, but for my taste it's just about within limits. Any instruments in the background are also clearly audible. This is clearly noticeable in the chorus of “Break My Heart” by Dua Lipa, for example, although not as much as with Sennheiser devices. The WF-1000XM4 can also handle highs well, which is evident in various songs by Taylor Swift.

As I said, these headphones sound almost like high-end headphones. In my opinion, there is still room for improvement in some areas.

Headphones Connect app and smart features

Headphones Connect is the free companion app for Android and iOS. It offers a compact overview of the status of the in-ears and other setting options.

The current battery level is always visible in the upper area. I think it's good that the stand can be viewed individually for all components. In the Sennheiser app, for example, this is not the case, although in my opinion this is an essential function.

Next there are all the settings for the automatic control of Active Noise Canceling. The headphones recognize by themselves what you are doing and can adjust the ANC accordingly according to the user's specifications. There are a total of four different modes: “lingering”, “walking”, “running” and “being transported”. Alternatively, the noise suppression can be regulated automatically based on the current location. If you don't want all the fun, all of this can be deactivated. In connection with active noise cancellation, Sony also implemented speak-to-chat. This recognizes when you start to talk to someone and thereby amplifies ambient noise. After the conversation, ANC switches itself on again. All in all, these are very nice features, but the recognition of the individual situations often does not work very reliably in everyday life.

Then there is “360 Reality Audio”. This promises 360-degree sound in supported apps. Unfortunately, since you can only count these on one hand and I don't have any, I couldn't test it. Also worth mentioning is the equalizer, which allows the sound to be adjusted quickly. The surfaces on the in-ears side can also be adapted.

Prices and availability

The MSRP of the Sony WF-1000XM4 is 279 euros. They are available from Amazon and other shops.

• Buy it at Amazon

Sony WF-1000XM4: Conclusion

There definitely is a reason these headphones exist. You don't have to hide from the competition and fill a certain gap that other manufacturers have left uncovered.

The design is attractive and sturdy, the charging case is well designed, and wireless charging via a Qi station is a nice bonus. The ANC and the sound are outstanding for this price. What I liked less was that the battery life is only average, that there is not much choice when it comes to memory foam attachments and that the charging cable is too short for my taste. In addition, the wearing comfort could be better and the bass a little more subtle.

So who are these in-ear headphones suitable for? They are definitely aimed at people who want smart features in such a product, but also value good sound. The outstanding ANC also makes them suitable for frequent travelers.

Thank you for providing the Sony WF-1000XM4