Expert review of the Sony WF-1000XM4
No longer available, view the latest model
- With active noise canceling, you can close yourself off from your surroundings.
- You can adjust the sound preferences with the equalizer in the Sony Headphones app. Thanks to the battery life of 24 hours, you can listen to your favorite music for long.
- The noise canceling of earbuds doesn't reduce ambient noise as well as that of headphones.
First impression of the Sony WF-1000XM4
When I unpack the Sony WF-1000XM4, I notice the packaging right away. It's much more compact and and less luxurious than that of other Sony earbuds. That's because the packaging is completely recyclable, which is better for the environment. While I unpack the earbuds, I notice that the tips are made of foam. That means that the silicone tips are a thing of the past.
Pretty large design
The earbuds are much more compact than their predecessor, but they're still quite large. The wearing comfort isn't always great as a result. The weight of the earbuds is at the top, so they're not always secure in your ears with intensive movements. That's why the XM4 earbuds are less suitable for running. When you run, the earbuds tap back and forth to your pace.
Very good noise canceling
Earbuds and noise canceling don't always work well together. This definitely isn't the case for the WF-1000MX4. When I listen to music during my workout at the gym, I don't hear anything. I can completely focus on my workout and I'm not bothered by the loud environment. These are 1 of the best noise-canceling earbuds I've ever tested. With a sliding motion on the left earbud, I can switch from noise canceling to ambient sound. This way, I can hear my environment again.
Bass details
Personally, I like a powerful bass. But if it's too powerful, the mid-range tones and bass don't sound good. The sound of these earbuds is ideal. The bass is powerful, deep, and detailed. Bass guitars sound amazing as a result, and so do the kicks in dance music. I can completely immerse myself in my favorite songs while still enjoying all of the other frequencies.
Conclusion
The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds have many improvements compared to their predecessor. The noise canceling reduces ambient noise very well. And thanks to the powerful, deep, and detailed bass, the sound is amazing. This makes the earbuds perfect for both at home and on the go. The design is more compact than that of their predecessor, but they're still quite large. This does make the earbuds less suitable for running and other sports.
