Sony - WF-1000XM4

The all-new V1 chip employed in the Sony WF-1000XM4 has an advanced ANC processor that cuts noise way better than ever before. The V1 chip is equipped with an all-new DAC circuit along with an amplifier and DSEE Extreme (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) for a richer and fuller music listening experience. It also has a Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence) that recreates lost frequencies. With the optimization of the transmission algorithm, the V1 processor provides stable connectivity and low latency. Even the wind noise gets automatically reduced thanks to the Automatic Wind Noise Reduction mode.

With the 6mm driver paired with a 20% larger magnet and a brand new high-compliance diaphragm, the sound of the WF-1000XM4 is highly detailed and dynamic. The lower bass frequencies are now even powerful while the overall listening experience is enriched with precise noise cancellation.

The newer Sony WF-1000XM4 sports active noise cancellation 40 per cent better than the XM3 generation. It is the first earbuds from Sony to feature the Hi-Res LDAC codec. Since it supports High-Resolution Audio Wireless, you get to enjoy High-Resolution Audio in exceptional quality. These earbuds are considerably smaller and lighter than their predecessors.

The other biggest improvement with the WF-1000XM4 comes with polyurethane foam eartips that isolate noise significantly while also offering a better fit. These eartips enhance the surface contact area and reduce gaps to insulate sound and reduce noise. Moreover, it also improves adhesion to the ear canal resulting in a snug and reliable fit.

Whether you are travelling, walking or waiting, the Adaptive Sound Control on the WF-1000XM4 senses your surroundings to alter ambient sound settings therefore ensuring optimum listening experience. You can even teach the Adaptive Sound Control to detect places that you visit quite often and adjust the sound accordingly.

Accompanied by an all-new compact yet durable charging case, the Sony WF-1000XM4 now supports Qi wireless charging along with fast USB-C charging. Offering an overall battery life of up to 24 hours, the WF-1000XM4 can easily get you through the day. The earbuds by themselves deliver up to 8 hours of battery life while an extra 16 hours can be derived from the charging case. With just 5 minutes of quick-charge, these earbuds can last for almost an hour.

After referring to a bank of ear-shape data, Sony developed a brand new ergonomic design for the WF-1000XM4. This new shape adheres to the shape of the ear cavity to offer a more stable fit. The overall design of the all-new WF-1000XM4 is compact wherein the earbuds are 10% smaller and the case is 40% smaller than the previous model. The earbuds now come with an IPX4 water and sweat resistance rating for more durability. Based on low toxicity design principles, the WF-1000XM4 does not use any plastic in its design. Made entirely out of recycled and sustainable materials, the WF-1000XM4 promotes the ‘Made to be remade” philosophy.

The music pauses when you take the earbuds off and starts playing the moment you put them back on, all thanks to the proximity sensor of the WF-1000XM4. These earbuds also support Alexa and Google Assistant to get things done quickly over voice commands. Pair the WF-1000XM4 seamlessly with your Windows 10 laptop, desktop PC or tablet using Swift Pair.

There is a fast pair mode for Android phones wherein you get a quick popup on your screen to pair the WF-1000XM4. This feature is also capable of locating where you last left your headphones and to ring them. Get a quick heads up through notification when your earbuds are low on battery. This will keep you well-aware of the low battery status so you can charge them on time.

The use of four beam-forming microphones and a bone-conduction sensor leads to precise voice pickup during phone calls. These dual noise sensing microphones ensure that your voice is heard clearly and loudly over the call without any sort of distortion. ​

Intuitive touch controls get a lot of work done like a tap on the left manages ambient sound mode and noise cancellation while the tap on the right plays and pauses the music. Additionally, double-tapping will take you to the next track and triple tapping will take you to the previous song. You are free to assign your prefered function for each earbud using the Headphones Connect App.

With the Speak-to-Chat feature, the WF-1000XM4 activates Ambient sound mode the moment you start talking to someone. It reacts to your voice using Precise Voice Pickup Technology which is a combination of four microphones, sensors and advanced audio signal processing. This mode records more sound from the surroundings to offer a natural listening experience while allowing you to stay aware of your environment.

The team of product designers at Sony have studied and surveyed huge amounts of data relating to ear shapes from around the world to design the WF-C500. The WF-C500 headphones is a product of that research, combining a shape that matches the ear cavity with a new ergonomic surface design for a more stable fit. Designed to be lightweight, these buds fit securely and comfortably in your ears. The rounded shape without edges makes them a pleasure to wear, leaving you free to focus on what matters – your music. To elevate the design even further the WF-C500 features an IPX4 splash-resistant design. This allows you to wear the WF-C500 when you go out for a walk or at home when you’re getting some chores done, without the worry of sweat or getting splashed with water.