![]() ![]() Sony claims up to 30 hours of continuous playback. It’s just not as crisp as when the headphones are on. ![]() But it’s still OK - the XM4s drivers are definitely high-quality. In this state, the sound is a bit different as it’s not using the internal amp, there is no noise cancelling, and no EQ. You can use it to wire the WH-1000XM4 to a headphone jack and listen to music without turning the headphones on. In the box, you get a standard stereo cable. The quality is passable at best, but often, you will probably be asked to just switch to your smartphone’s microphone and speak through that. While voices through the WH-1000XM4 still sound very crisp and clear, your callers won’t be exactly happy with the microphones on the headset. The XM4s are extremely good at picking up your own voice and I haven’t had them accidentally activate Speak-to-Chat by “overhearing” someone else’s voice. So, you can have a quick conversation with a store clerk, for example (provided you don’t consider wearing the headphones while talking to be rude). Speak-to-Chat basically means that the WH-1000XM4 will detect when you are talking to somebody, so the headphones will bring the music down to minimum and dial the ambient sound up to maximum. But hey, maybe the track that’s meant to wow me is yet to come. That’s because I can’t see much of a difference between a 360 Reality track and a song that has been carefully mixed and mastered, with its instruments thoughtfully spread across the conventional stereo spectrum. Yeah, I may sound a bit unimpressed here. So, hardly worth the premium subscription for that alone.Īs far as how it sounds… it’s OK, it’s good. Then, there’s the fact that there are very few tracks to enjoy in the new mode. For example - you need to upgrade to Tidal Hi-Fi to access 360 Reality recordings. And these tracks are usually hidden away behind premium service on audio platforms. In order to make use of it, you need to listen to songs that are specifically mastered to make use of the new technology. But purists out there will probably prefer to keep dual device support off.Īs it stands right now, 360 Reality Audio is barely a selling point for the XM4s. For what it’s worth - I tested the sound multiple times with LDAC on and off and I could barely notice a difference (maybe it was even placebo). If you activate dual device support, you can no longer use the LDAC codec - the Sony-developed codec for high-quality audio over Bluetooth. You do need to make some sacrifices, though. If you get a call on your phone, that takes over entirely. If both devices are playing sound, the one that was first takes priority. Whenever you play audio on one of them, it automatically comes through the XM4s. This means that you can have the headphones paired with two different devices simultaneously. The Sony WH-1000XM4 comes with a highly-requested feature - dual device connectivity. The same photos are used for the app to calibrate and activate the 360 Reality Audio feature. You can also optimize the active noise canceler by taking photos of your ears via your phone’s selfie camera. There’s an on-board EQ, which comes with a bunch of presets, a full manual mode, and two slots for your own custom profiles. But they are still quieted down a lot and, if you are listening to music at any volume, you will barely detect them. Yes, some specific noises can come through just a little bit - like a sudden door slam, the low roar of a nearby engine, or the persistent whizzing of my vacuum. On to the active noise canceling… well, it is excellent. Starting with the active noise cancelation and going through stuff like 360 Reality Audio, automatic activity detection, and dual connectivity. The extra money you are paying here, that goes towards the WH-1000XM4’s extra features. Especially if you choose to go wired, instead of Bluetooth. You can definitely get similar awesomeness for less money. Is the sound quality alone enough to justify the $350 price-tag? Not… entirely. For my personal use, I did find the need to go into the Sony Headphones app and dial up the top end just a bit, but this could be a sign of the years of abuse I’ve put my ears through already.īut hey, that’s why we have customizable EQs and the one in the Sony app, while not super-detailed, gives you control over the right bands so you can better tune your experience. ![]() The high range is very crisp, but doesn’t get ice-pickey. ![]()
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