[THREE WEEKS WITH SONY'S WF-1000XM4 – FULL REVIEW]
I'm back with my review, and this time, it's about the WF-1000XM4. It's a pair of true wireless earbuds from Sony, announced back in June.
Check out my review below, along with my overall assessment in the end.
I'm back with my review, and this time, it's about the WF-1000XM4. It's a pair of true wireless earbuds from Sony, announced back in June.
Check out my review below, along with my overall assessment in the end.
Part 1 – Design and Build Quality
The WF-1000XM4 are simply beautiful.
Black case + Gold logo = 😍
Starting from the case, which is what you'll see for the first time before you place the earbuds in your ears.
The case feels more matte than the XM3 (if that makes any sense).
The WF-1000XM4 are simply beautiful.
Black case + Gold logo = 😍
Starting from the case, which is what you'll see for the first time before you place the earbuds in your ears.
The case feels more matte than the XM3 (if that makes any sense).
Aside from that, the case also feels more refined.
Then, just like the XM3s, the magnets for both the earbuds are very strong to keep them in place, even when you shake it violently.
It's also quite compact. Sliding it into my pocket is easier than ever.
Then, just like the XM3s, the magnets for both the earbuds are very strong to keep them in place, even when you shake it violently.
It's also quite compact. Sliding it into my pocket is easier than ever.
Then, let's talk about the buds themselves.
They're also beautiful.
Again, I love that Black colour with some gold accents for the logo and microphones. I was surprised that they designed the microphones as a design element, other than just for a design element.
They're also beautiful.
Again, I love that Black colour with some gold accents for the logo and microphones. I was surprised that they designed the microphones as a design element, other than just for a design element.
The eartips are called "Noise Isolation Tips" and they look and feel like memory foam tips.
They feel really good and can block noise from the outside very effectively.
They feel really good and can block noise from the outside very effectively.
The buds and the case look and feel like they have a premium quality.
Everything looks and feels great, and the improved hinge makes opening and closing the lid feels more satisfying.
Everything looks and feels great, and the improved hinge makes opening and closing the lid feels more satisfying.
But, I have to say that there's one very disappointing thing about the case.
Watch the video and you can see that the lid made a gap just with a slight force (it's like if I'm about to open the lid, even though I only pushed the lid to the side).
Watch the video and you can see that the lid made a gap just with a slight force (it's like if I'm about to open the lid, even though I only pushed the lid to the side).
Just for fun, this is a comparison between the cases of WF-1000XM4, WF-1000XM3, and Galaxy Buds Pro.
Ignore the alarm at the end lol.
Ignore the alarm at the end lol.
Part 2 – Design Comparison with WF-1000XM3
Clearly, you can see that the XM4s' case is much smaller than the XM3s'. The earbuds are smaller too, although some people might still find that the buds on the XM4s to be big.
The pocketability of the XM4s is also very good!
Clearly, you can see that the XM4s' case is much smaller than the XM3s'. The earbuds are smaller too, although some people might still find that the buds on the XM4s to be big.
The pocketability of the XM4s is also very good!
Part 3 – Comfort and Fit
I have bigger ears and this is only my experience.
I think this is one the most comfortable pair of earbuds I've tried yet, beating the Galaxy Buds Pro and only beaten by AirPods Pro & Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.
A huge improvement compared to the XM3s.
I have bigger ears and this is only my experience.
I think this is one the most comfortable pair of earbuds I've tried yet, beating the Galaxy Buds Pro and only beaten by AirPods Pro & Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.
A huge improvement compared to the XM3s.
They just slide comfortably into my ears, and they're still comfortable after a few hours of usage.
Yes, even more comfortable than the Galaxy Buds+ and Buds Pro.
But again, try them for yourselves because it's only my experience. Your mileage may vary.
Yes, even more comfortable than the Galaxy Buds+ and Buds Pro.
But again, try them for yourselves because it's only my experience. Your mileage may vary.
Part 4 – Breathability
While they're very comfortable to use, the earbuds of WF-1000XM4 can make your ears sweat a lot (or it's possible that it's just me).
Aside from that, the side of the earbuds + the eartips can pick some of my sweat, even after only a few minutes of usage.
While they're very comfortable to use, the earbuds of WF-1000XM4 can make your ears sweat a lot (or it's possible that it's just me).
Aside from that, the side of the earbuds + the eartips can pick some of my sweat, even after only a few minutes of usage.
Also, it is a bit worse than my Buds Pro, Buds+, and even my XM3s.
The good news is that they can be easily cleaned and I don't feel how sweaty they are when wearing them.
The good news is that they can be easily cleaned and I don't feel how sweaty they are when wearing them.
Part 5 – Features
Sony's headphone app for the XM4s also got some great improvements over the XM3s.
For example, the battery life indicator is much more precise now, where it says the exact percentage for the case and the earbuds, instead of just showing 20, 50, 70, and 100%.
Sony's headphone app for the XM4s also got some great improvements over the XM3s.
For example, the battery life indicator is much more precise now, where it says the exact percentage for the case and the earbuds, instead of just showing 20, 50, 70, and 100%.
Aside from that, there's a feature called Automatic Wind Noise Reduction. It can reduce that annoying noise from the wind or a fan.
It works effectively, based on my testing.
It works effectively, based on my testing.
There's a new Speak-to-Chat feature. If it's activated, when someone talks to you or when you talk, it will pause the music and instantly switch the mode to Ambient Sound.
Well, I personally don't use this feature (only twice or 3x, just to test it).
Well, I personally don't use this feature (only twice or 3x, just to test it).
Why? Because it pauses the music instead of continuing to play the music at a low volume.
There are some other usual features, like LDAC, equaliser, connection priority, auto power off, ability to choose touch sensor functions for each ear, and more (usual Sony stuff).
There are some other usual features, like LDAC, equaliser, connection priority, auto power off, ability to choose touch sensor functions for each ear, and more (usual Sony stuff).
But, there's one more cool and helpful feature.
You can see if the eartips you're using are the right size for your ears, just by using this feature.
It checks if the tips on each ear is the right one for you, aside from checking if you're wearing them correctly.
You can see if the eartips you're using are the right size for your ears, just by using this feature.
It checks if the tips on each ear is the right one for you, aside from checking if you're wearing them correctly.
[AUDIO QUALITY]
Part 6 – Sound Quality
This is the most important for some people (or most people?) And it's also the most important for me.
With that being said, I really love how the XM4s sound like.
First of all, let me just give you my impressions about the sound profile.
Part 6 – Sound Quality
This is the most important for some people (or most people?) And it's also the most important for me.
With that being said, I really love how the XM4s sound like.
First of all, let me just give you my impressions about the sound profile.
1. The XM4s' tuning is more bassy compared to the XM3s.
2. The soundstage is good, for a pair of true-wireless earbuds, slightly better than the XM3s.
3. The overall sound quality is only slightly better than the XM3s, with a notable improvement in bass (tighter).
2. The soundstage is good, for a pair of true-wireless earbuds, slightly better than the XM3s.
3. The overall sound quality is only slightly better than the XM3s, with a notable improvement in bass (tighter).
Overall, the WF-1000XM4 sound warmer and more bassy out of the box, with more emphasis on the instruments.
The WF-1000XM3 sound brighter out of the box, with more emphasis on the vocals.
It comes down to your personal preference, actually.
The WF-1000XM3 sound brighter out of the box, with more emphasis on the vocals.
It comes down to your personal preference, actually.
Personally, I prefer a balance between the two.
I love the vocals on the XM3s, instruments on the XM4s, bass on the XM4s, and a balance between the brightness and warmness of both the XM4s and XM3s.
These are my settings on the built-in EQ of the XM4s and my Wavelet tuning.
I love the vocals on the XM3s, instruments on the XM4s, bass on the XM4s, and a balance between the brightness and warmness of both the XM4s and XM3s.
These are my settings on the built-in EQ of the XM4s and my Wavelet tuning.
Part 7 – Noise Cancelling
Now, this part is one of the most interesting ones of the XM4s.
Why?
Well, the gap between the XM3s and the XM4s is wider in this area, compared to sound quality.
Active noise cancelling on the XM4s is much more effective and can block out more stuff.
Now, this part is one of the most interesting ones of the XM4s.
Why?
Well, the gap between the XM3s and the XM4s is wider in this area, compared to sound quality.
Active noise cancelling on the XM4s is much more effective and can block out more stuff.
I think those noise isolating eartips are also helping the XM4s to perform greatly in ANC.
Also, the XM4s are also excellent in cancelling the wind or noise caused by a strong blow from afan (*if* you turn Wind Noise Reduction on).
Also, the XM4s are also excellent in cancelling the wind or noise caused by a strong blow from afan (*if* you turn Wind Noise Reduction on).
Part 8 – Ambient Sound (Transparency Mode)
And Ambient Sound is an even bigger improvement, compared to the XM3s.
WF-1000XM4's Ambient Sound is much more natural sounding, while being much clearer and just a tad louder compared to the XM3s.
And Ambient Sound is an even bigger improvement, compared to the XM3s.
WF-1000XM4's Ambient Sound is much more natural sounding, while being much clearer and just a tad louder compared to the XM3s.
What's surprising about it is while the ANC performance is improved, at the same time, the Ambient Sound performance is also improved.
It just sounds satisfyingly natural. Not too quiet like the XM3s, and not as unnaturally loud and noisy as the Galaxy Buds Pro.
It just sounds satisfyingly natural. Not too quiet like the XM3s, and not as unnaturally loud and noisy as the Galaxy Buds Pro.
You have to try them for yourselves, honestly.
Oh, and this is a small detail, but it can make the whole experience a lot better. Switching from Noise Cancelling to Ambient Sound (via the app or just by tapping the left bud once),...
Oh, and this is a small detail, but it can make the whole experience a lot better. Switching from Noise Cancelling to Ambient Sound (via the app or just by tapping the left bud once),...
...will make a tiny yet satisfying sound (similar to Buds Pro's sound effect, but shorter, followed by a lady saying what mode you're in), and the transition between the Active Noise Cancelling mode and Ambient Sound mode (and vice versa) is so smooth and natural.
Unlike most other earbuds, where it feels like someone suddenly plugged your ears with their fingers when you switch from Ambient Sound to Noise Cancelling.
I really enjoyed that effect.
I really enjoyed that effect.
9 – Battery Life and Charging
I saved the biggest improvement for the last.
The buds of the WF-1000XM4 have the best battery life of all mainstream earbuds I've tried, and it's not that close.
I saved the biggest improvement for the last.
The buds of the WF-1000XM4 have the best battery life of all mainstream earbuds I've tried, and it's not that close.
EIGHT flippin' hours of battery life WITH noise cancelling ON and a whopping TWELVE hours of battery life with noise cancelling off, IN A SINGLE CHARGE.
The case only adds two more full charges for the XM4s (16h worth of battery life, when used with ANC or 24h without ANC).
The case only adds two more full charges for the XM4s (16h worth of battery life, when used with ANC or 24h without ANC).
The charging speed is also quite fast...
Wireless charging is also a new feature for the XM4s, bringing a more seamless, although slower charging, if you have a Qi-compatible Charger.
Wireless charging is also a new feature for the XM4s, bringing a more seamless, although slower charging, if you have a Qi-compatible Charger.
[VERDICT]
Sony WF-1000XM4 is an incredible pair of true wireless earbuds.
Excellent sound quality with a punchy bass and good soundstage, incredible ambient sound and active noise cancellation capabilities, has a bunch of features and very customisable,...
Sony WF-1000XM4 is an incredible pair of true wireless earbuds.
Excellent sound quality with a punchy bass and good soundstage, incredible ambient sound and active noise cancellation capabilities, has a bunch of features and very customisable,...
... has a great fit and comfort with an awesome, classy design for the case and the buds, and improvements in battery, along with the support of wireless charging.
Enough for me to recommend them to you, unless you don't think they're worth the money.
Enough for me to recommend them to you, unless you don't think they're worth the money.
They'll serve you well, especially if you like a tighter bass in your music.
---------
Design and Build Quality: 9/10
Comfort and Fit: 9.3/10
Breathability: 7/10
Features: 9/10
Sound Quality: 9.3/10
Noise Cancelling: 9.5/10
Ambient Sound: 9.5/10
---------
Design and Build Quality: 9/10
Comfort and Fit: 9.3/10
Breathability: 7/10
Features: 9/10
Sound Quality: 9.3/10
Noise Cancelling: 9.5/10
Ambient Sound: 9.5/10
Battery Life and Charging: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
Cons (-)
• No volume control, music control, and ambient sound control at the same time
• Can be too bassy for some
• Meh breathability
• Annoying connection issue, leading to distortion (on a rare occasion)
Overall: 9/10
Cons (-)
• No volume control, music control, and ambient sound control at the same time
• Can be too bassy for some
• Meh breathability
• Annoying connection issue, leading to distortion (on a rare occasion)
One more thing.
If you want to save the environment, this is what you should do for your products.
Manufacturers should learn this from Sony, instead of using charging adapters as an excuse.
If you want to save the environment, this is what you should do for your products.
Manufacturers should learn this from Sony, instead of using charging adapters as an excuse.
[DISCLAIMER]
1. This WF-1000XM4 review was mostly tested using my Galaxy S21 Ultra, with Spotify and YouTube.
1. This WF-1000XM4 review was mostly tested using my Galaxy S21 Ultra, with Spotify and YouTube.
2. Your mileage may vary, and audio quality is a very subjective matter. Not just because everybody has their own preference, but there are so many types of ears in this world. My ears ≠ Your ears, therefore you should try them by yourselves to know the absolute truth.
3. Apps being used in the review: Sony Headphones 8.0.0, Wavelet 21.09, Spotify 8.6.64.1081, YouTube 16.36.34
What are your thoughts about the WF-1000XM4? Do you have any question about them?
Tell me in the replies!
Tell me in the replies!
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