Overview

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is Sony’s 2020 premium wireless ANC over-ear. It uses the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 working with a Bluetooth Audio SoC (no “V1” integrated processor on this model) and supports Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC/AAC/SBC. Sony’s dual-noise-sensor system monitors audio and noise “over 700 times per second,” enabling effective real-time cancellation. Multipoint pairing and a foldable design round out the feature set. [1][3][4][7]

Scientific Validity

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• Driver matching & distortion: Independent lab measurements show well-matched L/R drivers and low harmonic distortion at typical listening levels. [1]
• Sensitivity / impedance (wired): 113.6 dB/V SPL sensitivity and ~17.7 Ω average impedance were measured by Reference Audio Analyzer. [2]
• ANC effectiveness: On RTINGS’ standardized test, WH-1000XM4 delivers overall attenuation ≈ −27.1 dB, with strong low-frequency reduction (plane/bus rumble) and useful mid/high-frequency attenuation. [5][6]
• Wireless tech: Bluetooth 5.0; codecs LDAC, AAC, SBC (no aptX family). [3][7]

These quantified results substantiate claims about strong ANC and competent wireless performance. The stock tuning is intentionally bass-elevated versus neutral targets (good for casual listening, less ideal for strict fidelity), which is consistent across measurement sources. [1]

Technology Level

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QN1-based ANC with dual external mics and a Bluetooth SoC sampling and adapting at >700 Hz was state-of-the-art for 2020 and remains solid, but newer flagships (including Sony’s own successors) have advanced processing and mic systems. [4]

Cost-Performance

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• Current market price (U.S.): 199.99 USD (Best Buy, Aug 2025). [8]
• Cheapest equal-or-better alternatives? Competing models with comparable or superior ANC (e.g., Bose QuietComfort line, Sony XM5/XM6, Apple AirPods Max) are ≥229 USD at the time of writing, and many measure less total attenuation than XM4 or cost substantially more. For example, Bose QC45 ≈ 229 USD and measures ≈ −23.9 dB overall ANC (weaker). [9][10][11]

Because no cheaper product meets or exceeds XM4’s core performance/feature set (ANC effectiveness, multipoint, LDAC support, build) at this time, XM4 earns the maximum cost-performance rating.

(Japan reference price for domestic readers: lowest 27,500円 on Kakaku.com as of Aug 2025; this aligns with the high value proposition at current U.S. pricing.) [12]

Reliability & Support

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Sony provides a 1-year limited warranty in the U.S. and Canada (extendable via optional protection plans). Coverage is limited to defects in materials/workmanship per the official warranty terms. [13][14][15] Sony’s global support site provides firmware and documentation. [16]

Rationality of Design Philosophy

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Engineering priority is clearly on effective ANC, battery life (up to ~30 hours), comfort, and travel usability (folding case, multipoint). The warm factory EQ favors mainstream preferences; the app EQ helps users shift closer to neutral if desired. [1][7]

Advice

If you want top-tier ANC at the lowest price, XM4 is a smart buy in 2025. If you prioritize absolute ANC or mic performance, consider newer flagships (Sony XM5/XM6, Bose QC Ultra) at higher prices. For longer battery life and a somewhat more neutral tonality, Sennheiser Momentum 4 is a solid alternative (usually >250 USD). [1][10][11]

References

[1] RTINGS – Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Review: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/sony/wh-1000xm4-wireless
[2] Reference Audio Analyzer – Sony WH-1000XM4 (Wire) measurements: https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/sony-wh-1000xm4.php
[3] Sony Help Guide – Supported codecs (SBC/AAC/LDAC): https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/wh1000xm4/v1/en/contents/TP0002752840.html
[4] Sony product page/specs noting SoC + QN1 adjusting over 700 times/sec: https://www.sony.com/et/electronics/headband-headphones/wh-1000xm4
[5] RTINGS Compare – XM4 vs XM6 (shows Overall Attenuation −27.13 dB for XM4): https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless-vs-sony-wh-1000xm6/16490/63313
[6] RTINGS Compare – XM4 vs WF-1000XM4 (also shows −27.13 dB): https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless-vs-sony-wf-1000xm4-truly-wireless/16490/25985
[7] Sony Support – WH-1000XM4 Specifications (Bluetooth 5.0, etc.): https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-headphones/wh-1000xm4/specifications
[8] Best Buy – WH-1000XM4 current price (Black SKU 6408356): https://www.bestbuy.com/product/sony-wh1000xm4-wireless-noise-cancelling-over-the-ear-headphones-black/J7XSRH44JK/sku/6408356
[9] Best Buy – Bose QuietComfort 45 price (Triple Black SKU 6471291): https://www.bestbuy.com/site/bose-quietcomfort-45-wireless-noise-cancelling-over-the-ear-headphones-triple-black/6471291.p
[10] RTINGS – Bose QuietComfort 45 Review: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/bose/quietcomfort-45-qc45-wireless
[11] RTINGS Compare – QC45 vs QC Headphones (QC45 Overall Attenuation −23.90 dB): https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/bose-quietcomfort-45-qc45-wireless-vs-bose-quietcomfort-headphones-wireless/27044/44666
[12] Kakaku.com – WH-1000XM4 (Silver) price listing (shows 27,500円): https://kakaku.com/item/K0001279109/
[13] Sony Limited Warranty (US Only) PDF: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/W001/W0012285M.pdf
[14] Sony Limited Warranty (US/Canada) PDF: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/4599/40e69626689f987e884c7569427d0ed8/45991062M.pdf
[15] Sony Manuals & Warranty hub for WH-1000XM4: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-headphones/wh-1000xm4/manuals
[16] Sony Support – WH-1000XM4 model page (firmware, docs): https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-headphones/wh-1000xm4

(2025.8.14)