The WH-1000XM4 is the fourth generation of wireless noise canceling over-ear headphones. This new series of headphones, also known as the Mark 4, offers a variety of favorite technologies from the previous WH-1000XM3 series.
Of course, the WH-1000XM4 brings additional smart features that allow users to personalize and control music using intelligent noise cancellation technology. This is to provide an increasingly comfortable music listening experience.
The technology behind the noise canceling performance of the 1000XM4 is the use of two microphones in each earcup. Dual Noise Sensor technology on these headphones can capture the surrounding sound better, then forward the data to the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1. This allows the headphones to sort out the incoming sound in real time. The result is a more effective muted noise level.
The WH-1000XM4 also leverages Edge-AI technology to rebuild audio lost during the digital compression process. This technology can analyze music in real time and identify instruments, music genres, and elements in each piece of music to restore the high-frequency sound that was lost during the compression process. This technology will provide a richer music listening experience.
Sony also embeds smart features on the WH-1000XM4. There is a Speak-to-Chat feature. This feature allows headphone wearers to communicate without having to remove the headphones first. This feature will detect the user’s voice which will automatically stop the music so that sounds from outside can enter.
In addition, users of Sony headphones will also not miss important information around them, because simply by placing their right hand on the earcup, the headphones will automatically lower the sound of the music so that sounds from outside can be heard by the headphone wearer.
Sony complements the ANC feature of the WH-1000XM3 headphones with Dual Noise Sensor technology and the updated HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1. In addition to ANC quality, Sony has also provided its flagship headphones with even better quality than their predecessors thanks to the DSEE Extreme (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) feature based on the latest Edge-AI technology and 360 Reality Audio support.
There are a number of features added to the WH-1000XM4, including Speak-to-Chat where the headphones will recognize if the user is having a short conversation and automatically reduce the volume and allow ambient sound to be heard. The Adaptive Sound Control feature can be configured in the Headphones Connect app, where the WH-1000XM4 will automatically detect the user’s surroundings and adjust the surrounding sound settings.
Other features include an improved five-microphone system for clearer phone calls, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, Fast Pair, automatic usage detection, and a claimed battery life of up to 30 hours on fast charging. Sony priced the WH-1000XM4 at $349