The refusal of Apple in the iPhone 7 from the mini-jack caused a real boom in wireless headphones - everyone and sundry now make their Bluetooth headsets, the variety rolls over. For the most part, however, these are ordinary small headphones that do not place much emphasis on sound quality and comfort. Which is logical - full-size wireless headphones have been around for quite some time, but for a long time music lovers did not take them seriously, and there is nothing to say about audiophiles.
The Sony MDR-1000X (the next versions are already called WH-1000X) seriously changed the rules of the game: the combination of excellent noise isolation, the Ambient Sound system (switching off noise isolation with one movement) and decent sound quality was impressive. Yes, in many respects the success of this model was due precisely to the way other players in this segment used to behave: it still did not reach wired hi-fi- and hi-end-class headphones, but in its niche (that , where other brands used to reign) this model has become the main one. And most importantly, Sony does not rest on its laurels, rolling out an update every year. In 2020, we have already waited for the fourth - we meet .
Technical specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | |
|---|---|
| A type | Closed, covering |
| Emitters | Dynamic, 40 mm (dome type) |
| Reproducible frequency range, Hz | 4-40 000 |
| Impedance | 47 ohm |
| Sensitivity at 1 kHz and 1 mW | 105 dB (with cable connection) |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP profiles) |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Noise suppression | Active |
| Battery life | 30 hours (with noise reduction), 38 hours (without noise reduction) |
| Charging time | 3 hours |
| Weight | 255 g |
| Price | 29 rubles |
If in previous versions of the 1000X series, progress showed itself gradually - they became a little lighter, a little smarter, worked longer autonomously and sounded a little better, then in the fourth generation, Sony made a breakthrough. Although at first glance it may not be very noticeable. Sound characteristics have remained more or less the same - the same 40 mm dome-type speakers with the same frequency range (4-40000 Hz) and sensitivity (104 dB). The mass has not changed - the same 255 grams. The design has not changed much - plastic with a more matte surface is used, and some small details have also changed.
The noise reduction system still relies on the QN1 processor, which debuted in the third version of the headphones - the system can adjust the sound depending on atmospheric pressure (to make it comfortable to listen to music at high altitudes), head shape and so on. But the processor algorithms and data transfer technology have been improved - now the headphones work with Bluetooth 5.0. However, this is also not the most important change - first of all, βsmartβ functions have been shoveled.
The headphones received a motion sensor and now they can determine for themselves whether they are worn or removed, it is no longer necessary to touch the cup to stop playback before removing them. With the Sony Headphones Connect app, you've previously had the flexibility to adjust the ambient sound characteristics to cut off noise while still hearing important sounds, but now external sounds will intrude in more situations. And most importantly, the Speak-to-Chat function has been implemented, which will automatically pause playback when the user starts talking. Let's see how it all works in practice and see if there are any other minor improvements.
Contents of delivery
Sony WH-1000XM4, like all their predecessors, are positioned as headphones, not least for travel - and completely on business. It's a foldable model, packed right out of the box in a hard zippered case that's largely unchanged from the last generation.
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In the case, in addition to the βbrokenβ ones closer to the cup of the headphones (how to put them is indicated on the enclosed cardboard), there is a 3,5 mm β 3,5 mm cable 1,2 meters long, with which the Sony WH-1000XM4 work in β analogue mode, a dual-airport adapter, and a charging cable. Quite a complete set.
Design and construction
Sony prefers not to change what has already worked out well, and with each generation makes only subtle changes to the design and design of the 1000X series. The classic shape, with a soft leather-lined headband, equally soft ear cushions and flat touch-coated cups, hasn't changed. The earbuds still look good, are built well and are available in silver and black.
But there are also a few differences. Firstly, now the cups are made of more matte plastic - it is a little more pleasant to the touch and does not get dirty so quickly from the touch of your fingers.
Secondly, the markings on the functional elements located on the left cup have changed: the large key is marked with the word Custom (you can hang not only noise reduction control on it), and the mini-jack has lost its marking. And so it is clear what it is for. The design of the microphones on the cups and the NFC icon has changed - the contact area of ββ\uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthis module itself is in the same place as before.
The headband is adjustable in height with the help of a slide - they have become tighter, the positions are fixed more clearly. The cups sway freely, the ear cushions are soft and very pleasant to the touch - the Sony WH-1000XM4 is very comfortable, you can safely spend hours on end in them. They weigh quite noticeable, it would seem, 255 grams, but neither on the head nor on the neck do they feel heavy. On an airplane, for example, these headphones can be used as a kind of earplugs thanks to powerful noise reduction and sleep peacefully without discomfort.
The main external difference between the Sony WH-1000XM4 and its predecessors is hidden inside the cups - this is a motion sensor. We'll talk about it below.
Functionality and sound quality
The key thing that the fourth version of the 1000X series has learned is that it recognizes more user actions on its own. Now headphones rely even less than before on direct commands given by touching the touch surface, and more on their βintelligenceβ.
First of all, this applies to situations when you take off your headphones - you donβt need to stop playback first, the headphones will do it themselves, having received a signal from the sensor. Very convenient, no doubt, but so far, with the current firmware version, this system does not always work stably - sometimes playback starts again when the headphones are still hanging around the neck or even put aside. With the resumption of playback, when you put them back on your head, there are also hitches, from time to time you had to start it manually either on your smartphone or still touching the touchpad. With it, by the way, you can both control playback (stop / start and switch tracks), and adjust the volume.
Sony WH-1000XM4 also learned to respond to the user's voice - when you start talking, playback immediately stops, and the noise reduction mode is turned off (instead, the Ambient Sound mode is turned on, in which even the passive noise isolation of over-ear headphones is compensated). This feature is more stable - and also quite useful. Past scenarios have also been preserved - noise reduction is turned off if the headphones βhearβ announcements at the station, the sound of a traffic light, and so on.
In general, the noise reduction system has not changed - it still works effectively, I did not notice any difference with the Sony WH-1000XM3. Four microphones on the cups, in combination with the QN1 processor, work great - noise is cut off very well, with these headphones you can safely listen even to quiet podcasts on the subway or on the plane, not at maximum volume. I already wrote above about using the Sony WH-1000XM4 as a kind of earplugs - this is a completely normal use case for these headphones. They are also able to optimize noise reduction according to the shape of the ears and adapt to atmospheric pressure, providing greater comfort in flight.
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There is one noticeable but: it is not always possible to connect a new version of headphones to a smartphone without a special Sony Headphones Connect application - they sometimes do not appear in the list of headphones available for connection in the Bluetooth profile, pairing is possible, but neither the sound on them nor the voice from them are transmitted. The app itself is pretty good. In it, you can set up scenarios based on location, when the headphones themselves determine whether you are on the road or have already arrived, and depending on this, adjust the noise reduction. It is also proposed to turn on or off the reaction of the headphones to ambient sound, adjust the sound in the equalizer and adjust the degree of noise reduction. You can also turn on the 360 ββReality Audio surround sound system, but for this you need to download an additional application, which will be free to use for only 3 months - buying the Sony WH-1000XM4 provides only temporary access to this system.
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Perhaps the coolest feature of the new model is the ability to connect to two devices at once. The headphones themselves must determine from which important signal is currently coming, and switch.
As for the sound, the acoustic characteristics of the Sony WH-1000XM4 have not changed, but the character of the sound itself, albeit minimally, has changed. It is difficult to say what influenced this - a slightly different sound processing in the headphones or an updated Bluetooth module, but the headphones have become a little bassier, and the overall picture is now a little more detailed. I would not call the differences from the third version of the model significant, but they are. In general, the Sony WH-1000XM4 sound good, both with wireless data transfer and via cable - this is still not an audiophile model, but it holds a strong high level. I would like to note separately the DSEE Extreme system, which is really good at "pumping" digital audio files with a low bitrate.
How the Sony WH-1000XM4 headset behaves normally - the built-in microphones have noise reduction and work correctly.
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Autonomy remained the same - with active noise cancellation and all its smart features, the headphones hold a charge for about 30 hours (my experience confirms the claimed battery life). The Sony WH-1000XM4 is charged via a USB Type-C port, and it takes about three hours to complete a full charge cycle.
Conclusion
- a logical continuation of the famous series, in which the emphasis is on "smart" functions: now the headphones can recognize whether they are worn or not, they can connect to two devices at once, they respond to voice, and even though they do it not always perfectly, but I think there are problems will be solved in future firmware. Noise reduction is left unchanged, the sound has improved slightly, but not significantly - although both of these parameters did not cause much criticism before. However, I don't think it makes sense to consider the fourth version of this model as a replacement for the third: a solid increase in "intelligence" does not send them into a new league. But if you're looking for some new high-end wireless earbuds, this is an excellent choice.
Source: 3dnews.ru