When it comes to the best sound-canceling headphones, it’s been hard to beat Sony lately. The WH-1000XM3 offers superior ambient noise reduction, smart hardware controls and a comfortable fit – not to mention cracking noise – with premium functionality that, while not cheap, certainly does not break the bank in the way others high-end headphones can do. .
The true wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 buttons were equally impressive, offering tight sound, a good fit and a great sound reduction for the form factor.
But no tech government can last forever. Many thanks to Sony, the main competition for the WH-1000XM3 headphone comes from its own successor, the Sony WH-1000XM4. Make significant improvements to existing product specs, and add some new features and flair, they are certainly superior to the WH-1000XM3s.
However, does it mean they are worth an upgrade if you already have a few WH-1000XM3s? And what if you are not a fan of the over-ear style, and prefer the freedom of in-ear headphones?
Read on to better understand the key differences between the WH-1000XM4 and the WH-1000XM3, beyond their obvious form-factor differences.
What’s wrong with the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones?
Improved noise level: The sound attenuation techniques used on the WH-1000XM3 headphones were already very powerful to keep the outside world away from your tunes. But it’s even better with the WH-1000XM4, thanks to a revised algorithm that can analyze and adjust the sound profile up to 700 times per second. This is particularly well tuned to sounds in the midrange – for example, the hip of a motor or whirr of a fan.
Comfortable fit: Lighter than its predecessors, the WH-1000XM4 headphones are comfortable to use over extended listening sessions. Clamp to your head without being too tight, its weight is well distributed, with thinner ear cups that can dissipate the heat more freely.
Excellent sound quality: Although the 40mm drivers have not been changed over the WH-1000XM3 cans, that is not a bad thing for the WH-1000XM4 follow-up. This is a warm and detailed sounding headphone that caters to a wide range of music styles – especially if you use high resolution audio formats, like Sony’s 360 Reality Audio options. This is where the WH-1000XM4 really has the edge over the WF-1000XM3, which just can’t compete with the added space that the over-ear format throws up.
Talk-to-chat: The Sony WH-1000XM4 cans have a whole new, intelligent voice recognition mode that pauses your music when it hears you talking, and activates ambient transmitted audio. This means you can have a conversation without taking off the headphones, with a short delay after you stop talking before the audio resumes. It’s great – but luckily it’s an optional feature, because ordinary singers will notice that having a sing-along will cause the headphones to get annoying.
Location-aware sound cancellation: If you choose to keep Sony tabs on your movements, the headphones do a great job of adjusting the sound attenuation settings based on your location. That said, you may have a different sound-canceling profile in the office (maybe more voice-in can come in), from your completely silent home profile. It will switch the fly, and is very useful.
Multipoint Connectivity: Tired of having to jump between multiple devices you want to connect to? The WH-1000XM4 has a feature that allows you to connect two devices to your headphones at the same time. If you have more than two devices that you want to connect, remember them all, and will try to select the next available device when it becomes available – for example, connect to your phone and laptop during the day when the laptop is turned off in favor of your tablet device.
What’s wrong with the Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones?
Small, light form factor: Sometimes it’s just not practical to wear a big, chunky pair of over-ear headphones. Genuine wireless earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM3 keep you completely free of cables, while you only have discrete inserts for your ears to deliver the tunes. Combined with a small and portable charging case, they are usually much better suited for daily activities than earphones, which are better suited for stable and static listening sessions. You feel more comfortable on the go with the Sony WF-1000XM3.
Fixed battery life: 32 hours of battery life (that is combined with the buttons and the case), is not very class leading, but it is very respectable. And it’s a few hours longer than you might expect to squeeze out of the over-ears, making them a good travel companion if you expect to be away from a power station for an extended period of time.
More exercise-friendly: We love the WH-1000XM4, but we would not recommend it for practice – the design and headphones over the ear are just not practical for a sweaty, bumpy training session. While the WF-1000XM3 are not explicitly designed as a workout companion (we would not rely on the locking mechanism on heavy outdoor tracks, for example), they would make you feel quite comfortable through a session on the machines at a gym.
Excellent sound cancellation and sound for earbuds: Now, it’s unfair to set up some true wireless earbuds against the dramatically larger drivers of dedicated over-ear headphones. And while the WF-1000XM3 does not support the higher resolution LDAC standard seen in the WH-1000XM4 (nor the aptX HD you find in other truly wireless headphones), they are still admirable performers. Sound quality is detailed, bass is tight, and sound-canceling performance is one of the best we’ve seen from ears.
Judgment
Choosing between the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Sony WF-1000XM3 is more of a lifestyle choice than a product comparison in several ways. They are both at the top of their game in their respective headphone fields, and no purchase will disappoint.
If audio quality is of paramount importance to you, then it’s an easy choice – with its superior drivers and sound change, the Sony WH-1000XM4 has a benevolent sound and premium finish. All of its extra attached features and clever controls are just the icing on the cake.
But if you’re the type on the go, or you feel a little claustrophobic with a few glances to your head, the WF-1000XM3 buttons are very portable, offering great audio performance for the form factor.
What can be more of a deciding factor is price. With a slight increase, the WF-1000XM3 (depending on your territory and the associated currency) can be found regularly at close to half the price of the WH-1000XM4. If money is a big place, you can not go far wrong with Sony’s in-ears.
