Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones leave competitors speechless

Tik Tech: We tested Sony's WH-1000XM4 noise canceling headphones -

• Sony's family of WH-1000X noise reduction headphones is expanding with the M4 (Mark IV) sold for 379 euros.

• Offering near-perfect listening quality and still exceptional isolation, this new model significantly evolves its predecessor, the 1000XM3, launched two years ago.

• Now sold at 289 euros, the 1000XM3 is undoubtedly becoming the bargain of the moment.

Do not look for visual differences with its predecessor, the WH-1000XM3, because the WH-1000XM4 does not offer one.

Or at the margin.

Behind its barbaric name, the new premium headphones from Sony look like two drops of water to its predecessor launched two years ago.

With tiny details: pads 10% larger here, an NFC logo better integrated there, or colors with a more matte finish.

It is above all technically that these noise reduction headphones are evolving.

Sony's WH-1000XM4 launched at 379 euros.

- SONY

A brain in the processor

Sony has placed a proximity sensor associated with two accelerometers in the left atrium.

Aim: to detect when the user takes off his headset to pause the music and deactivate the touchpad in order to preserve the autonomy of the equipment (announced at 30 hours).

Sony has added a brain to its headphones to perfectly tailor the noise reduction to the exact nature of the surrounding sounds.

- SONY

The Japanese manufacturer claims to have also added "a brain" to the 1000XM4.

Despite an integrated processor identical to that of the 1000XM3, the device is now able to analyze the characteristics of the music played, that of surrounding noises or even of the space between the ear and the speaker so that the reduction of noise adapts continuously.

Hear - this is the case to say - that this becomes "dynamic".

Multipoint Bluetooth… finally!

Among the other new features announced, the presence of multipoint Bluetooth.

This avoids having to systematically reconnect when changing audio source.

It is thus possible to record the headset on several different devices (smartphone, walkman, computer, etc.) and the new incoming audio stream automatically takes precedence over the previous one.

It was a real shortcoming on the 1000XM3.

The WH-1000XM4 application remains a real control tower to personalize its use.

- CHRISTIOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES

Finally, Sony offers a new feature.

Called

, this detects the user's voice and instantly interrupts noise reduction so that they can take part in an audio conversation.

The M3, but better

In the field, the helmet does not surprise.

It is not surprising compared to the 1000XM3 which was already excellent and was a master standard in the family of noise reduction headphones sold for over 200 euros.

Those who bought the previous model do not have to re-equip themselves.

People wishing to invest in noise reduction headphones will be able to be seduced ...

Particularly comfortable to wear, the 1000XM4 is quite light (254 g).

The headset perfectly encompasses the ears without any particular gene.

We also wore it with glasses, without being inconvenienced.

Suitable for all musical registers

Very "bassy" (as Sony likes to say), the 1000XM4 however knows how to balance the bass perfectly.

Present, even very present, the low frequencies never clutter the soundstage as we see too often on many headsets wanting to glance at a young clientele.

Even so, there is the equalizer.

True example of the genre (to our knowledge it is the most complete in the world of headphones), it allows everyone to adjust their listening.

The WH-1000XM4 application remains a real control tower to personalize its use.

- CHRISTIOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES

Let's talk about the application!

A real toolbox, it allows a very advanced level of customization.

If you take the time, the proposed settings allow you to go quite far, very far, especially in the adjustment of noise reduction.

This can be optimized for religious listening at home, while walking, playing sports or in transport.

From Chick Corea to taste the chiseled highs of a virtuoso piano, to Bob Marley to let himself be invaded by infrabasses, through a necessary

to confront the synths of Depeche Mode, not to mention the latest albums by Gregory Porter, The Weeknd, Grand Corps Malade… we have tasted almost everything.

And moment of grace: Cecilia Bartoli for

…

The new 1000XM4 noise reduction headphones ready to take on transport.

- SONY

Listening definitely lives up to the expectations.

The noise reduction remains excellent.

But we are at a loss to assess the improvement claimed by Sony over that of the 1000XM3.

The manufacturer speaks of an overall performance gain of 15%, and 20% compared to everyday noise ...

For its part, the new

function works wonderfully.

As soon as we speak, the music is interrupted as dry.

But even if we set the mode closing time to a minimum (15 seconds), it is still far too long.

Five seconds would seem like an ideal time.

With a gesture, the Quick Attention function allows you to take part in a conversation.

- SONY

We continue to prefer the

function

which, when you place your hand on the right shell of the headphones, lowers the sound of the music while you are talking or listening to someone.

As soon as you remove your hand, the volume returns to its initial level.

And we are still puzzled by the touch controls which, although very responsive, do not prevent mishaps.

More than once, we have paused our music when we wanted to adjust the volume…

The 1000XM3 much cheaper

There remains the question of the budget.

At 379 euros, Sony is not kidding.

We can imagine that in the Premium audio headset market (230,000 sales in France between August 2019 and August 2020, depending on the manufacturer), Sony, which has sold its 1000XM3 by whole pallets, intends to perpetuate its winning and profitable formula.

Tip: while waiting to win the Loto, it is worth spending only 289 euros for the 1000XM3.

As long as there are some left.

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