Wireless noise reduction, no need to pick up the phone for conversation, Sony WH-1000XM4 uses intelligence to wake up your ears

Among the numerous headphone products, no one can ignore the power of Sony.

After a two-year absence, Sony's 1000X series launched a new model WH-1000XM4 this year. Its arrival really excited Sony fans, because it means that a "brand-new" experience between noise reduction and hearing is about to come.

Recently, I also got this Sony headset. What is its "magic"? Let's find out together.

Continuing the classic shape and highlighting the exquisite craftsmanship

If you're loyal to the classics, then the style of the Sony WH-1000XM4 will definitely suit you.

In terms of appearance, Sony WH-1000XM4 still continues the classic body shape of the previous generation, and maintains two colors: black and platinum silver. Although there are not many changes in the shape and color of the headphones, the craftsmanship of Sony WH-1000XM4 is more sophisticated than the previous generation.

First of all, the Sony WH-1000XM4 adopts an integrated matte design on the surface of the body. Compared with the soft plastic material of the previous generation, the new generation of products is undoubtedly more high-end.

In addition, in terms of details, Sony WH-1000XM4 has also made some improvements compared to the previous generation, such as increasing the contact area of ​​the earphones, optimizing the connection structure, reducing the weight of the earphones (254 grams), and increasing the curvature of the headphone headband.

Although the changes in details are not very obvious, they adhere to the humanized concept and further enhance the comfort and practicality of the headphones. These subtle changes indirectly show Sony's product philosophy of continuous improvement.

Rich functions and user-friendly design

Sony WH-1000XM4 is a head-mounted wireless Bluetooth headset that is more convenient for daily use because it eliminates the constraints of wire controls.

In fact, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is not only a Bluetooth headset, but also considerate enough in terms of daily control design. The right earmuff is equipped with a touch panel, which allows users to control multiple functions such as answering calls, pausing/playing music, increasing and decreasing volume, switching songs, activating/disabling smart hands-free conversation, and switching noise reduction/ambient sound with their fingertips. Moreover, it can be controlled with one hand, which is practical and considerate.

When we wear traditional noise-canceling headphones to listen to music, if someone talks to you, you usually need to take off the headphones to communicate. This time, Sony WH-1000XM4 has added a smart hands-free conversation function. With this black technology, when you are listening to music, if someone talks to you, you only need to cover the right earmuff with your palm to quickly lower the music volume and amplify the ambient sound. Not only that, the smart hands-free conversation function is also reflected in that when you speak, it will automatically stop playing music, making communication more efficient and timely.

Compared with the previous generation, this year's Sony WH-1000XM4 undoubtedly has more highlights. For example, this headset also has a new wearing sensor function, which will automatically detect the usage status of the headset. When you take off the headset, it will automatically stop playing music, thereby saving power. Of course, the use of this function varies from person to person. If you are not used to this function, you can also turn it on/off through the Headphones Connect App.

Another surprising feature of Sony WH-1000XM4 is its multi-point connection technology. With this technology, Sony WH-1000XM4 can maintain connection with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. For example, when the user connects the headset to a computer device, if there is an incoming call on the mobile phone, the headset will automatically switch to the mobile device to realize the call function. When the call ends, the headset will switch to the computer device again, saving the user from tedious operations, which is considerate and practical.

Excellent sound quality and excellent noise reduction

Since it is a headset, of course, we have to evaluate the sound quality. At present, Sony WH-1000XM4 still follows the style of WH-1000XM3, the three-frequency performance is still very balanced, and the overall music presentation is also quite perfect.

Considering the configuration, the 40mm driver unit of Sony WH-1000XM4 is equipped with an aluminum-plated liquid crystal polymer diaphragm. When listening to music daily, it can easily control the surging and dynamic bass and present clear and loud treble. In addition, Sony WH-1000XM4 is also equipped with a new generation of Edge-AI technology. Thanks to this technology, it can further intelligently improve the quality of digital audio and restore the high-frequency signals lost during compression, perfectly display high-resolution music, and bring a more shocking music experience. Not only that, users can also control the ambient sound through the Sony | Headphones Connect App*6, which has 360-degree real-time sound effects, which can make the music details more delicate and rich, and the sense of space stronger, thus achieving an immersive listening effect like a musical theater.

In addition, the Sony brand is also quite outstanding in noise reduction capabilities. After all, after several generations of research and development, it has long been renowned in the industry for its technology. Sony's noise reduction technology is fully reflected in the Sony WH-1000XM4. Because it is equipped with a newly upgraded HD noise reduction processor QN1, and is equipped with a multi-microphone system and a high-performance Bluetooth chip, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is more sensitive in capturing ambient noise. When the ambient noise is accurately delivered to the HD noise reduction processor QN1, the Sony WH-1000XM4 will optimize the noise reduction of the sound through a unique noise reduction algorithm, making the call effect or sound quality more refreshing and transparent.

It has to be said that Sony WH-1000XM4 is a thoughtful music companion. Currently, it is equipped with a personalized noise reduction solution, and users can start a new listening experience through the Sony | Headphones Connect App*6. It has more than 20 built-in ambient sound levels and a "wind noise reduction" mode to meet the noise reduction needs of different environments, giving users more intimate noise reduction solutions and choices, and further improving listening comfort.

Music Appreciation

In order to further experience the sound quality of Sony WH-1000XM4, two songs were specially selected for testing.

1 "Someone You Loved (Future Humans Remix)" - Lewis Capaldi

This is a song with a faster tempo. Listening to it is like listening to a story and the stirring and wandering of the singer's inner soul.

When the song sounded in Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, the prelude gradually relaxed, instantly bringing the soul into the musical theater, making people feel the real music atmosphere as if they were there. Especially when listening to "And then you pulled the rug", it seemed as if you could shout along with the singer's hoarse voice.

I have to say that with the support of Sony WH-1000XM4, this song is perfectly presented from details to soul, everything is just right, pure and thorough mid-range, listening with eyes closed, the immersive feeling is quite strong.

2《Silence Before The Storm》-Quiet Disorder/Anderson

Some people say that Quiet Disorder/Anderson's works all have a sense of the calm before the storm. In fact, after repeated appreciation, you will find that his works are more like a poem with subtle and restrained emotions. Especially this song "Silence Before The Storm", it is full of ethereal feeling, and the implicit sincere emotion contains the light of hope.

When we listened to this song with Sony WH-1000XM4, Quiet Disorder/Anderson's clear and loud voice was fully displayed, and the details of the bass and mid-range were quite rich, and more layered and delicate. Thanks to the digital sound enhancement technology of WH-1000XM4, the singer's vocal part became more transparent and clear without any impurities.

For the Sony brand, craftsmanship and quality have always been its goal. Sony WH-1000XM4 is adhering to this spirit. It not only follows the fine traditions of the previous generation, but also polishes the details to bring forth new ideas, awaken our ears, and bring us a very immersive listening experience. In general, for those who have not yet started with this WH-1000XM4, I suggest that everyone rush to buy it. It is really worth buying.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.