Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones with Mic, 30 Hours Battery Life, Quick Charge, Gesture Control, Ambient Sound Mode, with Alexa Built-in – Black

Product Information

There are some features that follow over from the 1000XM2 and the original 1000X. These continue to be used because they’re just great ideas – and well implemented too. However, the XM4 take sound quality to another level, producing a wider soundstage and uncovering even more layers of detail than the XM3. The final design change of note comes in the form of an IPX4 rating. This means the WF-1000XM4 can withstand water splashes from any direction so they’re a much better choice than the WF-1000XM3, which had no such protection, for trips to the gym and listening in all weather. Sound Quality – The Sony's tend to offer slightly better audio compared with the QC 35 II, although this isn't a clear win for the XM3.

That being said, the XM4 are a clear improvement over the XM3 across the board and although no longer the best noise-cancelling headphones (thanks, in the main to the WH-1000XM5) there still seems to be plenty of life left in the model.

Recently Viewed

I wear glasses half the time, which means the headphones’ cushions don’t form a perfect seal around my ears. To my ears, the Optimizer makes a difference in improving the quality of noise cancellation.

Given this history of constant innovation, it's hardly surprising to learn that the company has a strong reputation for headphone design. Iconic large-padded models like the MDR-V6 (introduced in 1985) have been a mainstay in living rooms and around the heads of pedestrians for generations now. And since then, the pace of development hasn't slowed. There’s also a greater sense of space. It’s a bigger, more open sound. Instruments have more room to breathe, rather than jostle for attention. Separation is better than ever, but it never goes so far as to be clinical or disjointed – various elements complement each other nicely.Customisation – The Sony Headphone App makes the XM3 fully customisable when it comes to sound. But the Bose comes in more colours. However I have to say that the new model XM3 gives no listening fatigue at all and invites you to always increase the volume. Even with poor recordings, the sound is never too harsh while with the MDR-1000X you really had to decrease the volume. The WH-1000XM3 also features a new charging system. The old micro-USB charging port has gone, replaced with the new USB-C standard. That’s a good decision, primarily as adopters of Android smartphones can now pull double duty with just one charging cable. Although USB-C is a welcome addition, it appears this is just for charging – I couldn’t find a way to use it for music as you can on B&W headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a circumaural headset that provides a comfortable fit. It covers the entire ear for total immersion. The closed design of the headphones boosts sound quality. The headphones also feature active noise cancellation, which limits or even fully suppresses disturbing ambient sounds, such as a plane engine. Audio processing has been updated from the previous model, the Sony WH-1000XM3, resulting in improved audio quality. This new model also features the DSEE audio system (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) for high-definition sound. Thanks to 40 mm drivers, the headphones deliver powerful, distortion-free music, even at high volumes. With or Without Cable