The Sony WF-1000XM4 are among the best wireless in-ear headphones on the market for both sound and ANC. The new shape and the new ear inserts, which are similar to memory foam, are a significant improvement. Sony also offers functions in abundance again. There is very little to criticize.
Table of contents
- 1 V1 SoC and new ear inserts switch the Environment from
- Technical data and functions of the WF-1000XM4
- Operation and single use
- Many functions in the Headphones Connect app
- Comfort and processing
- The automatic wind noise reduction on the bike
- 2 sound, ANC, transparency mode, telephony, latency and conclusion
- Excellent sound
- The ANC Outperforms the WF-1000XM3
- Best transparency mode in the test field
- Telephony with echo
- Does LDAC damage the latency?
- Conclusion
With the wireless in-ear headphones WF-1000XM4, Sony follows the legacy of the highly acclaimed WF-1000XM3 (test) and relies on evolution in technology and functions following the over-ear headphones WH-1000XM4 (test), but in terms of form on revolution. Not only are the earphones rounder and smaller, but the charging case has also shrunk significantly.
In terms of price, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are in the premium segment. Because the in-ear headphones, available in black and white, cost 279 euros. In addition to the earphones and the charging case, the buyer receives a total of three pairs of noise-isolating earplugs and a USB-C to USB-A charging cable.
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Sony WF-1000XM4: New ear inserts
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Sony WF-1000XM4: New ear inserts 
Sony WF-1000XM4 
Sony WF-1000XM4 
Technical data and functions of the WF-1000XM4
V1-SoC integrates the Bluetooth chip
The heart of the WF-1000XM4 is the V1 processor, which follows the QN1e of its predecessor. An important difference that the new shape of the earphones makes possible is the integration of the Bluetooth chip into the SoC. According to Sony, the integration of all audio components in the V1 SoC also has positive effects on the noise behavior and the latency of the signal processing. The shortest possible delay time is important for noise suppression, for example, in order to achieve an optimal coordination of the feed-forward and feedback processing.
Bluetooth 5.2 without multipoint with Fast and Swift Pair
The Sony WF-1000XM4 use Bluetooth 5.2 for the wireless connection, which in particular improves the range if it is supported by the end device. However, the new wireless in-ear headphones from Sony do not offer Bluetooth multi-connect, also known as multipoint, so that they cannot be connected to two end devices at the same time in order to be able to switch seamlessly between them. If a known device other than the current device is to be used, the connection to the WF-1000XM4 can be established manually on the other device without first having to disconnect it on the other device. This saves at least one step when changing the playback device.
Fast Pair is also offered under Android and Swift Pair under Windows, so that the WF-1000XM4 is offered for pairing on a compatible Android smartphone or Windows 10 PC when the charging case is opened, without having to deal with the settings. This worked without any problems in the test, and the setup of the Google Assistant including support for voice activation via “Ok Google” can be implemented immediately if required. Optionally, this is also possible with Amazon's voice assistant Alexa. Apple's Siri, on the other hand, always requires manual activation. “Hey Siri” doesn't work.
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Sony WF-1000XM4
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Sony WF-1000XM4 
Sony WF-1000XM4 
Sony WF-1000XM4 
Hi-Res audio with LDAC
In addition to SBC, Sony's LDAC and AAC are also offered for audio codecs. Sony also promises “High-Resolution Audio Wireless” if the “Priority on sound quality” function is activated in the Headphones Connect app and LDAC is used. If you activate this function under iOS, for example on an iPhone, the codec selection remains with AAC in the absence of an alternative. A small label in the upper area of the Headpones Connect app always shows the audio codec currently in use. On the Android smartphone used, LDAC is used when “Priority on sound quality” is activated, with “Priority on stable connection”, on the other hand, AAC is used. In order to benefit from the higher bit rate of LDAC (96 kHz sampling, 990 kbit/s), the HiFi version of the subscription must be booked with a streaming provider – Spotify, for example, unlike Deezer, will only offer this sometime later this year on.
Sony's “360 Reality Audio” is also supported again by the WF-1000XM4.
New 6mm driver
As with the WF-1000XM3 (test), the audio driver of the WF-1000XM4 still measures 6 mm in diameter, but Sony has revised it and improved both the material and the performance of the neodymium magnet with a 20 percent larger magnet volume .
Earphones with a new shape, Qi charging case significantly smaller
As at the beginning As already mentioned, the most obvious change lies in the new shape of the earphones and the significantly smaller charging case, which can now also be charged wirelessly according to the Qi standard.
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Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3
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Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3 
Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3 
Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3 
Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3 
Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3 
Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3 
Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3 The charging case could be made significantly smaller, especially through improvements to the battery. With dimensions of 42.6 × 103.0 × 24.5 mm, the charging case of the WF-1000XM3 has been reduced by around 40 percent to 40.0 × 67.0 × 30.0 mm. Compared to the charging case of the Apple AirPods Pro (test) with 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm, it is above all even thicker than the competition. A little bulky, it can also be carried in tighter pockets. The weight also falls from 77 to 41 g.
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Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3
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Sony WF-1000XM4 next to WF-1000XM3 
Charging case of the Sony WF-1000XM4 and WF-1000XM3 
Charging case for the Sony WF-1000XM4 and WF-1000XM3 Long battery life with and without ANC
A full charge of the earphones takes around 1.5 hours in the charging case. A quick charge function provides enough battery capacity for another hour of music playback after 5 minutes. Sony specifies the battery life of the WF-1000XM4 with up to 8 hours with activated ANC with one battery charge – without ANC up to 12 hours should be possible. In conjunction with the charging case, the battery life increases to 24 hours with ANC, which makes it identical to the WF-1000XM3 in total, whereby the earbuds lasted up to 6 hours – instead of three times, the charging case only charges the earbuds twice on.
ComputerBase measured again: In the test at medium volume and a colorful mix of music, the battery of the WF-1000XM4 with ANC lasted 9:05 hours. Without ANC, however, the battery life in the test is even 13.5 hours. Sony doesn't have to hide from the competition with this battery life, it is excellent.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Sony WF-1000XM3 Apple AirPods Pro Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 Bluetooth Standard: 5.2 5.0 5.1 Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC SBC, AAC SBC, AAC, aptX Operation: Touch Battery life of the earphones: 12.0/8.0 (ANC) h 8.0/6.0 (ANC) h 5.0/4.5 (ANC) h 6.0/6.0 (ANC) h 7.0 h battery life with Charging case: 36 h 32 h 24 h 18 h 28 h Wireless charging: Yes – Yes – ANC: Yes Single use: Yes IP certification: IPX4 No IPX4 Weight per earphone/only charging case: 7.3/41.0 g 8, 6/77.0 g 5.5/46.0 g 8.5/76.0 g 6.0/58.0 g USB charging connection: USB-C Lightning USB-C Dimensions charging case: 40.0 × 67, 0 × 30.0 mm 42.6 × 103.0 × 24.5 mm 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm 32.0 × 89.0 × 51.0 mm 34.7 × 76.8 × 43.8 mm Price: from € 279 from € 139 from € 179 from € 213 from € 228
The new model can withstand sweat
The new model is protected against water according to IPX4, so that rain and Sweat cannot harm the earphones.
Improvements to the microphones for ANC and telephony
Sony uses three microphones per earphone for active noise cancellation and telephony. To reduce wind susceptibility, the outer ANC microphones (feed-forward) are automatically deactivated if the “Automatic wind noise suppression” function is activated in the app and wind is detected. In order to improve the voice quality in telephony, Sony also relies on bone conduction sensors, the advantage of which is that they only record the wearer's voice via vibrations, but no ambient noise. The new V1 SoC is said to have improved the attenuation of the environment with activated ANC across all frequencies.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Image 1 of 2
Sony WF-1000XM4 
DSEE Extreme instead of DSEE HX
Like the Sony WH-1000XM4 (test), the WF-1000XM4 is equipped with the “DSEE Extreme” (“Digital Sound Enhancement Engine Extreme”) function instead of the DSEE HX. It is supposed to add missing information to compressed pieces of music in order to improve the sound. In the case of compressed music files, dynamic detection of instrumentation, music style and other properties should take place in real time in order to restore high frequencies. The function can be switched on and off in the Sony Headphones Connect app. The effect can be heard in practice, but it is more like an equalizer setting with increased treble, rather than completely missing tones being generated from nowhere. Very good source material is therefore still the better choice than DSEE Extreme.
Operation and individual use
The WF-1000XM4 is controlled via touch surfaces on the earphones. Since these still have enough frame to touch despite the new shape and with the design element of the microphone also offer a good starting point for the finger to insert, incorrect entries did not occur in the test.
Sony WF-1000XM4
“p text-width”>As with the predecessor, the right earbud is configured for playback control, while the left earbud enables ambient noise control. This can be adjusted again in the app, whereby Sony continues to work with profiles, i.e. does not allow the controls to be adjusted completely freely.
The assignment on delivery stipulates that playback can be started and paused with a single tap on the right earphone. Tapping twice jumps forward one track, tapping three times backward one track. A long press, on the other hand, calls up the voice assistant of the connected device – or the alternative configured in the app, which can also be activated by voice alone, if necessary.
On the other hand, tapping on the left switches between active noise suppression and transparency mode or deactivates both functions. Holding down the button triggers the “quick attention” function, which greatly reduces the volume of the music playback and activates the transparency mode – this function is also known from other Sony headphones.
If you change the occupancy, you have to make a decision
Control of the volume is therefore again not provided in the delivery state. As mentioned, the app can still only be used to adjust the control in profiles and not freely. The playback control and the ambient sound control are the two profiles that are placed on the right and left at delivery. “Volume Control” and “Unassigned” are the other two options. Tapping the volume control increases the volume and holding it down decreases the volume. The control is therefore always restricted in any case, as it cannot be freely adjusted by the user. A good option would be – especially through the voice activation of the digital assistants – to assign the volume control on both earphones to hold down, quieter on the left, louder on the right. It is an option that Sony should theoretically be able to enable without any problems, but still does not offer it despite the abundance of functions of the app.
recognizes adaptive noise control the usage
The WF-1000XM4 now also offers location-based adaptive noise control, which automatically recognizes where the user is and what he is doing. The function can be used to automatically activate the appropriate ambient sound mode if required. The function can also recognize places such as home or work. Whether you want to use the automatic switch or prefer to switch between ANC, transparency mode or its deactivation is up to each user.
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Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4
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Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 < figure> 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 Auto-pause and auto-play via sensors
Proximity sensors on the inward-facing side of the WF-1000XM4 detect whether an earphone has been removed from the ear. This will disable music playback. When the earphones are reinserted, the music will automatically resume. In the test, this also works without any problems and reliably.
If the user speaks, the headphones are silent
With Speak-to-Chat, the Sony WF-1000XM4 has inherited a function of the WH-1000XM4: As soon as the user speaks, the earphones pause the music playback and activate the transparency mode. Playback starts again 15 seconds (standard setting) after the last word spoken by the wearer, whereby the time span in the app can be adjusted (5, 15 or 30 seconds) or switched off completely so that playback does not start again by itself . In the test, it takes a short moment before playback pauses and the transparency mode is activated. Usually the first word is spoken until the music pauses. The function is therefore somewhat slower than with the WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones. Pausing and resuming playback generally works reliably, if necessary the sensitivity can be set in the app.
Sony's Headphones-Connect -App with WF-1000XM4 Image 1 of 4
Sony's Headphones-Connect -App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 single use not only with right earphone
Sony says that both earphones establish a direct Bluetooth connection for transmission to the smartphone. However, it was only possible to use it individually with the right earbud in the test. Extensive tests of the settings finally revealed the cause: If the Google Assistant is switched on as a digital voice assistant in the app so that it can also be activated by voice via “OK Google”, it is not possible to use both earphones individually. If, on the other hand, the option is selected that the smartphone's voice assistant should be used, which also deactivates the voice activation on Android, both earphones can be used individually without any problems.
If an earphone is placed in the charging case, the change from stereo to mono is uninterrupted if there is no automatic pause of playback when removing an earphone. When inserting the second earphone, the user may also hear the battery level announcement when activated.
ComputerBase tested the test of single use in connection with the Google Assistant with four smartphones and consciously used a model with Bluetooth 5.2. As soon as this function is activated, only the right earbud can be used alone.
Many functions in the Headphones Connect app
Most of the functions of the Headphones Connect app have already been discussed in more detail in this test, which is why they are not reproduced in detail here. On Android, thanks to Fast Pair, the app is offered for installation when the earphones are set up. It is also important for users of multiple devices that settings are retained across all devices. If the WF-1000XM4 is used with the app on both an iOS and an Android smartphone, for example, settings such as auto-play/auto-pause are adopted on both end devices when they are switched on one device.
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Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4
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Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect app with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect app with WF-1000XM4 < figure> 
Sony's Headphones Connect app with WF-1000XM4
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 < figure> 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 < figure> 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 < figure> 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4
The structure of the Headphones Connect app is unchanged. In the upper area, the battery levels of the earphones and the charging case when they were last opened are displayed. Instructions and help are available via the menu at the top right. The lower area is divided into three tabs. “Status” shows the current setting of the adaptive sound control and the current playback. The settings for ANC, transparency mode, speak-to-chat, equalizer, Bluetooth connection quality, “360 Reality Audio” and DSEE Extreme are made under “Sound”. On the other hand, the settings for the voice assistant and control are hidden behind the “System” tab. In addition, it can be specified here whether the transparency mode should be omitted when switching through the ambient noise control, so that the earphones only switch between “ANC” and “Off”. Functions such as auto-play/auto-pause, the automatic switch-off of the earphones and voice prompts can also be switched on or off at this point.
The range of functions of the optional app for the WF-1000XM4 is thus again large and it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the options during commissioning and to adapt the headphones to your own needs.
In the test, firmware 1.1.2 of the WF-1000XM4 is used.
wearing comfort and processing
The WF-1000XM4 are very comfortable to wear in everyday life thanks to their rounder shape, which is better tailored to the ear. In connection with the memory foam-like ear inserts, the earphones hold securely in the ear during everyday life and develop little pressure. They can be worn comfortably for hours. Light sporting activities were not a problem in the test, but depending on your personal seat, excessively wild movements can loosen the seat.
The workmanship of both the charging case and the earphones is very good and gives no cause for criticism. The earphones can also be easily removed from the charging case without having to fumble around for a long time.
New ear inserts for less noise
Sony itself does not talk about memory foam inserts with the new ear tips made of polyurethane foam, which have to be squeezed together before being inserted into the ear so that they unfold in the ear canal and seal it. Nevertheless, the new attachments from Sony show parallels to memory foam inserts, because they too adapt to the shape and only slowly unfold again after being squeezed. Sony's inserts are a combination of silicone and memory foam inserts – a very good mix, as it turns out. So they adapt well to the ear canal. The tester chose the smallest size due to the thickness of the ear inserts, usually silicone inserts of size M are used in the tests.
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Sony WF- 1000XM4: New ear inserts
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Sony WF-1000XM4: New ear inserts 
Sony WF-1000XM4: New ear inserts The promise to better shield the environment is what the new inserts are excellent at. Even without ANC it becomes very quiet when using the WF-1000XM4.
In the Headphones Connect app from Sony, there is now a test for the fit of the earphones, which uses test tones to check how well the earphones seal. This should be done in a quiet environment. Earphones that are deliberately badly used are also recognized as such in the app.
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Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4
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Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones Connect App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 The automatic wind noise reduction on the bike
< p class = "p text-width">With the ANC, Sony offers an optional function called “Automatic Wind Noise Reduction”, in which the external ANC microphones are specifically deactivated when wind is detected in order to prevent the wind noise from being transmitted to the wearer's ears. ComputerBase has tested this function and the general susceptibility of the WF-1000XM4 to wind on a bicycle. Both the transparency mode and the active noise suppression ensure the typical wind noise in the ears of the WF-1000XM4. Especially gusts can be heard clearly.
Sony's Headphones-Connect-App with WF-1000XM4 < p class = "p text-width"> The “automatic wind noise reduction” does indeed have an effect that is not to be despised on a bicycle. Noise from the airstream is significantly reduced, and listening to music is much more pleasant. However, it cannot do anything entirely against sudden gusts. These can still be heard clearly, albeit muffled.
Because the function can only be used when the ANC is activated, it should be used with caution on the bike, Listening to music while driving is generally permitted, but it must still be possible to perceive the surroundings. With music and ANC, this is hardly the case with the WF-1000XM4.
On the next page: sound, ANC, transparency mode, telephony, latency and conclusion