forum thread Posted by Dmytro_B over 2 years ago
Item 1 of 3
Item 1 of 3
forum thread Posted by Dmytro_B over 2 years ago
Only available in the app! Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Active Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones $249.99 +FS w/Prime
$249.99
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15 Comments
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BTW, I have an older version of this headphone. The sound quality is crap. All iterations of Sony Bluetooth cans sound like crap compared to high end wired headphones. This is not brand specific. It's a general limitation with wireless headphones. Doesn't matter if you use LDAC. It's the fact that the D/A chips and other components in these wireless headphones are utter garbage compared to well designed DAP or desktop DAC and amplifier combo. You have a little tiny lithium battery powering these headphones and the manufacturer limits the power current to ensure the battery life lasts over 16-20 hours. Needless to say, the drivers are underpowered..Then there's the proprietary EQ hocus pocus that aims to make up for the pitfalls of the driver capsule design which prioritizes ambient noise attenuation over acoustic concerns. Bottom line, the SQ of a 1000x series headphone is on par with a $70 wired headphone. Let that sink in.
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I don't think they are the best headphones I have ever owned but the noise canceling does the job on every flight I take. I think they sound good.
The XM5 is completely redesigned at least from what I can tell from pictures and shouldn't have an issue with this but cannot be folded like the XM3/4. So the case is 1.5x the size of the previous generations.
don't believe the hype about xm5 or xm4 or xm3 needs to upgrade.
All: Anc they are all about the same
pros
XM3: most codecs, and some sound processing features
XM4: multi device paring; best pads
XM5: calling finally works.
cons
XM5, personally i don't think they are as comfortable. I wouldn't buy them for the anc. it's too close to judge.
The XM3/4 creak in the hinges after some years. Though it doesn't bother me personally a great deal.
Not going to talk about sound. too subjective. A lot of people say the xm3's were amazing when they came out, then i started hearing muddy, and now i'm hearing trash all the time. I like the way they sound. My point is it's impossible to say something sounds good to you. I don't like a lot of premium headphoens. I find the sound boring. I have amps and dacs and things of this nature (no i'm not going to use audiophile). I like sound, but i like food too. Totally subjective.. I never use my high end wired because i don't like being tethered to my desk with a wire. The best headphones are the one's you use, and i do have 500 dollar headphone. There fine now and then.
Overall, of these, i'd get the cheapest that meets your requirements. I can say that the xm3 and xm4 are both highly repairable. I 've replaced the pads and batteries in mine, i'm a fan. The sony parts are extremely over priced, they probably did the bare minimum to keep the EU happy i buy generic online. For the xm 3/4 there are screws and no glue (no firsthand exp with the xm5 repair just audio test) . I'm sure they'd love to change that. Anyway, I did upgrade the battery in my xm3's 2 times. I also have the xm4 at work where i needed device paring between my phone and computer at the same time, seems like a really expensive way to add a simple feature alas that ' the business model but like i say at least they kept them repairable.
I also have bose qc35 2, from work (free got after i got the sony's). Those are the most comfortable by a margin. The anc is close it's not different enough to matter. Again you can do some a/b testing or whatever it's not a big deal. The sound isn't quite as fun on bose, though to be frank for voices and podcasts i 'd probably select Bose, maybe, it's very pleasant for that. The calls on bose, are better than the xm4/3 by a wide margin. IMO for work the bose are better for the money if you need calls, and just the comfort. You can also repair them easily too, but you need to solder for the battery. Music and movies Sony would be my preference (subjective). The calls though are objectively better on bose. So for that you need the xm5 or bose.
TLDR don't pay 400 for any of these. I paid 170 for the xm3 200 or so for mx4 some years back. This is an ok price because it's the best i see these days. I'd definably not pay 400 for the new version. That's insane IMO. I think most people should at least try the bose as well. People can hate on bose but i've found them incredibly functional as well. I 'm not promising you'll like it better, but it's worth trying and considering usage. I've tried the apple ones too. It's just hard for me to even consider or recommend them at that price. I think i'm too biased because of that to say anything objective.
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Secondipity has refurbished for $180 on eBay, they are a legit Sony refurbished reseller.
Love my XM3s