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Sometimes, older is better.
At 8.7, its noise cancelling beats 83% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 64 of the 243 we've cataloged.
A 4.3 puts its audio quality in the top half of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 49 of the 243 we've cataloged.
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below average for over-ear headphones — based on 160 of 243 we've cataloged.
6.0 appears on 7% of the 153 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 252 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 201 of 243 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sony WH-1000XM4C Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 7.3 |
| 25 | 7.6 |
| 32 | 7.2 |
| 40 | 6.5 |
| 50 | 5.6 |
| 63 | 4.5 |
| 80 | 3.7 |
| 100 | 3.5 |
| 125 | 2.9 |
| 160 | 1.0 |
| 200 | 0.2 |
| 250 | -0.5 |
| 315 | -1.3 |
| 400 | -2.6 |
| 500 | -2.0 |
| 630 | -2.4 |
| 800 | -2.6 |
| 1000 | -0.4 |
| 1250 | -0.2 |
| 1600 | 0.4 |
| 2000 | 1.0 |
| 2500 | 3.0 |
| 3150 | 7.1 |
| 4000 | 9.2 |
| 5000 | 7.5 |
| 6300 | 3.0 |
| 8000 | 4.7 |
| 10000 | 7.0 |
| 12500 | -0.1 |
| 16000 | -0.8 |
| 20000 | -9.8 |
Sony WH-1000XM4C Attenuation (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Solid lines: passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Dashed lines: total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 3.4 |
| 26 | 0.5 |
| 33 | 0.4 |
| 41 | 0.7 |
| 52 | 0.5 |
| 65 | 1.1 |
| 82 | 0.1 |
| 103 | -1.6 |
| 130 | -1.0 |
| 163 | -1.4 |
| 205 | 0.8 |
| 259 | 3.1 |
| 325 | 7.9 |
| 410 | 8.3 |
| 516 | 12.3 |
| 613 | 19.1 |
| 772 | 21.1 |
| 972 | 24.3 |
| 1220 | 30.2 |
| 1540 | 31.4 |
| 1940 | 26.9 |
| 2440 | 29.6 |
| 3070 | 27.5 |
| 3870 | 36.4 |
| 4870 | 43.5 |
| 6130 | 38.8 |
| 7720 | 42.4 |
| 9720 | 40.8 |
| 12200 | 43.1 |
| 15400 | 44.6 |
| 19400 | 37.3 |
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 5.8 |
| 26 | 8.2 |
| 33 | 17.4 |
| 41 | 22.0 |
| 52 | 27.2 |
| 65 | 29.0 |
| 82 | 27.6 |
| 103 | 26.7 |
| 130 | 29.9 |
| 163 | 29.9 |
| 205 | 25.5 |
| 259 | 30.7 |
| 325 | 28.4 |
| 410 | 27.0 |
| 516 | 30.4 |
| 613 | 29.5 |
| 772 | 21.8 |
| 972 | 23.1 |
| 1220 | 25.0 |
| 1540 | 33.8 |
| 1940 | 27.5 |
| 2440 | 29.2 |
| 3070 | 24.8 |
| 3870 | 34.8 |
| 4870 | 46.5 |
| 6130 | 38.6 |
| 7720 | 40.5 |
| 9720 | 42.5 |
| 12200 | 44.5 |
| 15400 | 44.1 |
| 19400 | 37.0 |
Sony WH-1000XM4C MDAQS
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores, Scale 1 - 5
Virtual mean opinion scores (MOS) on a 1–5 scale, modeled from the measured response by HEAD acoustics’ MDAQS (Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score) model. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM4C is a solid refresh of a classic set of wireless headphones, with updated hardware and performance for 2026.
✓Liked: Price, Effective ANC, Bluetooth 6.0
✕Could be better: No battery care feature, No Auracast
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What readers ask about the Sony WH-1000XM4C, answered by the people who own it.
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Brady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSony somehow made the name of its new headphones even worseNobody knows what it means, but it's provocative.Adam BirneyManaging EditorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
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3 of 5 would buy again
5 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
Comfort beat their expectations
Expected more from the fit and build
The battery beat their expectations
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Comfort beat their expectations
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · owners report ~55 h per charge vs 53.77 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
