Sony WH-1000XM4 long-term review (and what I want from the XM5s) | Mark Ellis Reviews

I’ve been using the Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones for a year now. But are they still worth buying in 2021, and should you wait for the XM5s? Let’s dive into my Sony WH-1000XM4 long-term review!
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
02:27 - Durability
05:00 - Sound
06:49 - Noise-cancelling
07:53 - Living with them
11:05 - Conclusion
11:44 - What I want from the XM5s
13:14 - Wrap up
MY FREE ONLINE COURSES
🎬 Video editing basics in Final Cut Pro X (for KZbin success!): geni.us/QIfv8
💼 How to Find Your First Freelance Clients: geni.us/LuiNe
📕 How to make money on Medium: geni.us/dD8Z6
AirPods Max vs Sony XM4 video: • AirPods Max vs Sony XM...
BECOME A PATRON!
I’ve built a brilliant community on Discord. Join it and gain loads more behind-the-scenes benefits by supporting this channel on Patreon: / markellisreviews
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
➡️ Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless noise-cancelling headphones: geni.us/B5zqp
➡️ Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones: geni.us/Z3Af4vw
➡️ Apple AirPods Max: geni.us/kfhb5
LISTEN TO THE EIGHT OR SIXTEEN PODCAST
🎤 Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/ei...
🎤 Google Podcasts: podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
JOIN THE GANG:
📧 Sign up to my newsletter and get the inside track on what's coming up on the channel: markellisreviews.ck.page/news...
🌍 My website: markellisreviews.com
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
📸 Instagram (behind the scenes stuff): / markellisreviews
🐦 Twitter: / mellisreviews
READ ME
I write every day on Medium. Enjoy those words and many more from some of the best writers on the planet: / membership (I earn a commission if you sign up via this referral).
HIRE ME!
Voiceover work, help with your own KZbin strategy - get in touch! markellisreviews.com/hire-me/
WHAT IS THIS CHANNEL ALL ABOUT?
I have zero interest in deep spec dives or long-winded comparisons. I review laptops, smartphones, tablets, headphones and the latest tech based on real experience. I'll tell you how it'll make you feel, whether or not it's worth your time (and money) and help you find the tech you need to get stuff done.
WHO AM I?
I'm a UK-based freelance marketer and broke free of a regular job many years ago. Watch my videos to find the tech you need, without the jargon.
GET IN TOUCH
Email: [e-mail]
Sponsorship opportunities: markellisreviews.com/sponsor/
Oh, and some of the links in this description are affiliate links from which I earn a small commission!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

These are my year-long thoughts about the Sony XM4s. Are you going to buy a pair in 2021?

[@michaelpham8611]

Still thinking about the XM4 and the Airpods Max. Don't know which to get. Since I have the budget to get the Airpods Max.

[@alchemistTi]

Already did and returned them. I want to be able to listen without ANC, and they sound like I’ve got my ears in tin cans w/o the ANC on and I can’t stand it.

[@paulmulks]

Just purchased a pair, I hope they are worth the punt

[@JTG303]

Mine Arrive Tomorrow I can't wait to drown out the world and vibe to some great tunes. Subscribed!

[@paulmulks]

@@JTG303 Great headphones mate you'll not be disappointed 👌🏻

[@traveltheworld886]

I need someone who looks at me like Mark looks at his XM4s

[@mallorydurrick]

Now that's funny.

[@X22GJP]

You sad person

[@izzymb]

😀😍

[@AM_Tech.]

Best comment

[@loremipsum9859]

😂😂😂😂

[@sinejorine]

I've had the XM4's for a few months and I freaking love them. I was lucky to get them on sale, but I would still recommend them for full price. They're really worth it. They're also really comfortable to wear.

[@thepowerofthegodhand7003]

I still have my 3s. So I probably just wait. For the 5s . But if chance to upgrade I will.

[@sinejorine]

@@thepowerofthegodhand7003 I've heard the 3s is also really good so sounds like a good choice!

[@thewindrises]

Where did you get it on sale ?

[@sinejorine]

@@thewindrises im lucky to work at a tech store that hosted an "employee only sale"

[@VikramChess]

@@sinejorine congratulations lol

[@maxx5111]

Step 1. Get a good equaliser (Poweramp is good one for mobile) Step 2. Equalise your headphones to Harman neutral standard using parametric equalisers. Step 3. Set your XM4s to LDAC, prioritise sound quality. Step 4. Get a hi quality audio source (Amazon HD, Deezer, or Tidal) Step 5. Prepare to get blown away.

[@lazybuttt]

Is there something wrong with sony's inapp equalizer? Just got a pair and found out there is a default equalizer.

[@maxImprovement]

How do i do step 2?

[@GUnot33333]

I screenshot this comment Thank you I'm not interested in the XM5 so I'm gonna get the XM4 very soon

[@mirmir8849]

@@GUnot33333 same

[@ruredeyed8949]

What if I can’t use ldac

[@EKOddLink]

I actually really love the look of the XM4s specifically for that more plain look, but also because they're not just completely boring looking like the Bose QC35s or way over the top like the Bose QC700s. The ear cups just look so nice with that simplistic slanted forward as it goes down Oval look with a standard circle in the middle. Just something about the design language is so appealing to me. Honestly only things I'd want out of a pair of XM5s is for them to have the audio quality of Drop Pandas while still having all the features and benefits of the XM4s. I know that's probably much easier said than done as well as with some EQ you could probably get a similar sound signature but I'd just love to see an out of the Box Sony headset back undoubtedly on top of the wireless headphone game.

[@A_A828]

Same here. They look good. I actually don't like the look of the XM5s as much, even though in a sense, almost objectively, those are way prettier. But something about their design has this form-over-function feeling to me that always makes me a little bit suspicious. Like they had to sacrifice the folding of the headphones, for example. As soon as certain practical features have to be removed for the design to look nicer and minimal, I kind of lose interest in something. Besides, the XM4s look so inconspicuous that I'm not really worried about someone in a crowd ripping them off my head (say, in a busy Paris metro in a rough area) or something. Which is something I genuinely would fear a bit with the XM5s or the Airpods Max, as they almost seem more like a gaudy status symbol or something.

[@EKOddLink]

@@A_A828 I love my XM5s, and I still think they look good in their own way, but I dunno if I can xonsider them prettier in anyway Like I get they were tryna make it look more simplistic and minimalist, but it just lost a lot of the character it had with the XM4s. I have this feeling that for the most part what they were tryna accompish with this design was trying to copy the designs of both their competitors, the Bose 700s and the Airpod Pros, by making the earcups so much more simplistic, and havung that weird stem looking bit from the Bose 700. Which speaking of that's honestly my biggest gripe with the visuals of the XM5 design is those weird lil stems. I wish they made something that looks nice and tapered off instead of just ending abruptly. It just doesn't look that good. But at least it's not like the Bose 700 going through the entire earcup. I honestly think the Bose 700 look horrendously ugly because of that. Just reminds me of some of the cheap headohones elementary schools would give us. But it really is this weird thing where I really don't hate the design if the XM5s, and I'll still like looking at em, but I dunno I guess I just expected something different. It's one of those cases where I can appreciate the look of both designs for different reasons on different days, but overall I do still like the look of the XM4s more. Though of course things like the lack of the headphones being able to swivel the right way as well as not folding in is a bummer and hate that they kind just tossed that feature to the side

[@lumilikha]

My WH-1000XM2 that I bought 3 years needed foam replacement after ~2 years. Still no regrets on my end. It's still getting me through a ton of commutes and boring chores. Don't expect it to feel "brand new" for so long. I hope they really improve the call quality on the next version. Cheers!

[@GermanRumm]

I've had WH-CH700N for 3+ years now, and the foam only gave up last month

[@c.garison3770]

Very good review of a product that I have been watching to purchase for the last 8 months. Many of my co-workers have told me that I need to go with Sony when I replace my Sennheiser PXC-550 headphones, but I have worn these 550s almost everyday since I got them in August 2016 and they still have over 10 hours of battery life per charge, the ear cushions are just now starting to show some wear, and teflon coated plastic finish (I hate the feel of the coating) is just now starting to show signs of scratching, but that is due to the fact that I don't store them in the case after every use like I did prior to covid and working/exercising from home. All of that said, the Gen 2 version of these headphones that were released back in 2019 just dropped the ball and lack device compatibility, the noise cancelling is even less obvious than the Gen 1 and there are more complaints about charging/battery life. Because of all the complaints and the poor review ratings, I am looking for a new brand of headphone. (Note: the market price of the Gen 2 PXC 550 is considerably less than the Gen 1 so that should explain the lack of desirability of the new headphones.) But as long as the Gen. 1 PXC 550s continue to hold up the way they have for the last 5 years, I have no reason to shop. The exception is that I would probably replace them if I hit road for work once again because I am not confident the batteries would survive the frequent east coast - west coast flights which leads to solid 12 hour days of listening. The Sony headphones are high on my list as replacements. Although, the only holdback is that I do use these as a headset when working on the road and the Sennheiser PXC550 have a very good microphone which is why I chose these over the Bose QC35-II back in 2016. The Bose N700 headphones do not fold for travel which is a huge "dissatisfier" and the Apple headphones also fall short when using outside of the house with their lack of a case. This means as the market currently stands, I would probably settle for a Sony XM4 headphones, but if I don't hit the road for another year, a lot of these companies should be releasing newer designs that accommodate for the shortcomings in the current models. Hey Sony! Match the microphone technology from the Sennheiser PXC-550/MB-660S and you have my money, ASAP!!!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@baxter1910]

i can agree 100% on every point you make. Just an absolutely gorgeous piece of thech!

[@Lee_K_5555]

I stumbled across your channel while researching wireless headphones earlier this year. I consider myself a recovering audiophile but one with reasonable expectations for consumer equipment. I have found the XM4s, which I purchased upon your recommendation, to be delightful to use with a sound that is superior to any of the Beats or Bose over-the-ear headphones that I tried prior. Yeah, they are aren't perfect but my goodness they are good enough for nearly everyone. My two favorite features are the excellent noise canceling and the very impressive battery life. Keep up the great work. I adore your channel!

[@landonlasater2692]

I sought out the XM4s for the dual bluetooth connection, not having to manually change connections between your main 2 devices is wonderful, in addition the Sony headphones app has the great feature of remembering past connections, so later in the day if you want to connect to your TV while someone else needs to concentrate, you can switch one of the connections on the app easily.

[@onionface5835]

I really like the look, sleek, sturdy and functional, exactly what I look for in daily headphones.

[@mugiwaramatt]

I bought a pair of XM4s about a month ago thanks to your videos and I adore them, first higher end pair of headphones I've ever bought.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Love to hear stories like this!

[@m00nreal]

I like your totodile photo

[@Justshredman]

Love that you put your videos in chapters!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Ah - thanks!

[@RajMahalMusic]

@@MarkEllisReviews it’s the best, sets you apart❤️

[@undostresqueso]

Great review, man! Got my pair yesterday and I am still exploring all the features. This was helpful.

[@moistybrownboii]

I’m getting these now! So excited. Love that shirt btw

[@heldercomp]

Excellent video. I have mine for one year too and can confirm it looks like new.

[@speeddemon0882]

Thank You for making a simple and personal opinion review of the Sony headphones. Keep up the Amazing Reviews!!

[@CoupleDrinks]

Just ordered these. Can't wait

[@DJ279V]

Superb review, and yes, wish Sony would give their headphones reap names vs what was in the blueprint design logs. Considering buying one kick-butt pair like this vs several other pairs. Thx and keep these reviews coming!!

[@mahmouddiab5187]

You gave me the answer I wanted at 1:21 minutes, but I still watched the whole video because you deserved that. Oh and I liked and subbed.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Love that! Thank you.

[@X22GJP]

There was no useful information at that time point

[@democratssuckass]

Thanks for a well made and very informative review. 👍👍👍

[@askylx4548]

I'm Apple user. iPhone, MacBook, iMac and iPad. But when it comes to headphones and earphones I will absolutely go for Sony WF and WH XM4. Never regret my decision 🔥🔥🔥

[@teatime9198]

Bloody fantastic review, you've sold me a pair and earnt yourself a sub! Keep it up mate.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Awesome! And enjoy your new cans!

[@pixelbubbletea5429]

Ive just gotten these headphones, and i love them. The only problem i would have is that when you turn the volume up relatively loud, other people can hear the music really clearly.

[@leetronix]

Good overview as a serious audiophile myself I really enjoyed this - thanks 😃👍

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Awesome - I definitely take that as a compliment in that case!

[@DiegoAriza05]

I really like your videos and your voice, nice review. I hope I can save up enough for the XM4s

[@willjack2216]

Fantastic review just ordered some!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Enjoy!

[@ThePaulg123]

I was initially just going to skim your review and get the info I needed but it won me over and I watched pretty much the whole thing and subbed too, great review and just the info I needed after being down about my thx pandas dying on me 👍🏻

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Nice! Thanks!

[@Demonomania87]

What I want from the XM5s: basically everything from the XM4s but with the microphones of the Bose 700. That's it.

[@PadmaDorjee]

Great review and will go for them.

[@01blksheep]

Thanks a lot for the durability mention. You're the best.

[@anapaulinaherrera9333]

I have mines since February and still love them I used them for work calls and for listening music. Battery last for like a week. And for me they are comfortable but sometimes I feel they are a little bit big for my head.

[@anujpatel4238]

Hey Ana. Planning to buy these but just wanted to know about the call quality. Is it good? Or do you face problems on your work calls?

[@asdf51501]

I have a set that I use for listening to audiobooks (paired to iphone for Audible), and love them. Only issue is that after a few hours my ears get hot and that area of my head starts sweating so I have to take them off. Noise canceling prevents me from hearing my g/f's snoring :P so that's a huge plus. Got them a while back when Amazon had them for $275, and for the use I've gotten from them I consider it well worth it.

[@corneliussmith5875]

I’ve been using the xm4’s for about a year as well less as of late because I got a wired pair of senhizers 599 and with the btr5 dac has made music even better. Looking back on these for only being a year old. I would definitely still buy for convenience and being very comfortable. Battery 🔋 is soo good. They are for if I watching media and even with music it’s still holds well even through Bluetooth.

[@gir1258]

Try using your XM4 wired to the DAC and use something like EqualizerAPO (Windows) or Wavelet (Android) which allow you to use an EQ that makes these produce a completely neutral response, and you'll be impressed

[@christinabunbun9272]

I also own a pair of XM4s. I love them loads as well, but i find them a little bit tight. They squeeze my head a lot more than the other pairs I've used, but other than that, love them.

[@sagarranpise9955]

Just bought this amazing headphone, great review Mark👍

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Enjoy!

[@adamsmart1520]

Love the shirt and great review!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thanks!

[@BrockMak]

2:27 Nobody complained about call quality to me in the past two days, even when I have ANC on. However, I've never tested them as microphones for my desktop.

[@JeroenBouwens]

I just got the XM3 in part based on your reviews. Absolutely loving them! This is my first pair of NC headphones and the NC is so good I nearly had a heart attack several times because I didn't hear people approach me. My only gripe is the lack of controls when paired with a computer instead of a phone/tablet, since there's no desktop version of the Sony app.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Awesome!

[@TheTeq1]

My XM3 controls work when paired with PC, download headphones app and you can turn them on

[@breal1577]

You can run apk files so itl work

[@gururajchadaga]

Just got these today and I love it! I just hope they release the XM5's in 2022. I don't want to regret getting mine just a while before the xm5's release xD

[@MisterJIFF]

The usually release on autumn and they just appear, unlike phones these things are just released out of the blue

[@hyssean12]

Who cares if something new comes out. If your still work and sound good then what is the problem. Not like a new model makes your worse.

[@oOhydroOo]

@@hyssean12 well the price might dropp a bit. That is the right time to buy.

[@aspazzz]

I just got these for Christmas. They are better than I thought they could ever be 😳

[@alejandroelcid]

I only had my pair for a short while, but they have been great. I would also add, to the wish list, a better 3.5 mm cable. The cable they currently have does feel a little flimsy, although it does work. If a headset is going to cost more than 300 USD it should come with a decent 3.5 mm cable to use with the headphones when wired.

[@winglau3128]

May I ask how long the original 3.5mm cable is pls?

[@PurushNahiMahaPurush]

@@winglau3128 my guess would be 1.5-2m

[@blazer17147]

@@winglau3128 1.2 m

[@zues121510]

9:47 If you have an Android phone from the last 5 years or so, you will get a notification very similar to the Apple W1 one for Airpods whenever the headphones are turned on but not connected to anything. Extremely useful.

[@joeyyears]

The 1000X series have been fantastic. Both models of the series, the WF and WH M4 have their own use case scenarios depending on where I am and what I'm doing.

[@popullarmmax]

I have a lower end version WH-H910N and i absolutely love them

[@WillisZzz]

Thanks for this straight-up review, Mark. I might grab a pair, but I'm planning to use the mic for group chats, so I'm a little worried about the voice quality of the mic. If anyone can suggest some comparable over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones with a better mic, I'd love to hear about them. As for the looks, I actually think these XM4's look way nicer than most of the competition, regardless of price or intended demographic. Flashy headphones are cool for one year, in my experience, then I'm bored of whatever makes them flashy. I prefer an understated, classic, professional aesthetic over a typical try-hard gamer aesthetic, so take that for what it's worth to you. Anyway, I hope Sony keeps this look for the XM5 and just makes better quality mics. With masses of people at home talking to each other over VoIP, mics are pretty important these days. Cheers

[@nimmyfanimi1430]

Try Bose quiet comforts.

[@nichtkanny]

In sony's app I personally like to choose the soft preset and than crank the bass up a bit like +3 or +4. It just sound amazing with the kind of music I hear and I really like a present and deep bass. 😊

[@Knenemeka]

Great video!! I got these in Blue and I love them……..

[@Marian1st.]

I just bought WF-1000 XM4. Good portability. Good sound for Bluetooth.

[@mickrichardson4902]

Great review mark, I have been waiting for an honest opinion on the XM4, A new subscriber, thanks mate,

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Awesome, thank you!

[@X22GJP]

You mean you were waiting for an opinion that conforms what you want?

[@ordinarypablo]

4 years with the xm3 and still kicking, just bought xm4 and im loving them. sometimes I would choose them over my dt990 premium

[@richardsheehan2512]

I have the XM3 and am considering the XM4 although I’m not sure the differences merit the upgrade. Might hold tight and see what they do next with the XM5. Nice video.

[@basvanderwal2350]

Hi man, i recently upgraded from 3 to 4. 4 is more comfortable for me. And the sound is a little better. And it has more functions. Only keep in mind that the “pause when taken of your head” is a little bit dodgy now and then.

[@runner1431]

Comfort and function are very good with these headphones. Sony just didn’t quite get the sound right. Since I listen to sports on the web-radio, they work well for me. After applying correction via the lightweight 5 band equalizer, they’re better. Try raising the midrange and/or lowering the bass which will open up the sound significantly. Musical instruments become defined with a closer to realistic presence.

[@TheBlueGoldenHawk]

Totally agree, the default EQ on the XM4 is def not the best way to listen with them imo. It's a lot more muddy and pretty muffled by default. I personally like the Bright preset with bass turned up to +5

[@jaysonmanigbas4702]

its been a year and I'm still in love with my xm4

[@sungaze342]

Can I ply them loud and no one hears my music ? I don’t like ppl hearing my music play

[@davidlee1770]

I just got my pair lightly used (the previous owner essentially bought them and then immediately moved over to the airpods max) for 200 dollars, and these are amazing! The feeling you get when you slip these on your head in a cafe and having all ambient noise disappear is magical. I listen to a lot of classic, so the richness of sound definitely is appreciated as well. Overall, an excellent purchase.

[@rorywalters1614]

The durability of ear cushions is really about luck. I have a pair of 10 years old Beats Solo HD, they were heavily used and the cushions, although got many wrinkles, are still fine. My Soundcore Q20 was lightly used for one and half a year but the one cushion got an opening on it. Further inspection found out those cushions were actually glued rather than sawed together and the glue failed. Maybe the current place I live in was too hot and those cushions were only comfortable with the climate in NI? Some of my other headphones got cushions worn out after about 2~3 years. Sometimes chose cushions could go broken really fast and sometimes they just last forever. Wiping your sweat off those cushions to keep them dry could make them last longer.

[@mikeschneider7090]

I own the XM3s. The WH-1000XM3s and the WF-1000XM3s and I bought both for about 350$. I love both and would recommend them even in 2021

[@josef1858]

I have them and the call quality is great. I haven't compared them too the Bose but everyone I've asked say they can hear me crystal clear.

[@hundvd_7]

I can confirm the pristine look after usage. I've been using mine for 13 months now, but I used them _heavily_ Literally every _single_ day, I think. Although of course on exceptional days (like Christmas with family) a lot less, but I still do. And on the average day it's not a little bit either. They're on my head at least 12 hours, often 16 hours a day. Not a single damn scratch. It's kind of impressive. Unfortunately, I just had a broken plastic piece (that would be holding the right speaker to the headband). I just picked it up one day and it exploded on me. So I tried getting it fixed, but the repair would cost 1/3 of the entire thing. Bought mine for ~400, it's now around ~300, and repairing mine would cost ~100 So, just be careful. Just because it doesn't look worn doesn't mean it's in perfect shape.

[@rusiklv1867]

What about battery life - the same 30 hours?

[@jimbo5071]

I just bought them because of ur review. Hope it's gonna be good. Had a pair of xm3 and loved them until I started getting a deafening screech in 1 ear.

[@wickfall]

I actually love the xm4 design. Simple, minimalistic. Black pair which I have, looks great.

[@Lovevizagforever]

Brand new video 🥰

[@ankeytimestein6423]

I had thid for like 8 months now, and I love this, I do use it for both of my laptop and my phone, it switches between them quite well but not as seamlessly as I would want them to. But when you get a call and you're watching a movie on lappy. In those kinda scenarios it gets the job done quite well. I also have this whatever this silver 🥈 kinda color is called. Got a scratch on it when someone else used it, quite upset about it but, still love them. I would also want a design change in this series on headphone. Cuz since 1000x came, it hasn't really changed much! I hope sony will.

[@braikka]

I've just bought these. 250€ here in Finland. I work in a planing mill & the noise cancelling works brilliantly.

[@manuvb4366]

Hi! Excellent review... I purchased a pair of these ones not long ago. I got a question about battery life after all this time with all full and nice features (LDAC, DSEE Extreme e.g)... how long does battery last?... thanx for answer in advance ;)

[@Mark-hb2zy]

The parametric EQ settings on the audio science review of these are transformative for these headphones. I input them into poweramp eq

[@rogerrtewwr4723]

great stuff thank you

[@MarkEllisReviews]

No, thank you!

[@loweflyer7778]

Love my XM4s. Had them for about 8 months and I cant recommend enough. Sounds pretty great (though a little muddy if I had to complain about something. Mine are also about brand new, though I accidentally scratched the headband with a cooling soldering iron, which left a slight scratch in the fake leather. Connection is reliable and they are probably the most comfortable headphones I own.

[@theskig]

What about calls? I'm reading some complains here around.

[@loweflyer7778]

@@theskig I've never had any issues. I have no clue how they sound from the callers perspective but people seem to be able to hear me just fine, and I can hear them as well.

[@theskig]

@@loweflyer7778 Thanks!

[@kirrans.s8748]

Finally I found a headphone freak to follow 😂. I was searching for a channel like this 😁

[@whatchahowsya8688]

I've been debating on getting these but I decided to go with the WFXM4 simply because my head is sensitive to over hear headphones and I primarily use earbuds. But if I don't like the earbuds, I'm gonna return them and get these. Out of the many headphones I've tried, these are pretty comfortable.

[@johncristrajano3666]

Im a marine engineer, sometimes I use my XM4 as earmuffs/music and its really good as noise cancelling the engine room sound 🤘

[@hoangminhlongle]

If it don't trap too much heat on my head it would be flawless

[@DarrenBrynly]

This review convinced me to finally buy them at the sweet sale price of £224… I hope they’re good! 🤞🏻

[@ProductivePM]

Great review Mark! I truly enjoy the XM4’s. I use the line in with a USB C DAC with my iPad Pro and M1 MacBook Air. I enjoy the sound . . .

[@JohnP.6775]

i fine gave in & brought my XM4's still waiting on them, they come with a wireless powerbank too.

[@cheesychester9647]

Hahaha love mine. Had, and returned, my airpods max. Enjoyed both, but having both pairs of the in-ear and over-ear Xm4s for the same price as the APM is so nice. Also pc game with my Xm4s too with a Vmoda boom pro mic

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Got them, love them. Primarily for the NC. The charge is rediculous, decided to finally charge them after 2 months lol. Sound is 'good enough' for an audiophile like me.

[@igedearysandyputra1571]

Thank you Mark for your great review! Is it compatible with PS5?

[@ramtamargo]

If anything, better call quality would make XM5 the ultimate headphone. Also if you enable the simultaneous dual Bluetooth connection, I think you lose the lossless connection for the best audio quality. That's something XM5 can improve on.

[@PinAda92]

They added dark blue too

[@ma.t.t.9096]

You have amazing voice, deep but smooth.

[@dhanushvinay4527]

if you had to chose between Air pods pro 2 or M4 ?? Which would you?

[@saiprasanth8119]

I'm watching this with my new XM4 I received from Amazon this morning, I bought it after watching your reviews. Thank you!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Pleasure! Enjoy them!

[@practicepositiveprogress5396]

I work at a place that buys used headphones and tests them and refurbishes them and so we get a lot of headphones in a lot of different qualities after various amounts of use. I get to see which headphones and buds seem most likely to deteriorate over time just because I see so many different pairs. Some sony headphones aren’t great, but the XM3s and the XM4s are lovely and even the ones in poor condition are typically still in pretty good condition. Vs like, the beats in poor condition that I don’t wanna put on my head, or some of the other headphones I see that have really common snapping points or their plastic breaks down and gets sticky or falls apart.

[@J4bl35]

Hi mark. Great review - as ever. Can I ask where you got the headphone stand?

[@aleksandarristov2780]

Your voice is like monolog intro of some movie. Great review

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Haha - thanks!

[@thndercat1]

Great shirt

[@andronin]

Your review, and a few others, a year ago is why I bought mine last year October. My thoughts: 1. Great battery. I use mine for 6 hours plus a day with Teams meetings. Only charge them every three days 2. So comfortable. Have to lift the cups every hour or so for a bit of breathing but that is really not a concern 3. Is mine for PC gaming. I am not a competitive gamer, but I do not feel the Bluetooth latency is bad enough that I do not get completely pwned by other players and get my fair share of shots in The one thing I would love is being able to charge and simultaneously use them

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Nice - thanks!

[@DR.DisInfect]

You can change and use them if you wire them

[@alexvswrld]

Nice, I think these will be my all around headset even for gaming...especially since I mostly play single player, fighting, and sports games.

[@im_Spade_]

@@alexvswrld I stream and play smash bros competitively and use them (well, actually the XM3s) wired. Have not had a single issue but haven't noticed a significant amount of latency when watching YT vids either 🤔

[@kolikoasdpvp]

Hello! I'm looking to buy the XM4's since my JBL E55BT's ear pads have almost completely fallen apart after 2.5 years of medium use. I wonder if your XM4's ear pads are starting to fall apart at all, like that leather chipping in pieces or similar? Thanks in advance!

[@nealhodgins1651]

great video

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@yungfrancis777]

I’ve owned my XM4’s for about 3-4 months now and they’re my go to headphones for everything, their exceptional active noise canceling system is insane and I’ve yet to find any headphones in their class that even come close (apart from AirPods Max). I do however agree with the hollowness caveat, I think it’s partially due to their sound stage being large, but apart from that these headphones are 10/10. Another flawless review, Mark!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thanks, Jay, and glad you're enjoying yours!

[@shakir4969]

How is it holding up? I mean physically

[@yungfrancis777]

@@shakir4969 They’re holding up amazingly, no problems physically or sonically.

[@peanut7260]

I have both xm4 headphones and earbuds, generally for my ears i felt that the earbuds cancel out more low frequency sounds.. can someone confirm that for me?

[@yungfrancis777]

@@peanut7260 i think it’s due to the fact that the earbuds actually go in your ear creating a seal effect & with that effect it typically allows for a more bassier experience.

[@gilbs72]

Curious whether the Airpods Max on AAC would still be better sounding than the XM4 on LDAC, say paired with an iPod Touch and a Walkman, respectively. I'm looking at investing in better consumer level set (currently on a budget pair, Soundcore Q20 + Samsung Note 10+). Anybody did a comparison? I know I'm still a long way from audiophile level stuff, but I'm building my FLAC library.

[@robertdupree8308]

I wear my xm4's almost all day every day and have since Dec 2020. I love them except they started a high pitch squeal in the left ear that's almost deafening. It started doing this yesterday. I can turn the ANC off and it quits doing it. I'll wait a couple minutes and turn the ANC back on and it's fine for awhile. I noticed that it usually happens after pausing them. I haven't talked to sony about it yet, but I figured I'd mention it.

[@aperson1181]

Can you use these only in the wired mode? I am concerned about EMFs from Bluetooth, is it off by default? Can it stay off?

[@miltown9]

Can you use these for gaming?

[@morpho2081]

I've had XM4 for 1 month now I guess?? Really great, it can be used for gaming (at least it works for me but definitely not the best use of this), NC is great, battery life is indeed nice (not until 20 hours in my case but close to it). My only concern by far is it gets a bit warm on my ear after 2-3 hours of non-stop usage despite using it in an aircon room, but definitely worth the money.

[@peanut7260]

Try getting dekoni earpads for these, that would fix ur issue regarding ur ears sweating after few hrs😀👌🏻

[@morpho2081]

@@peanut7260 They don't sweat but really gets warm overtime, but I usually only use them in my room with aircon on, so no biggie

[@peanut7260]

@@morpho2081 they're rly comfy tho, i just bought them last week but the shipping takes about 10-12days and its quite pricey.. it's like sofa on ur ears 🤣

[@morpho2081]

@@peanut7260 Maybe I'll consider it when I see a need for it

[@davidmateo3446]

What about the noise supression?

[@namankansal127]

Hi Mark! How do these hold up against the bose noise cancelling 700’s?

[@langben9000]

Try the Dali io-6. Would love to a review of those

[@kayedal-haddad]

When do you reckon the XM5's are coming out?

[@user-nw4ge7rf1w]

Sony xm4’s wired sound better? I’m using iPhone 11 and I want to buy Sony xm 4. They are wireless so only plays aac codec. If I wire them to my phone will I be able to play Apple Lossless through Apple Music? Or Sony xm4 doesn’t support lossless audio through the wire?

[@jacobc3935]

Hey Mark, I am looking for some great noise cancelling headphones for whilst I study (preferably without any music playing) would you be able to let me know what the noise cancelling is like if I use them like this. I am currently using my uncles XM2s and they have a slight "hiss" more like a distant waterfall. I don't know if this is just a general issue with ANC headphones or if it is something that these headphones have but the XM4s dont. I hope you can let me know.