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

preview_player
Показать описание
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

BECOME A PATRON!

GEAR IN THIS VIDEO

LISTEN TO THE EIGHT OR SIXTEEN PODCAST

JOIN THE GANG:

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

READ ME

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

Oh, and some of the links in this description are affiliate links from which I earn a small commission!
Рекомендации по теме
Комментарии
Автор

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

MarkEllisReviews
Автор

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

traveltheworld
Автор

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.

maxx
Автор

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.

sinejorine
Автор

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.

EKOddLink
Автор

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!

lumilikha
Автор

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 🔥🔥🔥

askylx
Автор

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.

mugiwaramatt
Автор

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!!!

c.garison
Автор

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

Demonomania
Автор

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.

asdf
Автор

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.

pixelbubbletea
Автор

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.

hundvd_
Автор

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.

mahmouddiab
Автор

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.

JeroenBouwens
Автор

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.

runner
Автор

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.

alejandroelcid
Автор

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

onionface
Автор

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!

Lee_K_
Автор

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.

BrockMak
visit shbcf.ru