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Sony's new wireless headphones are almost perfect

Spectacular sound, new design and improved noise filtering make the Sony WF-1000XM4 a very successful headphone.

Just before the launch, we were among the first in Israel to put them in our ears

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• Sony

• headphones

Yinon Ben Shoshan

Friday, 16 July 2021, 10:09 Updated: 10:32

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(Photo: Walla! Technology, Yinon Ben-Shoshan)

Returning to routine after the corona period (in the meantime) reminded us all how noisy the world is.

In recent years headphones with active noise cancellation allow us all to disconnect from the environment and enjoy some quiet - or our favorite music.

The one that dominates the category today is of course Apple, with the AirPods Pro, although you can find significantly cheaper models that do a great job.

Now, the one who continues to try and bite into the market share of the company from Cupertino is Sony, which recently launched its new wireless headphones with the least branded name WF-1000XM4, which is precisely why we will now call them XM4.

Just before the launch in Israel, we got them from Mishpar, the official importer of Sony, and we probably discovered the best headphones your money can buy right now.

And yes, in most ways even more than Airfoods.

Here is the full review.

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(Photo: Walla! Technology, Yinon Ben-Shoshan)

Beautiful design, but requires improvement

According to Sony, the XM4 is 10% smaller than the previous generation, but in practice it is still not enough, because compared to other headphones that can be found in the market in the same category - they are still plump, and some would say very awkward.

To me as a person with small dimensions, they look very large when they are in the ears.

On the other hand, the charging case (the case) has received a 40% diet in its size, and as befits products from the past year, it is charged via a Type-C connection, along with wireless charging.

In terms of materials, both the headphones and the charging case make use of plastic that is pleasant to the touch and slightly rough.

Also, Sony decided that it is possible otherwise - and did not forget the environment (unlike other technology companies).

The outer packaging of the headphones is made from 100% recycled materials and does not include the use of plastic.

The outer packaging of the headphones is made of 100% recycled materials (Photo: Walla! Technology, Yinon Ben-Shoshan)

Sound and buttons

The new model uses Sony's new chip - V1, which combines a dual microphone array to silence noise, and will replace the QN1e that were in the previous generation.

According to the company, this is an upgraded processor that knows how to detect ambient noise and also neutralize lower tones.

It seems that anyone who listens to music in these headphones will feel in the studio will be surprised by the performance.

First, unlike a lot of headphones you'll find on the market, the XM4 has powerful and powerful basses.

On top of that, the high notes are sharp and clean with no distortions and you do not need to turn up the volume to enjoy the music.

(Photo: Walla! Technology, Yinon Ben-Shoshan)

Once you put the headphones in your ears (it takes a few seconds until you practice) you will hear what the battery condition is.

Also, as with the WH-1000XM4 bow headphones, Sony has also incorporated the "Speak to Chat" feature in the current model - which automatically pauses the music when it detects speech - and continues it on its own.

To turn on the noise filter - and vice versa - you just have to press a single click on the left earpiece.

Alongside this, as in previous generations, prolonged touching of the right earpiece will turn down the volume and noise filtering will be eliminated, and you will actually be able to have a conversation and listen to the environment.

(Photo: Walla! Technology, Yinon Ben-Shoshan)

Call quality and additional features

The call quality is one of the best you will find.

To improve the audio in voice calls Sony added a feature to reduce noise, and indeed when making a phone call the audio quality was perfect - I heard the other side well and he also did not complain about noises or interruptions.

The battery life has also been improved in the new model - up to 8 hours of use with active noise filtering, or 12 hours without noise filtering, with in both cases the charging case will provide double use time.

Another innovation that will delight sports enthusiasts is resistance to water splashes and sweat in the IPX4 standard.

The loading case (vagina) received a diet of 40% of its size (Photo: Walla! Technology, Yinon Ben-Shoshan)

There is also an app

If you want to better control the sound, you can download Sony's app for smartphones - Android and iOS, known as Sony Headphones Connect.

Among other things, using the app and its built-in system - Adaptive Sound Control, you can also set the noise filtering level automatically depending on the situation you are in - sitting, standing, running or driving.

You can see the state of charge of the headphones and change the equalizer - determine which frequencies will be increased and which will be lowered and even simulate as if you are in the stadium.

In addition, Sony has incorporated a sound format known as 360 Reality Audio, giving the feeling as if the music is playing around you.

Meanwhile, a limited number of applications use technology - including TIDAL and Deezer - that are available in Israel.

You can control headphones with Sony Headphones (Photo: Walla! Technology, Yinon Ben-Shoshan)

The bottom line

Their price in the official import of Isfar is NIS 1,149, and they are expected to arrive in stores at the beginning of the month.

These are headphones that provide excellent sound that audiophiles will also appreciate, and in many ways they are probably the best you will find in stores right now, of course with such a price tag.

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