Sony WH-1000XM4C: The XM4 Returns
A good headphone does not stop being good because a manufacturer has moved on to the next model number. Comfortable earcups, a useful folding design, and sound you enjoy can remain useful long after the launch excitement has worn off.
Sony is giving that idea another turn with the WH-1000XM4C, also called the M4 2nd Gen. Announced September 7, it revisits the WH-1000XM4 design with revised sound tuning, a 10-band equalizer, and a $299.99 U.S. price. Sony says it will arrive this fall. Sony’s U.S. announcement
I am open to the concept. I am also interested in what the same money buys when the XM4C actually reaches stores.
Familiar Can Be Useful
Sony retains a folding over-ear form and offers Black, Platinum Silver, and Lavender finishes. In the U.S., Lavender is exclusive to Sony and Amazon. The emphasis in the announcement is a familiar experience with updated tuning, rather than an entirely new flagship platform. Sony’s release
A compact package is an actual feature if you carry headphones every day. So is being able to adjust their tonal balance. I would want to hear the default tuning and explore how useful the EQ is before assuming the revised sound is an improvement.
Sony’s U.S. product listing advertises up to 27 hours of battery life with noise cancellation. WH-1000XM4C product listing
That is the sort of specification to consider against your routine. How often do you charge? How long are your trips? The biggest number on the shelf is not automatically the feature you will appreciate most.
The Price Is the Test
The trap with a revived product is comparing its new price only with a more expensive flagship’s launch price. Buyers shop in the present. A discounted current model, a competing headphone, or a refurbished option with a sound warranty can change the equation.
I would compare comfort, ANC, microphone performance, controls, and selling price at the time of purchase. A familiar design can be an advantage, but familiarity does not exempt it from that comparison.
There is also no reason for a satisfied XM4 owner to treat this announcement as an instruction to upgrade. A product launch creates another option. It does not create a problem with the headphones you already own.
Two Less Expensive Options Arrive Alongside It
Sony also announced the $179.99 WH-CH730N and $69.99 WH-CH530. The former offers ANC and a folding design; the latter is the lower-cost on-ear model. Sony’s U.S. lineup announcement
The XM4C is the intriguing one because it asks a sensible question about audio ownership: how much new engineering do you need to deliver a satisfying everyday experience? I would be happy to see an older idea remain useful. At $300, I would also expect it to earn its place against what is available now.
