With over 6,000 hours of listening time on both the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro and the Sony WH-1000XM4, I’ve finally come up with a comparison of the two.
And the truth is, I love them both!
Spoiler alert, though, the Sony XM4 is around $100 more expensive than the AirPods Pro. But if budget is not your primary concern, it’s worth looking at this comparison.
Let’s dive right in.
Note that I’m reviewing the WH-1000XM4 headphones and not the in-ear earphones.
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Design and Comfort
The AirPods Pro feature a compact, in-ear design that’s comfortable for most people. They come with three different sizes of silicone ear tips to help you find the perfect fit. The ear tips create a tight seal, which helps block out external noise and provides better sound quality. The AirPods Pro also have a short stem that protrudes from the ear, which houses the microphones and controls.
The Sony WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, are over-ear headphones with a padded headband and ear cups. They’re larger and heavier than the AirPods Pro, but they’re still comfortable to wear for long periods. The ear cups have a soft leather-like material that feels nice against your skin, and they’re large enough to fit most ear sizes without feeling too tight.
Winner: It really comes down to personal preference, but the AirPods Pro are better for those who prefer a smaller, more discreet design, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 are better for those who prioritize comfort over size.
Sound Quality
Both the AirPods Pro and Sony WH-1000XM4 offer excellent sound quality, but they have different strengths.
The AirPods Pro have a more balanced sound profile that’s well-suited to most genres of music. They have a good amount of bass, but it’s not overpowering. The active noise canceling (ANC) is also excellent, blocking out a wide range of external noise.
The Sony WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, have a more customizable sound profile. They come with an equalizer that lets you adjust the bass, midrange, and treble to your liking. The bass can be quite powerful, which is great for bass-heavy music genres like hip-hop and EDM. The ANC is also top-notch and can be adjusted to different levels depending on your environment.
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Winner: If you’re looking for a more customizable sound profile, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are the better choice. However, if you prefer a more balanced sound, the AirPods Pro are the way to go.
Features
Both the AirPods Pro and Sony WH-1000XM4 come with a range of features that make them stand out from the competition.
The AirPods Pro have a range of touch controls that let you pause and play music, skip tracks, and activate Siri without needing to take out your phone. They also have spatial audio, which simulates surround sound and provides a more immersive listening experience.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 have a range of features too, including touch controls, voice assistant support, and multipoint Bluetooth pairing. They also have a unique feature called “Speak-to-Chat,” which automatically pauses the music and turns on ambient sound when you start speaking to someone.
Winner: Both headphones have a lot of impressive features, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 have a slight edge thanks to their “Speak-to-Chat” feature.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, the Sony WH-1000XM4 definitely outperform the AirPods Pro. With a single charge, the WH-1000XM4 can last up to 30 hours with ANC turned on, and up to 38 hours with ANC turned off. This is a significant improvement over the AirPods Pro, and means you can use them for several days without needing to recharge.
The AirPods Pro can last for up to 4.5 hours of listening time with ANC turned on, and up to 5 hours with ANC turned off. The charging case can provide an additional 24 hours of battery life.
Winner: The Sony WH-1000XM4 have a clear advantage when it comes to battery life, with their ability to last for up to 30 hours of listening time on a single charge.
Price
Finally, let’s talk about price. The AirPods Pro retail for around $200, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 retail for around $300. While the AirPods Pro are definitely more affordable, it’s important to note that the Sony WH-1000XM4 offer more features, better battery life, and slightly better sound quality.
Winner: The AirPods Pro are the more affordable option, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 offer more value for money thanks to their range of features and better battery life.
Who’s the True King of Noise Canceling?
When it comes to noise canceling, both the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WH-1000XM4 are very impressive.
The AirPods Pro feature Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) technology that can block out external sounds by using two microphones to detect noise and then cancel it out with an equal and opposite frequency. The AirPods Pro also have a Transparency Mode that allows you to hear the outside world while still enjoying your music.
The Sony WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, feature an advanced noise-canceling processor called the QN1 that works in combination with Dual Noise Sensor technology to block out external sounds. The headphones also have Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts the level of noise canceling based on your activity.
In terms of overall noise canceling performance, both headphones are very effective at blocking out external sounds. However, the Sony WH-1000XM4 may have a slight edge over the AirPods Pro in terms of ANC performance, particularly when it comes to blocking out low-frequency sounds like the rumble of an airplane engine.
Winner: While both headphones are very effective at noise canceling, the Sony WH-1000XM4 have a slight edge over the AirPods Pro when it comes to ANC performance, particularly with regards to low-frequency sounds.
Final Word
Both the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WH-1000XM4 are excellent wireless headphones that offer a range of impressive features. When choosing between the two, it really comes down to personal preference and what you prioritize in a pair of headphones.
If you value a compact, discreet design and balanced sound, the AirPods Pro are a great choice. If you prioritize comfort, customizable sound, and longer battery life, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are the better option. Either way, both headphones are a great investment and will provide you with high-quality sound for years to come.