Are the new Sony XM4 headphones truly worth almost double the price of the already outstanding XM3s?
While Sony may certainly have a reputation for manufacturing solid, dependable, and stylish electronics – not least the XM3 and XM4 wireless headphones – it doesn’t mean that every new release is going to be automatically better than its predecessor.
So before you shell out your hard-earned cash, it is worth reading this comparison between the two models. Below, we discuss the differences between the XM4 and XM3’s design, performance, and pricing so that you know exactly what you’re getting or missing out on with each.
After reading through this comparison, you should also be able to make a sound decision on which pair is the best for you and your pocket. So, let’s dive in!
Design
At first glance, both the Sony XM3 and XM4 headphones look more or less identical. However, with closer examination you will start to pick out the tiny, almost imperceptible differences. We actually think this is a positive feature. After all, the XM3 isn’t ugly, or even old or out-dated – it was only released in late 2018. And its stylish, sleek, and finished design is just one of the undeniably great things about it. With a matte finish, gold/copper accents, and a solid build, both the XM3 and the XM4 leave an impression.
The tiny tweaks on the Sony WH-1000XM4 include a more matte finish on both the black and silver versions. The new XM4 silver edition features more of a matte pearl white finish than the XM3’s old-school metallic duo-tone silver design.
Overall, the XM4 headphones look much more refined with smoother flowing edges. And while the plusher, 10% bigger earpads are a noticeable change, the actual dimensions of the ear-cups on both models are still pretty much the same.
Both sets are equally as comfy, too, and comes with the same ergonomic features including a comfortable over-ear cup.
Sound quality
One of the other excellent features of the Sony XM4 and XM3 headphones is its sound quality. Both headphones perform to the same standard, with the XM4 boasting a slightly more flat sound, resulting in less bass. Overall, the other sound differences between the two are almost imperceptible. After all, it’s the same hardware, including drivers and magnets, running both.
What is interesting to know is that the new XM4 cans don’t support aptX or aptX HD codecs anymore. The only high-resolution codec supported by the XM4 is the Sony LDAC codec. Unfortunately, this means that Android users will miss out on getting the most out of the XM4’s using aptX and aptX HD.
There are various new user-friendly features built into the XM4 headphones, too. These include speak-to-chat, wearing detection, and multipoint connection. These all work together to make your audio experience with the XM4 headphones that much more effortless and therefore, enjoyable.
Basically, the device uses wearing detection to notice when you aren’t wearing the set and automatically switch off, avoiding an accidental dead battery. It also detects when you talk with speak-to-chat, automatically pausing the sound so you can chat without any effort to pause the audio on your part. Lastly, you can pair the set with up to two devices using multipoint technology, for easy multitasking with multiple gadgets.
Noise-cancellation
Of course, noise-cancellation has a lot to do with your sound experience, too. So, Sony WH-1000XM4 vs XM3 – who wins in terms of noise-cancellation? Well, not only do these cans look very similar, both also share another commonality – the QN1 noise-cancelling chip. Yes, both have the same chip!
But to up the ante, Sony has added a new Bluetooth Audio system-on-chip (SoC) to its XM4, which does deliver better noise-cancellation — and, in real-time, too.
Battery life
Both the Sony XM3and XM4 feature a battery life of up to 30 hours. But if you add in the new power demands of the Bluetooth SoC, though, you realise that the XM4 is actually running more processes while also maintaining the same charge. So, in the battery Sony WH-1000XM4 vs XM3 battle, the XM4 comes out tops.
Yes, the XM4 headphones win in this respect. What’s also important to realise is that this number is not precise. How long your headphones can go with or without a charge will depend on many factors. For example, your volume, twiddling with controls, use of ANC, and even the temperature of your room will affect this time.
In terms of charge time, both also offer the same quick charge – ten minutes of charge for 5 hours of battery life. Overall, there’s nothing much lacking here – around a day’s worth of playtime, and quick charging is all that the average user needs. It’s not phenomenal, but it is more than adequate. Plugs and charging points are almost everywhere these days, so I’m sure you won’t run out of juice, except perhaps in exceptional circumstances!
Connectivity
Another important aspect of wireless headphones is, of course, the set’s connectivity. So, who wins in this key Sony WH-1000XM4 vs XM3 performance category? As mentioned before, the new Sony XM4 cans don’t support the popular Bluetooth aptX and aptX HD codecs. For this alone, it may seem as if the XM3 has already won.
The aptX and aptX HD Bluetooth codecs are some of the highest bit rate/resolution codecs available next to the Sony LDAC codec. Sure, the new Sony XM4 cans do support the LDAC codec. However, it’s reported to not perform as well in terms of connectivity. You can choose between “best connection” or “best quality” with the XM4 headphones, though. Depending on which one you choose, the headphones will automatically select a codec with which to connect.
The older XM3 headphones support all of these codecs, including the AAC and SBC. So, you may be thinking the XM3 is looking like the sweetest deal right about now. However, the Sony XM4 cans do have a few better connectivity features that keep the set relevant and even put it ahead – namely, Bluetooth 5.0 and multipoint connection.
With multipoint technology, you can connect to up to two devices at once via the AAC codec. This is quite a handy feature, as is the latest version of Bluetooth. Ultimately, the winner for connectivity really depends on which device you plan on pairing the headphones.
If you’re using an Android device, you may want to stick with the XM3 and its aptX codecs. However, if you’re an Apple device user, you likely won’t suffer from the lack of aptX. Both the XM3 and XM4 are NFC capable, though – so, pairing without the multipoint technology is still as easy as it’s going to get.
Price
One considerable area where the Sony WH-1000XM4 loses in comparison to the XM3 is in the price department. Of course, this is a bit of a no-brainer! It’s no surprise that the older XM3 headphones are cheaper. However, purchasing an item isn’t just about its price, it’s also about value for money, isn’t it? If this wasn’t the case, you could just go and buy a pair of £15 headphones and be done with it.
With this in mind, the best option for you in terms of price really boils down to the headphones that best meet your needs. Do bear in mind that the XM3 and XM4 are larger, over-ear headphones and aren’t waterproof. So, both aren’t ideal for wearing during exercise or commuting in wet conditions. It is definitely worth the price for audiophiles, music connoisseurs, and those who prefer premium products for their look, durability, design, and quality, though.
In terms of extras, both sets come with a long, right-angled 3.5mm cable, a short USB-C cable, an airline adaptor, a user guide, and a zip-up carry-case. The XM4 does come with one more addition, though – a 360 Reality Audio free trial code. Both sets also fold beautifully in precisely the same way and shape. So, you’re not getting any more of a compact set of headphones for the price. A warranty is also in place for both (from reputable sellers), ensuring your money doesn’t get wasted on a defective product.
When all’s said and done, Sony is a reputable electronics brand that’s made a name manufacturing quality products. Hence why us (and many others) are more than happy to shell out a fair bit more on a pair of their headphones.
Overall, the XM4 and XM3 aren’t nearly the most expensive choice out there, either. They’re actually quite affordable for what you get. Sure, both are at the higher end of consumer-level headphones. But, you could pay a lot more for a premium set of headphones like these.
Our verdict
So, you want to know precisely which headphones are the winners and the ones to buy? Well, this Sony WH-1000XM4 vs XM3 comparison clearly shows there are minor differences and improvements. Ultimately, we think your choice comes down to the device or devices you plan to pair it with and your budget.
If you need the aptX codecs (most Android devices do), then go for or stick with the XM3 for the best sound. You’ll definitely get the most out of these headphones, even if you lose out on the new XM4 upgrades. However, anyone else would benefit best from the XM4’s, of course. That being said, we don’t think that budget buyers will feel short-changed with a fantastic pair of Sony XM3 cans.
If you already own a pair of XM3, though, whether to upgrade is entirely up to you. Personally, we don’t think there is such a significant difference that you absolutely have to upgrade right now – you could even wait for the XM5 (no news on this yet). If you do have the cash to burn on an upgrade now, though, why not? The pearl white XM4 headphones do look quite stunning!
