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Sony MDR-1000X vs Sony WH-1000XM4

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyMDR-1000XSonyWH-1000XM4
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2016August 2020
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size40 mm40 mm
BackClosed–
Bluetooth codecsSBC, AAC, aptX and LDACSBC, AAC and LDAC
Lossless over USB-C–No
Chip–QN1
Drivers40 mm dome-type drivers with aluminium-coated liquid crystal polymer diaphragms, CCAW voice coils and neodymium magnets; 4 Hz to 40 kHz wired frequency response; 46 ohms powered on or 14 ohms off at 1 kHz40 mm dome-type driver with an aluminium-coated LCP diaphragm, CCAW voice coil and neodymium magnet; 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz (JEITA); sensitivity 105 dB/mW switched on, 101 dB/mW switched off; impedance 40 Ω switched on, 16 Ω switched off (1 kHz, wired)
Chip–HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 (with an integrated analogue amplifier) and a Bluetooth Audio SoC
Noise cancelling detailSense Engine with dual noise sensors and a Personal NC Optimiser; Ambient Sound Mode offers Normal and Voice settings, and Quick Attention passes outside sound through while a hand covers the right earcupDual Noise Sensor technology, with two noise-cancelling microphones on each ear cup (one outside, one inside); Personal NC Optimizer and Atmospheric Pressure Optimising; Ambient Sound Mode with Voice focus; Adaptive Sound Control; Quick Attention Mode; Speak-to-Chat
Audio featuresLDAC, aptX, AAC and SBC over Bluetooth; DSEE HX upscaling and S-Master HX amplification; NFC pairingLDAC up to 990 kbps (Hi-Res Audio Wireless); High-Resolution Audio over the headphone cable; DSEE Extreme upscaling; 360 Reality Audio certified; equaliser in the app
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 20 hoursUp to 30 hours
Battery life detailUp to 20 hours with noise cancelling on or 22 hours off; up to 24 hours of talk time with noise cancelling on; full charge in about four hoursUp to 38 hours with noise cancelling off (AAC or SBC); with LDAC, 24 hours with noise cancelling on or 30 hours off; with DSEE Extreme on, 18 hours with noise cancelling on (16 hours with LDAC); Speak-to-Chat shortens battery life by about 30%; talk time up to 24 hours (30 hours with noise cancelling off); standby up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on (200 hours off); up to 22 hours on the headphone cable with noise cancelling on (36 hours off); can't be used while charging
Fast charging–10 minutes gives about 5 hours of playback with a 1.5 A or higher USB adaptor; full charge in about 3 hours
Design
Weight275 g254 g
Bluetooth4.15.0
Two devices at once–Yes
Headphone cableYesYes
ControlsRight earcup touch panel for playback, calls and volume; separate power, noise cancelling and ambient-sound buttonsTouch sensor control panel on the right ear cup (double-tap to play, pause or answer calls; swipe forwards or backwards to skip; swipe up or down for volume; hold for the voice assistant; cover with your hand for Quick Attention Mode); power and CUSTOM buttons; a proximity sensor and two acceleration sensors pause music when the headphones are taken off and switch them off after 15 minutes; NFC one-touch pairing
MicrophonesOmnidirectional electret condenser microphone with a 100 Hz to 8 kHz frequency rangeFive microphones for calls and Speak-to-Chat (Precise Voice Pickup Technology); MEMS, omnidirectional, 50 Hz to 8,000 Hz
Fit and ear tipsCircumaural ear cushions; swivelling earcups fold into the supplied carrying caseClosed, circumaural; foamed urethane earpads; stepless slider; ear cups swivel and fold inwards for the carrying case
Water resistance detail–No water resistance rating; Sony says the headphones are not waterproof
Works withBluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; 3.5 mm detachable cable allows listening with the headphones switched off; Micro-USB charges the batterySony | Sound Connect app (formerly Headphones Connect) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices (AAC or SBC only while connected to two); Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built in; Google Fast Pair; Bluetooth 5.0 Class 1, about 10 m range; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP
ColoursBlack, Grey BeigeBlack, Platinum Silver; limited-edition Silent White sold in Europe from May 2021
In the boxHeadphones, carrying case, 1.5 m headphone cable, Micro-USB cable and in-flight plug adaptorHeadphones, USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C, about 20 cm), headphone cable (about 1.2 m, gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug), plug adaptor for in-flight use, carrying case

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