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Sony WH-1000XM2 vs Sony WH-1000XM4C

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

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SonyWH-1000XM2SonyWH-1000XM4C
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2017September 2026
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size40 mm40 mm
BackClosedClosed
Bluetooth codecsSBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD and LDACSBC, AAC and LDAC
Chip–HD Noise Cancelling Processor 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 response40 mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms; powered wired frequency response 4 Hz–40 kHz. Impedance is 40 ohms powered on and 16 ohms off; sensitivity 106 dB/mW on and 101 dB/mW off.
Noise cancelling detailDual Noise Sensor technology, Personal NC Optimiser and Atmospheric Pressure Optimising; Adaptive Sound Control and adjustable Ambient Sound Mode through the app; Quick Attention passes outside sound through while a hand covers the right earcupQN1 and two noise-sensing microphones per earcup; Personal NC Optimizer, Ambient Sound Mode, Quick Attention and Adaptive Sound Control
Audio featuresLDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC over Bluetooth; DSEE HX upscaling, S-Master HX amplification, equaliser and surround modes in Sony Headphones Connect; NFC pairingDSEE Extreme upscaling, 10-band equaliser in Sony Sound Connect and 360 Reality Audio with compatible services; Bluetooth response 20 Hz–20 kHz at 44.1 kHz sampling, or 20 Hz–40 kHz with LDAC at 96 kHz and 990 kbps
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 30 hoursUp to 27 hours
Battery life detailUp to 30 hours with noise cancelling on or 38 hours off; up to 40 hours of standby with noise cancelling on or 200 hours off; full charge in about four hoursThe manual lists AAC/SBC playback up to 27 hours with noise cancelling or 34 hours off; LDAC up to 20 hours on or 27 hours off. DSEE Extreme, Speak-to-Chat and equaliser settings can shorten these figures.
Charging case–USB-C charging; approximately 3 hours for a full charge; no USB audio playback
Fast chargingTen minutes of charging gives up to 70 minutes of playback3 minutes gives about 1 hour of playback
Design
Weight275 g253 g
Bluetooth4.16.0
Two devices at once–Yes
Headphone cableYesYes
ControlsRight earcup touch panel for playback, calls and volume; separate power and noise cancelling/ambient buttonsTouch panel on the right earcup for playback, volume and calls; separate power and noise-cancelling buttons; wear detection, Quick Attention and Speak-to-Chat; app-configurable Quick Access
Microphones–Two noise-sensing microphones per earcup; Precise Voice Pickup for Bluetooth calls
Fit and ear tipsCircumaural ear cushions; swivelling earcups fold into the supplied carrying caseAdjustable headband, swivelling and folding earcups; colour-matched carrying case
Water resistance detail–The manual states that the headset is not waterproof
Works withBluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; Sony Headphones Connect app for noise cancelling and sound controls; detachable 3.5 mm cable supports listening with the headphones switched off; Micro-USB charges the batteryBluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP. Multipoint switches music between two devices; SoundGuys and Tom's Hardware report that LDAC is unavailable in that mode. The supplied cable allows passive playback, disables Bluetooth and does not carry the headphone microphone.
ColoursBlack, Champagne GoldBlack, Platinum Silver, Lavender; official press photo shows Lavender folded
In the boxHeadphones, carrying case, 1.5 m headphone cable, USB cable and in-flight plug adaptorUK box includes headphones, carrying case and approximately 1.2 m headphone cable; USB charging cable supplied only with mainland China models

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