Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-CH720N

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

WH-1000XM4 compared with WH-CH720N
SonyWH-1000XM4SonyWH-CH720N
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020March 2023
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size40 mm30 mm
Bluetooth codecsSBC, AAC and LDACSBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-CNoNo
ChipQN1V1
Drivers40 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)30 mm dynamic driver; 7 Hz to 20,000 Hz (JEITA, wired, switched on); sensitivity 108 dB/mW switched on, 99 dB/mW switched off; impedance 325 Ω switched on, 31 Ω switched off (1 kHz, wired)
ChipHD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 (with an integrated analogue amplifier) and a Bluetooth Audio SoCIntegrated Processor V1
Noise cancelling detailDual 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-ChatDual Noise Sensor technology, with two microphones on each ear cup; Ambient Sound Mode adjustable in 20 levels in the app
Audio featuresLDAC 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 appDSEE upscaling; 360 Reality Audio; equaliser in the app
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 30 hoursUp to 35 hours
Battery life detailUp 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 chargingUp to 50 hours with noise cancelling off (AAC or SBC); 35 hours with Ambient Sound Mode on; talk time up to 35 hours (40 hours with noise cancelling off); up to 35 hours on the headphone cable with noise cancelling on (50 hours off); DSEE, the equaliser and the voice-assistant wake word shorten battery life; can't be used while charging
Fast charging10 minutes gives about 5 hours of playback with a 1.5 A or higher USB adaptor; full charge in about 3 hours3 minutes gives about 60 minutes of playback, 10 minutes about 4.5 hours; full charge in about 3.5 hours (0.5 A or higher USB adaptor)
Design
Weight254 g192 g (better)
Bluetooth5.05.2
Two devices at onceYesYes
Headphone cableYesYes
ControlsTouch 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 pairingButtons for power, volume up and down, play/call (press twice to skip forwards, three times to skip back; hold for the voice assistant) and NC/AMB; hands-free "OK Google" or "Alexa" wake word
MicrophonesFive microphones for calls and Speak-to-Chat (Precise Voice Pickup Technology); MEMS, omnidirectional, 50 Hz to 8,000 HzTwo noise-cancelling microphones on each ear cup; beamforming call microphones with Precise Voice Pickup technology and a Wind Noise Reduction Structure
Fit and ear tipsClosed, circumaural; foamed urethane earpads; stepless slider; ear cups swivel and fold inwards for the carrying caseClosed, over-ear; synthetic leather and urethane earpads; sliders on both sides of the headband
Water resistance detailNo water resistance rating; Sony says the headphones are not waterproofNo water resistance rating
Works withSony | 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 HSPSony | Sound Connect app (formerly Headphones Connect) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair; Bluetooth 5.2 Class 1, about 10 m range; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP
ColoursBlack, Platinum Silver; limited-edition Silent White sold in Europe from May 2021Black, Blue, White; Pink added in 2025
In the boxHeadphones, 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 caseHeadphones, USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C, about 20 cm), headphone cable (about 1.2 m)

More comparisons