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Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-CH730N

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyWH-1000XM4SonyWH-CH730N
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020September 2026
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size40 mm30 mm
Back–Closed
Impedance–25 ohms
Bluetooth codecsSBC, AAC and LDACSBC, AAC and LC3
Lossless over USB-CNoNo
ChipQN1–
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)Dynamic driver; wired response 6 Hz to 20,000 Hz (JEITA), Bluetooth 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz at 44.1 kHz sampling; 100 Ω powered on, 25 Ω powered off; sensitivity 108 dB/mW powered on, 100 dB/mW powered off
ChipHD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 (with an integrated analogue amplifier) and a Bluetooth Audio SoC–
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; Ambient Sound Mode and noise-cancelling switch
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 and customisable audio settings in Sony's app
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 30 hoursUp to 50 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 75 hours with noise cancelling off; call time up to 35 hours with noise cancelling on or 40 hours off
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 up to 1 hour of playback; full charge approximately 3 hours
Design
Weight254 g207 g
Bluetooth5.06.0
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 pairingPhysical buttons for playback, volume, power and noise-cancelling/ambient selection (Techtesters)
MicrophonesFive microphones for calls and Speak-to-Chat (Precise Voice Pickup Technology); MEMS, omnidirectional, 50 Hz to 8,000 HzPrecise Voice Pickup combines beamforming microphones, optimised placement and AI noise reduction
Fit and ear tipsClosed, circumaural; foamed urethane earpads; stepless slider; ear cups swivel and fold inwards for the carrying caseFolding over-ear headband
Water resistance detailNo water resistance rating; Sony says the headphones are not waterproofNo water resistance rating published
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 HSPLE Audio, multipoint, Fast Pair and Swift Pair; Bluetooth profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; Sony's current specifications list LC3 and LE Audio, although SoundGuys' launch review suggests LE Audio may need a later firmware update; USB-C is charging-only (Techtesters)
ColoursBlack, Platinum Silver; limited-edition Silent White sold in Europe from May 2021Black, White, Pink, Beige, Blue
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 case1.2 m detachable headphone cable with gold-plated L-shaped plug, warranty card and reference guide; no carrying case or USB charging cable listed

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