Six years ago, Sony launched a real battle in the noise-canceling headphone market, with each new model better than the last. In the fall of 2020, the company released the WH-1000XM4 headphones, which were widely praised for their excellent sound quality, competitive active noise cancellation (ANC), and compact size. Now Sony has renamed it WH-1000XM4C. The changes are minimal, the battery life has even been reduced and the price has been reduced.
Image source: Sony
The XM4C looks identical to the original XM4, with the same hinge design and foldability. The XM4C still uses the same QN1 processor and four microphones for active noise cancellation. By comparison, the XM5 also uses the QN1, but has eight microphones, compared to last year’s XM6 which had 12, plus the new QN3 chip.
Sony has updated the XM4C’s sound profiles to bring them in line with modern models, and the headset now has a 10-band equalizer in the app (versus 5-band on the XM4), as well as gaming presets. The XM4C also supports Bluetooth 6 instead of 5. The battery life of the new headphones has been reduced. According to Sony, the XM4C can last up to 27 hours with ANC enabled, compared to its predecessor’s 30 hours.
The XM4C will be available later this fall for $300, which is $50 cheaper than the XM4 at launch but more expensive than it was before it was discontinued in 2025.
In addition to the XM4C, Sony has also released two next-generation affordable mid-range entry-level headphones: the WH-CH730N and WH-CH530. Like the XM4C, both models feature an improved 10-band EQ and preset gaming EQ, while the CH730N can now fold into a more compact form.
According to Sony, battery life has also been increased on both models: the CH730N can last up to 50 hours with active noise cancellation, and the CH530 can last up to 55 hours (this model does not have active noise cancellation). A new safe mode in the app allows users to limit the maximum volume of their headphones.
The WH-CH530 comes in black, cobalt blue, mint green, white, pink, and coral for $70. The WH-CN730N headphones cost $180 and are available in black, blue, beige, white, or pink.
Sony also announced the results of its collaboration with Hello Kitty. Kit includes WH-1000XM6, WH-CH730N or WH-CH530 headphones (black or pink), Hello Kitty design box and Hello Kitty branded bag. These kits will be available in limited quantities only on Sony’s website later this year.
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