The Sony WH-1000XM4 emerges victorious from its fratricidal fight with the WH-1000XM3!

We often talk about a novelty bonus and yet the WH-1000XM4 proved to be sharper than its successor during their duel. This time, and when it is older, it is the WH-1000XM3 which defends itself brilliantly against its descendant. Despite the years and technological additions, it boasts comfort, ergonomics and audio reproduction almost identical to the indestructible XM4. But he fails to beat him.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 was a success, and anxious to maintain the same quality, Sony only made minor adjustments to the 1000XM4. The result is two belligerents who are very close and difficult to decide between. This is evidenced by the almost unchanged design, therefore offering the same level of comfort, already beyond reproach.

The sound reproduction is also similar between the two spearheads of Sony, designed in the same mold. Very high level, the sound quality places them both among the best on the market. We note however that the WH-1000XM4 is a little less soft, more incisive thanks to more marked mids/trebles, a matter of taste. Same observation concerning active noise reduction and autonomy, the two Sony headsets delivering almost identical services.

It is in terms of features that the WH-1000XM4 manages to slightly outstrip its predecessor. Indeed, it is more modern and embeds a port sensor allowing to cut and resume the current reading automatically and to propose the standby, automatically also. In addition, the WH-1000XM3 does not take advantage of its successor’s multipoint Bluetooth connection, allowing two devices to be paired simultaneously. More lively, the XM4 is much faster on the Quick Attention function, and thus more fluid and natural to listen to surrounding noise.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 manages to snatch victory once again, but by very little. If it is more technological with its port sensor and its multipoint Bluetooth connection, the WH-1000XM3 does not demerit against its successor and offers identical services on the fundamentals. As we said at the conclusion of the duel, the WH-1000XM3 may be the loser of the duel, but it remains an excellent choice, especially if we take into account its selling price, which regularly benefits from promotions.