It is a bit of a story but I hope this helps others if they also experience problems with the OEM memory foam ear tips.
First impressions were bad. So bad that I was right away thinking they need to be returned because I found them unwearable. I could not get a comfortable fit with the foam ear tips that came with it. After messing with them for a while I used the Sony headphone app to test all 3 ear tip sizes and it told me which size was best for each ear. So I then used the app to adjust, test, adjust, test until I got a proper seal according to the app. Every time I put them on I had to do at least 3 adjust until the app said I had a proper seal. But it never felt right ... I heard too much outside noise even with ANC on ... and bass was missing --- both are indications of a poor seal. But it was the best seal I could get with the best fitting tip, and they hurt my ears.
They hurt my skin where the foam pressed and they never seemed to seal quite right. I didn't look forward to using them, and I had to take them out after only about half an hour. So at this point I was sure I would be returning them.
But I had a 10 year old Sony DR-BT160AS wireless headphone so I took the very old and dated tips off them and put them on these XM4 and wow! They were noticeably sealed properly and comfortable! I used the app and they were sealed properly according to the app each time I put them on without any messing around. The bass is noticeably the way the content should be. And the noise isolation was very good even with the ANC off, and of course much better with the ANC on.
I am now quite happy with them. They are comfortable and sound quite good. I can wear them as long as any other comfortable fitting ear buds now that I have gotten rid of those foam things.
I plan to find some silicone tips that are perhaps more modern with better sound capability, but really, they sound quite good with these 10 - 15 year old silicone tips, and the sound isolation is pretty good.
So my suggestion is this:
If you find them uncomfortable, or not really blocking outside noise even though the app says they are sealed, then I would strongly suggest trying silicone tips - preferably from another set of ear buds that you know fit right.
My other advice is you will need to mess with the sound equalizer and bass. They sound quite unimpressive and dull in the default settings. So take the time to adjust the sound to match your preferences. Mine perked up nicely when I added a little "clear bass" to +3 and added some a small boost to 400 and 1k hz.
OK, now about the XM4 ear buds:
- They are extremely accurate so you will hear EVERYTHING in a song. So if you have poor quality MP3 then you will hear that. Years ago I recorded some old albums to MP3 and they were pretty good but vinyl has some pops and snaps, and they sure do stand out on the MX4.
- As you probably read, you can control pause & next song & previous song --- OR --- volume up & volume down. NOT BOTH. Disappointing, and I think an error by Sony to not allow both controls at the same time. My work around is that I have it set to pause & next song & previous song, and I use google assistant to control volume ... and the ear buds hear "hey google" almost every time, so it really is not a problem for me. So now if I want more volume, then I say "hey google" and then "turn volume up" and it works good, but I still a work around on a bad decision by Sony.
- I find "speak to chat" an interesting idea but it is not great. I prefer to pause and turn on ambient sound to chat, and that way it doesn't constantly cut in and out. Interesting concept but I think it needs more work to be practical. The ambient sound turned to highest setting does allow you to talk.
- DSEE Extreme (fix losses due to compressing music) seems to work decent but I do find it tires me a bit, so I am leaving it off for now. Mostly it seems to add too much edge or sharpness. But I am still getting used to these new earbuds, so later I intend to play with it a little more.
Overall, I am very pleased with how they sound. And that, above all else, is the most important thing.
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From the manufacturer
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Digital Noise CancellationEverything in the WF-1000XM4 headphones has been redesigned. Our new Integrated Processor V1, specially developed by Sony, that cancels more noise than ever, a new driver with more performance, newly designed noise sensing microphones, & innovative Noise Isolation Earbud Tips with a more stable fit |
New Integrated Processor V1 devoloped by SonyOur new Integrated Processor V1 takes the noise cancelling performance of our acclaimed QN1e chip and goes even further. Improved noise cancelling performance and Bluetooth ‘System on Chip’ technology delivers the industry’s highest level of noise cancelling yet uses less power. |
Crystal-clear call qualityPrecise Voice Pickup Technology implemented in WF-1000XM4 controls the four microphones built into the headphones optimally and performs advanced audio signal processing to pick up your voice clearly and precisely for hands-free calls and Speak-to-Chat detection |
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Exceptional sound qualityThanks to specially designed 6mm drivers, they reproduce a dynamic sound despite their small size, and the high compliance diaphragm reproduce a rich bass range. The Integrated Processor V1 also enhances sound quality and reduces distortion and enables LDAC code processing and DSEE Extreme. |
Listen all day, charge in minutesYou can enjoy a full working day of charge – 8 hours – from your headphones and store another 16 hours in the case. That means a full 24 hours of listening time every time you leave the house. In a hurry? Just a 5-minute quick charge gives you up to 60 minutes of play time. |
Water resistant for everyday useWith an IPX4 water resistance rating, splashes and sweat won’t stop these headphones – so you can keep on moving to the music. |
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Easy wireless chargingNo cables necessary – the WF-1000XM4 features Qi technology for easy wireless charging. |
Customize sound“Sony | Headphones Connect” App for Android /iOS. Smart Listening technology to control your ambient sound settings and adjust the sound levels. |
Ergonomic surface designA shape that matches the ear cavity with a new ergonomic surface design for a more stable fit. |
Stable Bluetooth connectionA higher, clearer, and more stable Bluetooth signal strength than ever before. |
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| WF1000XM4 | WF1000XM3 | WFSP800N | WFXB700 | |
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| Customer Reviews |
24,533
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18,170
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2,374
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19,478
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| Battery Life / with NC | 8 Hrs (24 Hrs with case) | 6 Hrs (18 Hrs with case) | 9 Hrs (18 Hrs with case) | N/A |
| Battery Life / without NC | 12 Hrs (36 Hrs with case) | 8 Hrs (24 Hrs with case) | 13 Hrs (26 Hrs with case) | 9 Hrs (18 Hrs with case) |
| Quick Charge | Yes / 5min charge 60min play | Yes / 10min charge 90min play | Yes / 10min charge 60min play | Yes / 10min charge 60min play |
| Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ambient Sound Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
| Microphone | Beam Forming Microphone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistant/Splash Proof | Yes / IPX4 | No | Yes / IP55 | Yes / IPX4 |
| LDAC Support | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Speak to Chat | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Touch Panel/Wearing Detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Sony WF-1000XM4 Industry Leading Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbud Headphones with Alexa Built-in, Silver | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | — | -41% $118.00 List: $199.99 | $299.99 | $259.00 | $109.99 | $198.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it by Thursday, Oct 17 | Get it by Thursday, Oct 17 | Get it by Friday, Oct 18 | Get it by Thursday, Oct 17 | Get it by Thursday, Oct 17 |
| Customer ratings | ||||||
| Sold by | — | Amazon.ca | Amazon.ca | TrustedTechCanada - (We Track all Product Serials) | Sounds Good Wireless Earbuds | Amazon.ca |
| connectivity tech | Bluetooth | Wireless | Wireless | Bluetooth | bluetooth 5.2 | Wireless |
| headphones form factor | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear | In Ear |
| connector type | USB Type C | USB Type C | — | wireless | — | — |
| noise control | active noise cancellation | — | — | active noise cancellation | passive noise cancellation | hybrid noise cancellation |
| cable feature | Without Cable | Without Cable | Without Cable | Without Cable | Wireless | Wireless |
| control type | Voice Control | — | Voice Control | Voice Control | Voice Control | — |
| water resistance | — | — | water resistant | water resistant | waterproof | — |
| material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Silicone Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| model name | WF1000XM4/S | Truly Wireless In-Ear Headphones | WFLS900N/C | Bose QuietComfort Earphones, 2020 Model, Soapstone | — | Technics True Wireless Noise Canceling Bluetooth Earbuds EAH-AZ60M2 |
Great but...
I bought these based on reviews from several prominent mags and websites. I needed a new pair of buds and intended to get the Sennheiser Momentum 3s, but the sales for them at the time had ended, and the Sonys were still on for $250 CA. To set the stage, I’ve been an audio enthusiast for almost 40 years now. I’ve had systems from Linn, Martin Logan, Sonic Frontiers, Bryston, Mission, Cyrus, Ariston, Roksan, Musical Fidelity, bla bla, etc. I’ve had headphones Grado, B&W, Sennheiser (HD 650s) and others. Hence to say that this isn’t my first audio rodeo. So… These buds sound OK (LDAC codec in use). Sometimes they sound great. Sometimes I struggle to find something good about them. My source is usually Tidal Masters or FLAC hi-res. Bass sometimes sounds taut but it rarely goes deep. Mid range shines. Upper frequencies are often dull. You need to get the EQ going to fix the issues that they shouldn’t have to begin with. This is always an audiophile bad sign. Having said that, my main issue, though, is that they simply don’t go loud enough. This is a common complaint online. If you want to listen at conversational levels, you’ll be fine. If you want to crank Metallica, you will not. So, I bought a pair of Momentum 3s on sale recently from another retailer. The Sennheiser’s both sound much better and go much louder (aptX). The Momentums, fed a proper source, are great headphones. I’m not going to go through all of the audiophile tropes but trust me when I say the Sennheisers sound like real audiophile headphones for a remarkable price. I’ve got cables that are more expensive than these buds. The Sonys have some very cool aspects though. I’d say the noise cancelling is slightly better than the Senns and they are smarter to use. They will automatically offer to pair across multiple devices that you own as soon as you pair them once to any device. They will read your email and texts to you with a press of a button. The Sennheisers have yet to do either. Having said that, if you are an audiophile, get the Sennheisers and don’t look back. This makes me distrust the mags and websites that ever recommended these over the Senns based on sound. Always trust your ears.
Top reviews from other countries
Andre Miguel do Nascimento
Fones e Loja Hitech espetaculares
Reviewed in Brazil on August 20, 2024Colour Name: BlackVerified Purchase
Antonio Pérez
Buen producto
Reviewed in Mexico on February 20, 2023Colour Name: BlackVerified Purchase
Antonio Pérez
Reviewed in Mexico on February 20, 2023
La cancelación de ruido es sorprendente pues te aisla de la gente y un poco de los autos si lo solo llevas la cancelación sin música, se llegan a escuchar los autos un poco pero es muy mínimo lo que se escucha, ten en cuenta que también son un peligro si vas en calles muy transitadas, pues te aislaran de todo si llevas la música con 50 de volumen.
El sonido ambiente es bueno pero no lo suficiente como para decir WOW se escuchan como si no llevará nada, si se escucha obviamente el ambiente pero diría que lo suficientemente bien como para poder escuchar a una persona y autos pero no para captar detalles mínimos.
El sonido es genial, cuando activas 360 reality audio puedes notar la diferencia en una canción normal y 360 reality audio, se escucha como si la música se moviera a tu alrededor y no se quedará estática en un solo lugar, también hay que decir que si uno quiere mejorar su experiencia con los audífonos hay que descargar la aplicación Sony headphones que nos ofrece la posibilidad de usar su ecualizador con distintos modos y hace resaltar aspectos como la voz, instrumentos, etc.
La comodidad, no los recomiendo del todo en ese aspecto pues llegan a doler un poco después de varias horas y eso que yo tengo oreja grande, no quiero imaginar si tendría oreja chica.
La batería, hay que tener en cuenta esto y es que en la página de soy dicen que los audífonos duran 8 horas, claro si duran 8 horas pero solo con cancelación de ruido o sonido ambiente sin música, con música y cancelación de ruido o ambiente solo duran 5 horas con 30 minutos en mi experiencia, puede que algunos tengan otra emperiencia distinta a la mia y por último el estuche ofrece las dos cargas como dicen.
Por recomendación mía diría que cuiden bastante bien el estuche pues si tienen manos sudorosa pues ten por seguro que si te descuidas se te van a caer, no me ha pasado pero he llegado a pensarlo y cuiden las almohadillas, se llegan a desgastar con el tiempo y mi recomendación es que las limpien con algo para que estas les dure aún más.
Images in this review
Connor
The best earbuds I've had and still going strong nearly 2 years later
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2022Colour Name: BlackVerified Purchase
Felipe R.R.
LO MEJOR DE LO MEJOR
Reviewed in Mexico on September 22, 2022Colour Name: SilverVerified Purchase
Danny
Ear tips to not last and are expensive to replace
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2023Colour Name: SilverVerified Purchase
