Sonos Ace Vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Best Detailed Comparison of 2024

The Sonos Ace is a newly launched headphone, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM4 launched in August 2020. So, there is no point in comparing them because Sonos headphones were released a month ago, and Sony XM4 was launched 4 years ago. But, by comparing them, we’ll know whether Sony XM4 headphones are worth buying in 2024 or whether we should prefer Sony XM5 or any other premium headphones or premium earbuds.

Sony XM4 is the predecessor of the XM5, doesn’t mean that its sound quality is poor. Sony XM4 still beats some premium headphones in terms of sound quality, ANC, and features. Let’s compare Sonos Ace vs Sony WH-1000XM4 without wasting time. We also did a comparison of Beats Studio Buds+ with Sennheiser Momentum TW3, you can also check out that article.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Comparison and Detailed Review:

The Sony XM4 is one of the best wireless headphones from the 1000X lineup. Sony has many expensive, mid-range, and affordable headphones in their lineup. If you love bass and want superior audio quality, go with the 1000X lineup. Sony recently launched their ULT wear headphones, which are the best wireless noise cancelling headphones with heavy bass, so you can also buy them for $179.

However, they also have a few negatives but they’re value for money. The Sony XM4 is an all-rounder wireless headphone with all the premium features and functions. They are very comfortable for long periods of time as they’re made with faux leather. If you’re hunting a headphone for traveling, music, Office work, or entertainment Sony XM4 is the best option to consider under $250.

This headphone has a feature known as the speak-to-chat feature that automatically stops the music when it detects that you are speaking. This headphone offers a high-quality plastic build that feels sturdy and durable. These Sony Wireless Headphones are not made for wireless gaming, so you cannot use them with PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Although you can do wired gaming with them, but their mic won’t work.

They don’t have an IP rating and don’t support aptX or aptX HD. They’re overpriced as they lack IP rating and high-quality codecs. If you dislike this headphone, consider Beats Studio Pro, Beats Powerbeats Pro, Bose QuietComfort, Skullcandy Crusher Evo, Sony ULT Wear, and JBL Live 770NC under $250.

Sony XM4 Audio Quality:

The Sony XM4 headphones use 40mm drivers, which produce a neutral sound profile with heavy bass and clear vocals and instruments. You can customize its sound profile from the companion app. They have Bluetooth 5.0 and support codecs like AAC, SBC, and LDAC. They also support multipoint connectivity that allows to use two devices simultaneously with the headphones.

However, Multipoint support is buggy, so you may face difficulties in switching between devices. If you own a Sony XM4 and facing any difficulty with the headphones, you can reach out to the Sony customer support team. Overall, its audio quality is best and can be customized from the Sony Headphones Connect app.

Sony XM4 Active Noise Cancellation:

The Sony XM4 offers five in-built mics for clear voice quality during phone calls. They have Dual noise sensor technology that captures audio from multiple mics and cancels it out. Its Passive isolation does excellent work and cancels out a decent amount of ambient sounds.

The Sony XM4 ANC can easily block out background sounds such as people talking, Aircraft engines, and Bus rumble. Its ANC has multiple features such as Ambient mode, Quick attention mode, and ANC optimization to adjust the noise canceling according to the user’s surroundings. Their audio leakage performance is excellent as they do not leak much at higher volumes.

Sony XM4 Battery Life & Connectivity:

The XM4 can last up to 30 hours with ANC ON and around 38 hours without ANC. They also support fast charging, so 10 minutes of instant charging is enough for 5 hours of non-stop playtime. They also support wireless charging, Multipoint Connectivity, and high-quality codecs except for aptX and aptX HD.

Sony offers a 3.5mm audio cable for a wired connection. You will get a USB to Type-C cable for charging. However, Sony could have given USB-C for a wired audio connection.

Sony XM4 Comfort and Fit:

Sony XM4 is very comfortable for long hours, so you can use them for longer studying sessions. Their earcups are lightweight and don’t put much pressure on ears. Its design is quite similar to XM5. They do not have an IP rating, so save them from water droplets.

They’re not stable as other workout headphones because they may fall off during intense movements. However, you can use them for light workouts. They are ideal for offices because of their longer battery life, excellent ANC, and comfortable fit.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Controls:

The XM4 has a Power button with a custom button. The right earcup panel is touch-sensitive and performs few functions.

• Swipe Up: Volume +
• Swipe Down: Volume –
• Swipe Forward: For Next Track
• Swipe Backward: For Previous Track
• Double: Play/ Pause Audio, Answer/Decline Calls
• Cover the earcup with your palm: To activate Talk-Through Mode

Specifications:

• Type: Over-ear
• Mics: 5
• Bluetooth: 5.0
• IP Rating: N/A
• Driver size: 40mm
• Design: Closed-back
• Battery life: 38 hours

Pros:

• EQ customizations
• Wireless Charging
• Multipoint connectivity
• Talk-Through Mode
• Durable & longer battery life
• Eye-catching design
• Excellent sound profile
• Comfortable and Secure fit
• Great touch controls
• Best Noise cancellation

Cons:

• No IP rating
• Bulky design
• No aptX or aptX HD support
• Multipoint support is buggy

Should you buy the Sony WH-1000XM4 in 2024?

The Sony XM4 is best headphone with excellent features and superior audio quality. However, there are a few negatives in this headphone. If you’re looking for a wireless headphone for gaming, sports, and fitness look out for other wireless headphones.

As we know, Sony XM5 is better than the XM4, but that’s too expensive. So, XM4 is an alternative option to XM5 at an affordable price. If you can buy the XM5, go with that, else buy the Sony XM4 because it’s still worth it in 2024. If you want to buy them immediately check out Amazon, you’ll get them at a lower price during a limited-time offer with 29% off.

II Sonos Ace vs Sony WH-1000XM4 II

Sonos Ace Comparison and Detailed Review:

The Sonos Ace headphones are one of the best wireless noise-cancelling headphones launched recently. These headphones are well-built and have a modern sophisticated design. Their earcups are made with recycled plastic, and ear cushions are made from memory foam with soft vegan leather. The headband is made from stainless steel and has a bespoke fit. Sony XM4 weighs 254g and is 58g lighter than Sonos.

These Sonos headphones have newer Bluetooth 5.4 that offers low latency, lower power consumption, and faster and more stable transmission. Many people like this headphone and others have a few issues with the sound quality and companion app. If you own Sonos soundbars, you can buy these headphones, and they’ll work excellently with the ecosystem.

The Sonos headphones are best for Travelling, Studying, Office, entertainment, and light workouts. They may fall off with intense movements, so avoid them using for workouts. A few people are also facing noise canceling issues, but Sonos can fix that through software updates. You can buy Sony XM4 for $248, and you’ll have to pay $449 for Sonos Ace.

Sonos Ace Sound Quality:

The Sonos headphone uses 40mm drivers which produces a well-balanced sound profile with clear vocals and instruments. However, its bass is not deep, but you can customize its sound profile through the companion app. They are best for offices because they support Multipoint Connectivity and you can switch between devices with a single touch. Its Multipoint connectivity is excellent and it’s not laggy.

The ear detection feature automatically pauses the audio when headphones are removed and vice-versa. The “TV Audio Swap” feature allows you to swap music from Sonos headphones to Sonos Soundbars. This feature will only work if your products are up to date and Wifi is enabled.

Sonos Ace Active Noise Cancellation:

These wireless headphones offer eight built-in mics for excellent noise cancellation and clear phone calls. Still, they have average call quality. You can consider these earbuds for clear phone calls. The Ace headphones offer dual noise sensor technology and use 8 mics, 4 on each earcup, to cancel out external sounds.

Its ANC is excellent and blocks external sound effectively, such as aircraft engines, bus rumble, and people talking. Its passive isolation also does excellent work. You can also enable Spatial audio and head-tracking features from the companion app. Although its companion app is basic and offers fewer features than the Sony app.

Sonos Ace Battery Life & Connectivity:

The Ace headphones last up to 24 hours with ANC and around 30 hours without ANC. Their 3 minutes of rapid charging is enough for 3 hours of non-stop playtime. They offer multipoint connectivity, Bluetooth 5.4, and support codecs like AAC, SBC, and aptX Lossless. However, they do not support wireless charging. You can only charge them with a USB-C cable, and for wired connection, they offer USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable. They have 20m of wireless range without any physical barriers.

Sonos Ace Comfort and Fit:

These wireless headphones are super comfortable and can be used for long sessions without discomfort. Their earcups are magnetic and swappable like AirPods earcups, so you can remove them to clean them easily. The earcups offer a swivel with fold-flat design and are available in a matte finish. They do not have an IP Rating, so they are not sweat or water-resistant. Ace headphones are not meant for workouts because they may fall off during intense movements. However, you can use them for entertainment, traveling, or light workouts.

Sonos Ace Controls:

On the right earcup, you’ll get an ANC On/Off button with a multi-functional slider button. On the left earcup, Power and Bluetooth buttons are available with an LED light.

• Slider Button: Play/Pause, Next/Previous, Volume +/-
• Noise Control Button: ANC, Aware Mode.

Specifications:

• Type: Over-ear
• Mics: 8
• Bluetooth: 5.4
• IP Rating: N/A
• Driver size: 40mm
• Design: Closed-back
• Battery life: 30 hours

Pros:

• Soft earcup cushions
• Magnetic earcups
• Adjustable EQ
• Multipoint connectivity
• TV audio Swap Mode
• Ear detection feature
• Longer battery life
• Dynamic head tracking
• Best for Glasses Wearers
• Excellent sound profile
• Comfortable and Secure fit
• Best Noise cancellation
• Multifunctional slider button
• Support high-quality codecs

Cons:

• No IP rating
• Wireless Charging
• Companion app is buggy
• Bass isn’t deep
• Average call quality
• Lacks smart intergration

Should you Buy the Sonos Ace headphones?

Yes, you should buy them. They offer excellent build quality with world-class ANC, lots of new features, and premium design. Overall, this is an excellent headphone but has a few cons that can be fixed through software updates.

Conclusion:

Overall, both the headphones are great according to their price point. If you’re hunting headphones for traveling or entertainment purposes, you can consider any of them. However, the Ace headphone case feels cheap and much thinner. If you have a Sonos Sound system, go for the Ace headphones.

If you don’t wanna spend $449 on a headphone, you’ll get the same features in XM4. Sonos Ace doesn’t have deep bass. But Sony XM4 offers booming bass with bass boost mode. The Sony app offers many customizations. On the other hand, the Sonos app has few bugs and doesn’t offer many features or customizations.

In the end, Sony XM4 is best in terms of sound quality, power, and customizations, and the Sonos Ace headphone is best in design, features, and connectivity. If you don’t know how to select the best headphones, check out this article to get your dream headphone.

Check out the Best Wireless Earbuds for 2024: Here

Check out the Best Samsung Earbuds: Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):