Sony has unveiled a new, high-priced gadget for listening to music while on the road.
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| [Sony WF-1000XM4] |
It's hard to imagine that a gadget that costs more than 25 thousand rubles is packaged in a box of pressed paper. The bundle includes headphones. Users will not notice any difference as a result. There's also a replaceable ear pad set and USB-C cable included in the package, as well as an instruction manual and QR code for downloading a brand-named app. With this model, there are no silicone tips but merely black porous ones like those that came with the previous WF-1000XM3 model.
Soft tips are unquestionably superior in terms of noise isolation and wearing comfort. However, headphones may slip out of your ears if you don't predict correctly about the size of the tips. This is because the porous material expands and the tip can force the gadget out of your ear.
Since 1982, the Japanese company has been making in-ear headphones, so they know a thing or two about creating the ideal pair. Everything about the WF-1000XM4 stands out as being substantially bigger than anything else on the market. Probably due to the developers' efforts to cram six-millimeter speakers, a CPU, microphones, and a battery beneath the chassis.
The WF-1000XM4 seems to be a giant bean in appearance. Fitting the headset requires that the earpiece protrude from the auricle by a substantial amount, which might be problematic. The exterior of the phone has a circular touchpad coated in a somewhat rough substance that lets you change the volume, switch songs, and answer calls.
In addition to the design feature, a little copper-colored tablet protrudes from the case's outside, and this is a microphone. When the earbuds are withdrawn from the ear, a light-sensitive sensor on the back of the earpiece turns them off. With that said, it isn't without flaws; for example, it turns on playback when a TWS headset device is in a pocket with no protective cover. An additional contact group is used to charge the device.
The casing is rectangular with rounded sides and a matte finish. Despite being in the same pocket as keys and change for a month, the case has not scratched and seems to be brand new. The argument for the identical AirPods begins to lose its appeal very soon.
The case's cover opens with a gentle click. The headphones are held in place by a strong magnet within the device, so they cannot slip out. This technique has the drawback of making it difficult to remove the headphones from the case when you're out and about, or if your hands are wet.
The device's charge level is shown via a colour indication adjacent to the lid. The headphones themselves do not have a built-in light.
You should read the directions before using headphones since putting on a headset is a complex science in and of itself. It's important to turn the headphones slightly in your ear before inserting them into the channel, otherwise the headphones will hang loose. Each earphone has a unique design that might make it hard to attach the gadget by touch or while on the go. If the size of the ear pads isn't right, you'll get the impression that the gadget is always trying to come out of your ears. However, if the earphones are properly sized, they will be able to block out unwanted noises even without the active noise reduction mode.
Keeps the brand
The new headset supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs, as well as the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol for connecting to a smartphone. Audiophiles have high expectations for these gadgets, and they'll be disappointed if they get anything less than that.
It sounds fine. Sony maintains its brand, and the headset delivers a rich, clear sound that doesn't stutter at low or high frequencies. WF-1000XM4 allows you to listen to a wide range of genres, including classic rock, hip-hop, and techno music. Here, the rule that music should sound like it is coming from within the listener's brain rather than the ears applies.
The sound quality of the new headphones is similar to that of the brand's prior products, which are warm, smooth, and voluminous. Even more shocking is the fact that, despite its many excellent attributes, the headset performs so poorly while conversing on the phone. Extraneous sounds intrude on the dialogue, prompting the conversational partners to inquire again. If you can, remove your headphones and hold the phone up to your ear instead than listening with your headphones in.
Warm your ears
People from all over the world's ears have been studied by Sony, according to the company. Since the headset is generally comfortable to wear for lengthy periods of time, that seems to be the case. The issue stems from the device's size, which makes it seem out of place in the auricle. It doesn't bother you while you're at home since you quickly forget about it. Under a helmet or hood, though, the gadget often reminds itself. You may hear the rustling of clothes in your ears if you put your earphones very next to your clothing.
Playback and smart features of a device must be managed separately to achieve dexterity. You may choose from a variety of combinations in the app, but it's most easy to "hang" switching music on the right ear and modify settings on the left. To stop a track, you must tap the earpiece once, switch tracks twice, then return to the previous track three times. Instead of vibrating in response to each contact, this gadget emits a sound signal. Because touches aren't always recognised, they might result in unintentional clicks. Since only warm fingers can feel the touch panels while changing tracks while wearing gloves, the experience is enhanced.
Bazaar Zero
"Normal," "active noise reduction," and "transparent" are the three operating modes for the Sony WF-1000XM4 (or "wiretapping"). The simplest and most energy-efficient option is the standard mode, which relies only on the perfect fit and the right ear cushions to block out unwanted noise. When used in noise cancellation mode, the headphones effectively eliminate almost all of the ambient sounds around the wearer. A running vehicle, a drill, water pouring, and traffic noise are just some of the sounds that the device is adept at blocking out.
It is possible to choose basic noise reduction, in which the device will damper all external noises in general, and automated wind noise suppression in the device settings. When an aural stimulus appears suddenly, the headset responds by blocking all outside noise. In the programme, you may optionally pick the "Chat" option, which interrupts the noise reduction mode if a voice is detected by the microphones. This is handy in the workplace, where a user using headphones may be called upon at any time by coworkers. This mode, however, is activated by the device's own voice and even a cough, so you won't be able to sing along with your favourite author.
In the third mode, the WF-1000XM4 turns on microphones to pick up and send out sound from around the unit. To hear a vehicle coming up behind you while walking along a busy street, or to avoid having to remove the device from your ears at the checkout counter, this feature may be useful. The function works nicely; through the app, you may choose the level at which the microphones broadcast ambient noises. You may also engage voice concentrate mode here, which allows the headset to raise the loudness of a human speech while suppressing background noise.
Sony's new headphones have a unique function that you won't find in other headsets: the headset can automatically transition between modes. No matter whether the user is out and about, having a casual conversation with friends, or curled up on the sofa at home, the device will switch to the appropriate mode automatically. However, it is always better to choose your preferred mode on your own, since this can be done with a single tap.
On a single charge, Sony boasts, the headset will last for eight hours. Few individuals would sit in headphones for eight hours straight without taking them off, so it's hard to say for sure. With frequent listening, the case only needed to be charged once every two weeks, and the gadget never failed. As impressive as it is, this has an impact on the headphones' overall dimensions.
Even if the battery dies unexpectedly, the headset may be recharged for 60 minutes of operation by placing it in the case for five minutes. USB-C is used to charge the gadget. The WF-1000XM4 can be charged wirelessly, much like any other contemporary headphones.
Weirdly, the headphones gave us the sensation that they had some issues with them, either because of their new form factor or because of the manufacturer's misinterpretation of our needs. Although the headset's shape and hues seem to suggest an unobtrusive presence, it is in fact a monstrosity. It's bad listening to music while you're distracted by other things.
The WF-1000XM4's benefits exceed its drawbacks. Headsets like this one are a great alternative for folks who are accustomed to listening to music on high-quality equipment while on the road. If you're looking for clear, surround sound, you've come to the right spot. To put it another way, Sony headphones are remarkable because they are in a league of their own when it comes to lighting up. The WF-1000XM4 wireless headset costs more over 25,000 rubles, but if you think of it as an investment in a tool that will enable you to see familiar compositions in a new light, the price is well worth it.