Sony WF-1000XM4's ANC got BETTER? 😲 (Firmware 1.5.0)

TL;DR

New Sony WF-1000XM4 shows improved battery life and ANC but similar call quality.

Transcript

okay great they replaced everything at no charge so I've literally got a brand new unit here they even waived the service fee of 80 Singapore dollars kudos to Sony for that service recovery but to put my own mind at ease again I'm gonna have to test this battery one more time this is the one with firmware number 1.5.0 now I have tested its battery ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 The brand new Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds were provided as a replacement, showcasing notable customer service from Sony.
• 👍 Battery performance proved satisfactory, with tests matching Sony's promised durations under various usage conditions.
• 🙂 Subjectively, the sound quality of the new model exhibited slight tonal changes but remained largely similar to its predecessor, hinting at potential 'burn-in' effects.
• 🙂 ANC performance showed only slight improvements, particularly in handling mid-range external noises, although major advancements were absent.
• 🤭 Call quality remained unchanged, which was disappointing for the reviewer, indicating a stable yet unimproved microphone performance in both quiet and noisy environments.
• 😥 Users can anticipate new functionalities like multi-point pairing, indicating continuous improvements and updates for the product.
• 🐕‍🦺 The review emphasizes the importance of customer service in enhancing consumer satisfaction even amidst product issues.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the reviewer’s experience with Sony's customer service?

The reviewer praised Sony for their customer service, highlighting that they replaced the faulty unit at no charge and waived the service fee of 80 Singapore dollars. This positive experience made the reviewer feel more confident in the product's reliability and Sony's commitment to customer satisfaction.

Q: How did the battery performance of the new earbuds compare to the previous unit?

The new Sony WF-1000XM4 achieved a playback duration of 5 hours and 39 minutes when streaming from Spotify. However, when noise canceling was activated without music, it extended to 8 hours and 43 minutes, aligning well with Sony's specifications and the reviewer's daily usage habits.

Q: Did the sound quality improve with the new firmware?

The new unit displayed a slightly brighter mid-range tone based on the reviewer’s frequency sweep test compared to the old unit. While overall sound profiles remained similar, the new model may require a period of 'burn-in' to optimize performance, suggesting potential improvements over time.

Q: What were the findings on Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance?

The reviewer noted that the new unit's ANC was marginally more effective, especially at filtering mid-range noises in test conditions resembling loud cafes. However, the overall improvement was minimal, and the device still performed within an acceptable range in noisy environments.

Q: How did the call quality compare between the old and new units?

The reviewer expressed disappointment as there was no noticeable improvement in call quality between the new and old models, regardless of background noise levels. They expected enhanced microphone performance, but it did not meet their anticipations.

Q: What upcoming features are expected for the Sony WF-1000XM4?

The reviewer mentioned that multi-point pairing is an upcoming feature for the WF-1000XM4 earbuds. This will allow users to connect the earbuds to multiple devices simultaneously, enhancing functionality and convenience for users who switch between devices frequently.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The reviewer received a brand new Sony WF-1000XM4 unit, which functions well and offers free service recovery while testing battery performance and audio quality.

• The battery tests indicate normal performance with a total of 8 hours and 43 minutes of use with noise canceling activated, and music playback lasting 5 hours and 39 minutes.

• Despite some minor improvements in Active Noise Cancellation, the call quality remains unchanged compared to the previous model, leading to some disappointment.