Sony is bringing one of its most popular noise-canceling headphones back from the dead. The new WH-1000XM4C keeps the familiar design of the original XM4 while adding updated audio features and a $300 price tag. The revived model will sit below Sony's current WH-1000XM6, while two new midrange and budget headphones are also arriving this month.
Sony Brings Back a Familiar Favorite
The WH-1000XM4C, also described as the second-generation WH-1000XM4, uses the exact same design as the original XM4. It retains several of the features that made the previous model popular, including active noise cancellation powered by Sony's QN1 chip and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity. Sony has also updated the sound profile and added both a 10-band equalizer and a gaming-specific EQ. Its Quick Access feature lets users launch supported streaming services with a single touch. The feature should not be confused with Quick Attention, which was already available on the original XM4 and lets users quickly interact with their surroundings.
Battery Life Takes a Step Back
There is one notable downgrade. The WH-1000XM4C offers up to 27 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, three hours less than the original XM4. Battery life drops by four hours with ANC turned off as well. Sony is attempting to offset that reduction with faster charging, with three minutes of charging providing up to one hour of listening.
Sony Cuts the Price
The biggest surprise may be the price. The WH-1000XM4C will cost $300 when it arrives this fall. That's $50 less than the original XM4 cost when it launched in 2020 and $150 below the current WH-1000XM6. Sony is effectively betting that a refreshed version of a proven design can attract buyers without matching the price of its flagship headphones.
WH-CH730N Targets the Midrange
Sony is also replacing its WH-CH720N with the new WH-CH730N this month. The company has redesigned the ear cups and added a folding headband. Its updated ANC system is designed to reduce noise by up to 10%, while AI-based noise reduction is intended to improve call quality. The WH-CH730N also gets a new 10-band EQ, gaming EQ and Background Music mode. The latter simulates quieter audio as if it were coming from speakers in a room. Battery life is one of the biggest upgrades. Sony claims up to 50 hours with ANC enabled and 75 hours without it, compared with 35 and 50 hours respectively for the previous model.
New Hearing Safety Features Arrive
Sony is adding new hearing health tools to the WH-CH730N. Users can set a maximum volume as a percentage of the headphones' full capability and receive a weekly sound allowance check. The headphones can also track listening habits over time. The WH-CH730N will launch in black, blue, tan, white and pink in September for $180, the same launch price as the WH-CH720N in 2023.
WH-CH530 Keeps the Budget Price
At the budget end, Sony is replacing the WH-CH520 with the $70 WH-CH530. The on-ear headphones still lack active noise cancellation, but Sony says they offer improved sound quality and support both 10-band and gaming EQ settings. Battery life increases to 55 hours, five hours more than the previous model. AI-based call improvements are also included. The same hearing safety features introduced with the WH-CH730N will be available here, giving the cheaper model volume controls, sound allowance monitoring and listening tracking. The WH-CH530 arrives in September for $70 and will be available in black, purple, green, white, pink and coral.
What Comes Next
Sony's headphone strategy for the rest of the year is clear: instead of introducing an entirely new upper-midrange model, it is refreshing an established favorite while filling out the lineup below it. The WH-1000XM4C will arrive this fall at $300, while the WH-CH730N and WH-CH530 launch in September. The key question will be whether the XM4's familiar design and lower price can make the revived headphones a compelling alternative to Sony's more expensive flagship.
FAQ
What is the Sony WH-1000XM4C?
The Sony WH-1000XM4C is a refreshed version of the WH-1000XM4 with updated audio features, EQ options and faster charging.
How much will the Sony WH-1000XM4C cost?
The WH-1000XM4C will cost $300 when it launches this fall.
How long does the WH-1000XM4C battery last?
The headphones offer up to 27 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation enabled.
What are the new Sony WH-CH730N headphones?
The WH-CH730N is Sony's new midrange model and the successor to the WH-CH720N. It offers ANC, up to 50 hours of battery life with ANC and a $180 price.
How much does the Sony WH-CH530 cost?
The WH-CH530 costs $70 and replaces the WH-CH520 as Sony's budget on-ear headphone option.
