# The Sony WH-1000XM4C bring back a beloved headphone design

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-sony-wh-1000xm4c-bring-back-a-beloved-headphone-design/
- Published: 2026-10-26T16:45:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T17:03:54+00:00
- Original publisher: The Verge
- Original article: https://www.theverge.com/tech/1018115/sony-wh-1000xm4c-headphones-review
- Topics: Software

## Key points

- Sony brings back the popular XM4 headphone design.
- Sound and comfort remain strong, with only modest changes.
- Noise cancellation uses older technology than Sony’s newer models.

## Summary

Sony’s WH-1000XM4C revive the design and much of the hardware of the popular WH-1000XM4, first released in 2020. The reviewer says they remain comfortable, sound good and offer performance close to Sony’s current flagship for less money, making the familiar design appealing despite the lack of major upgrades.

The XM4C retain 40mm drivers, four microphones, the older QN1 noise-cancelling chip and support for SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs. Their noise cancellation is broadly similar to the original XM4, though newer models perform better; a 10-band EQ can help bring out the midrange. They fold into a travel case and support wired listening through a 3.5mm jack, but not USB-C audio, and charging requires a separately supplied USB-C cable.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.