ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Sony announced three new pairs of budget headphones.
- One is a refreshed version of its 2020 WH-1000XM4 headphones.
- They’re solid options for people turned off by Sony’s newer flagship headphones.
Just over a year after releasing the highly acclaimed WH-1000XM6, Sony announced the 1000X The Collexion, a luxury consumer headphone aimed at customers with discerning design tastes and deeper pockets. Now, a few months later, Sony is making a unique decision to … rerelease its flagship headphones from six years ago? Sure, why not.
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Alongside the WH-1000XM4C are the WH-CH730N and the WH-CH530, completing the company’s refreshed budget headphone lineup. Each pair suits different user needs: The WH-1000XM4C is the most advanced of the bunch, while the WH-CH530 is the least advanced. I flew to New York City to get a first look at the new headphones — here’s what to know.
An old favorite returns
The WH-1000XM4C is a reborn version of the WH-1000XM4, initially released in 2020. The XM4C debuts with a more modern, refined look compared with the first-generation XM4, with the exact same noise-cancellation tech, an extended 10-band EQ, updated audio tuning, a $50 lower price tag, and three fewer hours of battery life. It’s an interesting spec sheet.
During a briefing, Sony said it was targeting young women with this release. From 2023 to the present, the Sony WH-1000XM4 has remained a trending topic on TikTok, with many creators praising its noise cancellation, design, fit, and especially its price relative to newer models.
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According to Sony, young women are at the forefront of the online headphone trend, so Sony decided to refresh the fourth-generation headphones to capitalize on the hype. I can understand why Sony claims young women prefer the XM4 to the newer XM5 or XM6 models, and it’s solely because of design. The XM4 sports a lighter, slimmer build with thinner earcups, which can be considered a more “feminine” look compared with the bulkier earcups found on the XM5 and XM6.
However, I don’t see only young women finding the renewed XM4 model attractive. The XM4 is a widely beloved iteration of Sony’s 1000X series headphones, and anyone who doesn’t like the XM5 or XM6 for whatever reason may feel inclined to buy the XM4C.
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I briefly took the XM4C for a test drive. It’s solid, just like the original XM4. It doesn’t have Sony’s most advanced ANC, but it’s a step above the Ult Wear headphones, so it’s better suited for noisier environments and daily interactions.
Two refreshed budget options
The WH-CH730N sits in the middle of the three new headphones, with improved noise cancellation, 15 more hours of battery life, and improved voice pickup during calls compared with its predecessor. Additionally, Sony fitted the WH-CH730N with LE Audio support, a staple of the company’s newer headphones that’s missing from the XM4C. The WH-CH730N also sports a more modern and up-to-date design than its predecessor.
During my brief time with them, I liked the WH-CH730N’s lightweight build, though it’s entirely plastic. The headphones’ noise cancellation is decent, and I considered it on par with JBL’s midrange Live headphones, though the WH-CH730N had only a few minutes amid New York City traffic to make a quick impression.
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I’ve always recommended the high end of Sony’s budget headphone lineup to people who want a lower-priced but good-performing pair, either as a backup for their daily driver or because they’re not fond of expensive flagship headphones.
The WH-CH530 are Sony’s most budget-friendly headphones, sporting an on-ear earpad design, several playful color options, built-in voice assistant support, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and LE Audio. The WH-CH530 promises 55 hours of playtime, which is five more hours than the previous generation, plus upgraded voice pickup with AI noise reduction.
I thought the WH-CH530 sounded great for their price, but with an on-ear design, bright color options, in-app volume limits, and no noise cancellation, I inferred that these headphones are aimed at kids and beginners. For $70, they can also make a solid backup pair of headphones if you don’t want to take your main pair out in the elements, or they could make a great Christmas present for someone learning to take responsibility for their personal tech.
The WH-CH730N and WH-CH530 are now available for purchase from Sony and participating retailers for $180 and $70, respectively. According to Sony, the WH-1000XM4C will be available later this fall from Sony and participating retailers for $300.
