
ASTRO Gaming A50X vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | ASTRO Gaming A50X | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $400 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.x | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | 12 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 364 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Pad material | Velour | - |
| Clamp force | 411 g | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
| Microphone | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
ASTRO Gaming A50X
The ASTRO Gaming A50X is a premium wireless headset designed for gamers who want seamless switching between multiple consoles and PC via its base station. It offers a comfortable fit, solid build, and excellent audio quality, though its high price and reliance on the dock make it a niche choice for general use.
- Pro:Comfortable and well-built for long sessions
- Pro:Excellent sound quality for gaming
- Pro:Convenient multi-platform switching
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Setup process can be cumbersome
- Con:Base station dependency limits flexibility
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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