Over-Ear
Grado PS500x
76Great
$600
Full review dataGrado PS500x 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.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Grado PS500x
Sound8.0
Value6.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Grado PS500x | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $600 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 44 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 14Hz-29kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 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 | 215 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
What reviewers said
Grado PS500x
The Grado PS500x is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone that delivers a lively and engaging sound, with punchy bass and clear detail. Built for home or studio use, its open design leaks sound heavily and is easy to drive from portable devices thanks to its low impedance. While technically capable, its build quality feels less premium than its price suggests.
- Pro:Energetic, entertaining sound with strong bass and good timing
- Pro:Open, informative presentation with competitive detail
- Pro:Easy to drive from portable players due to 32-ohm impedance
- Con:Open-back design leaks a lot of sound, not suited for public use
- Con:Build quality is not especially luxurious for the price
- Con:Refinement could be better, with a raw or edgy character
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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