Over-Ear
Grado Rs2x
78Great
$550
Full review dataGrado Rs2x 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 Rs2x
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling1.0
Value6.5
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Grado Rs2x | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $550 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 44 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 14Hz-28kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 38 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 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 | none | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 230 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
What reviewers said
Grado Rs2x
The Grado RS2x is a premium open-back headphone that combines striking wood craftsmanship with a remarkably wide and precise soundstage, making it a favorite among audiophiles who value natural, detailed audio. It's easy to drive from a variety of sources thanks to its efficient design, but its open nature offers little isolation and its feature set is intentionally minimal. While the tuning is excellent for critical listening, measurements reveal some response quirks that may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Excellent, detailed sound quality
- Pro:Very wide and precise stereo imaging
- Pro:Easy to drive from most sources
- Con:Minimal isolation from outside noise
- Con:No built-in controls or features
- Con:Response irregularities in measurements
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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