Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled
68Good
$549
Full review dataHiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled 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.
HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled
Sound7.5
Value7.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $549 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | 80 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-55kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 22 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | - | 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 | - | 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 | 449 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled
The HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled is an open-back planar headphone that delivers a highly detailed and spacious sound, with notable strengths in bass, midrange, and imaging, alongside improved comfort over earlier models. It offers solid value at its price point, though its presentation may not suit everyone, and it carries some compromises in build and accessories.
- Pro:Detailed and resolving planar sound
- Pro:Comfortable fit for extended listening
- Pro:Strong bass and midrange performance
- Con:Stock accessories and packaging feel basic
- Con:Headband build lacks premium feel
- Con:Bass impact and vocals may not suit all tastes
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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