Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Edition Xv
78Great
$399
Full review dataHiFiMAN Edition Xv 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 Edition Xv
Sound8.0
Value7.5
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Edition Xv | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $399 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | 80 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-50kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 12 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 92 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 | 452 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN Edition Xv
The HiFiMAN Edition Xv is an open-back planar headphone that leans toward a warm, smooth sound with gentle treble and lush bass/mids, making it easy to listen to for extended sessions. It offers spacious, immersive staging and pairs well with modest gear, though its midrange can feel veiled or overly warm and its accessories and ergonomics don't match the sonic quality.
- Pro:Warm, forgiving tuning that's easy on the ears
- Pro:Spacious, immersive soundstage
- Pro:Comfortable for long listening despite weight
- Con:Midrange can sound veiled or less defined
- Con:Headband stiffness can affect fit
- Con:Build and accessories feel less premium than price suggests
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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