Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
78Great
$407
Full review dataSennheiser HD 480 PRO 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.
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
Sound8.0
Value6.5
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 480 PRO | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $407 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2026 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 38 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 3Hz-28.7kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 130 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 | 272 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
What reviewers said
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
The Sennheiser HD 480 PRO is a wired, over-ear headphone built for professional studio work, offering a clear and detailed sound signature tuned for critical listening. Its lightweight design and comfortable fit make it suitable for long sessions, while the sturdy build ensures reliability in demanding environments. However, its premium price and minimal accessory package may give some buyers pause, and it lacks modern conveniences like wireless connectivity or noise cancellation.
- Pro:Accurate and detailed sound reproduction
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended use
- Pro:Solid, durable construction for studio settings
- Con:Premium price point for the included features
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless options
- Con:Limited accessories in the box
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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