Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataSony WH-1000XM4 vs STAX SR-303: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Sony WH-1000XM4 vs STAX SR-303, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
STAX SR-303
Not yet scored
$600
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
STAX SR-303
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM4 | STAX SR-303 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $600 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | Not scored |
| Released | 2020 | 1999 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | electrostatic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz | 7Hz-41kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 132000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW | 100 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 | 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 | 254 g | 295 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| USB-C | Yes | No |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | - |
What reviewers said
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
STAX SR-303
The STAX SR-303 is a wired electrostatic over-ear headphone that relies on a high-voltage charged diaphragm to produce sound, delivering an extended frequency range from deep bass to ultra-high treble. It requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier and offers a transparent, detailed presentation typical of the technology, with a lightweight build for comfortable listening.
- Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
- Pro:Very wide frequency response extends beyond human hearing
- Pro:Lightweight design reduces fatigue during long sessions
- Con:Requires a specialized electrostatic amp, adding cost
- Con:No noise isolation or wireless functionality
- Con:High impedance may be incompatible with standard gear
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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