Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataSony WH-1000XM4 vs STAX SR-404: 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
STAX SR-404
78Great
$395
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-404
Sound8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM4 | STAX SR-404 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $395 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz | 7Hz-41kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Neutral |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 145000 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 | - |
| 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 | - |
| 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-404
The STAX SR-404 is an electrostatic over-ear headphone known for its exceptionally transparent and neutral sound, delivering remarkable detail and speed. Its lightweight build and wide frequency response make it a solid choice for critical listening, though it demands a dedicated electrostatic amplifier to function.
- Pro:Outstanding clarity and micro-detail retrieval
- Pro:Very fast transient response typical of electrostatics
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Con:Requires a specialized electrostatic amp, adding cost
- Con:Very high impedance limits portability and source compatibility
- Con:Bass extension is present but can feel lean to some listeners
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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