Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataSony WH-1000XM4 vs ZMF Auteur: 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
ZMF Auteur
78Great
$235
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
ZMF Auteur
Sound8.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM4 | ZMF Auteur |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $235 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2017 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 50 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz | 10Hz-25kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW | 97 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| 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 | 470 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | Yes | No |
| Balanced connection | - | 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
ZMF Auteur
The ZMF Auteur is an open-back, wood-crafted flagship headphone with a bright-neutral sound signature that balances technical detail with musicality. Its wide soundstage and intimate vocal presentation make it stand out, while its 300-ohm dynamic drivers deliver solid bass and treble presence. Though not purely clinical, it offers strong overall value and engaging fidelity in its price class.
- Pro:Wide, spacious soundstage
- Pro:Intimate and natural vocal reproduction
- Pro:Engaging, musical tuning with good bass and treble presence
- Con:Requires a capable amplifier due to high impedance
- Con:Bright-neutral signature may not suit all listeners
- Con:Heavier build at 470 grams
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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