Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Dan Clark Audio Stealth: Two Very Different 88s

The Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Dan Clark Audio Stealth both score 88/100 on HearWiki, but they share almost nothing else. One is a wireless, noise-cancelling travel headphone that costs $231. The other is a wired, planar magnetic studio tool that costs $365. This comparison works through what each asks of you, what each delivers, and which one you should actually buy.

We have linked the full comparison table at /compare/sony-wh-1000xm4-vs-dan-clark-audio-stealth so you can check every spec side by side. Otherwise, read on.

Price and positioning

The Sony WH-1000XM4 costs $231. That price buys you a complete wireless package: Bluetooth 5, LDAC and AAC codecs, active noise cancelling, a 30-hour battery, and a microphone system for calls. It is a mainstream consumer product, sold everywhere, designed to be used on a train, in an office, or on a plane without any extra equipment.

The Dan Clark Audio Stealth costs $365. That price buys you a closed-back planar magnetic headphone and nothing else. There is no battery, no Bluetooth, no microphone, and no noise cancelling. It is a specialist tool for critical listening, and it will not work properly out of a phone or laptop. You need a dedicated headphone amplifier, and a decent one at that. The Stealth is not a product you buy casually; it is a commitment.

These two are not competing for the same buyer. The price gap of $134 is less important than the difference in what each product asks you to provide. The Sony asks for nothing. The Stealth asks for a separate amp, a quiet room, and a wired source.

The scores, side by side

Both headphones score 88/100 overall. That is the headline. But the sub-scores tell a different story. The Sony scores 9/10 for sound, 9/10 for noise cancelling, 8/10 for battery, 8/10 for calls, and 8/10 for value. The Stealth scores 9.5/10 for sound, 6/10 for value, and its noise cancelling, battery, and call scores are not recorded because the product does not have those features.

So the overall scores are the same, but the shape of the scores is completely different. The Sony is a balanced all-rounder. The Stealth is a specialist that wins big on sound and loses on value. If you average the sub-scores that exist, the Stealth comes out ahead on pure audio performance. But an 88/100 on the Sony means something entirely different from an 88/100 on the Stealth. Do not use the single number to decide between them.

Sound

The Stealth is the better-sounding headphone, and it is not close. Its sound sub-score is 9.5/10 against the Sony's 9/10. The Stealth's planar drivers deliver exceptional clarity, detail retrieval, and a natural, smooth tonal balance. It is a reference-grade closed-back. The catch is that it needs power. Without a strong amplifier, the bass impact is limited, and the headphone cannot show what it can do. You are not buying a sound; you are buying a sound system.

The Sony is a very good-sounding wireless headphone. Its dynamic drivers produce a well-balanced, detailed signature that handles most genres well. With LDAC support, it can carry high-resolution audio over Bluetooth. But it is not in the same technical class as the Stealth. The Sony is excellent for what it is: a portable wireless headphone. The Stealth is excellent for what it is: a stationary reference tool. If you want the best sound possible, the Stealth wins, provided you have the amp.

Noise cancelling and battery

The Sony has active noise cancelling and it is excellent, scoring 9/10. It is adaptive, meaning it adjusts to your environment, and it is effective at taming the low-frequency rumble of transport and air conditioning. The Stealth has no noise cancelling. That is not recorded as a sub-score because the feature does not exist. It is a closed-back design, so it offers some passive isolation, but that is not the same thing. You will hear your surroundings.

Battery life is another non-comparison. The Sony offers 30 hours of playback on a single charge, with a quick-charge feature. The Stealth has no battery; it is wired. Its battery life is not recorded because it does not have one. If you need to move around, the Sony is the only option here.

Calls and everyday use

The Sony scores 8/10 for calls. It has a built-in microphone array and works fine for phone calls and video conferences. The Stealth has no microphone. Its call quality is not recorded because it cannot make calls. That is a hard stop for anyone who needs a headset for work.

Everyday use is where the two diverge most. The Sony is lightweight, comfortable for long sessions, and supports multipoint pairing, touch controls, and quick charge. It is a product you can live with. The Stealth is heavy, requires a wired connection to an amplifier, and is not portable in any practical sense. It is a product you sit with. The Sony is a companion. The Stealth is an instrument.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the Sony WH-1000XM4 if you want a single headphone for commuting, travel, office work, and casual listening. It is the better value at $231, it has noise cancelling, battery life, and call support, and it works out of the box. It is also the safer choice if you are not sure what you need. For most people, the Sony is the correct answer.

Buy the Dan Clark Audio Stealth if you already have a good amplifier, you listen at a desk, and you prioritise absolute sound quality over everything else. It is the better headphone for critical listening, but it is not a better product for daily life. You are paying $365 for a specialist tool, and the value sub-score of 6/10 reflects that. If you have the amp and the patience, the Stealth rewards you. If you do not, it will frustrate you.

There is no single winner. The two headphones share a score but not a purpose. Match the product to your situation, not to the number.

FAQ

Are the Sony WH-1000XM4 still worth buying in 2025?

Yes, if you want a reliable wireless headphone with strong noise cancelling. The $231 price is well below what newer flagships cost, and the 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and multipoint pairing keep it competitive. It is not the best-sounding headphone you can buy, but it is one of the best all-rounders.

Do the Dan Clark Audio Stealth need an amplifier?

Yes. The Stealth is very power-hungry, and without a strong amp the bass impact is limited. A phone or laptop jack will not drive them properly. Plan to spend extra on a dedicated headphone amplifier before you buy.

Which headphone has better noise cancellation?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has active noise cancelling and scores 9/10 for it. The Dan Clark Audio Stealth has no noise cancelling at all; it is a wired, passive closed-back. If noise cancelling matters to you, the Sony is the only choice.

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By Miles Archer · HearWiki