I certainly have a reputation for being the CABLED audio nerd. I genuinely believe in cabled audio as the best solution for quality and consistency. That does NOT mean I don’t enjoy some Bluetooth solutions for convenience and noise reduction. I’m not about to take my really fancy open-back cans on a road trip or flight.
The headphones I’ve been using the most over the last two years took a dive onto tile, and unfortunately did not survive. My Wife took pity on me, and for my birthday, she hooked me up with a pair of Sony WH-1000XM4s!
In a fancy blue color no less.
Using them for a couple days now, I’m as impressed as I was when I got to test drive some XM3’s, and I already have some thoughts on what Sony might do for the XM5’s.
Let’s nerd out on some GOOD travel audio!
#1 Don’t use heavier materials!
After using cans like the Beyerdynamic Lagoon and gaming headsets like the EPOS GSP670 or Audeze Mobius, the XM4 are satisfyingly light.
I understand how “premium” might translate to “weightier” for some consumers, but the joy of a good travel headset is comfort. Heavier casing or more “premium” metals for the ear cups will likely translate into a more fatiguing fit.
Plastic does not equal “cheap”.
#2 Don’t get rid of accessories!
I can’t stress this one enough.
We’re seeing a trend in consumer tech where manufacturers are taking accessories out of the box. When we start climbing to higher price tags, increasingly, I think consumers enjoy a feature complete experience out of the box.
Good headphones deserve a good case. Headphones with a battery should at LEAST receive the correct cable to charge them. Plus, this is a flexible audio product, and the consumer should be able to immediately use them wired or wireless, without an additional purchase.
People spend a LOT of money on this gear, don’t get cheap with the accessories!
#3 Don’t lose the power button (but fix the custom button)!
I think there’s a tendency to get a little TOO clever with consumer tech. We swap out buttons for “easier” or more “intuitive” controls. In practical use, those changes are “different”, not always “better”. When I want to turn my headphones off, I want to just simply turn them off.
The controls on the XM4 are well polished, save for an odd choice. The power button action is simple. The swipe controls on the ear cup are responsive. I would appreciate better separation for the “custom” button. The XM4 make you choose between voice assistant access or toggling ambient sound.
Por qué no los dos?
#4 Don’t forget to add more streaming partnerships!
Premium audio is enjoying a renaissance of sorts. Streaming services are stepping up the quality of their data, and new features like spatial audio are making their way to consumers. Now is the perfect time for Sony to really double down on partnerships.
At present, the XM4 list specific spatial compatibility with Tidal, Artist Connection, Deezer, and Nugs.net. Those are all fine options, but we also know there are some major services missing. With more streaming platforms adding similar features, it’s critical that this list grows.
#5 Don’t hike the price!
There are expensive purchases that make us feel good. There are expensive purchases which are more practical. Good audio should enjoy a healthy overlap of both.
Just because some other companies have rolled into this market charging a LOT more for their headphones, doesn’t mean Sony should follow suit.
Sony is in a rare position here. The company enjoys a solid reputation for audio gear. Refinement might not seem AS sexy, but this is a product segment which likely doesn’t need any radical change in the near term.
Keep what works. Tweak what needs tweaked. Keep up with tech trends. Don’t jack the price up too high.
#6 Don’t lose the name!
And now for the controversial point on this list! Don’t change the name!
Sony’s alphabet soup product names are fun. It’s become an identifier for the brand, and a secret code to highlight who’s “in the know”.
“WH-1000XM4” is kind of a silly mouthful, but like I’ve abbreviated in this article, people who KNOW call them “The XM4”. We like those who are like-minded, and who care enough to get those names right.
We can give consumers a little credit here. For all the techie cringing over Sony naming, these labels aren’t holding end users back.
“The more expensive Sony cans? Yeah those things are solid!”
See? That was easy!
Will we see the XM5 next year?
No idea!
If you’ve made it this far down the list, you should have gleaned by now that this is really a thinly veiled look at the XM4 and where it might fit in the landscape of current competition. I’m not going for clickbait here, but if we’re allowed to engage in wild speculation for other companies and their future products, why not Sony headphones?
There was a two-year cycle between the XM3 and the XM4, so the smart money on an XM5 release would be second half 2022. With more pressure from manufacturers like Apple however, it might be interesting to see if that timetable is accelerated.
Let’s get ahead of the conversation! What would YOU want to see on a future Sony headphone? Drop some comments below!
Shop the WH-1000XM4 on Amazon!
Sony need to make the XM5’s able to fold and swivel both ways or at least as you take them off, not having to turn them around first.
Maybe a rotary control dial similar to the Microsoft headphones would be good.
A longer charging cable and a 6.3mm adapter included.
A headphone cable with an inline remote control (how that’s not standard by now, I don’t know!). If you’re caught out with no way to charge the headphones you can use the cable and not have to take your phone out.