Sony Revives Its Legendary XM4 Headphones with an Updated Version

Tech products rarely return to the market after being forgotten by time, but Sony decided to do just that with one of its most successful headphones ever. Six years after launching the WH-1000XM4, which topped the lists of best headphones for years, and after discontinuing production in 2025, Sony is reintroducing them in an updated version called the WH-1000XM4C. But is this comeback still justified in a market that has evolved considerably since then?

The Return of a Beloved Classic Design

The new version carries an almost identical design to the original model, retaining the same hinge mechanism and the ability to fold the headphones for more compact carrying. This is a design Sony abandoned when it launched the XM5 in 2022, before partially returning to it with the XM6. The only new touch in terms of appearance is the addition of a light purple color to the available options.

What Has Actually Changed?

Despite the announced improvements, the new version still relies on the same hardware from the previous generation, using the same QN1 processing chip and four noise-canceling microphones. This reveals the age of the underlying architecture compared to competitors, as the XM6 released last year relies on 12 microphones and the newer QN3 chip.

The most notable updates introduced by Sony include:

• Updating the sound profile to align with modern models.
• A 10-band equalizer instead of the 5 bands in the old version.
• Adding a dedicated audio mode for gaming.
• Support for Bluetooth 6 instead of version 5.

In contrast, battery performance came in slightly weaker, surprisingly, with playback time reaching 27 hours with noise cancellation enabled instead of 30 hours in the original model — a small difference that doesn't significantly affect daily use.

Price and Availability

The WH-1000XM4C headphones will be released later this fall at a price of $300, which is $50 less than the launch price of the original version and about $100 cheaper than the current XM6 model. However, this price remains higher than what the older headphones were selling for before production was discontinued.

This decision raises legitimate questions: the headphone industry has come a long way over the past six years, and the currently available XM5 model, at a competitive price of around $200, still delivers excellent performance, making the need to revive an older model a matter of debate.

Updates to the Mid-Range and Budget Categories

Alongside the flagship model, Sony refreshed two of its more affordable headphone lines: the WH-CH730N and WH-CH530. Both models received the same 10-band equalizer with a gaming mode, while the CH730N is now foldable in a more compact way.

Battery life has also improved noticeably, with the CH730N reaching 50 hours with noise cancellation, while the CH530 reaches 55 hours without noise cancellation. The company added a safe mode in the app that allows setting a maximum volume level to protect children's hearing, though it doesn't offer an option to lock this limit after setting it.

The WH-CH530 is available for $70 in several colors, while the WH-CH730N is priced at around $180, and both are available for purchase now.

Collaboration with Hello Kitty

Sony didn't stop there, but also announced a partnership with the "Hello Kitty" brand featuring special bundles that combine the headphones with a carrying case shaped like the famous character and a bag bearing its logo. These bundles will be released in limited quantities exclusively through Sony's official website later this year.

Ultimately, the return of the XM4 headphones seems like a move aimed at nostalgia for a beloved product rather than a technical necessity, and its true value remains dependent on an in-depth practical test of performance compared to the options available today.

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