Want a pair of over-ear noise cancelling headphones but can’t decide between Sony’s midrange WH-CH720N or the premium WH-1000XM4? We break down their key features like battery life, sound quality, ANC performance, and more so you can pick the right pair from Sony’s lineup for your needs and budget.
- Battery Life: 38 Hours (30 w/ ANC)
- ANC: Industry leading performance
- Sound: Dynamic and Detailed
- Cost: $$$$
- Battery Life: 50 Hours (35 w/ ANC)
- ANC: Decent Performance
- Sound: Warm & Bassy
- Cost: $$
Table of Contents
Comparison Table: Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-CH720N
| Features | Sony WH-CH720N | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Headphones | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Weight | 6.77 oz | 8.9 oz |
| Total Battery Life | Up to 50 hours (35 w/ ANC) | Up to 38 hours (30 w/ ANC) |
| ANC Support | Yes | Yes |
| Wired Connection | Yes | Yes |
| Fast Charging | 10-min charge = 4.5 hours | 10-min charge = 5 hours |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Codec Support | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC, LDAC |
| App Support | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Included Case | No | Yes |
Battery Life and Charging
When it comes to battery life, the Sony WH-CH720N outperform the premium WH-1000XM4. The more affordable WH-CH720N boast an impressive 50 hours of playtime, while the WH-1000XM4 have around 38 hours. Both have reduced battery life when noise cancelling is enabled, with the WH-CH720N offering 35 hours and the WH-1000XM4 providing 30 hours. For those who like long listening sessions or frequently travel, the extra battery life of the WH-CH720N will reduce the worry of your headphones dying mid-flight or workday.
Both headphones also charge via USB-C and have decent fast charging that provides hours of use from just a 10-minute charge. A 10-minute charge of the Sony WH-1000XM4 provides 5 hours of battery, while the WH-CH720N offers. For those who frequently forget to charge devices, the extra fast charging speed could be the difference between having a dead headphone or getting through your commute. Users who don’t want constant battery anxiety will appreciate both device, but the more affordable WH-CH720N does have the slight edge.
Connectivity & App Support
Both Sony headphones have comparable connectivity specs. While the Sony WH-CH720N carrying Bluetooth 5.2, the older WH-1000XM4 has 5.0. Both devices are utilizing Bluetooth 5.0 or higher for wireless use and supporting key codecs AAC and SBC. Multipoint is also supported on both models, allowing for easy switching between two paired Bluetooth devices. Wired audio is possible with either headphone, which is great for passive playback when the battery runs out.
One advantage of the WH-1000XM4 is the addition of LDAC support. LDAC is an advanced codec that can transmit higher-resolution audio than standard SBC or AAC, so it provides a more premium listening experience. However, it only makes a difference if your audio files are high-resolution and your device supports LDAC transmission. For example, iPhones don’t support LDAC. Buyers will have to decide if the sound quality upgrade is worth it for them. The WH-CH720N and WH-1000XM4 both have companion apps for added functionality like EQ customization. Overall, unless LDAC support is something you’re looking for, both provide solid wireless connectivity and codec support.
Design & Comfort
The Sony WH-1000XM4 have a more premium, sleeker design. Weighing in at 6.77 ounces, the WH-CH720N are fairly lightweight, with well-cushioned ear cups and headband that have decent comfort. While not the most compact, they can fold flat and swivel the ear cups to easily fit into bags or desks drawers when transporting them. At 8.9 ounces, the WH-1000XM4 are slightly heavier, but still comfortable with ample padding. Both Sony Bluetooth headphones are comfortable to wear, but the Sony XM4’s softer plush padding gives it a slight edge for extended listening.
They also have more stylish, premium build build quality that looks and feels high-end. In contrast, the WH-CH720N’s looks is more subtle and understated available in 3 color options: black, blue and white. A side-by-side comparison really shows the difference the more expensive WH-1000XM4 buys design-wise. The WH-1000XM4 also fold into an even more compact format to easily bring them on-the-go. They are available in black, silver and blue color options. Unlike the WH-CH720N, the WH-1000XM4 also comes with hard carrying case for additional protection. So if you want a luxury design with another level of comfort, opt for the premium Sony WH-1000XM4.
Sound Quality
As Sony’s premium pair of headphones, the WH-1000XM4 deliver clearly better audio quality than the more affordable WH-CH720N. While carrying exciting and punchy bass, the WH-CH720N sound less detailed sometimes due to it’s muddy bass. The Sony WH-1000XM4 showcase excellent sound quality, even with it’s bassy default sound signature. But the WH-1000XM4 bass has better depth and body without overpowering the mix. The mid and high frequencies are also more present on the WH-1000XM4.
Vocals and instruments have better clarity compared to sounding slightly dull on the WH-CH720N. While both have a bass heavy default EQ, the WH-CH720N’s underemphasized treble does no favors in balancing out the bass. Since sound preference is subjective, it’s great that both headphones can be customized via Sony’s companion app. The Sony WH-1000XM4 have superior drivers and imaging though, which can’t be overcome by software. The upgrade to the XM4 is worth it for those who prioritize the best sound quality. Inclusion of the LDAC audio codec support is also a great for audiophiles. Both Sony headphones also support DSEE and Adaptive Sound Control to automatically adjust sound based on your environment.
Which Headphones Have The Best Noise-Cancelling Performance?
For blocking background noise, the premium WH-1000XM4 are the clear winners, showcasing industry-leading ANC capabilities. The WH-CH720N do feature decent noise cancellation for the price, adequately reducing mid-range and high-frequency noises like chatter and fans. But their performance falters with lower rumbles like engines.
Conversely, the WH-1000XM4 excel at silencing noises across the entire frequency spectrum, effectively minimizing distractions for commuters or an office worker trying to stay focused. The WH-1000XM4 can nearly eliminate the roar of airplane engines during flights or the ruckus of nearby construction. Both headphones have a transparency mode that pipes in ambient sound when you need to be more aware of your surroundings. Those looking for solace want something to insulate them from noisy environments, you can’t go wrong with the WH-1000XM4. Simply put, they’re still one of the best ANC headphones on the market even if they’re now the predecessor of the WH-1000XM5.
Conclusion: Can Budget ANC Compete With The Sony WH-1000XM4?
- Battery Life: 38 Hours (30 w/ ANC)
- ANC: Industry leading performance
- Sound: Dynamic and Detailed
- Cost: $$$$
- Battery Life: 50 Hours (35 w/ ANC)
- ANC: Decent Performance
- Sound: Warm & Bassy
- Cost: $$
For blocking background noise, the premium WH-1000XM4 are the clear winners, showcasing industry-leading ANC capabilities. The WH-CH720N do feature decent noise cancellation for the price, adequately reducing mid-range and high-frequency noises like chatter and fans. But their performance falters with lower rumbles like engines.
Conversely, the WH-1000XM4 excel at silencing noises across the entire frequency spectrum, effectively minimizing distractions for commuters or an office worker trying to stay focused. The WH-1000XM4 can nearly eliminate the roar of airplane engines during flights or the ruckus of nearby construction. Both headphones have a transparency mode that pipes in ambient sound when you need to be more aware of your surroundings. Those looking for solace want something to insulate them from noisy environments, you can’t go wrong with the WH-1000XM4. Simply put, they still provide class-leading performance even if they’re now the predecessor of the WH-1000XM5.
Feature Comparison List: Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-1000XM4
Headphone Type:
Both the Sony WH-CH720N and WH-1000XM4 are over-ear headphones, fully surrounding your ears with padding for comfort and passive noise isolation. This style helps block ambient noise while providing a more immersive listening experience compared to on-ear models and earbuds.
Battery Life:
The WH-CH720N boast a longer battery life, providing around 50 hours of listening compared to 38 hours on the WH-1000XM4. When noise cancelling is enabled, battery life drops to 35 and 30 hours respectively. For marathon listening sessions, the extra juice of the WH-CH720N reduces the worry of running out of power.
Weight:
At 6.77 ounces, the WH-CH720N are decently lightweight while the WH-1000XM4 are slightly heavier at 8.9 ounces.
Active Noise-Cancelling:
Both headphones feature active noise cancellation (ANC) to electronically block out ambient noise during music playback. This allows you to hear your audio content without distractions.
Passive Playback:
The WH-CH720N and WH-1000XM4 support passive, wired playback when battery life is low or you want higher fidelity sound.
Supported Codecs:
The WH-CH720N and WH-1000XM4 both support SBC and AAC codecs for quality audio transmission over Bluetooth. But the WH-1000XM4 adds LDAC support for streaming high-resolution audio that provides a more premium listening experience for audiophiles.
Fast Charging:
Both models offer fast charging that provides hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge. But the WH-CH720N gains an extra 30 minutes over the WH-1000XM4, delivering 4.5 hours from a 10-minute charge. Fast charging gives you flexibility when you forget to charge.
Charging Connection:
The WH-CH720N and WH-1000XM4 utilize a USB-C port for charging. USB-C is the latest standard, allowing for fast charging and universal charging cables.
Bluetooth Connectivity:
The WH-CH720N and WH-1000XM4 have similar Bluetooth 5.0 or higher for stable wireless connectivity. They both also support Bluetooth multipoint to easily switch between two paired devices.
Companion App Support:
Both headphones have companion apps (Sony Headphones Connect) that allow you to customize sound with an EQ and enable other features like DSEE, Clear Bass, and more.
Included Case:
The WH-1000XM4 include a hard carrying case while the WH-CH720N do not. The premium case helps protect the headphones when travelling.
Alternatives Headphones and Similar Options
You can find several comparisons below for headphones that are similar in price and feature set:
- Sony WH-1000XM4 vs WH-CH710N
- Sony WH-XB910N vs WH-CH710N
- Sony WH-1000XM4 vs WH-XB910N
- Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort 45
- Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Anker Soundcore Space Q45
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.