Sony’s XM line has been its flagship and they reserve the best active noise cancelling (ANC) for those headphones. The recently released Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones currently sit atop the throne for active noise cancelling. On other hand, Sony also has the extra bass line. The extra bass line promises a boost to low frequencies and Sony’s WH-XB910N is their latest release. It has an extra bass feature along with ANC just like the WH-1000XM4. How does its ANC compare to the 1000XM4 headphones? Exactly how much bass are we talking about? We’ll answer those questions and more in our head-to-head comparison of both.
- Battery Life: 30 Hours w/ ANC
- ANC: Industry leading performance
- Sound: Dynamic and Detailed
- Cost: $$$$
- Battery Life: 30 Hours w/ ANC
- ANC: Solid Performance
- Sound: Full and Bass-Heavy
- Cost: $$
Note: Sony has released the WH-1000XM5 headphones. Check out our WH-1000XM5 vs WH-XB910N comparison. These are now the latest over-ear headphones from Sony’s XM and XB lines.
Table of Contents
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-XB910N: Key Factors
Battery Life and Charging
Everybody wants more battery life. A lot of people also want active noise cancelling, which can hamper battery life. How is the battery life on both of these headphones? The Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones will allow you to listen to 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. The Sony WH-XB910N match that with 30 hours of ANC playback. Sony also went a step further with the WH-XB910N to advertise non-ANC battery life (50 hours!). A quick charge feature is available for both headphones. The WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones provide 5 hours of juice after a 10-minute charge. A 10-minute quick charge on WH-XB910N? 4.5 hours. Both headphones can be used with a wired connection.
Verdict: Tie
Design and Form Factor
Design is a factor that often comes down to preference. Both these headphones come from Sony who has kept the design of the recent releases pretty similar. The WH-XB910 actually deviates a little, but both designs still remain modern and fairly understated. Both are lightweight and comfortable. Despite the similar form and design, the WH-1000XM4 still feels more solid. As expected for a flagship, you can tell Sony reserved slightly stronger material for the WH-1000XM4. The headband and the ear cups just feel more premium and sturdy. There is no water resistance for either pair of headphones.
Playback on both Sony headphones is controlled by its touch controls on the right earcup. Swiping up and down adjust the volume. Swiping forward will skip to the next track. Swiping back will go to the previous track. These touch controls are consistent with recent Sony releases. Some will require a short learning curve, but it’s a breeze after that. Both headphones also have the same functionality on the left ear cup. That includes a power button to turn on each device. Holding the power button also puts both headphones in pairing mode. Another button on the left ear cup is used to switch from active noise cancelling mode and ambient mode.
Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM4
Connectivity Options
Sony’s WH-1000XM4 carries Bluetooth 5.1, while the newer WH-XB910N carries 5.2. USB-C ports are included on both for charging with a USB-C cable. Both also have traditional 3.5mm headphone jacks. Sony also includes a headphone cable with both. SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs are all supported for the WH-1000XM4 and WH-XB910N. Neither have support for aptX or aptx HD. A microphone is included on both headphones for phone calls and ANC. Bluetooth multipoint is also supported by both. This allows each pair of headphones to simultaneously connect to multiple devices (like a laptop and smartphone). Unfortunately, neither can utilize the LDAC codec during Bluetooth multipoint. The codec in use will automatically switch to SBC or AAC.
Verdict: Tie
Sound Quality
Comparing the EQ of these two headphones is relatively straightforward. We’ll start with the Sony WH-1000XM4, which is great clarity and detail along with a wide soundstage. You’ll find a slight emphasis on the low end, which many consumers are fine with. It’s something that’s also convenient for bass-heavy genres. These are the type of songs that can feel flat without the additional bass. I’ve seen the WH-1000XM4 headphones described as boomy at times. I don’t think this is in line with most users. Audiophiles may require a more flat EQ. The companion app is available in that case. More on that later!
The Sony WH-XB910N headphones also have great sound quality. Audio from the WH-XB910N will have even more of an emphasis on the low end. They can produce deeper bass for bass heads. Or those who just want some low-end rumble when it’s called for. The impressive part is Sony still manages to maintain some detail and clarity. The bass isn’t overemphasized to the point it will overpower other frequencies. This is a delicate balance that Sony dialed in with the WH-XB900N. For better or worse, the bass actually isn’t big and boomy as older Extra Bass releases like the XB950. Or the Skullcandy Crusher Evo, which are the kings of boomy bass headphones. The WH-XB910N sits somewhere in the middle.
Both the WH-1000XM4 and the WH-XB910N can connect to Sony’s headphones app. There are several presets in the app that changes the EQ. You can also create your own custom profiles to slightly tweak the EQ and Clear Bass setting based on your preference. This is a great and convenient feature that should honestly be standard on headphones in this price range. Customizing the EQ on your own is great to sculpt the great hardware these headphones provide. Those looking for the most bass should still target the WH-XB910N. The WH-1000XM4 should be your pick if you want a cleaner EQ with more detail.
Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM4 for most
Sony WH-XB910N vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Which Has Better Noise Cancelling?
No suspense is necessary here. The Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones have top-tier active noise cancellation. Constant noises are often the backdrop to our days. At home, it might be the low hum of the AC or large trucks driving by. During a commute, it might be a subway train or nearby construction. With the WH-1000XM4, most of this noise was reduced in my testing. This was even true at low to moderate volumes. It was even effective in the office with chatter from co-workers. These are the type of high frequencies noises that ANC headphones typically struggle with.
Sony’s WH-XB910N headphones have solid active noise canceling, but they can’t compete with the WH-1000XM4. With lower frequencies, the WH-XB910N shows most of its value. There was a noticeable reduction of the low AC hum at my office desk. It was not as pronounced as the WH-1000XM4. When entering a coffee shop, I was still able to comfortably listen to a podcast at a moderate volume. I noticed the performance difference as I approached the checkout line. Nearby noise of hustle and chatter wasn’t reduced as well as the WH-1000XM4. Excess chatter can be muffled, but you shouldn’t expect miracles with ANC. The WH-1000XM4 still was the clear winner. The added noise cancellation benefits of the WH-XB910N are still valuable.
I should also mention that both the Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-XB910N have an ambient or transparency mode. This amplifies external noise for more situational awareness. This can also be beneficial in the workplace when you want to hear nearby coworkers. The Sony Headphones app also has additional functionality for active noise cancellation. Within the app, you can adjust the level of noise cancelling. Don’t want to block out 100% of noise. You can make modifications in the app based on your current preference.
Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM4
In Conclusion:
The choice between these headphones isn’t as simple as some think. The Sony WH-1000XM4 best the WH-XB910N in multiple categories. There are a few wild cards though. Price is a big one. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is Sony’s flagship headphones and they have a price to match. They retail for $348. The WH-XB910N wireless headphones can be had for about $100 less. They are a recent release and will likely be even cheaper soon. Whether the additional money is worth it will largely depend on ANC and sound preference. Is the improved ANC worth $100? If ANC isn’t a top priority and you want more bass, the WH-XB910N might be a good choice.
Another budget ANC alternative would be the Soundcore Life Q35. Like the WH-XB910N and WH-1000XM4, they have great app support, noise cancelling, and a ton of cool features. All that comes at a lower price than even the WH-XB910N.
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-XB910N
Is Bluetooth multipoint available on either pair of headphones?
Yes. Bluetooth multipoint is available on both headphones.
Which headphones are more affordable?
The XB910N is more affordable. The Sony WH-1000XM4 retails for $348. The price hasn’t changed much since its release. The WH-XB910N is a more recent release and it retails for $248.
Which has better ANC?
The WH-1000XM4 has better active noise cancelling than the WH-XB910N. The WH-1000XM4 has market-leading performance. The WH-XB910N still performs solidly for ANC.
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.