Today we are comparing the most expensive wireless full-size active noise-canceling headphones in the world. Check out Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 vs Sony WH-1000XM4.
From the Danish company Bang & Olufsen, released in honor of the 95th anniversary of the brand, well, called H95, so that no one would guess.
The price tag we have is $ 1000 for Bluetooth headphones; that’s a hell of a lot. What do we actually get – an overpayment for the image role of the model or a really ultimatum decision? Should people willing to pay once to use the device for a long time and with maximum comfort, focus on BeoPlay H95.
Sony WH-1000XM4 is the current model in the line, incorporating the best of several previous generations. You can buy it absolutely safely, without thinking about anything. And the list of functions has expanded so much that it blurs the line between headphones as a device and a multifunctional gadget to match a smartphone.
As before, the flagship model of wireless closed-back headphones has an elegant and discreet design. On the one hand, it is clear that the device belongs to the top segment; on the other hand, there are no frankly superfluous or flashy design elements.
General
| Beoplay H95 | WH-1000XM4 | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Beoplay | Sony |
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Colors | Black, Grey Mist, Gold Tone | Black, Silver |
| Battery life | 38 Hours | 30 Hours |
| Weight | 323 g | 255 g |
| Connectivity | Wireless, Bluetooth | Wireless, Bluetooth |
Beoplay H95
In addition to the headphones, which are very functional and fold for easy storage, we find other accessories in the box. We have a 3.5mm cable, a USB-C cable for charging, and even an adapter if you are on an airplane.
An immediately notable detail in these luxurious headphones is the ease with which their ear cushions are removed. These are magnetically coupled and can be easily exchanged if damaged.
On the left side, you can control the noise-canceling level and change between this and transparency mode with the “wheel” present on the earcup. On that same side, a button allows you to call the virtual assistant of your choice.
You have a wheel that allows you to make the volume controls quite simply on the right side. Using taps on the outside, you can even pause or restart the music with a tap. With side gestures, you can switch between your tracks. Also on the right side is the on/off button, the USB-C port, and the 3.5mm input.
WH-1000XM4
Once you look at the box, the differences from this to the previous generation don’t go much further than the XM3 replaced by the XM4. And when we come face to face with the carrying case, the accessories, and the headphones themselves, the aesthetic differences are almost nil.
You are entitled to a very rigid and quality carrying bag. Accompanying the headphones is a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, a cable with 3.5mm jack outputs if you want to use them with wire, and even an accessory to use them on the plane.
If you put them side by side with the previous model, you won’t see any aesthetic differences. It is often said that a team that wins does not move. And just looking inside, where you’ll rest your ears, you’ll find a noticeable difference – the proximity sensor that pauses the music when you take them out (and plays it back when you put them back on).
Design
| Beoplay H95 | WH-1000XM4 | |
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Wireless | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions earphone | 185 x 165 x 80 mm | 223 x 182 x 78 mm |
| Foldable Design | Yes | Yes |
Beoplay H95
Bang & Olufsen has created extremely comfortable over-ear headphones that can also fit in a protective hard case. Detachable and replaceable ear pads, switchable controls, and sleek details enhance the Beoplay H95 experience.
Beoplay H95 is available in black (Black) and light gray (Gray Mist).Black. A versatile blend of dark, lustrous aluminum and soft black leather for a timeless classic. Gray Mist. A sophisticated and sophisticated contemporary palette with polished aluminum complemented by soft gray tones.
Bang & Olufsen’s drive for innovation beyond imagination has resulted in extremely comfortable full-size headphones, enhanced by a sleek, foldable design. A durable hard case keeps your headphones secure while you travel and enjoy your life to the fullest.
WH-1000XM4
In short, at first glance, in terms of aesthetics and the materials from which they are made, Sony WH-1000MX4 are almost identical to last year’s generation. But looking at the details, you realize that this is a completely new model. For example, a (huge) proximity sensor has been inserted inside the left pavilion, which allows the headphones to pause music playback. With each release, and the pads are slightly softer than the Sony WH-1000MX3.
Otherwise, everything is identical. The predominant material is still polycarbonate, which, yes, still gives the headphones a clearly less “premium” look compared to some of the competitors, but allows you to reduce weight significantly, and not only in comparison with models of other companies, but also in comparison with the previous generation: Sony WH-1000MX4 weighs only 254 grams.
On the downside, the XM4 is not waterproof. Sony recommends keeping them away from water. In most life situations, this is not a problem. But, in any case, this limits functionality. So, for example, it is undesirable to use them in the rain.
Features
| Beoplay H95 | WH-1000XM4 | |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Driver | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Music Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Quick Charge | No | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 20 – 20 000 Kz | 20 – 20 000 Kz |
| Impedance | 12 Ohms | 47 Ohms |
Beoplay H95
Now we come to the most important point of any headset, which is, of course, the sound quality. We have already seen that in the rest of the facets, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 has an excellent performance, but how is its sound quality?
Well, without a doubt, it is perfect, and in our opinion, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 provides a first-level sound quality.
When you listen to them, you already notice how the sound stands out for having an incredible level of detail and nuance. The voices sound great and have a lot of presence, making them sound perfectly over the instruments.
Another thing that we find very remarkable in these headphones is that there is a great expansion of the sound and produces an authentic stereo sensation. The basses are quite correct, and we find them quite well balanced without being too deep.
WH-1000XM4
Sony installed the same drivers in the XM4 as in the XM3. Therefore, in terms of sound, they are very similar. It is a warm and balanced sound with excellent overtones. The Dual Noise Sensor technology was used to suppress noise – two microphones in each earphone “suck in” external sounds and transmit them to the processor. This allows the device to discreetly and quickly adjust its response to noise.
However, if you do not hear the world around you, this does not mean that he does not hear you. Keep this in mind when you are in the office or library.
XM4 lacks support for AptX and AptX HD – this can be a drawback. However, Sony has provided the device with the LDAC codec. You can also activate DSEE Extreme in the app. This is a company’s proprietary technology that improves the sound in tracks with the low recording quality.
Battery
| Beoplay H95 | WH-1000XM4 | |
| Battery Type | Li-Po | Li-Po |
| Battery Capacity | 1110 mAh | – |
| Battery Life | 38 hours | 30 hours |
| Charging Time | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Beoplay H95
The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 38 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, which uses two of the four installed microphones and has ambient pass-through (transparency mode). A convenient carrying case is included with the headphones.
If you use them with active noise cancellation turned off, the duration rises up to 50 hours.
WH-1000XM4
The battery life of the XM4 is the same as the previous model – 30 hours with noise cancellation and 38 hours without it. This may be disappointing at first, as the manufacturer is usually expected to improve performance from model to model. However, given that new sensors and noise cancellations have appeared here, you understand that 30 hours is a good indicator for such a high-tech device.
Also, do not forget that headphones can pause music and automatically turn off when they are removed from the head. And this significantly extends the autonomy. As for the charging time, it is approximately 3 hours.
Connectivity
| Beoplay H95 | WH-1000XM4 | |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Device Connection | No | No |
| Connection | Wireless | Wireless |
| Range | 10 m | 10 m |
Conclusion!
The Beoplay H95 seems to us a very worthy headphone in the premium range. The price is without a doubt its main obstacle since not many people are willing or cannot afford to invest 960 USD in headphones. For this reason, they are helmets focused on a type of user who has a high budget or who does not mind investing in a quality product.
That said, both its design and finishes, as well as its performance in terms of sound and noise cancellation, make it a high-cost product; if you want top-quality headphones, they are an excellent option.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones? The answer depends on several “ifs”: If you want an everyday device that sounds great, has great battery life, and has the best noise cancellation available today, but without any hesitation.
Fans of an active lifestyle are better off choosing a different model. These headphones are not waterproof. Those who already own an XM3 also hardly need to worry about upgrading their device. From the point of view of sound, the models do not have a cardinal difference.
