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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more immersive audio experience and value sound quality above all, the Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones with their superior soundstage may be better, but they aren't wireless and don't have a mic. On the other hand, if you need portability, the convenience of wireless connectivity, a microphone for calls, and active noise cancelling, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds excel in these areas. They are pricier but offer high-quality sound in a compact form. The Audio Technica is better priced, but lacks several modern features found in the Sony earbuds, including an app with customizable settings. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M40X
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good.
Gaming
7.0
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
8.2
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality, though the Sony WF1000XM4 has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Sony WF1000XM4
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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