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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize exceptional sound quality and a larger soundstage for an immersive musical experience, the Sony WF1000XM4 would be the better choice, though they are more expensive. They are also more comfortable, provide better noise isolation, and have longer battery life, which is suitable for air travel and extended use. On the other hand, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ are also less expensive and offer superior build quality and better performance for calls and meetings. However, the Beoplay EQ may not provide as impressive sound quality or comfort as the Sony WF1000XM4. Both models have active noise canceling and are stemless, sweatproof, dustproof, and offer app-based customization; the choice may ultimately come down to whether you prefer Sony's higher sound quality and comfort against the Beoplay EQ's better call quality and lower price. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is only fair.
Gaming
8.4
5.6
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good.
TV and Video
7.8
6.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$176
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has a price of $176 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
7.2
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ to be good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Build Quality
8.9
8.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and Sony WF1000XM4 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$176 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.2/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | March 2022
"Bang & Olufsen’s audio products prioritize style and function just as much as sound quality. The company’s latest Beoplay EQ noise-cancelling true wireless earphones combine strong, accurate-leaning audio with solid noise cancellation in an exceedingly classy design."
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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ or the Sony WF1000XM4
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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Why trust us
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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