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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and use primarily for gaming or at-home listening, the EPOS PC38X offers exceptional audio and microphone clarity, which is important for multiplayer gaming, but lacks portability and noise isolation due to its open-back design. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds are more suitable for on-the-go listening with excellent active noise cancellation and are more compact; however, they may not be as comfortable for long sessions and lack the boom microphone quality for gaming communications. Consider the PC38X for at-home use and gaming, and the WF1000XM4 for travel and noise-sensitive environments. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
10.0
5.6
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
10.0
6.7
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the EPOS PC38X is good.
TV and Video
9.0
6.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Music
9.5
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers EPOS PC38X to be best in class for music, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent.
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and EPOS PC38X both have very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
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 EPOS PC38X or the Sony WF1000XM4
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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