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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize excellent overall sound quality and a wide, immersive soundstage for music and critical listening, the HifiMan Edition XS headphones may be your choice; however, they are open-back, not suitable for noisy environments, and lack a microphone for calls. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds are more versatile with closed-back for better noise isolation, active noise cancelling, a decent microphone, and are more comfortable for longer use. Additionally, the Sony earbuds are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, offer app customization features including equalizer settings, and are more portable and suitable for exercise, travel, and calls. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Good for gaming
- Best in class 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
Gaming
7.4
5.6
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
TV and Video
9.5
6.0
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class 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 HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$269
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Music
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be excellent for music, while the HifiMan Edition XS is very good.
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and HifiMan Edition XS both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 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 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 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) | 421 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
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 HifiMan Edition XS or the Sony WF1000XM4
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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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