For less than Sony’s flagship, XM4C are nearly identical to XM4—and that’s okay

A familiar headphone design

The XM4C fold into a compact shape and come with a hard-shell zippered case. Their soft faux-leather ear cups were comfortable for hours of listening during testing. They support SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs, as did the original XM4. The headphones also retain a 3.5mm connection, usable with ANC on or with the headphones powered off, but wired audio does not work over USB-C. A 3.5mm cable is included; a USB-C charging cable is not.

Sound with room to adjust

The XM4C use 40mm drivers and deliver sound similar to the XM4. Bass is prominent without overwhelming other sounds, while some midrange details can come across as slightly muted.

Sony’s Sound Connect app offers a 10-band EQ, compared with five bands on the original XM4. Raising frequencies between 1kHz and 4kHz helped bring the midrange forward, though the headphones sounded good without that adjustment.

Noise cancellation shows age

The XM4C use four microphones and Sony’s QN1 noise-canceling chip, matching the XM4’s setup. In testing, they seemed to block a little more low-frequency noise, such as air conditioners and passing trucks, but newer ear pads may explain the difference.

Their ANC remains respectable, but newer headphones isolate sound better. The XM5 and XM6 outperform them across the frequency range, particularly at lower frequencies; the XM6 uses 12 microphones and the QN3 chip. The article also names Anker’s Soundcore Space 2 as offering comparable ANC performance for half the price.

A case for the familiar

The XM4C do not introduce major advances, but they preserve qualities that made the XM4 appealing: a foldable design, comfortable fit and enjoyable sound. Their performance also comes close to Sony’s current-generation flagship, the WH-1000XM6, at a much lower price. That makes the XM4C an option for listeners who want a proven style and solid everyday performance rather than the latest noise-canceling technology.