As a headphone fanatic, few rivalries get me more excited than a Bose vs Sony showdown. These audio titans continually leapfrog each other to deliver the best noise-cancelling headphones on the planet.
The Bose 700 and Sony WH-1000XM4 represent the pinnacle for each brand. Both showcase amazing comfort, listeners pleasing sound and almost magical noise cancelling abilities. You really can‘t go wrong with either.
But which pair of premium wireless over-ear headphones should you buy in 2023? I‘ve tested them both extensively over the past few weeks to find out…
Brief History of Bose and Sony Headphones
Let‘s first understand the backstory of each iconic brand before diving into this epic showdown.
Bose began by producing noise-cancelling aviation headsets for pilots and the military in 1989. Premium sound and technology mattered for mission critical scenarios. They brought that engineering experience into the consumer headphone market a decade later with the QuietComfort range.
The Bose 700 launched in 2019 to replace the popular QC35 II as their new ANC flagship. Alongside crystal clear audio, it showcased industry-leading noise cancellation to hush even the loudest environments.
Sony disrupted music listening habits worldwide with the launch of its iconic Walkman cassette player in 1979. They continued innovating in digital audio for decades, pioneering now universal formats like the MiniDisc, Super Audio CD and BluRay.
Sony hit its headphones groove in 2016 with the 1000X series. Combining wireless freedom, exacting musicality and concert-silencing ANC, critics and consumers swooned. The WH-1000XM4 came in 2020 as the latest refinement.
So in Bose vs Sony, we have two industry heavyweights with 30+ years heritage releasing category defining headphones packed with bleeding edge features. Time to see who comes out on top in 2023!
Bose 700 vs Sony 1000XM4: At a Glance
Before analyzing every detail, let‘s compare their vital statistics:
| Bose 700 | Sony WH-1000XM4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Over-ear, closed back | Over-ear, closed back |
| Wireless | Yes, Bluetooth 5.0 | Yes, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Noise Cancelling | Yes, adjustable (11 levels) | Yes, adjustable (20 levels) |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hours (ANC on) | Up to 30 hours (ANC on) |
| Charge Time (15 mins) | 3.5 hours extra playback | 5 extra hours playback |
| Quick Charging | USB-C | USB-C + USB-A |
| Weight | 245 grams | 254 grams |
| Multi-point Pairing | 2 devices | 2 devices |
| Voice Assistant Support | Alexa + Google Assistant | Alexa + Google + Siri |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Price | $379 | $348 |
Sony wins on battery life while matching Bose‘s quality and undercutting their price. But the 700 isn‘t out of contention yet…
Design & Build Quality
The Bose 700 features an elegant design language with clean lines, quality materials and minimal logos.
Crafted from impact resistant nylon, glass and stainless steel, it exudes durability and comfort. The protein leather headband provides a gentle yet stable grip aided by the oval shaped earcups ability to swivel and tilt naturally. At just 8.8 ounces, you can wear it for hours without fatigue.
Sony opted for a more classic silhouette using lighter weight molded plastic on the bridge and inner headband. But it retains a premium feel thanks to textured accents and a glob of the outer headband. The soft fit foams earpads and silhouette offers ample room without coming loose. And users love how it easily folds down into the included carry case.
For build, Bose uses higher quality materials but Sony‘s portable functionality is invaluable for travel. Ultimately both provide all day comfort without creaking or flexing over time. You can‘t go wrong with either.
For design and construction, I‘m calling this one a tie. Pick the one matching your personal taste and portability needs.
Sound Quality
This is where things get extra spicy in our headphone showdown!
Both Bose and Sony sound sublime out of the box. Their drivers and tuning deliver clarity, dynamism detail exposing subtleties you‘ve never noticed in your music library before.
Comparing them more closely, some key differences emerge:
Bose 700 Sound Signature
- Smooth, balanced profile
- Clear articulate mids and highs
- Accurate imaging
- Responsive bass – enhances rather than overwhelms
These traits makes the 700 extremely versatile across varied genres like jazz, classical, rock and pop. Vocals shine through with intimacy while instruments cue up nicely around them across a spacious stage.
Sony 1000XM4 Sound
- Fun lively tonality
- Strong thumpy bass takes center stage
- Crisp emphasized treble
- Genres like EDM, hip hop and movies shine
Sony targets a more mainstream sound aligned with beats-centric and cinematic fare. The extra bass weight and energy makes those genres really bounce while showcasing their improved noise cancelling.
Via companion apps, you can tweak their audio settings:
Bose Music App
- Save one customized EQ preset
- Adjust lows, mids and highs
- Decent degree of tweakability
- Simple intuitive interface
Sony Headphones Connect App
- Several EQ presets like Excited and Relaxed
- DSEE Extreme audio upscaling
- 360 Reality audio
- More extensive customization
Both satisfy sonically. But reviewers praise Sony‘s exciting tonality and richer EQ adjustment as the win.
Noise Cancellation Smackdown
Blocking external noise remains crucial for distraction-free listening. Both companies cram their flagships with mics and cutting edge chips to hush noisy plane cabins and offices.
Bose Noise Cancelling 700
- Industry-leading ANC performance
- Choose from 11 cancellation increments
- Conversation mode to let voices through
- 10 built-in mics feeding algorithm
Frequent travellers praise Bose‘s incredible noise cancelling talents minimizing engine rumbles to faint hums. Voices come through clearly when desired thanks to an extra mic focused on speech.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancellation
- QN1 processor adaptive to environmental sounds
- Tweak across 20 granular steps
- Impressive reduction of chatter and roars
- Wind noise reduction mode
Sony also does an admirable job decimating external noise across the frequency spectrum. Users report solid isolation across homes, offices, planes and public transport.
For noise cancelling might, Bose still leads slightly. But Sony matches them in most everyday scenarios. I‘m calling this one a tie depending on your priorities.
Battery Life
Sony bosses battery life in this comparison:
- Bose 700 – 20 hours per charge
- Sony WH-1000XM4 – 30 hours on a single charge
That‘s 10 extra hours listening for Sony! Both support USB-C charging:
- Bose 700 – 15 minutes = 3.5 extra hours
- Sony WH-1000XM4 – 15 minutes = 5 extra hours
Sony also lets you charge via USB-A ports. The 1000XM4 is the clear choice if you forget to juice up between long haul travel and marathon listening sessions.
Battery Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4
Features and Connectivity
Flagship headphones like the Bose 700 and Sony 1000XM4 are jammed with features accessible from mobile apps. As leaders, they excel across voice assistants, custom controls, audio tweaking and device management.
Common Features
- Intuitive touch controls
- Transparency/ambient sound mode
- Device multipoint pairing
- Customizable buttons
Unique Sony Extras
- Speak-to-Chat (auto pause when speaking)
- 360 Reality Audio compatibility
- NFC tap to pair
- Alexa/Google Assistant plus Siri
- LDAC codec support (hi-res streaming over Bluetooth)
Sony takes the win connecting more devices and codec support crucial for iPhone owners wanting lossless audio.
Features Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4
Verdict: Your New Wireless Headphone King
So there you have it – an epic Bose vs Sony showdown spanning sound, smarts and silence! Both pairs deliver awesome noise-free audio bound to satisfy.
However, while the Bose 700 offers slightly better outright noise cancellation and a more balanced default sound, the Sony WH-1000XM4 ultimately proves itself as the superior overall package thanks to:
- Fun lively audio matched via EQ
- Far superior 30 hour battery life
- More advanced features like speak-to-chat
- Cheaper asking price
- Greater multi-device and codec support
If you seek masterful noise cancelling above all else, the Bose 700 satisfies. For everything else – stellar wireless sound, marathon battery life and premium features galore – the Sony WH-1000XM4 now reigns supreme as your wireless headphone royalty!
Hope you enjoyed this Bose vs Sony showdown extravaganza. Let me know if you have any other audio questions!
