Six years later, Sony revisits its legendary XM4 headphones

Six years after dominating the best-headphones lists, Sony's acclaimed WH-1000XM4 is making a comeback in the form of the XM4C. The new model retains the original's defining characteristic—a compact, foldable design that the company abandoned with subsequent flagship releases—while incorporating select refinements from more recent iterations. The XM4C will launch this fall at $300, $50 below the original model's retail price, though the headphones had become difficult to find before discontinuation.

The XM4C maintains the same core noise-cancellation hardware as its predecessor, using Sony's QN1 processing chip and four microphones rather than the eight found in the XM5 or twelve in the XM6. However, the device receives audio-focused upgrades, including a revised sound profile aligned with current Sony models, a 10-band parametric equalizer (up from five bands), and a new gaming preset. Bluetooth 6 replaces the older Bluetooth 5 standard. Despite these improvements, battery performance dips slightly to 27 hours with active noise cancellation enabled, compared to 30 hours on the original.

Sony's decision to revive the model reflects apparent consumer interest in the foldable form factor, which the company initially discontinued when moving toward larger, more feature-rich designs. Industry reviewers have questioned whether the XM4C addresses a genuine market need given that newer alternatives like the XM5—available for $200 and lacking the foldable design—offer superior technical specifications. The XM4C's reintroduction occurs alongside updates to Sony's budget-focused CH series, with the CH730N and CH530 gaining the same expanded EQ functionality and improved battery life, plus a new volume-limiting safety mode for younger users.

Sony is also launching limited-edition Hello Kitty bundles featuring select headphone models paired with themed accessories, available exclusively through Sony's website later this year. The company's multi-tier product refresh suggests an effort to capture consumers across various price points and design preferences, from nostalgic fans of the original XM4 to budget-conscious buyers and collectors seeking branded collaborations.