Sony’s flagship WH-series headphones have earned their reputation for a reason. The sound quality is outstanding, the active noise cancellation ranks among the best available, and they’re comfortable enough for all-day wear. The catch has always been price, since Sony’s top-tier models rarely come cheap. A new leak suggests that may be about to change.
A Budget-Friendly Variant of the WH-1000XM4
According to a report from Dealabs (via machine translation), Sony is developing a new pair of wireless headphones aimed at a more accessible price point. The leak points to a variant of the older WH-1000XM4, reportedly set to be called the WH-1000XM4C.
Dealabs describes the WH-1000XM4C as nearly identical to the original WH-1000XM4. The new model reportedly uses the same noise-cancellation chip and comparable 40mm dynamic drivers, along with familiar Sony features like DSEE Extreme upscaling, adaptive sound control, and support for the LDAC hi-res audio codec. Battery life marks the one notable spec difference: the WH-1000XM4C reportedly delivers 27 hours with ANC turned on, while the original WH-1000XM4 offers 30 hours.
How Much Will the WH-1000XM4C Cost?
The real story here isn’t the specs but the price tag. The WH-1000XM4 launched at $350, and Dealabs suggests the new WH-1000XM4C could cost roughly $100 less. That’s still a meaningful purchase, but it would represent a solid discount for headphones built on proven, well-reviewed technology.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
For comparison, Sony’s current flagship, the WH-1000XM6, retails for $450, while the special-edition 1000X The Collexion costs an even steeper $650. Both are strong performers, but their price tags put them out of reach for a lot of shoppers. If the WH-1000XM4C does land around $250, it would undercut rivals like Nothing’s Headphone 1 and the newly released Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), which sells for $360.
It’s still unclear whether the WH-1000XM4C can match those competitors on sound quality and noise cancellation. Sony’s track record in this category is strong, though, so even a headphone built on slightly older technology could be a serious contender.
