Noise-canceling headphones and earbuds have become increasingly popular in recent years because of their ability to reduce unwanted background noise. This allows users to focus on their music, podcasts, or phone calls without being distracted by external sounds. Plus, they can enhance sound quality and provide greater privacy.
However, choosing an audio noise-canceling audio wearable can be challenging. There are countless models to pick from, all in different styles. The Technics EAH-A800 takes one approach, which is the traditional over-ear headphone. In contrast, the Sony WF-1000XM4 delivers the benefits of noise-canceling with the convenience of a true wireless earbud.
Which one should you buy? Below, we compare the two to find out.
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Technics EAH-A800 vs Sony WF-1000XM4 Comparison Chart
Design
The Technics EAH-A800 wireless headphones have an over-ear style, while the Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds are true wireless earbuds that sit directly in the ear canal.
The main difference between the Technics EAH-A800 and Sony WF-1000XM4 is their design. Technics’ wireless headphones sport an over-ear style, while Sony’s wireless earbuds sit directly in the ear canal.
With the circumaural A800 headphones, comfort is the emphasis. Its earpads feature generous cushioning, lending them a super-soft feel. At the same time, pressure is distributed evenly for a stable fit. Meanwhile, the A800’s band is covered in faux leather. Not only does it give the headphones a premium aesthetic, but it also keeps the unit from feeling wobbly or loose.
You can get the Technics EAH-A800 in black or silver. Technics also supplies a USB charging cord, a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, and an airline adaptor. The earcups can also be swiveled and folded, making them easy to store in the carrying case that comes with the headphones.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is considerably more compact and portable than the Technics EAH-A800. Unlike the elongated form of its predecessor, the
Despite the size of the earbuds, it’s clear Sony has paid attention to details. The WF-1000XM4 has a sturdy build and features distinct touches. Its ANC mics, for instance, are housed in fancy-looking copper rings. Even the way the embossed Sony log is a refinement over prior iterations. Lastly, the WF-1000XM4 is available in black and white.
Performance
The Technics EAH-A800 has more range and depth, while the Sony WF-1000XM4 wins in noise cancellation.
Both the Technics EAH-A800 and Sony WF-1000XM4 offer high-quality audio with excellent sound isolation. The Technics EAH-A800 boast 40mm drivers that deliver rich and accurate sound with a wide soundstage, making them great for music genres that require precise sound separation, like jazz or classical.
In contrast, the Sony WF-1000XM4 uses a dual driver system, one for high frequencies and the other for low frequencies. This results in a balanced sound signature suitable for most music genres. Both the A800 and WF-1000XM4 also support high-resolution audio through the LDAC codec.
As over-ear headphones, the A800 offers decent passive noise cancelation. It also provides active noise cancellation, courtesy of eight mics and a wind noise reduction. When combined, these A800 features minimize lows and mids significantly. Moreover, the headphones have an adjustable Transparency Mode, allowing users to control the amount of ambient noise picked up.
Still, Sony’s WF-1000XM4 has the edge. The earbuds have two noise-canceling mics — forward and backward — on each bud. Sony has also equipped them with an Integrated Processor V1. According to Sony, this chip delivers the industry’s highest level of notice canceling yet uses less power. Plus, the V1 enhances sound quality. On the A800, the ANC impacts audio presentation.
Click here to read our review of the best budget wireless earbuds.
Features
The Technics EAH-A800 and Sony WF-1000XM4 differ in controls but share the same smart features.
The Technics EAH-A800 uses physical buttons for controls. Underneath its right earcup, you’ll find the power button and volume controls. In contrast, the Sony WF-1000XM4 employs touch panels for media controls. Specific operation methods, like single or double taps and long presses, are assigned for these media settings. Plus, you can program them to either earbud.
Connectivity-wise, the A800 has the edge. Technics’ wireless headphones boast simultaneous multi-pairing, switching back and forth across paired devices for calls, video playback, or music playback. Sony’s WF-1000XM4 doesn’t have a similar feature. Nonetheless, it does enjoy fast pairing with Android devices. Moreover, it’s seamless to connect the earbuds to Windows 10 devices.
Both audio wearables have voice assistant support. For the A800, you get Amazon Alexa and Siri. With the WF-1000XM4, you also get Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, the Sony wireless earbuds enjoy a nifty smart feature. Thanks to Speak-to-Chat, the WF-1000XM4 recognizes when you’re talking to someone and will automatically pause the music and let in ambient sound.
Battery Life
Technics’ EAH-A800 boasts a longer playback time than Sony’s WF-1000XM4.
Choosing wireless headphones and earbuds is like choosing a smartphone — battery life is a top consideration. Here, the Technics EAH-A800 excels. The wireless headphones can last up to 60 hours on a single charge. Meanwhile, the Sony WF-1000XM4 has a maximum battery life of 12 hours. Its charging case holds between 24 to 36 hours of power. That’s up to three recharges.
However, there is a caveat with these numbers. Like smartphones and their always-on display modes, turning on ANC impacts battery life. In the case of the A800, ANC reduces playback time to 50 hours. You only get 40 hours if you’re playing LDAC. On the WF-1000XM4, battery life falls to 8 hours with noise cancelation turned on.
The WF-1000XM4’s advantage is that you can recharge the earbuds anytime you return them to the case. It also supports wireless charging. Plus, the case itself takes only 1.5 hours to charge. If you’re in a hurry, a 5-minute charge is enough for an hour of use. These numbers help make it one of the best wireless earbuds to buy.
Technics’ A800 headphones require 10 hours of charging. But like the Sony earbuds, the A800 delivers 10 hours of playback time on just 15 minutes of charging.
Verdict
Opt for the Technics EAH-A800 if you want over-ear headphones. Go for the Sony WF-1000XM4 if you prefer true wireless earbuds.
Both the Technics EAH-A800 wireless headphones and Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds are excellent audio products that offer high-quality audio, noise isolation, and reliable connectivity.
The Technics EAH-A800 is a compelling purchase if you prefer an over-ear headphone design and extended battery life. It also offers an option for wired connection and supports simultaneous Bluetooth pairing. With these features, the A800 costs about $350.
Meanwhile, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is ideal for people looking for a compact earbud with intuitive touch controls. It also boasts excellent noise isolation with minimal impact on sound quality. Despite these advanced features, the WF-1000XM4 retails for less than $280.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences, and both products are worth considering depending on your use case.
FAQs
The Technics EAH-A800 headphones have a frequency range of 4 Hz to 40k Hz.
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC audio formats.
The Technics EAH-A800 has an operating range of up to 33 feet.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 comes with a one-year limited warranty.