Six years later, Sony revisits its legendary XM4 headphones
Six years later, Sony revisits its legendary XM4 headphones
时隔六年，索尼重推其传奇耳机 XM4
After the WH-1000XM4 were discontinued in 2025, Sony is bringing them back as the WH-1000XM4C. 在 WH-1000XM4 于 2025 年停产后，索尼现将其以 WH-1000XM4C 的型号重新推向市场。
Six years ago, Sony and Bose were in the middle of a noise-canceling battle, with each new model of headphones better than the last. In the fall of 2020, Sony released the WH-1000XM4 headphones to wide acclaim. They sat atop best headphones lists for years, thanks to their great sound, competitive ANC, and compact size, until they went out of stock. Now Sony has brought them back, with minor improvements, as the WH-1000XM4C. 六年前，索尼和 Bose 正处于降噪耳机的激烈竞争中，每一款新耳机都比上一代更出色。2020 年秋季，索尼发布了 WH-1000XM4 耳机，并广受好评。凭借出色的音质、极具竞争力的主动降噪（ANC）功能以及紧凑的机身设计，这款耳机多年来一直稳居最佳耳机榜单之首，直到后来断货。如今，索尼带着小幅升级，以 WH-1000XM4C 的名义将其带回大众视野。
The XM4C look identical to the original XM4 (although they now have a lavender option), with the same hinge design and ability to fold up. It’s a compact design that Sony moved away from when it released the XM5 in 2022, and then returned to (although not quite as compact) with the XM6. But it’s not just the look that’s returned. The XM4C still use the same QN1 processing chip and four microphones for ANC. That design is showing its age: The XM5 still used the QN1, but had eight mics. Last year’s XM6 have 12, plus the new QN3 chip. XM4C 的外观与原版 XM4 完全相同（尽管现在新增了薰衣草色可选），采用了相同的铰链设计和折叠功能。这种紧凑的设计在索尼 2022 年发布 XM5 时曾被放弃，随后在 XM6 上又回归了（尽管便携性稍逊）。但回归的不仅仅是外观，XM4C 依然沿用了相同的 QN1 处理芯片和四个麦克风来实现降噪。这种设计已显老态：XM5 虽然也使用 QN1，但配备了八个麦克风；而去年的 XM6 则拥有 12 个麦克风，并搭载了全新的 QN3 芯片。
Sony did update the XM4C’s sound profile to bring it in line with current models, and the headphones have a 10-band EQ in the Headphones app, instead of the 5-band on the XM4, plus a gaming preset. The XM4C also support Bluetooth 6 instead of 5. Surprisingly, the battery performance on the new headphones is slightly worse. Sony claims the XM4C get up to 27 hours of use with ANC on as opposed to 30 hours previously. Not a huge difference, and still more than enough for a cross-country trip. 索尼确实更新了 XM4C 的声音配置，使其与当前机型保持一致。耳机在配套的 Headphones App 中提供了 10 段均衡器（EQ），取代了 XM4 上的 5 段均衡器，并增加了游戏预设模式。XM4C 还支持蓝牙 6.0 标准，而非之前的 5.0。令人惊讶的是，新款耳机的电池续航表现略有下降。索尼称，开启降噪后，XM4C 的续航时间最长为 27 小时，而此前型号为 30 小时。虽然差距不大，但对于跨国旅行来说依然绰绰有余。
The XM4C will be available later this fall for $300, which is $50 cheaper than the XM4 when they first came out (and $100 cheaper than the XM6 are now), but more than they could be found for before being discontinued. XM4C 将于今年秋季晚些时候上市，售价为 300 美元。这比 XM4 初次发布时便宜了 50 美元（也比现在的 XM6 便宜 100 美元），但比其停产前的市场价格要高。
I have loved the Sony XM4 since they came out, and still have my pair hanging on the side of my desk. Beyond nostalgia, though, I’m confused why they’re coming back. A review sample of the XM4C arrived at my door while I was writing this, so some deeper investigation will be coming soon. But the headphones industry has moved forward in the past six years, and I’m not sure there’s a need to go back. And the XM5, while they don’t fold up as nicely as the XM4C, are excellent headphones and currently available for $200 (though that price may be an effort to clear out inventory ahead of the XM4C). 自索尼 XM4 发布以来，我就一直很喜欢它，现在我的那副耳机还挂在书桌旁。然而，抛开怀旧情结，我对于它们为何回归感到困惑。在我撰写本文时，XM4C 的评测样机已经送达，后续我将进行更深入的调查。但过去六年耳机行业已经向前发展，我不确定是否有必要走回头路。况且，虽然 XM5 的折叠便携性不如 XM4C，但它依然是一款出色的耳机，目前售价仅为 200 美元（尽管这个价格可能是为了在 XM4C 上市前清理库存）。
Alongside the XM4C, Sony released the next generation of two of its less-expensive midrange and entry-level headphone lines: the WH-CH730N and WH-CH530. They both get the same 10-band EQ upgrade and gaming EQ preset as the XM4C, and the CH730N will now fold up into a more compact form. 除了 XM4C，索尼还发布了其两款中低端耳机产品线的下一代产品：WH-CH730N 和 WH-CH530。它们都获得了与 XM4C 相同的 10 段均衡器升级和游戏 EQ 预设，且 CH730N 现在可以折叠成更紧凑的形态。
The two headphones also get a boost to battery life according to Sony: The CH730N get up to 50 hours with ANC, and the CH530 get up to 55 hours (there’s no ANC on the CH530). A new safe mode in the app allows a user to limit the max volume output of the headphones. It’s a nice addition for parents looking to protect their kids’ hearing, although there’s no way to lock the limit once it’s been set. 据索尼称，这两款耳机的续航能力也得到了提升：CH730N 在开启降噪后可达 50 小时，CH530 则可达 55 小时（CH530 不具备降噪功能）。App 中新增的安全模式允许用户限制耳机的最大音量输出。对于希望保护孩子听力的家长来说，这是一个不错的功能，尽管目前一旦设置后无法锁定该限制。
The WH-CH530 come in black, cobalt, mint green, white, pink, and coral and cost $70. For $180, you can get the WH-CN730N in black, blue, oat, white, or pink. Both headphones are available now. WH-CH530 提供黑色、钴蓝色、薄荷绿、白色、粉色和珊瑚色，售价 70 美元。售价 180 美元的 WH-CH730N 则有黑色、蓝色、燕麦色、白色或粉色可选。两款耳机现已上市。
Sony is also doing a partnership with Hello Kitty. Bundles include headphones — the WH-1000XM6, WH-CH730N, or WH-CH530 available in black or pink — a Hello Kitty-shaped carrying pouch, and Hello Kitty-branded bag. The bundles will be available in limited supply later this year on the Sony website only. 索尼还与 Hello Kitty 展开了合作。套装包含耳机（WH-1000XM6、WH-CH730N 或 WH-CH530，有黑色或粉色可选）、一个 Hello Kitty 造型的收纳袋以及一个 Hello Kitty 品牌的包。这些套装将于今年晚些时候在索尼官网限量发售。