Sony is bringing one of its most successful headphones back to the shelves: The WH-1000XM4C is now available in three colors for 249 euros. Technically, the over-ear headphones remain very similar to the original from 2020; the main new feature is the deepened partnership with rapper Apache 207, who has been the face of Sony’s “For The Music” audio campaign since 2023.
What is the Sony WH-1000XM4C?
At its core, the WH-1000XM4C is a reissue of the WH-1000XM4, which was released in 2020 and remains one of Sony’s best-selling noise-canceling headphones to this day. Sony itself describes them as headphones for frequent travelers, commuters, remote workers, students, and music fans, so they’re aimed at a broad audience. New features include a revised sound profile—which Sony says is tailored to current listening habits—as well as a 10-band equalizer that allows for detailed sound customization via the Sony app. The basic design remains largely unchanged: The WH-1000XM4C remains lightweight, foldable, and available in black, platinum silver, and the new lavender color.
Technical Specifications of the Sony WH-1000XM4C
Under the hood, Sony continues to rely on the QN1 processor for active noise cancellation, combined with 40-mm drivers. Also included are high-resolution audio support, LDAC, DSEE Extreme for enhancing the sound of compressed files, as well as spatial audio and touch controls on the ear cups.
| Feature | Sony WH-1000XM4C |
|---|---|
| Processor | QN1 (Noise Canceling) |
| Driver | 40 mm |
| Codecs | LDAC, DSEE Extreme, High-Resolution Audio |
| Battery Life | Up to 34 hours (without ANC) / 27 hours (with ANC)* |
| Colors | Black, Platinum Silver, Lavender |
| Price (MSRP) | 249 euros |
| Availability | Available now |
Apache 207 Transforms from Brand Ambassador to Creative Partner
The collaboration between Sony and Apache 207 began back in 2023 as part of the “For The Music” campaign. The rapper has since evolved from the original brand ambassador into a creative partner: For the current collaboration, he traveled to Sony’s headquarters in Tokyo, tested the WH-1000XM4C there, and worked with the Sony team to develop his own sound profile.
Nadine Roßberg, who heads marketing communications at Sony, describes the partnership this way: “Since 2023, our belief that music connects people has continued to drive this partnership forward.” Apache 207 himself says of his visit to Tokyo: “Testing the headphones and developing my sound profile there is what made this collaboration special for me.” Producer JUMPA, who has been working with the rapper for years, also speaks in the press release: Together, they created a unique sound, which he captured musically in the campaign video.
Here’s what’s included in the Apache 207 package
Specifically, the partnership offers three extras for fans:
- An equalizer preset curated by Apache 207, which will be released in fall 2026 via the Sony Sound Connect app and is based on his album “21 Gramm” with a distinctly bass-heavy tuning.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Tokyo, accessible via a QR code on the packaging.
- A specially designed digital smartphone wallpaper.
Price and Availability
The Sony WH-1000XM4C costs 249 euros and is available now in all three color variants, including directly from Sony and at authorized retailers. If you’re currently looking for noise-canceling headphones in a similar price range, you can also check out our review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 on basic-tutorials.de for comparison. Otherwise, the top-of-the-line model, the WH-1000XM6, is also worth checking out.
Conclusion
The Sony WH-1000XM4C is primarily a reissue of the tried-and-true WH-1000XM4 at an attractive entry-level price, enhanced with a new 10-band equalizer and a visibly expanded partnership with Apache 207. If you already own a WH-1000XM4, there’s hardly anything new to offer from a technical standpoint. However, for anyone who doesn’t yet own a pair of Sony noise-canceling headphones and is looking for an affordable upgrade to this iconic model, the WH-1000XM4C is definitely worth a look thanks to the equalizer update and special editions featuring Apache 207.
