Skullcandy Hesh ANC vs Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has long been a champion in the field of active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, noted for its superb sound quality and noise-canceling capabilities. However, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC emerges as a credible challenger, providing a more cost-effective alternative without sacrificing crucial features.

This comparison of the Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Skullcandy Hesh ANC looks at their design, sound quality, noise-canceling performance, and other features to help you make an informed selection.

Whether you like Sony’s known quality or a cheaper choice like the Skullcandy Hesh ANC, this comparison will help you determine which headphones are the best fit for your needs.

Skullcandy Hesh ANC vs Sony WH-1000XM4: A Comprehensive Guide

Specification

Feature	Sony WH-1000XM4	Skullcandy Hesh ANC
Form Factor	Over Ear	Over Ear
Frequency Response	4 Hz – 40000Hz	20 Hz – 20000Hz
Impedance	16 Ohms	32 Ohms
Driver Unit size	40mm	40mm
Battery Life	30h	22h
Charging Time	3 h	2h
Bluetooth Range	10m	10m
Bluetooth Version	5	5
Color	Black, Blue, Silver	True Black, Chill Gray
Weight	254g	228g
Check Details	See More	See More

What’s in the box

Sony WH-1000XM4	Skullcandy Hesh ANC
Headphone	Headphone
Carrying Case	Case
Connection Cable	USB-C Charging Cable
User Guide	User Guide

Fit & Comfort

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WH-1000XM4 both seek to deliver a comfortable listening experience, but they use slightly different techniques.

Sony’s WH-1000XM4 is known for its plush ear cups and well-padded headband, which allow for long listening sessions without discomfort. The ear cups wrap your ears, offering a snug fit that effectively shuts out external sounds. They are perfect for long flights or commuting.

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC, on the other hand, provides adequate comfort with its padded ear cups and adjustable headband. While they do not have the sumptuous feel of the Sony headphones, they are a good fit for most people.

It should be noted, however, that comfort is subjective, and certain people with larger heads or sensitive ears may prefer the fit of one over the other.

In conclusion, both headphones provide adequate comfort, with the Sony WH-1000XM4 offering a more luxurious and warm feel and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC offering a comfortable fit appropriate for daily usage. Your decision may be influenced by your personal preferences as well as the length of your listening sessions.

Design & Build

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones’ design and build appeal to a wide range of styles and preferences. Sony’s WH-1000XM4 has a sleek, premium design and high-quality materials.

The ear cups have plush padding, and the headband is made of aluminum and synthetic leather for durability and comfort. Sony’s attention to detail is evident in its folding form, which improves portability and makes it an excellent choice for travelers. The controls are simple, with touch-sensitive panels on the ear cups for quick playback and volume adjustments.

In comparison, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a more casual and basic style. These headphones prioritize simplicity with soft-touch plastics that may not feel as luxurious as the Sony WH-1000XM4 but are nonetheless durable.

The ear cups are sufficiently cushioned for comfort during lengthy usage, and the overall build quality is good. The Skullcandy headphones are also foldable, allowing for some portability.

Finally, the choice between these headphones’ designs comes down to personal preference. The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a more high-end and exquisite aesthetic, whilst the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a more utilitarian and comfortable design with a more casual appeal.

Sound Quality

When comparing the sound quality of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC with Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, there are some significant factors to consider. Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones are well-known for their excellent sound quality.

They have a well-balanced sound profile with deep, powerful bass, clean mids, and detailed highs. With LDAC and high-resolution audio compatibility, they excel at giving a quality listening experience, especially when combined with compatible devices.

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones, on the other hand, deliver a decent audio experience but may not reach the same degree of audio clarity and depth as the Sony WH-1000XM4. 

While they have a good bass response, the mids and highs may be less prominent, resulting in a slightly less detailed sound. However, for customers who prefer bass-heavy music genres, the Hesh ANC can still provide a great listening experience. 

Finally, if you’re an audiophile looking for the highest sound quality and a balanced sound profile, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are the ideal pick. They provide high-fidelity audio with LDAC support.

However, if you’re looking for a more affordable choice and don’t mind a bass-heavy sound profile, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones can deliver a satisfactory listening experience. Your selection should reflect your personal sound preferences as well as your financial constraints.

Noise Cancellation

In terms of noise cancellation, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones easily outperform the Skullcandy Hesh ANC. Sony has established itself as a leader in noise-canceling technology, and the WH-1000XM4 headphones demonstrate this competence.

They include advanced noise-canceling features that efficiently filter out a wide spectrum of external sounds, making them perfect for busy environments such as flights or crowded city streets. Sony’s sophisticated ANC technology adapts to your environment, allowing you to enjoy your music without interruption.

However, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones have noise-canceling capabilities, it is not as powerful or adaptive as those found in the Sony headphones.

They can minimize ambient noise to some extent, although they may not be as effective in highly noisy areas. In terms of noise cancellation, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are the best choice.

In conclusion, if noise cancellation is an important aspect of your headphone purchase, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are the more dependable and effective option. They excel at creating a calm listening atmosphere, letting you enjoy your music or podcasts without interruption.

Microphone or Call Quality

In terms of microphone and call quality, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones outperform the Skullcandy Hesh ANC. Sony’s headset combines a sophisticated microphone system with superior noise-canceling technology, resulting in crystal-clear call quality.

The beamforming microphones focus on your voice while minimizing surrounding noise, ensuring that your calls are heard clearly. This makes them a fantastic alternative for business conversations or online meetings, even in noisy surroundings.

However, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones include a microphone for calls, they may not deliver the same degree of call quality as the Sony headphones. The microphone quality is adequate but may fall short in suppressing background noise, thereby leading to less clear and focused calls, especially in noisy environments.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are the better alternative for consumers who prioritize call quality and require headphones for work-related tasks or frequent calls due to their improved microphone system and noise-canceling capabilities.

They ensure that your voice remains clear and free of interruptions throughout calls, boosting your communication experience.

Battery Life

When comparing the battery life of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out on top.

Sony headphones are well-known for their exceptional battery life, which may last up to 30 hours with noise canceling turned on. This long battery life guarantees that consumers may enjoy lengthy listening sessions without having to worry about recharging frequently.

In comparison, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a reasonable but considerably shorter battery life. With noise cancellation enabled, these headphones provide roughly 22 hours of playback time. While this is still adequate for daily usage, it falls short of the Sony WH-1000XM4 in terms of endurance.

Furthermore, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have

Control System

The control systems of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones take different approaches, catering to consumers with diverse tastes.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 features a touch-sensitive control interface on the earcups, letting users do activities such as adjusting volume, changing music, and managing calls with easy touch motions. These touch controls provide ease and a sleek aesthetic, although some users may find them less responsive at times.

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC, on the other hand, employs a more traditional button-based control mechanism. These tactile buttons are user-friendly and dependable, ensuring that your orders are reliably registered. 

The headphones have buttons for playback control, volume adjustment, and call management. While this approach may appear to be less advanced than touch controls, it may provide a level of assurance and responsiveness that some users prefer.

Ultimately, the choice between touch controls on the Sony WH-1000XM4 and button-based controls on the Skullcandy Hesh ANC comes down to personal preference. Some users may like the simplicity and dependability of physical buttons, but others may love the current touch interface for its convenience.

Connectivity

Both the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones include extensive connectivity options, ensuring a seamless and dependable wireless experience. Both headphones use Bluetooth technology for wireless connections, allowing you to easily pair them with your devices.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 features Bluetooth 5.0, which enables a robust and efficient wireless connection to your devices. It also contains support for sophisticated audio codecs like as LDAC, AAC, and SBC, providing high-quality audio transmission over Bluetooth.

Furthermore, the headphones support multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect to and switch between two devices at the same time. This function is especially useful for people who frequently switch between their smartphones and laptops.

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC also has Bluetooth connectivity, however, it employs Bluetooth 5.2 technology, which provides improved stability and efficiency. While it does not support as many codecs as the Sony headphones, it nonetheless provides dependable Bluetooth connections with AAC and SBC support.

Both headphones have good Bluetooth connections, and the choice between them may come down to individual codec preferences or the need for multipoint connection capability.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 boasts codec support, assuring high-quality audio streaming, whereas the Skullcandy Hesh ANC benefits from Bluetooth 5.2 for a dependable wireless connection.

Support for Bluetooth Codec 

When it comes to Bluetooth codec support, the Sony WH-1000XM4 outperforms the Skullcandy Hesh ANC.

The Sony headphones support a wide range of codecs, including LDAC, AAC, and SBC. LDAC, in particular, is known for its high-quality wireless audio streaming, making it a fantastic alternative for audiophiles wishing to enjoy their music at the highest possible fidelity when coupled with suitable source devices.

Skullcandy Hesh ANC, on the other hand, supports AAC and SBC codecs. While these codecs still deliver high audio quality, they may not achieve the same level of audio excellence as LDAC, especially for individuals who value the finer details in their music.

Finally, the Sony WH-1000XM4’s better codec support ensures a more varied and high-fidelity listening experience. However, if you usually use devices that support AAC, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC can still give a good audio experience. The choice between these headphones may come down to device compatibility and audio quality choices.

Extra Feature

In terms of supplementary functions, the Sony WH-1000XM4 provides a broad collection of functionalities that enhance the user experience.

These headphones include innovative noise-canceling technology that adapts to your surroundings for optimal noise reduction. They also contain Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention modes, which allow you to have conversations or hear your environment without having to remove the headphones.

The Sony Headphones Connect app allows for sound customization, touch controls, and adaptive sound control, delivering a personalized listening experience. Furthermore, the WH-1000XM4 features LDAC for high-quality wireless music streaming, making it ideal for audiophiles.

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC, on the other hand, has a simpler collection of features. While it has active noise cancellation, it lacks some of the advanced technology featured in Sony headphones. The Hesh ANC does have a long-lasting battery, a pleasant design, and Tile connectivity for tracking your headphones.

In summary, the Sony WH-1000XM4 distinguishes out with a broader range of added features, such as enhanced noise-canceling capabilities, adaptive sound control, LDAC support, and a highly customizable app.

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC, while competent, has a relatively limited set of additional features. Your choice between the two will be determined by whether you value complex features or a more straightforward listening experience.

Which is the Winner?

When comparing the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, it’s evident that the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out on top in numerous critical areas.

Sony headphones provide higher sound quality, noise cancellation, and a broader range of advanced functions. They offer a more immersive and personalized listening experience, with adaptive noise control, LDAC support, and very adaptable software.

However, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC provides adequate sound and noise cancellation for its price, it falls short of the capabilities of the Sony WH-1000XM4. Sony headphones also excel in terms of comfort, build quality, and call microphone quality.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has some advantages, like a lower price point and a good battery life. It’s a fantastic choice for users searching for a low-cost pair of noise-cancelling headphones with respectable performance.

Finally, the choice between these two headphones is determined by your priorities. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is the clear winner if you want excellent music quality, superb noise cancellation, and a feature-rich experience. If you’re on a tighter budget and ready to make some sacrifices, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is a viable option.

Alternative Options

There are a few alternatives to the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones worth considering, depending on your preferences and priorities.

If you’re searching for another premium choice with superb noise cancellation and sound quality, the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are a solid candidate. They feature Bose’s acclaimed noise-cancelling technology as well as a comfortable fit.

The Anker SoundCore Life Q30 is a cheaper option that nevertheless provides respectable sound quality and noise cancellation, making it an appealing option for people on a tight budget.

Alternatively, for audiophiles looking for the best sound quality, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones deliver great audio performance with a focus on clarity and detail. While they may be more expensive, they cater to music fans who value immaculate sound reproduction.

Finally, if you’re firmly involved in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Max provides easy connection with Apple devices, as well as great sound quality and noise cancellation.

When compared to the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, these alternatives provide a variety of features and pricing points, allowing you to customize your selection to your specific needs and tastes.

Skullcandy Hesh ANC vs Sony WH-1000XM4 – FAQs

1. Which has superior noise cancellation, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC or the Sony WH-1000XM4?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are well-known for their excellent noise-cancelling performance. They use modern technologies to efficiently shut out ambient noise. While the Skullcandy Hesh ANC provides noise cancellation, it may not be as good as the Sony WH-1000XM4. When choosing between these two models, keep your individual noise-canceling requirements in mind.

2. Do the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones feature programmable sound profiles?

Both headphones provide some sound modification. The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a feature called “Adaptive Sound Control” that modifies the sound profile based on your activities and location. Furthermore, both headphones come with companion apps that allow users to fine-tune the sound via equalizer settings. Sony headphones, on the other hand, are known for providing more advanced sound tuning choices.

3. Can I make phone calls with these headphones?

Both the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have built-in microphones for making phone calls. However, the quality of the calls may differ between the two models. The WH-1000XM4 from Sony is well-known for its excellent microphone performance, which allows for clear and noise-free calls even in noisy surroundings.

4. Are the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones comfy for extended listening sessions?

Comfort is essential for long listening sessions. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is recognized for its pleasant design and velvety ear cushions, which make it suited for long periods of use. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones are likewise comfortable, however, they may not last as long as the Sony headphones.

5. Which headphones have a longer battery life, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC or the Sony WH-1000XM4?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has an outstanding battery life, with up to 30 hours of listening time on a single charge. It also enables quick charging, allowing for several hours of playback with only a brief charge period. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has a reasonable battery life but may not last as long as the Sony. Battery life can be critical, especially for travelers or those who wear headphones for extended periods of time.

Final Thoughts

The choice between the Skullcandy Hesh ANC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 is based on your unique wants and priorities.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 stands out for its great noise cancellation, superior sound quality, and impressive microphone performance, making it an excellent choice for audiophiles and people who demand top-tier noise isolation for travel or business.

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC, on the other hand, is a more affordable choice with adequate noise cancellation, good music quality, and a comfy shape.

If you’re searching for a more cheap pair of headphones without losing crucial features, the Hesh ANC could be the way to go. Finally, your decision should be based on considerations such as your budget, noise-cancellation requirements, and individual audio tastes.