Overall Score 8.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sony WF 1000XM4 | Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IP55 |
weight | 7.1g | 9g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 6mm | 9mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 5Hz | |
highest frequency | 40,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 105dB/mW | 110dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 7.5hours |
battery life of charging case | 16hours | 12.5hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | 2.5hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.1 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✓ | ✗ | |
has aptx hd | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | ✗ |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
highest mic frequency | ✗ | 8,000Hz | |
lowest mic frequency | ✗ | 100Hz | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✗ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | 2only | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings is the rank of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value means protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (water).
Scoring IP55, the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's rating is read as, the first value of 5 denotes that ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in harmful quantities to interfere with the correct operation or impair safety, and of liquids that they can withstand medium pressure jet that's 6.3mm diameter, similar to garden hose from any angle for 3 minutes at a distance of 2.5 to 3 metres. In comparison to the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus, Sony WF 1000XM4 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
no data available to specify a protection rating
and that of liquids is that,
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus has a higher liquid rating than Sony WF 1000XM4
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a weight of 9g . We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
The Sony WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g weigh less than the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus with a difference -1.9g True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds . Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires connecting the pair of earbuds . Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have sweat resistance Sony WF 1000XM4's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have stereo speakers, what this means is that Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have stereo speakers ANC utilises advanced technology to actively counter noise.
ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) and producing -1 (inverted noise) giving zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have ANC which makes either of the earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces background noise while preventing the device voice audio from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a unit size of 9mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, the unit size determines the loudness of the device. Sony WF 1000XM4 driver unit is 6mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus by 3mm , a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component generates low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it. Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus produce a juicier bass than the Sony WF 1000XM4
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component generates high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.
Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that Sony WF 1000XM4 can generate a clearer and crispier treble than the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus The sound pressure level, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's measurement is 110dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. Sony WF 1000XM4's sound pressure level measurement is 105dB/mW.
The sound pressure level, something is can be taken differently by different persons, so we need to have a way of getting a standard measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's battery life is 7.5 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sony WF 1000XM4's battery life is more than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus by 0.5 hours . Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's case is said to have a charge of 12.5 hours.
A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge the case itself. Sony WF 1000XM4's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours, more than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus by 3.5 hours It requires 2.5 hours to fully charge the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
Sony WF 1000XM4 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus by 1 hours Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your earbuds and case. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery.
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. Sony WF 1000XM4 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets.
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have Bluetooth version of 5.1, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony WF 1000XM4 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Sony WF 1000XM4 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus will work fine with your MacBook. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Sony WF 1000XM4 support AAC as well.
Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too use a noise-canceling type of microphone.
This is useful in noisy environments. The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's highest mic frequency is 8,000Hz, high frequencies are best for recording treble. The highest mic frequency of a microphone is known as its upper limiting frequency.
The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's lowest mic frequency is 100Hz, low frequencies are best for picking up bass. The lowest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its lower limiting frequency. The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing the earbuds The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a jog but still want to hear traffic.
When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a find earbuds feature. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the device app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your device to locate them.
The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them.
For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Sony WF 1000XM4 have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another device. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 also support the mute function. It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. With the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a control panel on them. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have voice prompts meaning the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them. The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus come with their own special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them in your pockets without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.