If you want industry-leading noise cancellation and wireless freedom for gaming or travel, choose Sony WH-1000XM4; if you need an open-back planar experience with pure HiFi audio fidelity for critical listening at home, choose SENDYAUDIO Apollo Open-Back Planar. These two headphones occupy opposite ends of the audio spectrum, and picking the wrong one means you are fighting your own expectations every time you put them on. One is a technological marvel designed to isolate you from the world, while the other is a transparent window designed to immerse you in the recording itself.
• Sony WH-1000XM4: Its biggest strength is the active noise cancellation that creates silence wherever you go, paired with a 30-hour battery life that lasts for days; its trade-off is that it forces you into a closed, isolated listening environment that sacrifices natural soundstage depth.
• SENDYAUDIO Apollo: Its biggest strength is the detailed, transparent sound signature provided by its large planar magnetic drivers and wood housing, offering a wide stage perfect for studio work; its trade-off is that it has no battery, no wireless connectivity, and leaks sound, making it unusable outside a quiet room.
• The Sony pick is for the commuter, traveler, or gamer who needs a headset for Switch that blocks out chaos, while the SENDYAUDIO pick is for the audiophile sitting in a dedicated listening space who demands zero compression and maximum detail.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is engineered for people who live in motion. It is not just a pair of headphones; it is a barrier against the noise of modern life. The core of this device is its Dual Noise Sensor technology, which actively listens to external sounds and cancels them out before they reach your ears. This isn't just passive isolation where the ear cups block sound physically; it is electronic silence. If you take these on a plane, a train, or even into a busy coffee shop, the hum of the engine or the chatter of strangers simply vanishes. This feature alone makes it a top contender for anyone needing focus or peace without having to crank the volume to dangerous levels.
For gamers, specifically those looking for a reliable headset for Switch, this model offers a level of immersion that wired, open-back options simply cannot match in a non-dedicated space. The Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity allows for a stable wireless connection up to 10 meters, meaning you can move around your living room without being tethered to a console. The Touch Sensor controls add another layer of convenience; you can pause music, skip tracks, adjust volume, or answer calls with a simple swipe across the ear cup. There is also a Speak-to-chat feature that automatically lowers the volume when you start talking, so you don't have to fumble to remove the headphones during a quick conversation.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-24 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
However, this level of convenience comes with specific design constraints. These are over-ear headphones with a rounded enclosure made of metal and plastic. They weigh 16 ounces, which is substantial but manageable for long sessions. The battery life is a massive selling point, offering up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge. Even better, a quick 10-minute charge gives you five hours of listening time, solving the anxiety of running out of power mid-flight. But because they are closed-back and rely on active processing, the soundstage feels internalized. You are hearing the music as it is processed by the Edge-AI co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo, which enhances clarity but keeps the sound inside your head rather than spreading it out in front of you. If you are sensitive to pressure changes caused by active noise cancellation, or if you crave a completely uncolored, "live" acoustic feel, this might not be the right tool for you.
The SENDYAUDIO Apollo is built for a completely different purpose: it is a laboratory-grade instrument for the discerning listener. This is not a headphone for the gym, the subway, or the office. It is an open-back planar magnetic driver system housed in premium wood, designed to deliver what the manufacturer describes as a "pure HiFi audio" experience. The key here is the lack of acoustic isolation. Because the earpieces are round and open, sound escapes, and ambient noise enters. This is intentional. It allows the air to flow naturally, creating a transparency that dynamic drivers in closed cans often struggle to replicate.
At the heart of the Apollo is a 68mm large diameter diaphragm, which is significantly larger than standard drivers found in most consumer headphones. This planar magnetic driver utilizes a unique magnetic circuit and distance balance to minimize resonance. The result is a frequency response that stretches from 20Hz to 40KHz, capturing details well beyond the human hearing limit to ensure the entire audible spectrum is rendered with extreme precision. Vocals come across as natural and soft, while bass remains deep and solid without muddying the treble. The use of wood for the enclosure adds a specific warmth to the tonal character, distinguishing it from the colder, more analytical sound of all-metal or plastic competitors.
This headphone is wired, utilizing a 6N OCC braided cable that connects via a 2.5 mm jack. The cable features a special spring design intended to increase lifespan, ensuring durability despite the constant movement of a high-quality audio cable. The impedance is rated at 16 ohms, which suggests it is efficient and easy to drive, though the lack of a built-in amplifier means you will need a source capable of delivering clean power to fully realize the potential of the planar drivers. The headband is ergonomic and designed to wear lightly, preventing fatigue during extended listening sessions. However, the warranty description notes a 12-month service period, which is generous, but the product requires careful handling. Since there is no active noise control and no battery, you must be in a controlled environment to appreciate the full range of the 40KHz response. If you value the ability to hear the "space" between instruments and the subtle decay of a cymbal, this is the machine you need.
• Best for Battery Life: The Sony WH-1000XM4 wins decisively with 30 hours of wireless playtime and quick charging, whereas the SENDYAUDIO Apollo has no battery and relies entirely on a wired connection.
• Best for Portability: The Sony is designed for travel with Bluetooth 5.0 and a protective case included, making it a true mobile companion; the Apollo is strictly a stationary device due to its wired nature and open-back design.
• Best for Soundstage and Detail: The SENDYAUDIO Apollo takes the lead with its 68mm planar drivers and 40KHz frequency response, offering a wider, more transparent soundstage ideal for mixing or critical listening.
• Best for Noise Isolation: The Sony WH-1000XM4 provides industry-leading active noise cancellation, effectively silencing the world around you; the Apollo lets everything in and out, requiring a silent room.
• Best for Gaming on the Go: For a headset for Switch where you might be playing in a shared space or traveling, the Sony's wireless freedom and noise blocking make it the superior choice.
• Best for Home Audiophile Listening: If you have a dedicated chair in a quiet room and want the most accurate reproduction of a recording, the SENDYAUDIO Apollo's wood housing and planar technology offer a richer, more nuanced experience.
• Best for Durability in Daily Use: The Sony's touch controls and robust build are designed for daily abuse, while the Apollo's delicate wood finish and exposed drivers require a more careful approach.
• Best Value for Features: The Sony includes voice assistant integration, speak-to-chat, and multiple connectivity options, offering a feature-rich ecosystem that the Apollo does not attempt to provide.
In my opinion, I would buy the Sony WH-1000XM4 for my daily life because the utility of wireless freedom and active noise cancellation is something I cannot compromise on. The ability to switch seamlessly from a noisy commute to a focused gaming session on my Switch without wires or charging anxiety is transformative. However, if my primary goal was to listen to classical music or jazz in a perfectly quiet room where I could hear every breath of the vocalist, I would reach for the SENDYAUDIO Apollo Open-Back Planar. The difference in sonic presentation is stark, and neither is objectively "better"; they serve entirely different masters. For the average user seeking a versatile, high-performance device, the Sony is the logical choice, but for the purist seeking a reference monitor experience, the Apollo is unmatched. Ultimately, if you want a headphone that adapts to your chaotic life, choose the Sony; if you want a headphone that adapts your life to the purity of sound, choose the Apollo.
You should keep them dry to avoid damaging the electronics and the battery.
While the 16-ohm impedance suggests it is efficient, the open-back planar drivers benefit significantly from a dedicated amplifier to drive the full 40KHz frequency range with clarity. Without a good source, you may not hear the full detail the 68mm diaphragm is capable of producing.
You can connect them via a wired adapter, but they are not designed for gaming in the traditional sense. They lack microphone support in the listed controls, and the open-back design will leak sound, making it difficult for others to ignore your gameplay audio. A closed-back option like the Sony is generally better for this use case.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 (Renewed) comes with a 90-day limited warranty through Amazon Renewed, while the SENDYAUDIO Apollo offers a 12-month warranty service directly from the manufacturer, providing longer coverage for the wooden, wired unit.
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