I’ve found the Sony WH-1000XM4 to be nearly perfect headphones for me. However, over time, a lot of my friends who have this model seem to be encountering the same set of issues with this model. Rather than buying a new pair, I decided to fix as many problems as possible and extend the life of my headphones for a few more years.
Here’s what my headphones looked like before:
Below, I’ll share simple fixes for three of the most common problems:
Earpad replacement
Headband leather replacement
Fixing ANC high-pitch noise
1. Earpad Replacement
This is the most common issue and also the easiest to fix. I recommend getting real leather (sheepskin) earpads instead of PU leather, as they’re much more durable. This is my second pair of replacement earpads, and I can already tell that real leather lasts significantly longer.
Step 1:
Use a slim, non-sharp tool to gently unclip the old earpads around the edges. They should come off easily.
Step 2:
Replace the foam dust filters and clean out any dust inside the earcups.
Step 3:
Align the new earpads properly, ensuring each pin is in the right place. Then, press them down to securely snap them in.
Over time, the ANC microphones can accumulate dust, leading to an annoying high-pitched noise. Here’s how to fix it.
Step 1:
Remove the earpads and dust filters. Use tweezers to carefully remove the gray rubber piece covering the ANC microphone.
Step 2:
Lift the ANC microphone with tweezers. You’ll see a dark fabric filter—this collects dust over time, which may contribute to the high-pitch noise. (I had already removed mine before writing this post.)
Step 3:
Use 70%+ isopropyl alcohol to gently remove the fabric filter. Take your time to ensure all glue and dust are completely removed. The microphone should look like this once cleaned:
Step 4:
Repeat the process for both microphones (left and right earcups). Then, reassemble everything.
Note: There’s no 100% guarantee this fix will last indefinitely. In some cases, the noise is caused by a damaged microphone, which would require replacement. If this fix doesn’t hold up over time, I’ll post a separate guide on replacing the microphones. For now, removing the fabric filter has completely eliminated the noise for me.
3.Head band leather replacement
Buy a replacement on Amazon, Aliexpress or other marketplace. I bought mine on Shopee( SE Asia). You need to find this
Mine cost me 2$, which is 100 times cheaper than headband replacement in authorized Sony Shop
Step 1:
Remove the right earpad and dust filter. Then, unscrew these four screws inside the right earcup.
Step 2:
Turn the headphones over and lift off the cover—it should come off easily.
Step 3:
Unplug the four connectors inside.
Step 4:
Unscrew these two bolts and gently lift the motherboard.
Step 5:
Using tweezers, place the main cable (rectangular) under the motherboard. Then, unscrew the two hinge bolts(circled in the image).
Step 6:
Lift the loosened hinge and carefully unplug the second hinge using a plastic tool. Be gentle— the earcup should detach easily.
Step 7:
Detach the plastic hinge from the main cable.
Step 8:
Unclip the plastic plate from its narrowest side. Lift it gently from both sides. You’ll see adhesive underneath—this is fine and doesn’t need replacement. Once the plate is off, unscrew the bolts underneath.
Step 9:
Use tweezers to remove the plastic caps on the opposite side of the "WH-1000XM4" logo. Do this on both sides and remove the bolts.
Step 10:
Remove the old headband leather and install the new one. Take your time to ensure a proper fit.
Step 11:
Reinstall the "WH-1000XM4" logo covers. These have plastic clips that help secure the leather, but you can also add a tiny piece of double-sided tape under the leather for extra hold.
Step 12:
Reassemble everything by following steps 8 to 1 in reverse order. Ensure all connectors are properly plugged in and the motherboard is seated correctly. While you're at it, clean out any dust inside the headphones.
My headphones after:
Every fix is super simple, requires no soldering, and takes at most 15–20 minutes.
This is my first Reddit post, so if you found it useful, I’m happy with it! Enjoy your headphones!
Recently bought the XM5 on eBay from Secondipity for $126.06. They look 10/10 — I can't see even a single scratch. They honestly look brand new.
I came from the Sony ULT Wear, and the second I put the XM5 on, I could immediately tell the difference. The ULT sounded kind of flat in comparison, while the XM5 sounds so much more detailed and clear. I can actually hear each instrument separately, and the vocals sound much better too.
I'm so happy with these headphones. They honestly feel like they're on another level.
The first thing I checked when they arrived was the hinges, since I've heard about the hinge issues, and they look perfect.
I have the sony WH-CH720N headphones. A bit outdated I know but I got a damn good price on em. Had em for a few years and am in the market for headphones with better music quality and noise cancellation. The problem is my budget isn’t too wide. I’m looking at bout $250. Should I get a newer Sony or will I have better luck switching to a different brand? And if I switch where do I go?
I currently use AirPods Pro 2. I’m considering getting the Sony WH-1000XM6. Is it worth spending money or would I be better off sticking with my AirPods Pro 2?
Would love to hear your experiences and suggestions!
I’m curious what equalizer settings you use —feel free to share yours, as I’d love to get the best possible sound out of these earphones! I will try every setting! :-)
I bought brand new xm6’s about a week ago and when I first started using them the noise cancelling was perfect, I couldn’t hear talking through them when I study in big groups but the past few days I noticed voices are leaking through and when there’s no music on the ANC feels very weak compared to when they were fresh out of box. I keep them in carry case and have otherwise taken good care of them. Has anyone else experienced this or would know any solutions?
Planning to buy those, store has a promo hehe. Let me know your thoughts on XM6s. I heard good and bad things from various reviews. Most of them saying that they sound bad? Idk probably because most of the reviewers I listen to are audiophiles? Idk. Educate me pls Thanks!
Hey everyone! If you are using your Sony XM6 headphones strictly over Bluetooth, you’re missing out on a massive jump in audio clarity. I recently tried hooking mine up wired to my Mac using an aux cable, and the difference is night and day.
When you stream Lossless/Hi-Res tracks from Apple Music over standard Bluetooth, macOS compresses the stream. But if you plug them in directly while keeping the headphones powered ON, you completely bypass Bluetooth compression. It lets the internal amp and DSP do their magic, delivering incredible instrument separation and crisp uncompressed detail.
Want to try it out? Here is how to set it up on your Mac:
Connect your headphones to your Mac using a standard 3.5mm aux cable (keep the headphones powered ON so the internal processing works).
Open the built-in Audio MIDI Setup app on macOS via Spotlight.
Select your headphone output device and bump the format setting up to 96kHz for high-resolution playback.
Open Apple Music, make sure your streaming settings are toggled to Lossless / Hi-Res Lossless, and enjoy the clarity!
If you haven't given this a spin yet with your desk setup, definitely give it a try—it's an awesome way to experience your lossless tracks!
Note: This should work with older versions as well, pretty obvious but I havent tried in them personally, and now I see massive jump on XM6. I think someone recently posted about this too..
Hey! Just got my xm5 delivered(india) even after knowing about broken hinges took the risk! But there was no tidal or whatever it's called card in it the free card everything else looks fine, connects to sony app warranty is registered rest of the items are there, I doubt is it some kind of too good "fakes" as it connects to app or that card is not given in my unit, it's manufactured at Feb 2025. It updated via app too.
This image is from about 90 minutes after I last cleaned it. That time before, the droplets were as big as the screws.
I've seen some other people talk about their similar issues, but if what were happening to me happened to everyone these headphones wouldn't have made it to release.
I replaced my first pair because a phantom touch issue began and didn't go away. That seemed like it had no connection to condensation.
My second pair began having crackling and rumbling noises within the first week. If I dry them out, it goes away temporarily, but then the condensation forms minutes later and the issue is happening again.
I do not bring my headphones outside, I do not sweat into them from any sort of workouts or passively, yet every time I open them there is a crazy amount of condensation. I know that the body perspires naturally, but I've never had this be such an issue with any other pairs of headphones. I could probably fill a water bottle with all that I've dried from these.
I never had this issue more than once on the XM5, and the first XM6 pair didn't have this issue with the rumbling, but I have a feeling that the condensation caused it's phantom touches. Is their noise cancelling seal just a condensation magnet? Is this a common enough issue that a 3rd pair would also have the same issue? (fool me three times...)
I’m looking to upgrade to my first proper pair of premium over-ear headphones and have narrowed it down to these two.
XM5: AED 827 (~$225)
XM6: AED 1,157 (~$315)
I currently use AirPods Pro 2 and a Sony WH-CH520, so this would be my first reasonably expensive pair of headphones.
The XM5 seems like a great deal at this price, but after reading all the posts about the hinge issues and them breaking, I’m having second thoughts. I know no headphones are immune to damage, but spending this much and having to worry about the hinges is kinda putting me off.
Is the XM6's redesigned hinge actually more reliable? Is it worth paying the extra $90 for the XM6, or would you just get the XM5 and save the money?
Would love to hear from people who have owned either pair for a while, especially regarding durability and long term reliability.
I've just bought ult wear from jio mart for 9k and i have to say this these headphones even at this price are nothing but pure trash. the cushion padding is so awful i cant even fathom to explain how uncomfortable these headphones are even for 10 minutes these are unbearable to wear. the sound optimization of these headphones is also something which is not to be expected of this price range. i have to say even 2k headphones can easily compete with these trash bags anc off. Also at the topic of anc these headphones even fall behind the earbuds level of noise cancellation. There is literally no difference to environmental noise if the ANC is on or off. I repeat do not at all repeat the mistake of buying these even for the price range of 9k it's better to burn your money
first it was random ringing in one of the ears, but luckily that was covered by warranty and they fixed it, and now one of the poles have fallen out of the headband???? at least the hinge didn't break...
