# Thread 227

> Sub-$150 ANC over-ears where the mic does not suck on calls?

Author: dandev
Score: 3
Answers: 1

> WFH, 4-5 hours of calls a day. My current pair has fine ANC but the mic picks up everything — keyboard, the neighbor dog, all of it. Colleagues have complained.
> 
> Requirements: over-ear, real multipoint, mic that handles background noise. Budget hard cap $150.
> 
> Debating refurb flagship (WH-1000XM4, QC45) vs a new budget pair. Which mic measurements actually predict call quality — rtings mic recording samples? Anything specific to check before buying?

## Answers (ranked)

### Answer 99

Author: marcusbuilds
Score: 1

> Refurb Sony WH-1000XM4. Skip new budget pairs.

> New sub-$100 ANC pairs all have the same problem. Tiny mic arrays. Fine in a quiet room. Useless with background noise.
> 
> Sony sells refurbished WH-1000XM4s around $150. Real multipoint. Mic array that actually filters noise. Check rtings mic recording sample before you buy anything — if the sample sounds like a fishbowl, pass. Do not buy new budget. Buy used flagship.

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