The Sony WH-CH70N headphones offer a compelling blend of comfort, sound quality, and battery life, all at a surprisingly affordable price point. This review delves into the performance of these lightweight over-ear headphones, examining their ease of use, noise cancellation capabilities, and overall audio experience. We'll explore the features offered through the companion app, assess the build quality, and ultimately determine whether the WH-CH70N headphones justify their position in the competitive mid-range market.From unboxing to extended listening sessions, we'll cover all aspects of the user experience. This includes a detailed analysis of the sound signature, the effectiveness of the noise cancellation, and the convenience of features like multi-device pairing and adaptive sound control. Ultimately, we aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of whether the Sony WH-CH70N headphones represent excellent value for money, delivering a premium listening experience without the premium price tag.
Pros And Cons
- Lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions
- Includes app with configuration options and detailed battery life view
- Excellent battery life for the price point (35+ hours)
- Dual device connection
- Surprisingly good sound quality
- Noise cancellation and ambient mode
- Automatic location adjustments and auto power off
- Lightweight plastic design may raise concerns about longevity
- Noise cancellation and ambient mode are only okay (6-7/10)
- At lower volumes, sound detail struggles to fill earcups.
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Unboxing and Initial Setup
The unboxing experience is straightforward. The package includes the headphones, a wired auxiliary cable, and a USB-C charging cable. Powering up is simple, and the headphones automatically enter pairing mode upon initial startup. Connecting via Bluetooth is quick and easy using your phone's Bluetooth menu.
Design and Comfort
The design prioritizes lightweight comfort over premium materials. While the plastic build might feel a bit cheap initially, the headphones are incredibly lightweight (under 200g) and comfortable for extended wear. The plush earcups provide good passive noise isolation and rotate for one-ear listening.
The physical buttons on the earcups are a welcome alternative to touch controls, offering reliable and responsive volume adjustment, play/pause, and track skipping functionalities.
Noise Cancellation and Ambient Sound
Noise cancellation effectively reduces low-frequency droning sounds like fans or airplane engine noise. While not the best on the market, it's decent for the price point, effectively cutting out about 60-70% of ambient noise.
The ambient sound mode allows external sounds to pass through, useful for hearing announcements or conversations. Although it has a slight hiss and sounds somewhat distant, it serves its purpose adequately.
Sound Quality and Features
The sound quality is surprisingly good, especially at mid-range volumes. The bass is warm and vibrant, the treble is crisp, and vocals are clear. Despite the lightweight build, the audio quality is impressive.
The Sony | Headphones Connect app offers additional features like Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts sound modes based on your location and activity. It also allows multi-device pairing (up to two devices simultaneously) and provides detailed battery life monitoring.
Battery Life and Additional Features
Battery life is exceptional, exceeding 35 hours with noise cancellation enabled. Wired listening is also possible with the included cable if the battery drains completely.
The app provides an auto power-off feature to conserve battery, and you can access Sony 360 Reality Audio (subscription required) for an immersive listening experience. The app also uses photos of your ears to optimize the audio for your specific hearing.
Conclusion: Are They Worth It?
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones strike a balance between premium features and affordability. They offer excellent comfort, surprisingly good sound quality, impressive battery life, and convenient features like multi-device connectivity and Adaptive Sound Control.
However, the plastic build might not be as durable as higher-priced models, and the noise cancellation is merely adequate, not top-tier. Overall, they are a solid mid-range option delivering good value for the price.