Is Sony WH CH 720N the best $150 headphone? Versus SoundCore, 1More, Edifier & Cleer!

Summary

In this detailed review, DHRME compares the Sony WH-CH720N with five other headphones around the $150 price range, covering options from brands like Edifier, SoundCore, Cleer, and 1More. Each model is evaluated on build quality, sound performance, ANC, comfort, battery life, and features like multipoint connectivity and app functionality. The review highlights standout models like the SoundCore Space Q45 for its solid ANC and comfort, and the 1More Sonoflow for excellent value and sound quality. Ultimately, it offers a thorough breakdown, helping users choose the best headphones for their needs and budget.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sony WH CH 720N competes in the $150 price range against several strong competitors, including brands like Edifier, SoundCore, and Cleer.
• 😀 The Edifier WH950NB offers good build quality, solid ANC performance (Tier B), and spacious ear cups, but its ear cup padding is thin and it lacks a carrying case.
• 😀 The SoundCore Space Q45 is highly regarded for its comfort, 50-hour battery life with ANC, and solid ANC performance (Tier B), but its treble can be a bit harsh for some listeners.
• 😀 The Sony WH-CH720N provides decent ANC (Tier B) and transparency (Tier A), and has excellent multipoint support, but struggles with build quality and button ergonomics.
• 😀 Cleer Enduro ANC stands out with a long 60-hour battery life, clear sound, and a top-tier transparency mode (A), but its ANC is poor (Tier E), and it experiences audio cutouts with multipoint.
• 😀 The 1More Sonoflow, priced at $100, delivers strong battery life (50 hours with ANC), good sound quality, and supports LDAC, but its transparency mode is subpar and build quality is not the best.
• 😀 The Edifier W820NB, priced at $60, provides good ANC (Tier B) and is one of the best performers for phone calls in windy conditions, but lacks EQ support and has a narrow soundstage.
• 😀 The Sony WH-CH720N’s multipoint feature stands out, allowing users to easily switch between multiple devices, but it suffers from occasional Bluetooth connection drops.
• 😀 Transparency modes across the different models vary widely, with some headphones (like the Cleer Enduro ANC) providing great clarity, while others (like the 1More Sonoflow) have disappointing performance.
• 😀 All of the reviewed headphones have strengths in specific areas such as sound quality, ANC, or battery life, but compromises like poor build quality, limited transparency, or lack of a case are common in budget-friendly options.

Q & A

What is the price range of the headphones discussed in the video?

The headphones discussed in the video are all priced around $150, with one pair priced at $180 and another at $60.

What are some standout features of the Edifier WH950NB?

The Edifier WH950NB stands out for its excellent build quality, comfortable ear cups, and noise cancelling performance. It also offers multipoint support and has a decent transparency mode, though its ANC is not the best for mid and high frequencies.

How does the noise cancellation performance of the SoundCore Space Q45 compare to the others?

The SoundCore Space Q45 has ANC that ranks in Tier B, effectively cancelling out low-end noise, while its transparency mode ranks in Tier A, offering a very good experience for outdoor conversations.

How does the Sony WH-CH720N perform in terms of ANC and transparency modes?

The Sony WH-CH720N has ANC ranked in Tier B, excelling at eliminating low-end sounds but less effective for mids and highs. Its transparency mode is highly rated in Tier A, offering clear conversation capability.

What issues were mentioned regarding the build quality of the Sony WH-CH720N?

The build quality of the Sony WH-CH720N was noted to feel cheap, with buttons that are flat and hard to distinguish. Additionally, the headphones lack a protective carrying case, which could lead to wear and tear.

What is the battery life of the Cleer Enduro ANC and how does it compare to other headphones in the list?

The Cleer Enduro ANC offers an impressive 60 hours of battery life with ANC on, and supports fast charging, providing 2 hours of use after just 10 minutes of charging. This is significantly better than many competitors, which typically offer around 30-50 hours.

What are the pros and cons of the 1More Sonoflow headphones?

The 1More Sonoflow offers great value at $100, with excellent sound, long battery life, and support for LDAC. However, it has a narrow soundstage, sub-par transparency mode, and some issues with build quality and button placement.

How do the Cleer Enduro ANC headphones perform in terms of ANC?

The ANC on the Cleer Enduro ANC headphones is very weak, ranking in Tier E, meaning it doesn't effectively block out ambient noise. This is a significant downside for users seeking strong noise cancellation.

What is unique about the multipoint support on the Sony WH-CH720N?

The Sony WH-CH720N offers excellent multipoint support, allowing users to connect to two devices at once, and features Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, making device switching smooth and easy.

How does the 1More Sonoflow's ANC perform during phone calls?

The ANC on the 1More Sonoflow works well indoors but is not as effective in noisy outdoor environments. The transparency mode is also sub-par, which could make outdoor calls difficult in loud settings.