Sony WH-CH710N Active Noise Cancellation Headphones Review

Summary

In this review, Ranjit discusses the Sony CH710N active noise cancellation headphones, highlighting their performance, comfort, and features. He emphasizes the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation in blocking background noise like engine and fan sounds, while noting it doesn't completely eliminate human speech. The build quality, while functional, could be improved with better plastics. The headphones offer a solid Bluetooth range, excellent battery life (35 hours), and decent call quality for work-from-home needs. Despite some sound quality limitations, particularly with bass, the headphones offer good value for the price, especially for noise-cancellation enthusiasts on a budget.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sony Active Noise Cancellation headphones were launched two months ago, and their price has fluctuated from ₹10,000 to ₹12,800 on Amazon.
• 🎧 These headphones offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to create a sound wave that minimizes ambient noise, such as engine or fan sounds.
• 🔊 ANC doesn't completely block speech, but works well with continuous sounds like engines and fans, although voices can still be heard lightly.
• 📦 The package includes the headphones, a 3.5mm cable (for wired use), USB Type-C charging cable, and some paperwork.
• 💡 The build quality is plastic-based, feeling slightly cheap to the touch but durable with metal bands for support. Comfort is good due to decent ear padding and an ideal clamping force.
• 🎛️ Physical buttons are used for volume control, play/pause, and toggling the ANC mode. The ANC button allows you to hear your surroundings when needed.
• 📡 The Bluetooth range is impressive, with strong signals covering 1700 square feet without disconnecting, making them suitable for large spaces.
• 🔋 The battery life is rated for 35 hours, but real-world use showed that the headphones last for about 40 hours, which is excellent for the price.
• 📞 The built-in microphone offers good call quality, with no major complaints about audio clarity during calls.
• 🎶 In terms of audio performance, the bass is slightly emphasized but can be muddy at times. The mids and vocals are balanced, while the high tones lack some sparkle compared to higher-end Sony models.
• 💸 At ₹10,000, these headphones offer good value for money, but if the price goes above ₹12,000, alternatives like the Sony XB900N, which support the Sony app, may provide better sound quality and features.

Q & A

What is the key feature of the Sony headphones reviewed in the video?

The key feature of the Sony headphones is their active noise cancellation (ANC), which reduces ambient noise by creating a negative sound wave to block out unwanted sounds like fan or engine noise.

How does active noise cancellation (ANC) work on these headphones?

ANC works by using microphones to detect ambient noise around you, then producing a negative sound wave to cancel out the noise. This is effective for continuous noises like engine sounds or air conditioning but not as effective for voices.

What is the build quality of the Sony headphones like?

The build quality is mostly plastic, with metal bands for durability. The plastic is a bit rough to the touch, which might feel cheap, but it’s durable. The overall structure is flexible and robust.

How comfortable are the Sony headphones during prolonged use?

The headphones are comfortable for long periods, with decent padding around the ear cups. However, they are not as plush as Sony’s flagship models like the 1000XM3, but they still provide good comfort.

What controls are available on the Sony headphones?

The headphones feature physical buttons for controlling volume, playback, and enabling/disabling ANC. Additionally, there is a special button that amplifies ambient sounds to allow the wearer to hear their surroundings while wearing the headphones.

How does the Bluetooth range perform on these headphones?

The Bluetooth range is excellent, with a strong signal that doesn't disconnect even when moving around a 1700 square foot office. It provides a reliable connection even when you're in another room.

What is the battery life of the Sony headphones?

The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 35 hours as claimed, but in the reviewer’s experience, it lasted up to 40 hours. The battery holds up well even after extensive use.

Can the Sony headphones be used for calls?

Yes, the headphones have a built-in microphone and provide decent call quality. The reviewer did not receive complaints of muddy sound, indicating that the microphone performs well for work-from-home calls.

What is the sound quality like on these Sony headphones?

The sound quality is good but not perfect. The bass is emphasized, though sometimes muddy. The mids are neutral, and the highs lack some sparkle compared to higher-end Sony models. Overall, the reviewer rated the sound at 7.5 out of 10.

Do these Sony headphones support the Sony Headphones Connect app?

No, these headphones do not support the Sony Headphones Connect app, which is a disappointment since it would allow users to tweak the sound profile to their liking.