We’re seeing a revolution of sorts in the audio gear space. From the rise of truly-wireless Airpod-style affordable earphones to the introduction of powerful Bluetooth headphones. And there’s a valid reason for that as well, considering people are working from home amidst the pandemic, it’s becoming more important to stay connected with colleagues via phone/laptop. Sony also wants to cash in on the trend, as the Japanese brand has released a slew of audio products in the Indian market. These include the brand’s first truly wireless earphones WH-CH710N headphones. The latter is what we’ll be discussing today, especially because it’s among the most affordable headphones with the noise-cancelling capabilities. So without any further delay, let’s begin.
Design
The Sony WH-CH710N is a poor man’s Sony WH-1000MX3, and we mean that in a good way. Despite not having the same build quality as the pricier WH-1000MX3, the WH-CH710N is solid and doesn’t come off as cheap. They also fit the head snugly and thanks to the padding, you could wear them for long listening sessions. The ear cushions also surround the ears well.
One drawback that we could find with the pair, however, is the fact that they can’t be folded up. While it’s not an issue currently, since most of us are working from our homes, it might be a dealbreaker for those who travel a lot and would want portable headphones that can fit the bag easily.
You can still turn the ear cushions to lay flat on the table. The headphones are also available in black and blue colours, both of which are classy options.
Sound quality
The WH-CH710N supports Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC, and setting them up is fairly easy. With Android phones, you can simply tap them to connect with Sony headphones. Connecting to the iPhone is also quick, and the connection is stable. We didn’t face any connection issues while using the headphones.
In terms of tech specs, the Sony WH-CH710N comes with 30mm drivers, and support AAC codec. The highlight, of course, is the support for the noise-cancelling, courtesy Dual Noise Sensor technology. You can also use them for taking calls, thanks to the in-built mic.
In terms of sound quality, the headphones do justice to all genres. Be it listening to EDMs or songs with lyrics or instrumentals, you won’t be disappointed. Sony has tuned the sound well, and hasn’t given preference to bass or treble, which ensure that you hear what the creator intended. There are no latency issues while watching movies either, and experience of playing titles like PUBG and Call of Duty: Mobile is also amplified with the pair.
As far as noise cancellation is concerned, enabling it is very easy. All it requires is a push of a button and you can immerse yourself in the world that you are in by cutting off from the outside noise. In case you want to hear the outside voices in order to not miss something important, then you can switch on the Ambient Mode.
Battery
The Sony WH-CH710N is a long-lasting companion, and you can easily use them for two to three days without the need of charging them. Yes, with a claimed backup of 35 hours, they’re a workhorse. That’s not all, you can also use them for up to an hour with just 10 mins of charging, which is quite helpful if you want to take an urgent video call and you didn’t have enough time to charge them.
Additionally, even if the headphone runs out of the battery, you can connect them to the laptop/smartphone via the 3.5mm cable, which comes bundled in the retail packaging.
Conclusion
As mentioned in the introduction, Sony has made WH-CH710N quite attractive by offering noise-cancelling tech at an affordable price, and that’s really hard to ignore. With a price tag of Rs 9,490, it surely becomes a great option if you are looking for noise-cancelling-enabled headphones without spending a bomb.