The WH-CH520 is Sony’s affordable on-ear headphones that offer exceptional sound quality, impressive battery life, and a host of features that make them a standout choice for budget-conscious consumers.
- The Sony WH-CH520 are a fantastic choice for anyone looking for affordable, high-quality headphones.
- Their impressive sound, long battery life, and feature-rich design make them a standout option in their price range.
- While they may not be perfect in every way, the WH-CH520 offer exceptional value for the price.
The WH-CH520 deliver surprisingly rich and detailed sound, rivaling much more expensive models. The 30mm drivers produce clear, balanced audio with a focus on midrange clarity and powerful bass. The headphones excel at reproducing intricate details in music, such as subtle cymbals, deep basslines, and soaring vocals. While not audiophile-grade, the WH-CH520 offer impressive sound quality for their price point.
Coming to design, the WH-CH520 have a comfortable on-ear design that fits snugly on your head. The leather-wrapped earpads provide a comfortable fit, even during extended listening sessions. The headphones are made of plastic, which may not be as premium as some other models. The buttons on the headphones may feel a bit cheap and may require some getting used to.
Talking about the battery life, the WH-CH520 boast an impressive battery life of up to 50 hours, significantly longer than many flagship headphones. This allows you to enjoy your music for days on end without worrying about recharging. A quick charge of just three minutes provides up to 1.5 hours of playback time.
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The accompanying Sony Headphones Connect app allows you to customize your listening experience with features like 360 Reality Audio, DSEE upscaling, and a customizable equalizer. The headphones support multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to pair them with two devices simultaneously. Other features include basic controls like battery level indication, firmware updates, and media player controls.
The WH-CH520 do not provide as much noise isolation as over-ear headphones. This is due to the on-ear design, which does not form a tight seal around your ears. This can be a drawback in noisy environments.
When it comes to connectivity options, the WH-CH520 support Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to wirelessly pair them with your devices. The headphones are compatible with SBC (Android) and AAC (iOS/macOS) codecs. However, LDAC codec support is not available for hi-res audio over Bluetooth. The WH-CH520 are also suitable and good for voice calling, with clear and understandable audio. The microphones are effective at capturing your voice, even in noisy environments. Background noise may be audible in some situations, but your voice will be emphasized.
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The WH-CH520 do not include some standard features such as wear detection and a carrying case. The headphones lack a 3.5mm headphone jack, which can be a limitation for those who prefer wired listening.
Sony WH-CH520 Specifications
- Type: On-ear headphones
- Sound: Rich and detailed audio, 30mm drivers
- Battery Life: Up to 50 hours, quick charge (3 minutes for 1.5 hours)
- Features: 360 Reality Audio, DSEE upscaling, customizable EQ, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
- Design: Comfortable on-ear design, plastic build, leather-wrapped earpads
- Noise Isolation: Poor noise isolation due to on-ear design
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, SBC/AAC codecs, no LDAC
- Voice Calling: Clear and understandable, good microphone quality
- Others: No wear detection, no carrying case, no 3.5mm headphone jack
In conclusion, the Sony WH-CH520 are a budget-friendly audio powerhouse that delivers impressive sound quality, long battery life, and a range of features. While they may have some limitations, such as noise isolation and the lack of a headphone jack, these shortcomings are outweighed by their overall value. If you’re looking for affordable headphones that can deliver a great listening experience, the WH-CH520 are definitely worth considering.