Sony is known for making great noise-cancelling headphones and giving longtime rival Bose, a run for its money. It has followed a formula to make the world sit up and take notice, by making great quality noise-cancelling headphones and also cementing its position in the premium ANC headphones segment. However, this time, Sony is attempting to give stiff competition to true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones with its WH-CH720N headphones. Sony's CH series of over-ear headphones bring noteworthy features in the budget price segment and sit below Sony's premium 1000X series of headphones. The Sony WH-CH720N brings a lot to the table, such as 30-mm drivers, active noise cancellation (ANC) and full-size form, for Rs 9,990. Are these features enough to make one forget ultra-convenient TWS earbuds? Here's our review of the well-positioned Sony WH-CH720N with pros and cons.
Sony WH-CH720N Design, Looks, Display And Build
Take a look at the Sony WH-CH720N and you'd mistake it for a pair of premium ANC headphones. It has a full form factor with large cans and an over-ear design. Given its specs, performance and design, it is safe to call it the "lite version" of the Sony 1000XM5 which we reviewed (read the full review here) The ear cups are oval in shape with ample cushioning in the ear pads while the headband hinge is also light with foam padding to ensure prolonged hours of usage. I used it for traveling in cabs and when taking a stroll in the park and I realised it is super comfortable. There is a good amount of room before your ears touch the foam padding that covers the driver enclosure, which makes it easier to wear it even in Delhi's sultry weather. Having said that, the cups also fit snugly and offer a noise-isolating seal. A bummer is the inability to fold the headphone inwards which reduces its portability. Also, there is no carry case provided alongside.
The all-plastic body may put off some buyers, but it was perhaps inevitable as Sony has kept the weight of the WH-CH720N headphone at 192 grams. For quality sound output, its internals includes dual noise sensor technology and an integrated V1 processor. The headphone has been launched in three colourways: black -- the colour we reviewed, white and blue. While all the colours look good, the white variant looks a tad bit better than the two others. The headphone is made out of plastic with a matte finish which looks pretty decent if not premium. The overall design is understated, which is how Sony's headphones traditionally are. There is Sony branding on both sides of the headband right above where it meets the ear cups. The left ear cup houses the charging port, power and pairing button, and the optional 3.5mm wired input; the right ear one houses the volume and playback keys and the toggle for ANC modes.
Sony WH-CH720N Sound Output
Despite spending a considerable part of the day listening to music, I'm not an audiophile, and that's why the Sony WH-CH720N fits the bill. The Sony WH-CH720N comes with Sony's Integrated Processor V1 which we also saw on the premium 1000XM5 headphones. Both ear cups have a microphone grille near the top which make voice functionality very appropriate. There are two microphones in each earcup. The Sony WH-CH720N misses out on the automatic pausing feature when removed, which comes in handy at most times. Also, there's no ability to pause music by tapping on the cup. However, it should be kept in mind that the headphone sits in the sub-Rs 10,000 price segment and that's why the company had to cut corners. The sound output of the Sony WH-CH720N is decent and balanced, unlike the bass-heavy XB series. Coming back to the CH720N, the sound output is warm and it has a decent amount of bass. The mids are a bit peakier at times, but the instruments sound the best on this one.
Sony WH-CH720N Battery Life And Connectivity
Battery life is another department where the Sony WH-CH720N shines. The battery easily lasts more than a staggering 35 hours with active noise cancellation on. There is support for Sony Headphones Connect both both iOS and Android devices, which is a staple for Sony's wireless devices. App connectivity is seamless even as the app has some amount of bloat. The CH720N had excellent connectivity performance during testing. Connecting to the Sony Headphones Connect app was seamless, though with no connection drops and stutters. The headphone supports only SBC and AAC codecs and Bluetooth 5.2, for connectivity.
Sony WH-CH720N Verdict
The Sony WH-CH720N is a value-for-money offering, which comes with exceptional battery life and is super comfortable for extended hours of use, which I believe are the main requirements for somebody who buys a headphone in the budget as well as mid-range price segment. It is safe to say that the Sony WH-CH720N performs much better than a lot of TWS earbuds in the price segment. However, TWS buds are easy to carry around. This is highly recommended for those looking to buy headphones with great battery life, decent looks and good sound quality.