Sony WF-H800 Wireless Earbuds Review: It’s All About The Bass, And Treble
July 11, 2020Premium sound quality demands a similarly premium price, but is the WF-H800 really that good?
Type: Wireless
Frequency: 20Hz
Functionally: Bluetooth v5.0, wireless charging
NFC: Yes (case)
Colour: Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Black
Battery Life: 16 hrs (About 8 Hours earbuds)
Ambient Sound: Yes
Rating: 9/10
Price: RM849.00
We are spoiled for choice when it comes to wireless earbuds options. There are so many devices to choose from, and at various price points, that it has become incredibly difficult to choose just one. Their immense popularity stemmed from the gradual culling of the venerable 3.5mm headphone jack on newer smartphones.
And to think that just a few years prior, most of us scoffed at the idea of wireless earbuds playing a prominent role in our daily lives. Such is the case with Sony’s WF-H800. Aimed at audiophiles with a penchant for wireless earphones, it offers an awesome listening experience backed up by equally good looks.
Unlike rival devices, the asymmetrical earbuds have a peculiar design, which results in them being a tad, bottom heavy. The weighty feel keeps them planted on the ears when at rest, but this isn’t the case when one is engaged in strenuous workouts. The WF-H800 simply isn’t meant to be jostled about during a run or a session at the gym. You’d struggle to keep them from falling out.
What’s It Like?
The slender case accommodates the earbuds comfortably, yet is still able to provide 8 hours of juice to the earbuds’ already impressive 8 hours of battery life. But the true beauty, which is also true of Sony’s entire range of devices, is in the way they work. The seamless way that they operate, make the WF-H800, a ‘connect and forget’ device.
Flipping the case’s lid open, turn on both earbuds, and by the time you’ve placed them in your ears, a connection has already been established with your paired smartphone. Once in your ears, they proceed to remind you of the battery percentage of each earbud – in a dignified tone of voice.
Tapping the left earbud’s surface, prompts it notify you of the time, and unread messages. Attempting the same gesture with the right earbud, answers and ends calls or skips to the next music track. Taking out either earbud, pauses your music. And through the use of the Sony app, its only physical button can be assigned to accomplish any predefined task.
How’s The Sound Quality?
In terms of noise suppression, the WF-H800, despite the absence of active noise cancelling tech, manages to successfully keep wearers isolated from the world around them. They are able to cocoon users in an invisible studio, creating an immersive listening experience, one devoid of ambient noises or disruptions. Its music quality is just as impressive, if not, more so.
Unlike cheaper priced wireless earphones, these, produce an incredible level of depth. They enable the listener to easily distinguish between the sound coming from the foreground and that from the background. This, is essentially the best way to affirm the quality of audio hardware. It’s exceptionally rare for such a small device to be endowed with such superior drivers (for earphones).
The treble and bass that the WF-H800 produces, is akin to that of much larger headphones. Its ability to distinguish the lows, mids and highs, put it in a league of its own. It’s difficult for me to fault these earbuds, no matter how hard I try. That’s because I’m convinced that it can stand toe-to-toe with proper wired earphones, yet deliver a decent wireless experience.
Should I Buy One?
Premium quality earphones command premium pricetags. This is true of the WF-H800. But the asking price is justified because its one of the better options out there. It is meant for people who want earphones with superior sound quality and good battery life. Get the WF-H800, if you simply must have exceptional sound quality and have a heightened appreciation for good music.
