Sony WH-CH710N Review: Good But Not Great ANC Headphones
December 4, 2021An affordable alternative to Sony’s premium headphones, the WH-CH710N aims to win our hearts with its price….
Diver unit: 30mm, dome type
Type: Wireless, wired mode available
Battery Life: 35 Hours Music Playback time (Bluetooth and ANC on)
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000Hz (44.1kHz Sampling)
Features: ANC, Ambient Mode, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0
Rating: 8/10
Price: RM598.00
Sony makes some of the best headphones and earphones on the market. The company is an expert at creating finely tuned sound drivers that are able to accurately recreate the experience just as the artists intended. But the appeal goes far beyond acoustics and encompasses the entire user experience.
Most of its premium devices require the use of the Sony Headphones app to get the most out of them. This includes toggling noise cancelling on/off, adjusting EQ and setting 360 reality audio with compatible streaming apps. Said app has the ability to make or break a device.
This brings us to our review today with the Sony WH-CH710N. Not to be confused with the slightly more sophisticated WH-CH700N, this new over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones aim to be the affordable, alternative to the ever-popular WH-1000XM4. Though a far cry from an exact facsimile, the WH-CH710N serves as a homage device.
Related article: Sony WH-1000XM4 Review: The Best Just Got Better
What’s It like?
The first hint of this is in the packing. It’s a fairly shallow box, which is far slimmer than how the WH-1000XM4 is packaged. Cardboard cutouts are used to keep the headphones in place – it screams “budget” device. The headphones themselves are encased in a crude cover that is usually used to protect PC monitors during shipping.
I wish Sony would have placed a little more effort here. I’m not asking for the same hard-shell fabric case of the WH-1000XM4, but a simple cloth pouch would have sufficed. The WH-CH710N costs RM598, so they aren’t cheap. But why does Sony believe that?
There’s a padded frame for better comfort, the earcups swivel for easier storage and cup mounted buttons control the volume and toggle power, ambient sound and noise cancelling on/off. But that’s where the similarities end. The WH-CH710N is constructed from cheaper, coarse, pliable plastic. Exerting pressure on either ear cup causes the internal structure to flex.
It’s a disheartening sound, which makes us wonder whether repeating such an action would cause more damage over time. This isn’t a major deal breaker, but points to where corner-cutting was done to make it “affordable”.
The earcups are devoid of touch sensitive controls too, which means the bottom mounted buttons are the only way to access the headphone functions. Above the volume up button is the dedicated NC/AMB button. It’s used to toggle between ANC (active noise cancelling), ambient sound control or switch both off completely.
WH-CH710N Vs WH-1000XM4
Active noise cancelling is surprisingly effective but nowhere near the levels of the WH-1000XM4. It does an admirable job at cancelling out ambient sounds around you but exhibits a slight hissing noise in the process. It’s barely audible, so it isn’t much of a bugbear.
Though it is able to isolate you from most noises, the higher pitched ones manage to make it through. When ambient sound control is enabled, the NC is switched off, and the world around becomes audible again. But the experience feels a little artificial compared to Sony’s more expensive headphones. The delivery feels forced and metallic.
If you choose to switch both ANC and ambient noise off, the WH-CH701N functions like a regular pair of passive, wireless headphones. The earcups have a slight coarseness to them, unlike the smooth sensual feel of the WH-1000XM4. This cheapens the feel. The earcup cushions are soft and fit comfortably on most ears.
However, due to the smaller diameter, they may not be able to accommodate larger ears. Those of us with larger earlobes will notice slight discomfort over time because of the pressure exerted by the earcup cushions. This isn’t the case with the WH-1000XM4, they are built to accommodate everyone.
If this bothers you, then its best to avoid the WH-CH710N. They are meant for smaller ears. That said, the metal frame is quite robust and should be able to withstand a fair amount of abuse before showing any signs of wear. But the same can’t be said of the plastic material that envelops it, so try to be as gentle as possible with them.
The User Experience
Surprisingly, the Sony Headphones app isn’t compatible with this pair of headphones. In a touch of irony, its cousin the WH-CH700N, is compatible. It baffles the mind as to why Sony would prevent access to the platform. As a result of this, you’re stuck with whatever EQ settings the headphones are preset with.
To connect them to your smartphone, you’d have to use the old-fashioned way of accessing the Bluetooth settings. Alternatively, since it supports NFC, tap your NFC enabled phone to the earcup and it should pair automatically. On devices like the WH-1000XM4, the Sony Headphones app does the entire pairing and setup process for you.
You could download a third-party app to manually control said EQ settings. But the oversight from Sony’s part is infuriating to say the least. The WH-CH710N are equipped with decent sound drivers and with proper EQ tuning, they could sound even better. The lack of this functionality, robs them of the position as an affordable alternative to the more expensive cousin.
The Sound Quality
The sound quality for instrumental, jazz and vocals are very good. The stereo delivery provides for an airy, 3D dimensional soundscape. This will allow for hours of enjoyable music listening experience. The music hits you in waves, as the instruments and vocals come together to produce acoustical bliss.
If you’re a fan of such music genres, then the WH-CH710N are the right choice for you. They deliver a really good listening experience. This coupled with ANC, will help you escape from all your worries as you drift away into absolute peace. However, it lacks the gusto to deliver punchy bass, the kind that is expected to properly enjoy hip & hop or R&B.
Truth be told, the WH-1000XM4 falls short of the mark in this area as well. With the exception of the WH-XB900N, Sony’s headphones are skewed towards clarity and depth rather than heart-thumping bass. It’s a quality I have come to admire, but many others may not feel the same way.
Sony offers the option to use the WH-CH710N in wired mode if the need arises. But that won’t be necessary considering that the built-in battery offers 35 hours of service live with noise cancelling turned on. If that is turned off, you should get close to double that number.
The headphones can be charged via USB-C cable which is included in the box along with a 3.5mm headphone cable. Charing them takes slightly over two hours due to the presence of fast charging technology. Sony says that with 10 minutes spent charging, the WH-CH710N can offer a full hour of battery life.
Sony offers the WH-CH710N in three choices of color: White, Black and Blue. The White and Black are the most prevalent options rendering the blue as somewhat of a rarity. At its MSRP, these headphones cost RM598 but third-party sellers offer them for a slightly cheaper price.
When on sale, they can be purchased for as little as RM488 – RM498, which is an absolute steal. Though I loathe the overall build quality, the same can’t be said of the music listening experience.
Should You Buy It?
The WH-CH710N are a great option for audiophiles who are on a budget. The majority of us can’t stomach the idea of parting with RM1,199 for a pair of wireless headphones. That is why this model exists. The headphones are meant to give us a taste of what we can come to expect of proper audiophile headphones.
If you enjoy listening to good music, and are on a tight budget, the Sony WH-CH710N is a great choice. However, we’d recommend that you save up and purchase the WH-1000XM4. It’s a worthwhile investment because provides for an almost unrivaled music listening experience. Purchase a pair and you wouldn’t need to have them replaced for years.
