Click To Buy From Sony.com
So these are the Sony WH-CH520’s, they came out along side the Sony WH-CH720N, and after checking out the WH-CH720N’s I decided that I needed to checkout the WH-CH520’s, just cause I saw so many improvements on the WH-CH720N’s. And to be honest, I was not disappointed, cause just like the WH-CH720N’s, the WH-CH520’s have also gotten some important improvements from its predecessors.
Regarding pricing, the WH-CH520’s have a retail price of $60. Pretty standard for a pair of entry level on ear headphones. But for comparison sake, the WH-CH720N’s have a retail price of $150. So obviously, these two headphones are in two completely different leagues. However, if you need something for the gym, these are a good option. Nonetheless, if you want to pick these headphones up, they’ll be linked down below.
Now first, I do have to point out that these headphones don’t come included with a case. And in general, on ear headphones in this price range don’t usually come included with carrying cases. However, if you want to buy your own case, you can always do that. Just keep in mind that these headphones have a lay flat design to them.
But now lets talk about the headphones themselves. Now the build quality on the WH-CH520’s isn’t as good as the build quality that found on the WH-CH720N’s… the leatherette doesn’t feel as good, and the headband isn’t made out of stainless steel… but the plastics are the same. But more importantly, the build quality on the WH-CH520 is much better from its predecessors. The plastics feel sturdier, the click of the headband feels much better, the headband now has padding and leatherette, the WH-CH520’s no longer have any exposed wires, and tolerances are just tighter. Overall, the WH-CH520 just feel more premium and sturdier in your hands than its predecessors.
Now when it comes to fit, the most important thing to keep in mind here is, these are on ear headphones… not over ear headphones like the WH-CH720N’s. So by default, the WH-CH720N’s are going to be more comfortable than the WH-CH520’s cause the earpads aren’t going to rest on your ears. However, as on ear headphones go, these aren’t half band. The padding on these earpads is very soft. But when it comes to clamping force, these headphones do have a rather firm fit to them, which could be good if you have a smaller head, or if you’re a woman, or if you need something to workout with. And from a weight standpoint, and when it comes to weight, these things weigh in at 144 grams. So you don’t really feel them shifting around on your head when you’re walking around with them on. So overall, as on ear headphones go, the WH-CH520’s are fairly comfortable. But if you want something more comfortable, you are going to want to go with a pair of over ear headphones. And the WH-CH720N’s would be a good alternative.
But now lets talk about tech specs. When it comes to battery life, these headphones have an advertised battery life 50 hours, which is really good. And this is a big upgrade from their predecessors cause they only go for as long as 35 hours. They also charge via a USB C port as they should, and when it comes to fast charging. If you plug these headphones in for 3 minutes from a dead battery, they are going to get you 1 and half hours of playback time.
Now when it comes to bluetooth connectivity, these headphones can be connected to two devices at the same time which is good if you’re a power user, cause this way you can use your headphones with your phone and computer at the same time, and they don’t necessarily need to be in the same eco system.
And this is a big deal, cause this is a feature that the WH-CH510 didn’t have. They only thing is though, if you want to use this feature, you do have to turn it on in the app. Personally, I feel this feature should be turned on by default, but its not.
But when it comes to overall performance, these headphones have zero latency across the board when watching movies or videos whether you’re using an iPhone or an android device… and when it comes to audio codecs, these headphones have support for SBC and AAC. When you try to turn on the multipoint connectivity feature on these headphones, the app makes a reference to these headphones having LDAC, but they don’t, I checked. I think that is just a glitch.
But also, its very important to keep in mind that you can only use these headphones wirelessly, unfortunately they do not have an audio jack and you can’t use their USB C port as a wired connection.
But now lets talk about actually listening to music with these headphones. Now the WH-CH520 have 30 millimeter drivers just like with the WH-CH720N’s. And just like with the WH-CH720N’s the WH-CH520’s also connect to Sony’s headphones app, so you can customize their EQ. And this is a big deal, cause the WH-CH510’s didn’t connect to sony app. And from a sound quality stand point, I honestly can’t complain about how these headphones sound. Now the WH-CH520’s sound like your typical pair of Sony headphones, as in they sound good enough to get the job done, but they don’t have the best instrument separation cause they can sound a little narrow, and the instrumentals can get lost a little bit… so these headphones are mostly bass and vocals. But besides that, they still sound and preform good. And they also have a decent amount of physicality in their bass. However, I did notice that the bass on the WH-CH720N’s did hit a little harder, even though these are also using 30 millimeter drivers. Now definitely, these headphones don’t have enough bass to satisfy a bass head, but if you’re a casual listener, these should be able to deliver.
Now when it comes to the media controls, these headphones are using physical buttons, just like with the eWH-CH720N. Now these buttons are easy enough to use and they have a good click to them, but they can be a little hard to tell apart.
But now, just so that there isn’t any confusion here, these headphones don’t have any active noise cancelation and they also don’t have an ambient mode. So, along side the more comfortable fit found on the WH-CH720N’s and the punchier bass… another reason why you’ll might want to upgrade to the WH-CH720N’s is cause of the active noise cancelation and ambient mode.
But finally here’s the microphone test. Now I feel the microphone on the WH-CH510 isn’t the greatest.
However, the microphone on the WH-CH520 does sound better. It doesn’t sound as robotic and it doesn’t sound as far away.
But I do think the WH-CH720N does focus on my voice a little better.
Now when it comes to blocking out noise pollution, the WH-CH720N don’t do the best job of blocking out this chatter.
But with the WH-CH520, I don’t think these are trying to block out any road noise.
Where as with the WH-CH510’s I think these are trying to block out this road noise, with very poor results.
Now when it comes to blocking out chatter, these are doing an okay job.
Cause with the WH-CH520’s these aren’t really trying to block out this chatter
Where as with the WH-CH720N’s these are trying to block out this chatter. So overall, I think the microphone on the WH-CH520 is fin, but you do want to take phone calls with them in a quite room.
But with all of that being said, I honestly can’t be upset with the Sony WH-CH520’s… most importantly, they have much better build quality from their predecessors. And they also rest more naturally on your head. They sound good enough to get the job done and they have a very good battery life. If you’re looking for an affordable pair of on ear headphones, you can’t of wrong with the WH-CH520’s. However, if for some reason you’re trying to choose between the WH-CH520’s and the WH-CH720N’s… then the WH-CH720N’s are defiantly worth the upgrade. They are much more comfortable. They have more kick in their bass. Plus they also have active noise cancellation and an ambient mode.