Affordable new Sony headphones borrow premium cans’ tech

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The new noise-cancelling cans share the same processor with Sony's high-end headphones, but not their price.
The new noise-cancelling cans share the same processor with Sony's high-end headphones, but not their price.
Photo: Sony Electronics

Not into paying what Apple’s top-shelf noise-cancelling AirPods Max headphones cost? You have options. In fact, Sony Electronics rolled out two new mid-tier headphones Tuesday at modest price points — the over-ear WH-CH72ON and the smaller, on-ear WH-CH520.

The higher-end WH-CH72ON set, at $150, costs well under half the price of the brand’s acclaimed WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling cans, but uses the same V1 chip. And the lower-end WH-CH520 headphones, at $60, are just downright affordable.

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Sony WH-CH72ON over-ear and WH-CH520 on-ear headphones

The company said the over-ear WH-CH720N wireless headphones incorporate Dual Noise Sensor technology and Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 chip to provide enhanced active noise canceling (ANC). That’s the same chip found in the much-lauded WH-1000XM5 ANC headphones, which sell for $400.

And the lightweight WH-CH720ON headphones play for up to 35 hours with ANC on. The on-ear WH-CH520 wireless headphones skip ANC, but you get up to 50 hours of battery life.

Both models feature Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) for high-quality sound and multipoint connection between devices, Sony said.

“When the original music is compressed, it loses the high-frequency elements that add details and richness to a track. DSEE faithfully restores these to produce high-quality sound that’s closer to the original recording,” the company added.

WH-CH720N: V1 processor

Here how the company further described the WH-CH720N headphones with ANC:

The Integrated Processor V1 helps minimize external sound, with a low processing delay to improve the noise canceling performance accordingly. The WH-CH720N also feature two microphones in each earcup which, coupled with Dual Noise Sensor technology, captures ambient sound. This lets the listener block outside noise everywhere they go, so the only thing they hear is their music. Additionally, with the Sony| Headphones Connect app, users can adjust the ambient sound across 20 different levels when on the move.

Sony said the headphones are ergonomically designed for comfort and made from synthetic leather and urethane. And, at about six ounces, the WH-CH720N are Sony’s lightest overhead wireless headphones with noise canceling.

And voices on calls should be clear. Sony positions beamforming microphones with Precise Voice Pickup technology to pick up voices clearly in different environments. And a “newly developed Wind Noise Reduction Structure around the microphones reduce background noise for consumers, keeping conversations and music clear and uninterrupted.”

WH-CH520: Long battery life

The lower-end headphones get 50 hours of battery life but lack ANC.
The lower-end headphones get 50 hours of battery life but lack ANC.
Photo: Sony Electronics

The WH-CH520 on-ear headphones are a little smaller than the CH720 model and lack ANC. But they give users up to 50 hours of battery life.

They also feature an adjustable headband with padding, soft earpads and lightweight design, Sony said.

Sony Headphones Connect app

Both sets of heaphones let you tailor sound using the Equalizer in the Sony | Headphones Connect app. You can select from a variety of audio settings to suit the sound to a music genre, or make and save your own settings.

Pricing and availability

Sony said both sets of headphones come in black, blue or white colors. The WH-CH720ON set costs $148 at Amazon and will also be available at Sony, Best Buy (black, blue) and other retailers. The WH-CH520 set, with the same distribution, goes for $58 at Amazon.

Where to WH-CH720ON: Amazon

Where to buy WH-CH520: Amazon

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