Sony WH-CH720N headphones review: Impressive Noise Cancelling and Balanced Sound

Sony is an undisputed leader in active noise-canceling (ANC) technology for headphones, with its highly-acclaimed WH-1000XM5 being widely regarded as the pinnacle of excellence. However, its high price tag may not be within everyone’s budget, leading many to seek out more cost-effective alternatives that still offer excellent ANC performance. The CH720N is one such option – while not as fancy or feature-rich as its pricier sibling, it offers impressive noise-canceling capabilities at a more affordable price point. We have had the opportunity to test it out and evaluate its performance.

Sony’s active noise-canceling (ANC) technology in headphones is unrivaled, with the much-lauded WH-1000XM5 sitting at the top of the heap. However, the price tag attached to it is quite steep, leaving a significant portion of consumers in search of a more budget-friendly option that still provides solid ANC. TO lure those buyers, Sony introduced its CH720N which comes with a more affordable price tag and a simpler design. It may lack the bells and whistles of its pricier counterpart, but it has the potential to appeal to a wider audience. We have been testing it for about ten days now. Here are my thoughts:

Sony WH-CH720N headphones price in India

Sony’s WH-CH720N headphones are available in three different colors – Black, Blue, and White – with a price tag of Rs 9,990. Sony India shared a WH-CH720 White color variant for review purposes on a returnable basis.

Sony WH-CH720N Headphones review: Design

The WH-CH720N headphones are the successor to the WH-CH710, which are still available on the Sony website as of writing. However, there have been some noticeable changes. The most apparent is the redesigned look of the headphones, which takes inspiration from the WF-1000XM5’s design. The new design is sleek, with distinctive lines that add a deliberate touch to the overall look. Although the design may seem cluttered to some, it is not offensive to the eye.

While the headphones boast a great design and functionality with physical buttons conveniently placed around the device for easy call management, volume control, and track navigation, it’s worth noting that the ear sensors are missing. These sensors could have automatically paused and resumed music playback when taken off and put back on. Nonetheless, the left earpad of the Sony headphones comes equipped with a USB-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a power button, while the right earpad features buttons for volume control, pause, and an ambient sound mode that switches between noise cancellation and awareness of your surroundings. Additionally, even after extended use, I experienced no discomfort wearing them.

The white leather-effect material on the headphones’ contact points with your head adds to the headphones’ comfort level, ensuring that it never becomes an issue during extended use. The back of the headphone only has strategically placed grilles and cutouts that aid in the active noise-canceling technology’s effectiveness, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in their audio without distractions. The headphones bottom has buttons and inputs for USB-C and 3.5mm jack cables.

The design of the headphones is now more cohesive with other headphones in Sony’s range, but they are still unique and easy to identify. In conclusion, the WH-CH720N headphones have a sleek and pleasing design that will work for most buyers in this segment.

Sony WH-CH720N Headphones review: Connectivity, Touch Controls & Companion app

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones stand out for their effortless connectivity. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, an upgrade from the previous iteration’s Bluetooth 5.0, the latest model offers an even smoother pairing experience with Bluetooth-enabled devices. While the improvement may not be immediately noticeable, having the latest version of Bluetooth is always advantageous. I was able to seamlessly connect my headphones to my iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and Windows-based ROG laptop without any issues.

The user interface of the Sony WH-CH720N headphones is straightforward and easy to use. The right ear cup features a touchpad that can be used to control playback, adjust the volume, and activate noise cancellation. The touchpad is responsive and works well, making it easy to control the headphones without having to pull out your phone.

The headphones also feature voice assistant integration, allowing users to access their phone’s voice assistant with a simple touch of a button. This feature works well and is a convenient way to access your phone’s features without having to take it out of your pocket or bag.

To further elevate the listening experience, I utilized the Sony Headphone Connect app on my iOS and Android devices. With the app, I could adjust the EQ and control the amount of ambient noise to suit my preferences. The app also includes a Digital Sound Enhancement (DSEE) feature, designed to enhance compressed audio signals and match the fidelity of the uncompressed version. I found the headset companion app easy to use and it significantly improves users’ overall experience with the headphones.

Sony WH-CH720N Headphones Review: Sound and Noise Cancellation

While the design and connectivity features are important, ultimately, the sound quality is what truly matters when it comes to headphones. Fortunately, the Sony WH-CH720N delivers solid performance in this regard. Although not necessarily groundbreaking, the headphones offer a sound quality that is more than satisfactory.

Equipped with 30mm dynamic drivers with a 7-20,000 Hz dynamic response, the headphones provide a strong bass response without any muddiness in the lower midrange, which is often a common flaw in cheaper units. The CH-720N delivers an enjoyable listening experience with a well-balanced tonal profile. The midrange offers a good amount of detail, and the high frequencies are crystal clear. The CH-720N performs well across various music genres, making it a versatile choice for music lovers. Overall, I believe most people will be satisfied with the sound quality of these headphones.

The Sony CH720N headphones are an impressive upgrade from their predecessor, the CH710N. They share the same V1 chip for noise canceling as the flagship XM5, resulting in significantly improved noise reduction. I tested them out during my flights and was pleasantly surprised by how well it cut down the engine noise. In fact, the noise-canceling effectiveness of the CH720N is comparable to that of the pricier XB910N headphones, which cost 50% more.

One downside to the CH720N is the absence of Sony’s Quick Attention and Speak To Chat features. These features, present on the XB910N and XM5, allow you to have conversations without removing your headphones. With Speak To Chat, the music pauses when you start speaking, while Quick Attention lets you activate the transparency mode by placing your palm on the right ear cup. Unfortunately, these features are not available on the CH720N, and the ambient mode button is not as effective for having conversations. Overall, while the CH720N may not have all the bells and whistles of its more expensive counterparts, it is still an excellent choice for those looking for top-notch noise canceling.

Sony WH-CH720N Headphones Review: Battery Life

The battery life of the Sony WH-CH720N headphones is impressive, offering up to 35 hours of use on a single charge. This is especially impressive when compared to other noise-cancelling headphones in this price range, many of which offer closer to 20-25 hours of use on a single charge. The headphones also feature a quick charging function, which allows for 60 minutes of use after just 10 minutes of charging.

Review verdict: Should you buy Sony WH-CH720N Headphones?

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are an excellent choice for users looking for a comfortable and stylish pair of wireless headphones with noise-cancelling technology. The headphones have a long battery life, touch controls, and compatibility with voice assistants, making them ideal for use in a variety of settings. The sound quality is also impressive, although the narrow soundstage may be a drawback for some users. Despite this, the Sony WH-CH720N headphones offer excellent value for their price point and are a great option for anyone in the market for a pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones.

Reasons to buy

• Comfortable fit
• Good sound
• Effective noise canceling
• Good voice-calling performance
• Multipoint Bluetooth support
• Reliable battery
• Robust EQ settings

Reasons to not buy

• No carrying case
• No ear-detection sensors
• No LDAC support