Affordable Comfort: A Deep Dive into the Sony WH-CH720N Headphones

While many companies in the consumer audio industry have shifted their attention towards true wireless (TWS) earbuds, brands like Sony still present appealing over-ear headphone options. Fortunately, Sony’s offerings extend beyond just high-end and flagship models; the brand has a solid selection of over-ear headphones that cater to various budgets, equipped with commendable features. The latest model is the Sony WH-CH720N over-ear headphones, representing a new generation in a well-considered product lineup.

In India, the Sony WH-CH720N retails for Rs. 9,990, positioning it as the successor to the WH-CH710N, launched in 2020 for the same price. It continues the legacy of its predecessor with features like active noise cancellation, optional wired connectivity, and an impressive battery life. The over-ear style provides its own set of pros and cons compared to the more common TWS design, which I will elaborate on throughout this review.

The Sony WH-CH720N includes a USB Type-C port for charging and optional wired connectivity

Design and Features of the Sony WH-CH720N

The design of the Sony WH-CH720N noticeably diverges from its predecessor, featuring sharper and more defined contours. It is apparent that the WH-CH720N is a mid-range model; it may not possess the same level of refinement as the slightly pricier Sony WH-XB910N.

Nonetheless, the headphones have an appealing aesthetic and maintain a full over-ear fit that completely envelops the ears. The ear cups also create a commendable noise-isolating seal to enhance the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation feature. A notable improvement is the distinct microphone grille positioned near the top of each ear cup, indicating that the WH-CH720N may have more effectively placed microphones for both ANC and voice commands.

While the padding on the Sony WH-CH720N is not as luxurious and high-end as those found on more expensive models, it remains quite comfortable, especially considering the headset weighs only 192g due to its plastic construction. The ear cups can swivel flat in one direction for easier storage, while accommodating a fair amount of adjustment in the other direction to suit the shape of your head and ears. Although the headband features a telescopic adjustment mechanism, it unfortunately does not allow complete folding for more compact storage.

The power button is positioned on the left side, whereas the right side houses the playback, volume, and ANC/Ambient Sound mode controls. The left side also includes the USB Type-C port for charging and a 3.5mm jack for wired connectivity. The sales package comes with a charging cable (USB Type-A to Type-C) and a stereo cable for wired use.

Sony WH-CH720N App and Specifications

The WH-CH720N, like many Sony headphones, uses the Sony Headphones Connect app to manage basic customization options, functionality settings, and firmware updates. The app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and delivers a consistent experience akin to that provided by other Sony headphones.

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are lightweight and comfortable for extended wear

The app customizes to recognize the specific headset being used, ensuring that users see only the relevant controls and settings for the WH-CH720N. The control options are fixed and cannot be altered, similar to many true wireless headsets, which is reasonable considering there are dedicated buttons for most functions on the headphones.

Through the app, you can manage voice assistant settings, choose between using your smartphone’s default assistant or native support for Alexa. The app also allows you to check the precise battery percentage of the headphones while connected, enable multipoint connectivity for two devices, adjust equalizer settings, and more. Features like ANC and transparency modes, adaptive sound control, 360 Reality Audio, and Sony’s DSEE enhancements are also accessible through the app.

Regarding specifications, the Sony WH-CH720N has a fairly standard configuration. It features 30mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response range of 20-20,000Hz (when using Bluetooth), and a sensitivity rating of 108dB. For connectivity, the model utilizes Bluetooth 5.2 and supports the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs.

Performance and Battery Life of Sony WH-CH720N

Over-ear headphones deliver certain advantages over comparable true wireless earbuds, particularly in comfort and specific sound qualities. While larger drivers do not necessarily guarantee superior sound quality, they do enable you to discern more detail and spatial nuances because of their enhanced flexibility.

In the context of this price segment, the Sony WH-CH720N exhibits both strengths and weaknesses, especially as it competes against similarly-priced true wireless options. Notably, the headphones’ strengths tend to be quite noticeable, presenting a comfortable sound experience that is surprisingly sophisticated for a model priced below Rs. 10,000.

While the WH-CH720N lacks the aggressive bass emphasis of the Sony WH-XB910N, it still produces a lively and engaging sound, allowing various elements of the audio to thrive. For instance, when listening to «John Travolta» by Me & My Toothbrush, the headphones captured the intensity and punch of this upbeat house track while giving appropriate attention to subtler details.

The soundstage provided by the larger drivers of the Sony WH-CH720N enhanced the feeling of directionality and position within the track. Impressively, the WH-CH720N handles softer, more intricate tracks with equal skill; the low frequencies in «Attic» by Hidden Orchestra felt accentuated, while the numerous delicate details that make the song so haunting were delivered cleanly and distinctly.

The Sony WH-CH720N includes physical controls for playback, volume, and ANC directly on the device

To maximize the benefits of the larger drivers and enhanced spaciousness, it’s best to increase the volume. Although the sensitivity rating of 108dB aligns with what many compact true wireless sets can achieve, the Sony WH-CH720N distinctly performs better at elevated volumes compared to smaller models. At 80% volume while listening to «High and Low» by Christabelle and Lindstrom, the sound was immersive, precisely impactful, melodic, and remarkably detailed.

The headphones handled sounds well even at the 90% volume level without discernible distortion and maintained sound quality, with my only hesitation to keep it at this level for extended periods stemming from concerns for my hearing. They were still able to manage softer tracks like «High and Low,» but switching to bass-driven tunes such as «Sundown» by Me & My Toothbrush required a decrease in volume. This well-tuned headphone can effectively manage dynamic music and pace at high volumes, exceeding typical human listening tolerances.

Sony is widely recognized as a leader in consumer-grade active noise cancellation technology, largely due to their consistent effectiveness across their product lineup. Although the WH-CH720N cannot match the top-tier WH-1000XM5 in terms of ANC, it does maintain similar characteristics and qualities, albeit at a more moderate level suitable for its budget.

While the actual noise reduction may not be substantial, it proves reasonably effective at clarifying the sound being played without creating a disorienting vacuum effect. Instead, there is a subtle, measured reduction of core frequencies, with the Sony WH-CH720N performing well both outdoors and indoors.

The call quality on the headphones is also commendable, particularly with ANC activated. The Ambient Sound mode is helpful for casual conversations, and it does not excessively amplify background sounds, making it suitable for longer durations. Battery performance for the Sony WH-CH720N is impressively good, lasting approximately 31 hours with ANC switched on and volume around 60%.

Conclusion

Once the go-to choice for many consumers, over-ear Bluetooth headphones have now become somewhat niche. While buyers today have a myriad of options in the true wireless category, some may still favor the comfort of over-ear headphones and the resultant benefits in sound quality. In this context, the Sony WH-CH720N stands out as a commendable choice, delivering a comfortable fit, effective mid-range active noise cancellation, and sound quality that fully leverages its larger drivers.

Although it does not support advanced Bluetooth codecs, the tuning still provides a decent soundstage and engaging audio, particularly with increased volume. A thoughtful design along with proper on-device control further enhances its appeal, making it my recommended option under Rs. 10,000 for those who prefer over-ear headphones to TWS alternatives.