(713)748-5552
Amazonsnacks@yahoo.com
9999 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036, USA
High quality sound and comfortable, all-day listening in a wireless headphone. The WH-CH520 have an ultra-long battery life of up to 50 hours and a 3-minute quick charge gives you up to 1.5 hours of audio playback.
MAECENAS IACULIS
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ADIPISCING CONVALLIS BULUM
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The Matt –
I’ve owned several pairs of headphones over the past few years by brands, such as Anker, Edifier, JLab, and Creative. These Sony WH-CH520’s sound the best, hands down (followed by the Creative Soundblaster 2). I did initially download the Sony app out of curiosity, and there’s plenty of presets to play with. You can opt for a bloated bass boost, or a crisper sound with more treble, and everything in between, but I was most interested in the 360 audio. The music sample in the app showcasing how it sounded was pretty impressive. However, I was disappointed to discover that 360 audio requires a paid subscription. No thanks.
Also, considering the privacy aspect, and the possible impact the app could have on the WH-CH520’s battery life, I decided to delete it since the stock sound was plenty good enough for me. Speaking of battery life, I get about a month, maybe more, so no hassle about having to charge the headphones every few days, but then again, I can’t use the WH-CH520’s for hours on end like I was planning. More on that below.
While the build quality is much better than any of the headphones I’ve owned previously, comfort and fit is another story. The clamping pressure on these is a little tight. After about 1.5 hours of wear, my outer ears start to feel discomfort, and after 2-plus hours, my ears are screaming at me to take these off. My ears get so irritated and raw from the tightness and from the fake leather rubbing against them, I can actually see redness on the cartilage. I used to wear my Creative Soundblaster 2 on-ears, which I no longer own, practically all day with no issues whatsoever, so the fact that I can’t wear these Sony’s for more than 2 hours sucks. When the pain becomes unbearable, I swap these out for my Nord Buds 2.
Lastly, though I’m disappointed about the discomfort the Sony WH-CH520 cause me (others might not have this issue), and the fact that these will be relegated to a backup role, they do sound great, have easy controls, and sport an attractive design. Just wish these were over-ears instead.
Sara –
I bought these for a bargain price. My Sony MDR-XB650BTs kept breaking (and while I adore the sound on those they kept going up in price). Knowing Sony’s sound quality to be good, I looked for another pair of Sony bluetooth headphones and stumbled upon these for an incredible sub $50 bargain.
I apologize in advance for the constant comparison to MDR-XB650BT in my review. I’m no headphone afficiando, but the only fully experienced reference point I have to compare these to are the MDR-XB650BT which I bought these to replace.
MATERIAL
On the WH-CH520, the material of the pads appear to be made of synthetic leather. The issue with this is that this material absorbs moisture (oils and sweat) and wears down the fabric over time causing pilling and eventually tearing of the fabric, leaving your ear pads with a spongy hernia.
Unfortunately I wasn’t aware of this until only recently and had this happen to multiple MDR-XB650BT ear pads, but I took preventative measures for my WH-CH520 by purchasing a pair of silicone ear pad covers like another reviwer had mentioned to protect them from degrading.
Despite the headphones being lightweight and made of plastic they feel sturdy at the same time. They feel less fragile than the MDR-XB650BT which is definitely a plus but I haven’t had them for long enough to talk about the build quality and how long you can expect them to last. By handling them I get this feeling they’re pretty durable. The only thing I find I might be concerned about over time is the swivel.
FIT AND DESIGN
I have a small head and these fit me fine. The headphones are worn on-ear. They’re a snug fit but can become uncomfortable after about an hour but that’s usually because I wear them tight but I can loosen them when I please. Because of how round the design is there’s a bit of space between my head and headband when it connects to the earpeices which can look kinda goofy (see pic) but it’s nothing major and has no bearing on what I’m looking for in headphones. The good news is because of this gap you can probably wear them comfortably with glasses. The actual ear pads a little small compared to other headphones.
I really enjoy the design. The WH-CH520 are minimalist, streamlined, and the matte is charming.
SOUND AND SOUND QUALITY
Bottom line: It’s good.
In comparison to other cheaply priced headphones I’ve had the experiences of trying (but not owning myself), the sound quality is good. It’s not stellar but it’s definitely good for the price.
One thing that bugs me is the depth of the sound dynamics. In the app, you’re able to adjust and set your own custom EQ settings but the sound quality is slightly boxy or stuffy. I’ve tried a ton of different settings adjustments in the app’s equalizer with it and I experiment with different songs to see which settings holds up between songs, but there’s still a baseline emphasis on lower-mid frequencies in this sound of these.
The EQ setting that I find sounds best ends up just being the flat default with bass turned up and 400Hz slightly cut. I do wish the equalizer options in the app were more granular.
Overall I find that the WH-CH520 has less of a dynamic range than the MDR-XB650BT. An analogy to this are “blackest blacks” and “whitest whites” on a screen with a dynamic range monitor. In terms of sound this is loudness and quietness in instruments which create a feeling of depth in the music. With the WH-CH520 the actual balance of the volume of the instruments are a bit muddled compared to the MDR-XB650BT.
Their noise isolation leaves something to be desired but it’s better than nothing.
It’s not the end of the world and I would still recommend these for the price. When you can adjust it right to work around the low-mid oddity it’s actually pretty good.
Also, everyone hears things differently and I’m quite sensitive to subleties in sound so take what I’m saying with a grain of salt if you’re not as sensitive.
BATTERY LIFE
I haven’t even charged them out of the box yet after using them nearly every day and they’re only at 50% battery life. Phenomenal. That’s all there really is to say.
FEATURES
There’s a minor feature of these headphones that bug me. At least pairing it with my iPhone, the volume control on these is tied directly to the volume of your phone. If you click the volume up button on the headset, that’s going to use your phone’s volume. The MDR-XB650BT has a separate sound adjustment from your device. Unlike the MDR-XB650BT, with the WH-CH520 you can’t further increase the volume on your headset if the volume of the song on your phone is a tad quiet. This takes away a bit of listener flexibility.
As other people have stated, the buttons are difficult to distinguish by finger.
The MDR-XB650BT that I’m used to has a button that sticks out between the volume controls where you can press it inward to pause/resume the music or flick the button forward or backward to change the song in a playlist.
The WH-CH520’s buttons are flat which makes it harder to distinguish and it does not have that controllability from the headset. You can pause and resume your music with the middle button (which you might mistake for the volume buttons unfortunately) but if you want to change your song to the next or previous, you’ll have to do it on your device.
Despite all the negative things I have said, these points are all relative. In a vacuum, these headphones are great for the price especially if you just need a set of headphones that can get the job done while sounding pretty good. You’re probably gonna get more than you expect for the price.
Beth S. –
These are not meant for noise cancelling, but I do use them effectively to lessen the effects of loud noises (like my blender or leaf blowers when I walk outside). But of course, I bought them to listen to the radio and music while at the gym or on my walks and I’m very happy with the quality of the sound, the battery life, and the comfort. One of my better purchases!
Brian Cody Pulver –
These headphones are very well made and the sound quality is top notch.
I have smaller ears so sometimes over the ear headphones would cause soreness or irritation after extended use. I have yet to experience that with these, and I have worn them for multiple hours at a time.
The adjustable frame makes for a very comfortable fit. I can adjust the frame so I can wear them over a beanie or hat and have no issue with the headphones moving or being too tight.
The headphones are connected to an app that allows you to choose between preset equalizers for a different listening experience. You can also generate customized equalizers that tune the headphones to your preferred sound quality. Whether it be increased bass, treble, or both, the options are endless. The ability to personalize the sound quality of the headphones is one of the main reasons I love these headphones.
I’ve had these for about 2-3 weeks now and have only charged them once…when I first got them. The battery life is surprisingly long, which is always a plus.
The only negative thing I can say about these headphones is that they don’t collapse. But, that’s a very small issue and is more personal preference than an actual issue.
W.R.V. –
Got this on sale for $38 and it was exactly what I needed and expected. I have Air Pod Pros but being a power user I need more battery life. These Sonys last for days maybe weeks. 50+ hours is kinda crazy. The sound quality is good especially when you download the app and tweak the EQ settings.
It does not have noise cancellation like my Airpod Pros, but I knew that and its not an issue. Just crank up the volume lol.
Comfort is good. I’ve worn these for several hours without issues. If you are looking for a pair of bluetooth headphones that are lighter, inexpensive with decent sound quality and great battery life then these are for you. These are great for everyday, travel or workout headphones also. For $38 and same day delivery come on now!
Meli –
i was skeptical about buying these because i own the WH-CH710N and if you have them you know how crappy they are (they’re also way more expensive). I cannot emphasize how clear sounding these headphones are. I personalized the app to my liking which is such a cool feature that the 710N doesn’t have, and based on the type of music i like (EDM) i’m able to hear every detail and bass of my music. The quality is insanely good and I cannot believe how cheap they are. To the touch, they feel like flimsy Temu headphones, but the quality is better than $150 Sonys. The ears are small and round which is the only downside of it, but if you don’t care then do yourself a favor and get these!!! <3
Joseph –
These are really good for the price.
Comfortable pads, strong band. I have to keep them extended around a chair when not in use to loosen up the “squeezing.” Which is not ordinary for me to do, and would prefer that I HAVE to do that, rather than having a band thats too loose.
Sound quality is really good, connecting to devices is really easy and fast.
Overall, they are a really decent pair of headphones.
Madison Harrison –
I bought these headphones several months and they are great! The battery lasts forever and the sound quality is good for what it is. For what the price is (especially if you wait till they’re on sale), they are definitely a good choice pair of headphones that are budget friendly. I was looking for a good, but cheap pair of headphones and these ones really fit what I was looking for. They’re very light weight (not totally suitable for running), sound quality is decent, they’re simple, and at a good price. I recommend.
Kevin Choi –
These are great headphones for this price, and they can often be found at a discount. I’ve used them extensively for the past few months and they have gotten better over time.
COMFORT:
Initially, they were a bit stiff and uncomfortable, especially the ear pads. They would make my ears a bit sore after an hour or two of use. After a few months, the ear pads and headband have softened up and they feel so much more comfortable. I can wear them all day and not feel a thing. They somehow feel more comfortable than my Sony WH1000XM4’s which are $300 premium noise cancelling headphones. The XM4s make my ears very hot and the top headband hurts the top of my head after a while. These WH-CH520s keep my ears cooler by virtue of them being on-ear rather than over-ear, as well as staying comfortable on my head all day due to their light weight.
SOUND QUALITY:
The sound quality on these is great for the price and size of the drivers. Out of the box, I’d describe the overall sound as being slightly warm but very accurate. They have a slight V-shape Harmann Curve sound profile, with very clear and present mids. The bass is clear and pretty clean without being too thumpy; not the quickest bass response I’ve heard though. The trebles are a bit recessed but pleasant on the ear. If you’re really looking for an analytical headphone that can pick out tiny plucks and cymbals in an orchestral piece, these probably aren’t the headphones. These are more geared towards general consumer use with a warm sound profile perfect for pop, rap, rock, edm, indie, podcasts, etc. They really shine in vocals, voices always sound very forward and detailed. In terms of sound stage, they’re a clear step above any in-ear headphones, but they aren’t as wide as a typical over-ear headphones. Overall their sound is just a clear step above your typical earphone.
BATTERY LIFE:
Battery life on these is amazing. They can last me around 4-5 days with around 7-8 hours of use each day. I use them nearly all day during work. They charge really quickly too, which is great.
FUNCTIONS:
They have a standard pause/play/skip/answer/hand-up middle button, as well as volume up and down buttons. You can skip and rewind by holding the volume buttons. They can also be paired with Sony’s headphone app which allows you to change the EQ settings for these and have them sound how you want. There aren’t a ton of sliders for the EQ, but enough for most people to customize their sound to their liking. The microphone on these are pretty good for headphones. They sound better than average in terms of headphone mics, but they don’t sound nearly as good as the iPhone 15s built-in microphone. But if you need these for a quick phone call or video call, they work great. They can’t fold up in any way but the ear cups can swivel up. So if you take them off your head and swivel them to hang around your neck, the ear pads will face up; which isn’t good nor bad, just something to keep in mind.
EXERCISE:
If you’re the type to use headphones rather than earphones when exercising, these would probably suffice. They are breathable and lightweight, while also having a decent clamping force to stay on your head. If i shake my head vigorously though, they inevitably fall off. The earpads are a faux-leather so they’re very easy to wipe off and clean. Although, I’m typically the type of person to use earphones while exercising. The most extensive exercise I’ve done with these headphones is skateboard with them, but as soon as I start jumping around to do any tricks, they start to slide off my head.
NOISE CANCELLATION:
In terms of noise cancellation, they are decent. They obviously don’t have any active noise cancelling features, but passively, they block a bit of noise, maybe 10-12 dB or so. They aren’t going to blow your mind though in terms of noise cancellation. I will say though, if you have music playing at around 40-50% volume, they block out a considerable amount of outside noise like most headphones do. I can walk through busy downtown streets with these and not hear much at all if I have music going. They’ll definitely block out a considerable amount of noise in an office, cafe, train ride, etc. so long as you’re actually listening to something.
BUILD QUALITY:
These headphones are built surprisingly well. The materials are obviously cheap, but they don’t feel like it. The plastic is lightweight, but solid at the same time. The earpads and headband padding are both the same faux-leather, which is a bit stiff at first but soften up over time. The padding feels like it will last a long time simply because of its synthetic nature.
DESIGN:
Taste in the way these are designed is obviously subjective but I think these look great. They have a modern, but more timeless design. They don’t look super retro, if that’s what you’re going for, but they don’t look super contemporary either. Just look like clean, standard headphones that will look great for years. I love how the Sony logo is faintly placed on one side of the headband. It’s there, but not obnoxious.
ivvv –
UPDATE (Dec 10, 2023): This is going to be my last update probably, but I finally got around to testing the calling feature accidentally and it works great. Friend was able to hear me clearly and loudly while I was walking around crowded areas and I didn’t have to talk so loudly when calling. My talking volume was like when you talk to a friend that’s right beside you. Kind of like loud whispering haha, had no problems connecting the headphones to the call at all either, super easy process 🙂
UPDATE (Nov 22, 2023): For those wondering, nearing the 1st-2nd week of October the battery finally went down to 75% and than later it went down to 50% so the battery did in fact last for a month (maybe even longer if I didn’t charge it). I used it for a couple hours (1-3hrs) between classes, though I didn’t use these headphones everyday so that may be why it lasted for a month. The app connected with the headphones works great and bluetooth still works fine, no random disconnects. I still agree with everything I said in my previous update!
UPDATE (Sept 30, 2023): So it’s been about a month of usage and the battery life is absolutely insane. I haven’t charged it since the day I got it (Sept 4, 2023) and it’s been a blast. These headphones are pretty durable. I can confidently throw them in my bookbag and not have to worry it might get damaged. I also don’t have any issues with the headphones getting dirty easily (specifically the white version) if that’s a concern you may have. Sound leaking is still apparent, I always have to be conscious about my volume being too high or not in a quiet room which is still something I can’t get used to. I noticed the more I used the headphones, the less tension it caused for my ears and the more my ears started to adjust to them. I think at first your ears may feel tight, but after awhile it kinda gets used to it and hurts less, at least, that’s how it was for me. Headphones are still going strong and still look brand new. 100% would recommend
ORIGINAL REVIEW (Sept 4, 2023):
To address the other reviews I’ve been seeing, here’s what I’ve come to terms with:
WHAT I LIKED:
– Very sleek and minimalist. I live for the design, I think it’s a great and very aesthetically pleasing.
– You have the option of changing the EQ setting (I changed it so bass can be more and they sound great even without tweaking the settings. Big fan of this feature as this is my first time ever being able to control the EQ settings)
– Connects easily once you get through the app process + Bluetooth connection is pretty good, doesn’t disconnect randomly.
– Sound is good for me. Not very headphone savvy, but I can feel the beat of my music and that’s always an A in my books.
– Good PASSIVE noise cancelling, these definitely aren’t active noise cancelling, but the padding does make your surroundings a little bit muffled so you don’t hear as much. Which is fine with me since I’m planning to go to school with these and need to hear my surroundings most of the time.
– Doesn’t bother my earrings, don’t even notice they’re there.
– Good battery life, nothing to complain about. Works throughout the day and can usually take on a few more days, which I find to be pretty impressive.
– like that it’s lightweight, I can put it around my neck without it being bothersome for long periods of time and while walking with them on, I don’t feel like there’s a weight on my head.
WHAT I NOTICED/OTHERS MAY FIND BOTHERSOME:
– In terms of sound leaking, these DO leak. they leak if you go past 50% or higher. This isn’t an issue for me since the sound is already pretty loud at 20-30%, but considering those who love to blast music, it may be an issue.
– hurts your ears when wearing it for too long.
– these do NOT fold. Might be kind of inconvenient if you want to travel a lot with these, though, there are cases to store these specific headphones so it might not be so much of a problem for some.
– the volume up/down and pause buttons are hard to differentiate between. They all kinda feel the same when wearing the headphones and although it’s not a big deal to me, it could be inconvenient and frustrating to others.
Haven’t tested out connecting w/ 2 devices at the same time, but the things I said above were the things I noticed when I first unboxed and tested them. In my opinion, I think these are great, they work for me, and I like them. Gave it a 4 stars due to all the factors I noticed that may be a hindrance to myself and/or others when wearing these headphones. Otherwise, I think these headphones are worth a try. 9/10 for me