Nova Zhang
The Sony WH-CH520 is a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones with nearly 50 hours of battery life. They are comfortable and support multi-device pairing. However, they lack active noise cancellation (ANC) and have poor noise isolation, which means they struggle to block out sound. This also means that they may leak sound, especially at high volumes. While they may not be suitable for commuting or travel due to these limitations, they are reasonably priced and provide good sound quality for their price point.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sound leakage | Yes, there is noticeable sound leakage, especially at higher volumes. |
| Noise isolation | Poor noise isolation performance. Unable to block out bass-range noise or ambient chatter. |
| Noise cancellation | No active noise cancellation (ANC). |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth-only headphones, with basic codecs mandated by Bluetooth. |
| Battery life | Approximately 50 hours. |
| Design | On-ear design, made of lightweight plastic. |
| Comfort | May not be comfortable for those who wear glasses. |
| Sound quality | Good sound quality, with balanced bass and mid-range. Treble range can make harmonic details sound dark and dull. |
| Controls | Physical buttons for volume and playback, no touch controls. |
| App | Sony Headphone Connect app allows for customization of music and EQ settings. |
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What You'll Learn
Sony WH-CH520 headphones have noticeable sound leakage
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones have noticeable sound leakage, especially when the volume exceeds 75%. This issue is likely due to their on-ear design, which doesn't create a complete seal around your ears, allowing sound to escape. While they may not be suitable for quiet environments like offices, they can be useful in situations where you need to hear your surroundings, such as when walking or commuting.
The WH-CH520's on-ear design means they don't form a tight seal around your ears, which can result in sound leakage. This design choice is common among on-ear headphones, and it can make it challenging to achieve a secure fit, especially if you wear glasses. The lack of a seal can also impact the sound quality, with some users finding the mids and highs grating due to the reduced bass response.
Sound leakage can be a concern, especially in quiet environments. The WH-CH520's sound leakage may be noticeable to those nearby, particularly in quiet settings like an office or a bedroom. In such cases, it may be necessary to lower the volume to minimise the disturbance to others.
The WH-CH520's sound leakage can be mitigated to some extent by using the Sony Headphone Connect app, which offers EQ settings and virtual surround sound. These features allow you to customise the sound profile and improve the overall listening experience. However, the app doesn't completely eliminate sound leakage, and the headphones may still struggle to block out external noise due to their on-ear design.
Despite the sound leakage issue, the WH-CH520 headphones have their strengths. They offer decent sound quality for their price point, with a well-balanced bass and mid-range response that suits genres like EDM and rock. The long battery life of nearly 50 hours is also a significant advantage, ensuring that you won't need to worry about charging during long shifts or flights.
In summary, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones have noticeable sound leakage due to their on-ear design, which can impact their suitability for certain environments. However, they offer reasonable sound quality and impressive battery life, making them a competent choice for wireless headphones within their price range.
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They do not have active noise cancellation (ANC)
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones do not feature active noise cancellation (ANC). This means that they struggle to block out sound and provide poor noise isolation. Their on-ear design does not create a seal around your ears, so bass-range noise, like the rumble of a bus engine, won't be cut out. They also do a poor job of blocking environmental noise, and you will still be able to hear ambient sounds like conversations or the sound of a subway train braking.
The lack of ANC means that the Sony WH-CH520 is not suitable for certain situations, such as commuting on a plane or in a noisy office environment. However, they do provide decent leakage performance, and the audio that escapes is thin and bright, with a mix of mid-range and treble at high volumes and a bit of bass content. This means that while coworkers in a quiet office may be bothered by leaking sound, patrons in a loud cafe are unlikely to hear your audio.
The Sony WH-CH520 is a good option for those who want affordable wireless headphones and need to hear their surroundings. They are also comfortable and offer long battery life, making them suitable for long shifts at work. The headphones feature the Sony Headphone Connect app, which allows you to customise your music using the headphone connect EQ to improve sound quality at higher volumes.
Overall, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are a competent and reliable option for those who do not require active noise cancellation and are looking for a basic pair of wireless headphones.
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They are wireless-only headphones
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones are wireless-only, connecting to devices via Bluetooth. They are not designed for wired use or wireless gaming. The Bluetooth connection means that the available codecs are the basic ones mandated by Bluetooth, so there is a ceiling on audio quality. However, they are a competent set of wireless headphones that deliver what you would expect for the price.
The WH-CH520 headphones have a long battery life of nearly 50 hours, and they are comfortable for extended periods. They are light, made primarily of plastic, and have physical buttons for volume and playback controls. However, the physical buttons are not very distinct, making it difficult to discern one from the other by feel.
The sound quality is decent, with well-balanced bass and mid-range, and clear bass control. The treble range is less impressive, with harmonic details in vocals and cymbals sounding dark and dull. The sound can be customised using the Sony Headphone Connect app, which features a graphic EQ and presets. However, there is some distortion in the low bass and low to mid-treble, which affects audio clarity at moderate to high volumes.
The WH-CH520 struggles with passive noise isolation due to its on-ear design and lack of active noise cancellation (ANC). It does a poor job of blocking environmental noise, particularly bass-range noise, and only slightly reduces mid-range noise. As a result, sound leakage is moderately present across the volume range, with audio that escapes sounding thin and bright, with some bass content. While the leakage may not be noticeable in a loud cafe, it could be bothersome to coworkers in a quiet office.
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They have a long battery life
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones have a battery life of nearly 50 hours, according to some reviews. This is a definite advantage for those who want to use them for long periods without worrying about charging. With such a long battery life, you can use them for extended shifts at work or even during a long flight without the battery dying.
The headphones are wireless and connect via Bluetooth, so not having to worry about the battery running out is a significant plus point. The WH-CH520 model is primarily made of very light plastic, which is comfortable and practical, and the long battery life complements this design feature.
The WH-CH520 headphones are a good choice for those who want a simple, reliable, and affordable wireless headphone option. While they may not have the advanced features of more expensive headphones, such as active noise cancellation (ANC), their long battery life is a definite advantage.
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones provide good value for money, with their long battery life, wireless connectivity, and sound quality. They are a good option for those who want a no-fuss listening experience without the hassle of frequent charging.
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They are uncomfortable for people who wear glasses
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones are reported to be uncomfortable for people who wear glasses. The on-ear fit pushes the ears against the arms of glasses over time. One user reports that the headphones start hurting their ears after 10 to 15 minutes.
The headphones have a tight seal over the ears, and Sony warns that forcibly pressing the headset against your ears may cause eardrum damage. This may be why the headphones are uncomfortable for those who wear glasses, as the arms of the glasses may prevent the headphones from sitting comfortably on the ears.
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones are comfortable for those who do not wear glasses. They have been described as comfortable enough to last a long shift at the office, with well-padded ear cups.
If you wear glasses and are looking for comfortable headphones, you may want to consider a pair with an over-ear design that won't push your ears against the arms of your glasses. Alternatively, you could try adjusting the fit of the headphones to ensure a proper seal, which may reduce pressure on your ears and glasses frames.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones have noticeable sound leakage, especially when the volume is over 75%.
You can try reducing the volume on your headphones as sound leakage is more noticeable at higher volumes. You can also use the Sony Headphone Connect app to adjust the EQ settings and reduce sound leakage.
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones are on-ear headphones that do not create a seal around your ears. This means that sound can easily escape and be heard by others, especially in quiet environments.
Yes, if you are looking for alternatives with better sound isolation and active noise cancellation (ANC), you can consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless headphones or the Sony WH-CH720N Wireless headphones.
