Whether for productivity or for simple comfort, we can all benefit from a distraction-free environment. Cutting the chatter on a noisy commute or keeping focus in a busy household can increase efficiency and promote stress-free living. Are you looking for a way to reduce noise that also offers a quality audio experience? These Sony WH-CH710N Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones are a great solution on both fronts.
Sony WH-CH710N headphones fit well & feel great
Out of the box it’s immediately noticeable how lightweight the Sony WH-CH710N headphones are. Weighing in at a meager 223 grams (7.9 oz), they rest easy—making them ideal for long term use. In combination with the soft faux-leather ear cushions, they are certainly ideal for those looking to reduce fatigue over lengthy periods.
In fact, the Sony WH-CH710N are so light I have to stop to remind myself that’s a good thing. To an extent, I often find I have a stigma around really lightweight headphones. Sometimes it’s easy to associate a lack of “heft” with a product that subsequently lacks quality. One might question whether the absence of weight correlates to the absence of high-end components.
However, the Sony WH-CH710N headphones do offer great audio and features despite their minimal design. They definitely rank high for those seeking higher-end yet unobtrusive over-ear headphones.
Audio Quality: Sony WH-CH710N
These headphones feature 30 mm audio drivers that generate crisp, pleasing sound. The audio quality is especially impressive when you consider their overall lightweight design. However, I would not consider these to be overly loud headphones.
Even at top volume, the Sony WH-CH710N headphones perhaps just barely fail to reach the height I would expect. Other comparable headphones can certainly go louder from my personal experience. Yet it’s not a drastically unreasonable disparity. In fact, if nothing else, it likely prevents users from reaching volumes that may not be particularly healthy or safe for long-term hearing!
Great high end sound
The max volume is still well-within the range I suspect most users would typically stick to. Still, if you are looking for something with booming bass and levels that will leave your ears ringing, the Sony WH-CH710N may not be your first choice. The low end sound in particular isn’t as strong, and doesn’t push to the forefront as aggressively in bass-heavy genres such as hip hop or electronic music.
The high end sound on the other hand is crystal clear and sounds fantastic. I really enjoy listening to more treble-heavy rock, alternative, and indie acts with the Sony WH-CH710N headphones. I spent a lot of time with these listening to bands like Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Smashing Pumpkins, The Pixies, and Mount Eerie. They are excellent for audiobooks and podcasts as well!
The overall audio quality is great, particularly with audio that skews toward high end tones. The balance between the two is fine, but the bass just doesn’t pop quite as much in bottom-heavy mixes. Still it’s clear that this model prioritizes comfort and noise cancelling features over blistering-loud sound.
Sony WH-CH710N has noise cancelling & ambient sound
The real selling feature of these Sony WH-CH710N headphones is their excellent capacity for noise cancelling. They employ Automatic Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancelling (AINC), which is constantly analyzing the environment around you. In conjunction with dual microphones feeding information in both directions, these headphones capture huge swaths of ambient noise.
This makes the Sony WH-CH710N a great option for commuting, or even for trying to reduce ambient noise when working or studying at home. Not only are they great for eliminating static white noise, they also do an excellent job of cutting down on random chatter, city sounds, and any other spontaneous distractions. I was really impressed with how well the AINC worked as I tested it both around my house as well as outside on walks or bike rides.
Sony WH-CH710N headphones can keep the wrong distractions out, or let the right ones in
That said, perhaps an underrated feature of headphones such as these is the fact that the noise-cancelling properties can also be reversed. Despite being closed-acoustic headphones, you can elect to use the noise cancelling components of the Sony WH-CH710N to let sound in instead via Ambient Sound mode. This means you can still enjoy the quality audio of these headphones while maintaining awareness of the world around you.
I particularly enjoy this feature when using the Sony WH-CH710N for a run or a bike ride on busier streets. While in most cases I prefer noise cancelling, sometimes my path takes me in close proximity to moving traffic or other hazards. Here I prefer to gain peace of mind by using Ambient Sound mode for awareness of approaching vehicles and the like.
Battery life & charging: Sony WH-CH710N headphones
The Sony WH-CH710N has excellent battery life, and can last up to 35 hours on a single charge. Of course this figure will go down with the use of AINC, or by using the headphones for voice calls, etc. Nevertheless I was always able to get a full day’s use without depleting the battery during my testing.
The battery charges via a USB-C type connection, which is definitely a bonus. It also means that they allow for quick-charging, where a 10 minute charge can yield up to 60 minutes of battery life. However, despite my pleasure in discovering that these headphones utilize USB-C, I was a bit let down with the charging accessories provided.
A cable that only travels so far
The included USB-C charging cable is a paltry 8 inches long, and also does not include a wall charger adapter. I quickly disregarded this cable and opted to charge the headphones on a lengthier USB-C cable already in my possession. For a premium-skewing pair of headphones such as the Sony WH-CH710N, I would expect something a bit more generous than a stubby 8-inch charging cable.
The Sony WH-CH710N model also incorporates Bluetooth wireless technology. They are easy to pair to smart Bluetooth compatible smart devices, and offer a strong, reliable connection. I never experienced any problems with dropped connections or sound cutting out.
The Sony WH-CH710N Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones offer peaceful isolation and long-term comfort
Due to their stellar performance in both comfort and noise cancelling duties, the Sony WH-CH710N Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones are probably most ideal for those looking for a combination of quality audio and long-term noise reduction. They are impressively lightweight and form-fitting. Yet despite this they still offer outstanding noise cancelling technology.
They may not be the loudest headphones on the market. Yet the audio quality is still very good. These headphones clearly prioritize comfort and noise control features over booming bass or ear-splitting sound. They could use a bit of an upgrade in the charging accessory department however. If you’re lucky though you may have a more practical USB-C cable already at your disposal.
Overall, these Sony WH-CH710N headphones are great at what they set out to do. I’d certainly recommend them to those looking for a sensible, quality audio experience with great noise cancelling features and a design built for lasting comfort.
You can check out these Sony WH-CH710N headphones in three appealing colours, either Black, Blue, or White.
I’ve bought a few pairs of wireless headphones for myself and family recently and I’ve noticed the trend with short stubby charging cables as well. Was it always that way?I dont understand it. Can a longer cable really cost that much extra? Sure maybe throw in a short one for earbuds to fit into a small travel case but for large over ears with much more space in any pouch or case give us a decent cable.
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