Sony WH-CH720N Review

Are you in search of the perfect balance between premium features and an affordable price?

The Sony WH-CH720N delivers powerful ANC, balanced sound, and long battery life without breaking the bank. In this in-depth review, I’ll walk you through every detail—design, audio performance, software, and real-world use—to help you decide if these headphones belong in your gear bag.

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Design & Build Quality

When I first took the Sony WH-CH720N out of the box, I was struck by how sleek and unobtrusive they looked. Sony has clearly refined its design language: the matte finish on the ear cups resists fingerprints, and the minimalist branding blends seamlessly into any setup.

I measured the weight at 209 grams, and while that’s not the lightest in its class, the distribution feels even—no awkward front-heaviness.

The single-axis hinge lets you fold the ear cups inward for a compact footprint, ideal for slipping into backpacks or carry-on luggage.

Comfort is equally important, and Sony delivers with soft memory-foam padding on both the ear cups and the headband.

Over multiple hours of listening, I found no hotspots or pinch points. The headband’s ratcheting mechanism clicks securely; you won’t have to readjust mid-session.

Here’s a quick specs rundown for your reference:

• Weight: 209 g
• Materials: Matte plastic chassis, metal-reinforced headband core
• Ear Cup Padding: Memory-foam with faux-leather wrap
• Hinge Type: Single-axis folding
• Dimensions (folded): 16.5 × 15.5 × 7 cm

Beyond specs, the build feels sturdy. I’ve accidentally dropped them twice (on carpeted floors), and there’s zero creaking or looseness.

Sony’s choice of plastic keeps cost and weight down, while metal reinforcements inside ensure durability.

Although they lack metal accents or premium mesh grilles, the WH-CH720N’s understated look works in both office and casual settings.

If you prefer flashy RGB or exposed aluminum, these might feel tame. But for anyone seeking a refined, travel-friendly design, they hit the mark.

Comfort, Fit & Controls

Putting on the WH-CH720N, I immediately noticed the gentle clamp force. It’s firm enough to seal out ambient noise, yet soft enough for marathon listening.

The ear cups swivel and pivot, conforming to different head shapes—an often-overlooked benefit if you share headphones with friends or partners.

Sony opts for physical buttons over touch panels. On the right cup, you’ll find:

• Power/ANC toggle
• Volume up/down rocker
• Play/Pause button

On the left:

• Multi-function button (Ambient/Voice Assistant)

Each button offers tactile, clicky feedback—no accidental skips when you adjust the fit. It took me just a few minutes to memorize which button does what.

Personally, I prefer physical controls during workouts or walks; I never had to pull out my phone to pause or switch modes.

That said, the buttons are slightly recessed, so you do need a deliberate press. In colder weather with gloves, you might struggle—worth noting if you’re an outdoor enthusiast.

Sony includes voice prompts in English to confirm power, pairing, and ANC status. They’re clear and not overly chatty, striking a nice balance.

Over weeks of intermittent wear—commuting, at-desk work, evening podcasts—the WH-CH720N never slipped or felt uncomfortable.

The memory-foam maintains its shape, resisting the flattening that plagues cheaper foam variants. If you’re on the fence between on-ear or over-ear, these fully enclose your ear without that dreaded pinch.

Audio Performance & Sound Signature

Audio is where the WH-CH720N truly shines for its price bracket. Equipped with 30 mm dynamic drivers, they produce a balanced sound signature with a slight mid-bass boost. Here’s what I heard during extensive listening tests:

1. Bass: Tight and punchy. Electronic and hip-hop tracks hit with authority, yet the bass never bleeds into the mids.
2. Mids: Warm and clear. Vocals stand out, making podcasts and acoustic tracks engaging without tinny artifacts.
3. Highs: Present but controlled. Cymbals and strings sparkle without sibilance, even at higher volumes.

Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) breathed new life into my compressed playlists. AAC streams, previously flat, gained extra clarity.

Classical music sounded more open; I could distinguish instruments across the soundstage.

I tested codec compatibility on both Android and iOS. You’re limited to SBC and AAC—no LDAC or aptX support here. Audiophiles might notice this omission, but in everyday scenarios, the trade-off isn’t deal-breaking.

Bluetooth 5.2 ensures a stable connection up to 10 meters; I moved through my apartment building twice before I noticed any stutters.

For video content, latency hovered around 150 ms, slightly above Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5 but negligible for casual streaming.

Gamers seeking absolute sync might prefer a dedicated gaming mode—absent here—but I didn’t find it disruptive for Netflix or YouTube.

Overall, the WH-CH720N punches above its weight. If you crave studio-grade neutrality, look elsewhere.

But for a lively, user-friendly sound that excels across genres, these headphones deliver exceptional value.

Noise Cancellation & Ambient Features

Sony’s noise-cancelling pedigree extends down to the WH-CH720N. The dual-microphone Active Noise Cancellation system effectively reduces low-frequency hums—think airplane engines and subway rumbles. Mid- and high-frequency attenuation isn’t as airtight as on Sony’s flagship lines, but it still transforms a noisy café into a peaceful listening zone.

Two key ANC modes are available:

• Auto Adaptive ANC: Automatically adjusts noise suppression based on your surroundings. I walked from a quiet office into a bustling street, and the transition was seamless.
• Ambient Sound Mode: Lets external noise in when you need situational awareness—useful for crossing streets or chatting without removing your headphones.

The signature Speak-to-Chat feature pauses playback when you start talking. In practice, it’s hit-or-miss: it caught my voice commands reliably but sometimes paused when I coughed. If you find it too sensitive, you can disable it via the Sony Headphones Connect app.

Speaking of the app:

• EQ Customization: Nine presets plus manual sliders.
• 360 Reality Audio: Demo tracks for spatial ambience.
• Noise Control Slider: Fine-tune the blend between ANC and ambient sound.
• Auto Power Off: Set inactivity timeout to preserve battery.

Although I appreciate the depth of options, the app’s layout feels cluttered. Vital controls like Speak-to-Chat sensitivity are buried two levels deep.

However, once configured, you rarely revisit them—so it’s a one-time hassle for ongoing benefits.

In my daily commute and busy cafés, ANC cut at least 70% of background noise—impressive for this tier. Sandwiched between Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and cheaper ANC alternatives, the CH720N holds its own admirably.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life is a cornerstone of user satisfaction, and here the WH-CH720N excels. Sony advertises 35 hours of playback with ANC on, and my real-world testing clocked in at 32–34 hours before hitting the red zone.

Turning ANC off pushed me comfortably past 40 hours—enough to power you through a week of commuting on a single charge.

Charging is via USB-C, and a 10-minute quick-charge yields about 3 hours of playback—perfect for last-minute top-ups. A full charge from zero takes roughly 3 hours, so I make it part of my overnight routine.

Battery indicators are provided in two ways:

1. Voice Prompts: Automated warnings at 30%, 15%, and 5%.
2. Headphones Connect App: A clear battery meter in the main screen.

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Playback Time (ANC On): 35 hours (real-world ~33 hrs)
• Playback Time (ANC Off): 40+ hours
• Quick Charge: 10 min → 3 hrs playback
• Full Charge Time: ~3 hrs

In daily use—my pattern mixes calls, podcasts, and music—the headphones rarely dropped below 50% by day’s end. On a two-day conference trip, I charged once and breezed through sessions without worrying about battery life.

Connectivity & Companion App Experience

Pairing the WH-CH720N is straightforward via Bluetooth 5.2. I tested multipoint connectivity on an Android phone and Windows laptop. Switching between devices—answering a phone call mid-Zoom meeting—worked flawlessly.

Range tests showed reliable audio up to 10 meters in open spaces, dipping only when I introduced two concrete walls. I didn’t detect any dropouts during normal use.

The Sony Headphones Connect app unlocks the following features:

• EQ Presets & Manual EQ: Tailor your sound signature.
• Adaptive Sound Control: Automates ANC and ambient switching based on activity.
• Voice Assistant Integration: Quick access to Google Assistant or Alexa.
• Firmware Updates: Ensures you get the latest improvements.

While the app is packed with options, its navigation feels dated. Some settings live in obscure submenus, forcing a bit of digging.

I recommend spending 10–15 minutes on a first-time setup to get everything dialed in—after that, you’ll seldom revisit the menus.

One standout is the Adaptive Sound Control. It recognized when I started walking, driving, or sitting, adjusting ANC accordingly.

Though clever, it occasionally misclassified my activity—auto-switching ANC off when I paused briefly. You can disable this feature if it becomes pesky.

Pricing & Value for Money

At an MSRP of $149.99, the Sony WH-CH720N stands out in the crowded mid-range ANC market. Here’s how it stacks up against key competitors:

Compared to the Life Q35, the WH-CH720N offers superior ANC and a more refined fit, though at a slightly higher price. Against the flagship XM5, it delivers 70–80% of flagship ANC performance at less than half the cost.

Pros:

• Long-lasting battery (35 hrs w/ ANC)
• Effective dual-mic ANC
• Comfortable, secure fit
• Balanced, engaging sound

Cons:

• No LDAC/aptX support
• Companion app UI feels cluttered
• Speak-to-Chat can be oversensitive

Given its feature set, performance, and Sony’s branding, the WH-CH720N offers outstanding value. If your budget caps at $150 and you want real ANC plus strong battery life, these headphones tick virtually every box.

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Final Verdict

After extensive testing, I wholeheartedly recommend the Sony WH-CH720N for anyone seeking a well-rounded, mid-range ANC headphone.

You get powerful noise cancellation, balanced audio, and days-long battery life in a comfortable, durable design. While audiophiles may miss LDAC or aptX, most users will appreciate the reliability and ease of use these bring.

In short, if your price ceiling is around $150 and ANC is a must, the WH-CH720N should be at the top of your list.

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