It is been two years because the Sony WH-CH520 debuted, and so they stay probably the most highest bang-for-your-buck audio offers to be had in 2025. The quantity of capability filled into those cans is fantastic. You’re getting signature Sony sound, in addition to different emblem hallmarks, for a fragment of the associated fee.
I’ve been re-testing those Sony headphones off and on for the previous a number of weeks. My reviews have no longer modified one bit. They’re arguably the highest headphones beneath $100, simply the most efficient headphones beneath $50, and a must-own for budget-conscious consumers who need inexpensive Sony cans at a ridiculously low worth ($38.95 on the time of writing).
Sooner than you bounce on Amazon to buy a couple, take a look at my in-depth Sony WH-CH520 headphones evaluate.
Sony WH-CH520 headphones specifications and setup
Unboxing the Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti
Putting in place the WH-CH520 headphones is a breeze.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
The Sony WH-CH520 pack a cast spec sheet for the associated fee. Have a look.
Speaker Motive force Unit: 30mm
Frequency Reaction: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
Battery: As much as 50 hours of extra playtime with wi-fi charging case
Fast price: 3 mins will provide you with 1.5 hours of listening time
Colours: Black, blue, cappuccino, purple, white, yellow
Sony’s proprietary applied sciences (e.g., 360 Fact Audio, DSEE)
App supported: Appropriate with Sony Sound Attach app (Android/iOS)
Google Rapid Pair and In finding My Instrument toughenÂ
All Sony headphones and earbuds pair simply with Android and iOS/macOS units, together with the WH-CH520. Android customers obtain unique perks like one-tap Google Rapid Pair and In finding My Instrument. Downloading the Sony Sound Attach app supplies get admission to to various options that reach capability. Bodily buttons and voice instructions make up the WH-CH520’s keep an eye on scheme. The sticking out buttons at the proper earcup are attentive to enter and correctly execute supposed purposes. Sony’s microphones display nice speech popularity when meting out Google Assistant and Siri instructions.Â
Wi-fi vary extends as much as 45 toes sooner than stuttering happens. Those on-ear headphones additionally include multipoint era to pair to 2 Bluetooth audio assets concurrently.
The whole thing the Sony WH-CH520 headphones get proper
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Regardless of having smaller drivers and no hi-res audio formats, the WH-CH520 grasp their very own at the sonic entrance. Their sound profile is properly balanced. Deep lows mix smartly with clear mids and crisp highs. Recent tracks sound lively, whilst are living performances have a dynamic presence, due to ethereal vocal copy. Constancy is taken up a notch when enabling my favourite function for boosting sound on Sony headphones: DSEE. This era upscales the readability and intensity on all tracks — regardless of the structure — attaining near-hi-res high quality when enjoying saved information or streaming track on-line. Sony’s spatial audio era, 360 Fact Audio, may be onboard and does a tight process of constructing 3-d sound for track and flicks.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
A complete price generates as much as 50 hours of playtime, relying on how the headphones are used. Particular options (e.g., 360 Fact Audio, multipoint) can lower this through 5 to eight hours, which continues to be enough. You’ll get a complete week of average use (5 hours day by day) sooner than recharging. Fast charging is simply as noteworthy: a 3-minute price equals 1.5 hours of playtime. No longer even pricier choices just like the AirPods Max and Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones fit this.
The WH-CH520 make for an ok calling headset. Are they at the similar degree as the brand new WH-1000xM6? No. The highest flagship headphones are all the time going to outperform funds cans like this. However they turn out to be useful when you want to make a decision in a pinch. The mics successfully seize vocals and emphasize them over maximum ambient noise. Simply make sure to’re no longer making calls in extraordinarily loud environments.Â
What the Sony WH-CH520 headphones get incorrect
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Let’s state the most obvious – those don’t seem to be sexy headphones. The a lot of colorways supply some flash, however that’s provided that you’re buying probably the most brighter sunglasses. But even so that, the construct high quality is mediocre (most commonly composed of plastic), and there’s little or no detailing to tell apart those cans from any third-party pair bought on Amazon.
No longer each main Sony function is to be had. You fail to spot sensible controls like Fast Consideration and Talk-to-Chat to routinely decrease quantity and auto-pause track every time you talk, respectively. There’s no energetic noise cancellation, which might were helpful because the on-ear design we could in numerous ambient noise. Finally, the WH-CH520 are lacking a three.5mm jack for stressed listening. There’s a USB-C port, however the headphones don’t toughen USB-C listening.Â
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Are the Sony WH-CH520 headphones price it?
It’s virtually felony for Sony to promote headphones with its proprietary sound applied sciences at one of these low worth.Â
The WH-CH520 sound terrific, and the inclusion of top of the range options like 360 Fact Audio and DSEE make choose content material immersive and extra complete. Battery lifestyles is rated upper than many of the highest noise-canceling headphones. Robust mics and flexible wi-fi options upload to their unbeatable price.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Sure, the design is chintzy and unsuitable (ambient sound passthrough impacts sound high quality), however all different spaces are on-point.
The Sony WH-CH520 can also be bought at once on Sony’s website online or at on-line shops like Amazon and Easiest Purchase.Â
