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Sony WH-CH700N Wireless  Headphones Review

Review updated Mar 11, 2020 at 09:43am
Writing modified Dec 16, 2021 at 04:55pm
Tested using methodology v1.5 
Sony WH-CH700N Wireless
7.4
Neutral Sound 
6.7
Commute/Travel 
7.1
Sports/Fitness 
6.7
Office 
5.7
Wireless Gaming 
7.4
Wired Gaming 
6.4
Phone Calls 
 0
Notice: These headphones were replaced by Sony WH-CH710N Wireless
The Sony WH-CH700N are Bluetooth ANC over-ears with a somewhat excited sound profile that should be suitable for a fairly wide range of genres. They're an improved redesign of the Sony MDR-ZX770BN with better app support that gives them customization options. They're lightweight, comfortable, and easy-to-use; however, their build quality still feels a bit flimsy compared to other headphones in their price range and their noise cancelling is quite poor.

Our Verdict

7.4
Neutral Sound 

The Sony WH-CH700N are decent headphones for neutral sound listening. While their out-of-the-box sound profile isn't flat and neutral, it's still fairly well-balanced and is slightly excited and V-shaped. They'll likely be a good choice for a wide variety of genres and content, with a little extra kick of bass that won't be overpowering. Unfortunately, they aren't consistent among users, so you'll likely have to adjust them to achieve the same response every time. On the bright side, they're compatible with the Sony | Headphones Connect app so you can customize their sound with a graphic EQ.

Pros
None
Cons
None
6.7
Commute/Travel 

The Sony WH-CH700N are an alright option for your daily commute or to take with you traveling. They're comfortable enough to wear for extended periods, and their 34-hour battery life should easily last even the longest of travel days. Unfortunately, while they have an ANC feature, it doesn't work well and they won't block much background noise, especially the low rumble of bus or plane engines.

Pros
None
Cons
None
7.1
Sports/Fitness 

The Sony WH-CH700N are decent headphones for sports. While they feel decently stable, they may be best suited for a light job as opposed to a more intense workout. On the upside, they're comfortable enough to wear for extended periods, and their out-of-the-box sound profile has a bit of extra kick to keep you pumped up. Unfortunately, as with most over-ear headphones, they may cause you to sweat a bit more than usual.

Pros
None
Cons
None
6.7
Office 

The Sony WH-CH700N are okay office headphones. Their excellent battery and comfortable fit mean you should easily be able to wear them through an entire workday. Unfortunately, they don't isolate noise well at all so they won't help if you work in a very noisy office and want something to keep you concentrated.

Pros
None
Cons
None
5.7
Wireless Gaming 

The Sony WH-CH700N aren't recommended for wireless gaming. These are Bluetooth headphones so they won't be compatible with a PS4 or an Xbox One. You can plug them into your console's controller, but it'll only transmit audio, so you won't be able to use their mic. You can connect them wirelessly to a Bluetooth-enabled PC, it's likely that their latency will be too high for gaming.

7.4
Wired Gaming 

The Sony WH-CH700N aren't suitable for wired gaming. You can plug them into your PS4 or Xbox One controller, but you'll only hear in-game audio and your microphone won't work.

Pros
None
Cons
None
6.4
Phone Calls 

The Sony WH-CH700N are a passable option for phone calls. They have an integrated microphone so you can take calls while you're on the go, but like most Bluetooth headphones, their microphone isn't the best. Your voice will be fairly clear but be lacking in body, and the person you're speaking to likely won't hear you well, even in a moderately noisy environment.

Pros
None
Cons
None
  • 7.4
    Neutral Sound
  • 6.7
    Commute/Travel
  • 7.1
    Sports/Fitness
  • 6.7
    Office
  • 5.7
    Wireless Gaming
  • 7.4
    Wired Gaming
  • 6.4
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Nov 10, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
    2.  Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
    3.  Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
    4.  Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Sony WH-CH700N are a good mixed usage headphone with above-average sound quality and a decently comfortable design. They look somewhat similar to the Sony MDR-ZX770BN but they're more customizable since they support the Sony | Headphones Connect app. Unfortunately, their noise cancellation is fairly weak and won't be good enough for noisy commutes. They also take a very long time to charge, but on the upside, they deliver up to 35 hours of playback on a single charge. They're a decent headset but don't quite outperform other headphones in their price range for mixed usage. See our recommendations for the best wireless headphones, the best wireless headphones under $100, and the best noise cancelling headphones under $100.

    Sony WH-CH710N Wireless

    The Sony WH-CH700N Wireless and the Sony WH-CH710N Wireless are very similar headphones, and depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The WH-CH700N have longer continuous battery life and more customization features thanks to the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app. They have a V-shaped default sound profile, but some listeners may prefer the WH-CH710N's bass-heavy sound. The WH-CH710N also leak less sound.

    Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

    The Sony WH-1000XM3s are more versatile headphones than the Sony WH-CH700N, thanks to their great noise cancelling feature. Even if the WH-CH700N are also noise cancelling, their isolation performance is sub-par and the feature barely does anything. The XM3s will be a better option for commuting and at the office, but their default sound profile might be a bit bass-heavy for more neutral critical listeners. If you care about sound fidelity, then the CH-700N might be a better option. They also have a longer battery life, but take a long 6 hours to charge fully. On the other hand, the XM3s are slightly more comfortable and have a nice touch-sensitive control scheme. They also feel more premium, but are significantly more expensive.

    Sony WH-H900N/h.ear on 2 Wireless

    The Sony WH-H900N/h.ear on 2 Wireless are a bit better overall than the Sony WH-CH700N. The WH-H900 have a slightly better sound quality and noise isolation performance than the CH700N. Therefore, the H900N will be slightly better for your daily commutes than the CH700. On the upside, the CH-700N are easier to use with tactile controls, have a better soundstage, and have a greater wireless range.

    Sony WH-XB910N Wireless

    The Sony WH-XB910N Wireless are more versatile headphones than the Sony WH-CH700N Wireless. The WH-XB910N are more comfortable, better-built, and can block out significantly more ambient noise around you. They also have a better overall battery performance and support multi-device pairing. The WH-CH700N support NFC pairing and aren't nearly as bassy by default, which some users may prefer.

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    Test Results

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    Design
    Style
    TypeOver-ear
    EnclosureClosed-Back
    WirelessYes
    TransducerDynamic

    The Sony CH700N look very similar to the Sony MDR-ZX770BN, though they have slight differences and a sturdier build quality that doesn't creak as much. The hinges are a little wider, and the pads are a bit softer and more comfortable. They're available in matte grey or blue, and overall their design isn't particularly flashy, which some may prefer over some other Sony headphones like the Sony WH-H900N.

    7.5
    Comfort
    Weight0.5 lbs
    Clamping Force
    0.8 lbs

    The Sony WH-CH700N are comfortable over-ears with a lightweight design and decent padding. They're not too tight on the head and the ear cups are large enough to fit most ears, although they're not very deep so they won't be the most spacious. The headband isn't as well-padded as the rest of the design, but overall they're comfortable headphones that you can wear for a bit longer than the original Sony MDR-ZX770BN.

    7.1
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    Not OS specific
    Ease Of UseGood
    FeedbackDecent
    Call/Music ControlYes
    Volume ControlYes
    Microphone ControlNo
    Channel Mixing
    No
    Noise Cancelling ControlOn/Off
    Talk-Through
    No
    Additional ControlsNo

    The CH700N have a simple and efficient control scheme. The well-designed buttons are located on the bottom of the ear cups. These headphones provide volume, call/music, and skip controls, as well as the power and noise cancelling enabling buttons laid out across the two ear cups. They take a little time to get used to, but once you're accustomed, they're efficient and easy-to-use. Many people will also likely prefer their tactile, clicky buttons to the touch-sensitive controls of some other options, like the Sony WH-1000XM3.

    6.6
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.Difference5.5 °C

    The Sony WH-CH700, like most closed-back headphones, don't have the most breathable design. They create a decent seal around your ears which prevents a lot of airflow and will make your ears fairly warm during longer listening sessions. They won't be the most suitable option for intense workout routines (see our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones for working out), but like most over-ear headsets they're fine for casual listening.

    6.0
    Portability
    L7.5" (19.1 cm)
    W7.5" (19.1 cm)
    H1.8" (4.6 cm)
    Volume101.00 in³ (1,655.09 cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredNo

    The Sony CH700N aren't the most portable headphones but should easily fit into a bag. While the ear cups swivel to allow the headphones to lay flat, they don't fold into a more compact format like some of the other over-ears we've tested.

    0.0
    Case
    TypeNo case
    LN/A
    WN/A
    HN/A
    VolumeN/A

    The Sony WH-CH700N don't come with a case.

    7.0
    Build Quality

    The WH-CH700N have a decent build quality. They feel sturdy enough to handle a couple of drops without any damage. The ear cups are relatively dense and shouldn't break or crack easily. However, they're mostly made of plastic and don't feel as durable as some higher-end headphones. The metal frame that reinforces the headband is thin, and the swivel joints seem susceptible to breaking under moderate physical stress.

    7.0
    Stability

    The WH-CH700N are decently stable headphones that should easily maintain their position during casual listening sessions. They have a wireless design that prevents the headphones from being yanked off your head due to the audio cable getting hooked on something. However, they aren't sports headphones and aren't tight enough on your head to stop the ear cups from swaying and slipping off your ears when used while running.

    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

    • Sony WH-CH700N headphones
    • Audio cable
    • Micro USB cable
    • Manual
    • Carrying pouch

    Sound
    Sound Profile
    See details on graph tool
    Bass Amount
    1.39 dB
    Treble Amount
    0.05 dB

    The Sony WH-CH700N have an excited, V-shaped sound profile. While it doesn't follow our target curve perfectly, the bump in both bass and treble means they still sound fairly balanced and will be suitable for a wide variety of genres. If you want something that follows our target curve a bit more accurately, check out the JBL TUNE 750BTNC Wireless.

    5.3
    Frequency Response Consistency
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    1.61 dB

    The frequency response consistency of the WH-CH700N is sub-par. Glasses-wearers will likely notice decreased bass response due to not being able to get a proper seal. You may also have to adjust the headphones on your head to achieve proper treble reproduction.

    Raw Frequency Response
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    7.6
    Bass Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    3.52 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    10 Hz
    Low-Bass
    4.21 dB
    Mid-Bass
    2.86 dB
    High-Bass
    4.54 dB

    The bass accuracy of the CH700 is good. There's a bit of extra thump to the bass, but it won't sound muddy or overpowering. Low-bass, responsible for the body of bass guitars and the punch of kick drums, is flat and balanced. High-bass, responsible for warmth, is also flat and balanced. Overall, the bass of the Sony is deep, balanced, and thumpy, without sounding boomy or muddy.

    However, their bass delivery is quite sensitive to the quality of fit/seal achieved between the headphones and the ears, so if you wear glasses or have a lot of hair around your ears, you may experience a drop in bass.

    8.5
    Mid Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    1.96 dB
    Low-Mid
    2.02 dB
    Mid-Mid
    -0.39 dB
    High-Mid
    1.06 dB

    The mid accuracy of the Sony CH700N is excellent. Almost the entire range is flat, with only a bit of low-mid and high-mid being slightly overemphasized. Instruments and vocals will be well-balanced and present.

    6.6
    Treble Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    5.02 dB
    Low-Treble
    4.13 dB
    Mid-Treble
    3.91 dB
    High-Treble
    -3.43 dB

    The treble accuracy of the WH-CH700N is mediocre. Though most of the range is overemphasized, thanks to these headphones' slightly pumped-up bass range, it shouldn't sound too piercing or harsh.

    7.3
    Peaks/Dips
    See details on graph tool
    Peaks
    1.76 dB
    Dips
    1.28 dB

    The peaks and dips performance of the WH-CH700N is decent. Most of the bass and treble ranges peak upwards, with the mid-range dipped for most of the range. This will result in an excited sound profile. There's a fairly large dip in high low-treble which may cause some brighter sounds to appear slightly dull and lispy.

    8.3
    Imaging
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Weighted Group Delay
    0.28
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    4.75
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    0.97
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    2.23

    The imaging of the Sony WH-CH700N is great. The GD graph shows that the group delay response barely crosses the audibility threshold, ensuring a tight bass and a transparent treble reproduction. Additionally, the L/R drivers of our test unit were very well-matched, which is important for the accurate placement and localization of objects (voices, instruments, video game effects), in the stereo field.

    6.2
    Passive Soundstage
    See details on graph tool
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    3.27 dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    6.52 dB
    PRTF Distance
    17.36 dB
    Openness
    5.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    3.6

    The soundstage of the WH-CH700N is mediocre. The PRTF graph shows a decent amount of pinna interaction with decent accuracy. This PRTF response and the closed-back design of these headphones results in a relatively large soundstage, but it'll most likely be perceived to be located inside the listener's head, as opposed to in front.

    4.4
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    No
    Speaker Modeling
    On/Off
    Room Ambience
    Presets
    Head Tracking
    No
    Virtual Surround
    Yes

    The WH-CH700N use Sony's Virtualphone Technology (VPT) to create a virtual surround effect. We don't test for the effectiveness of this feature.

    7.4
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    See details on graph tool
    WHD @ 90
    0.269
    WHD @ 100
    0.191

    The weighted harmonic distortion of the WH-CH700N is decent. There may be some distortion when listening at moderate levels, though it likely won't be noticeable by most.

    Test Settings
    Firmware
    Unknown
    Power
    On
    Connection
    Unknown
    Codec
    aptX, 16-bit, 48kHz
    EQ
    Default
    ANC
    On
    Tip/Pad
    Default
    Microphone
    Integrated

    These are the settings used to test the WH-CH700N. These results are valid only for these settings. It's worth noting that we tested these headphones over Bluetooth and several users have reported their sound profile varying when used wired, though we don't test this.

    Isolation
    4.5
    Noise Isolation
    See details on graph tool
    Isolation Audio
    Overall Attenuation
    -11.26 dB
    Noise CancellingYes
    Bass
    -0.69 dB
    Mid
    -10.2 dB
    Treble
    -23.76 dB

    The isolation performance of the WH-CH700N is bad. In our test, they didn't provide any isolation in the bass range, which means they'll let in all the thump and rumble of airplane and bus engines. However, since the bass isolation of these headphones is dependent on their seal and fit, some people may notice slightly better results, though it likely won't be enough to make much of a difference. While they do a decent job at blocking out high frequency sounds like AC units, they're only mediocre at isolating out background chatter. If you want headphones that perform similarly overall but have better active noise cancelling, check out the JBL CLUB 950NC Wireless.

    6.9
    Leakage
    See details on graph tool
    Leakage Audio
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    40.4 dB

    The leakage performance of the WH-CH700N is decent. The overall level of leakage isn't very loud. With the music at 100dB SPL, the leakage at one foot away averages just above the noise floor of an average office. If you're looking for headphones that leak less noise, check out the Sony WH-CH710N Wireless.

    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    Yes
    In-Line
    No
    Boom
    No
    Detachable Boom
    No
    MicYes

    The Sony WH-CH700N have an integrated microphone in the ear cups.

    6.7
    Recording Quality
    See details on graph tool
    Recorded Speech
    LFE
    64.42 Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    5.27 dB
    HFE
    3,133.58 Hz
    Weighted THD
    6.53
    Gain
    40.63 dB

    The microphone of the WH-CH700N has an average recording quality. Speech recorded/transmitted with this microphone will be a bit thin and will sound noticeably muffled and lacking in detail. Overall, however, speech will still be relatively understandable.

    6.8
    Noise Handling
    See details on graph tool
    SpNR
    11.98 dB
    Noise Gate
    Always On
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    7.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    6.5
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

    Update 12/16/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we made changes to the way we test noise handling. We now use a subjective evaluation of our audio clips. This new method has resulted in different results than what we had reported in our previous test bench. As a result, the scoring of this box has changed, and we have updated our results.

    The noise handling of the Sony WH-CH700N's microphone is okay. They're best suited for quiet environments as they struggle to fully separate speech from ambient noise, even in moderately loud places. It can also be difficult to understand your voice clearly in loud environments.

    Active Features
    8.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    Rechargable
    Continuous Battery Life
    34.1 hrs
    Additional Charges
    0.0
    Total Battery Life
    34.1 hrs
    Charge Time
    6.2 hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    Standby mode
    Audio While Charging
    No
    Passive Playback
    Yes
    Charging Portmicro-USB

    The Sony WH-CH700N have an excellent battery life, easily lasting a day, but they take over six hours to charge, which is one of the longest we've ever tested. If this is too long for you, we suggest taking a look at the Plantronics Backbeat Go 810 with their advertised quick charge feature that gives you 3 hours of playback for only 15 minutes of charging, though we don't test for this. On the bright side, The WH-CH700N support passive playback, so they can be used when the battery is dead, though they won't have wireless audio while charging like some of the other wireless over-ears we've tested.

    8.0
    App Support
    App NameSony| Headphones Connect
    iOSYes
    AndroidYes
    macOSNo
    WindowsNo
    Equalizer
    Graphic + Presets
    ANC Control
    On/Off
    Mic ControlNo
    Room Effects
    Yes
    Playback Control
    Yes
    Button MappingNo
    Surround Support
    Yes

    The Sony CH700N work with the Sony | Headphones Connect app, available for iOS and Android. The app is well-designed and intuitive and offers a good selection of features. It gives you access to a graphic EQ as well as presets and room effects can also be added or adjusted to change the soundstage to your personal preference. The noise cancelling feature can also be controlled but not to the extent of other Sony headphones like the WH-1000XM2. There are also no customization settings for the standby feature, which is a shame.

    Connectivity
    7.5
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    4.1
    Multi-Device Pairing
    No
    NFC Pairing
    Yes
    Line Of Sight Range
    185.00 ft (56.39 m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    182 ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    156 ms
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    200 ms
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    N/A
    iOS Latency
    151 ms
    Android Latency
    43 ms

    Update 12/17/2021: These headphones were updated to Test Bench 1.5 and their latency values have changed. Our previous Test Bench 1.4 measurements reported 'iOS Latency' at 263 ms. However, our new test bench uses an average of three measurements instead of one, resulting in 151 ms on iOS. As a result, we have updated our text to better reflect test bench 1.5 measurements.

    The Sony WH-CH700N don't have simultaneous multi-device pairing like many other options, including the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018. On the upside, they do support NFC, making pairing with compatible smartphones a bit easier. While their PC latency is quite high and their iOS latency may be noticeable, their Android latency falls within good levels. When streaming video on Android devices, your audio and visuals should stay in sync. It's worth noting that some apps seem to compensate for this, so your mileage may vary in actual day-to-day use.

    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    N/A
    Non-BT Latency
    N/A

    These headphones only connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.

    9.5
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    Yes
    USB Audio
    No
    DetachableYes
    Length4.10 ft (1.25 m)
    Connection
    1/8" TRS
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    0 ms

    The Sony WH-CH700N come with a regular audio cable that doesn't have an in-line remote/microphone or a USB adapter.

    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    Audio Only
    Wired USB
    No
    Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    Audio Only
    PS4 Wired USB
    No
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PS5 Analog
    Audio Only
    PS5 Wired USB
    No
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    Audio Only
    Xbox One Wired USB
    No
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    Audio Only
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    No

    The Xbox One doesn't support Bluetooth headsets, so you can't use the WH-CH700N wirelessly. You can use them wired by plugging them into the controller, but you won't be able to use their microphone.

    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    No Base/Dock
    USB Input
    No
    Line In
    No
    Line Out
    No
    Optical Input
    No
    RCA Input
    No
    Dock Charging
    No
    Power Supply
    No Base/Dock

    The WH-CH700N don't have a base/dock. If you want a versatile headset with a base that you can also use wired, check out the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.

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