Sony - WH-CH730N Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones - Black

The Sony Wireless Noise Cancelling headset is a great, lightweight headset, that wont leave you with a headache and will offer you superb sound that will leave you feeling like you were there live. The noise cancelling feature on the other hand left me desiring more as it lacked the ability to hold up to its predecessors. Lets get the basics out of the way. Out of the box you will find that you will need to provide your own charging block but the usb-c cable is provided. Full charge was accomplished within about an hour time and a full charge so far has yielded me about 40 hours of runtime while still maintaining 30% life left. Through the provided free app you get all the features you would expect to see such as a equalizer, action button mapping, noise cancelling settings and so forth. The first thing i noticed when pulling this unit out of the box was how incredibly light this headset is. I mean it is so slight it almost feels flimsy and cheap like its going to break however the chassis is pretty soft and somewhat flexible. Hours of runtime provide so much comfort that i almost forget that i am wearing a headset. What i really want to talk about next is the noise cancelling feature. So to give some perspective i have 2 other Sony noise cancelling headset so im comparing this feature truly to its predecessors as i feel that's a fair comparison to make. The noise cancelling feature on this headset is average at best and nothing more than that. Yes this headset try's to implement some A.I features to help zone out unwanted noises during phone calls which allows for voice clarity, which works remarkably well and provides better voice quality than my own cellphone in my opinion. However it falls flat on its face in the noise cancelling department. While there is a noticeable change when switching from ambient sound to noise cancelling so much noise pollution still bleeds through. If you are the type of person that likes to grab a book and read while at a coffee shop or maybe on the bus/subway ride home, your going to find that voices bleed through and full conversations can still be heard. While the roar of a jet engine from an airplane or the loud diesel engine from a city bus may be muffled out voices are not. I know enough to know your never going to get complete silence but on my previous Sony headsets voices are heavily muffled and are blocked out so well that it never takes away from me whatever i may be currently doing. I personally feel that the chassis, as light as it is, also serves as its downfall in the noise department. More surface area leads to more sound blockage and less surface area allows for easier sound penetration in my opinion. Even with adaptative sound control on, this did nothing to help the situation. I found that most times i didn't need to use the adaptive feature to turn off my sound controls when someone was talking directly to me due to the simple fact that i could still hear them with noise cancelling on. This is my only gripe with this headset especially since it's being marketed as such. Now the sound quality on the other hand, man that's where this unit really shines. One thing i love about Sony is their attention to detail when it comes to ensuring all sounds come through with crystal clear quality. Now out of the box i will say the default setting is horrible and you will 100% need to use the provided free app to dial in your EQ settings. Once i dialed in my settings to cater to my taste my music popped with such clarity that my current tunes gave me chills as they sounded different when put under a different microscope so to say. My mids and bass came in so well balanced and never took from my vocals. The fact that it was able to balance everything so perfectly with no distortion or drop outs was nothing short of impressive. Sony in my opinion earned their right to call themselves thee top competitor in this market and the headset is a testimony to that. One thing i do wanna say is that for people of heavy bass in the way of hip-hop/rap, keep in mind that the quality is good but it does not hit hard. Your not going to feel the drivers push the bass to the point of causing the speakers to reverberate inside the headset, so just one thing to keep in mind. At the end of the day this headset is awesome and provides some phenomenal voice quality when taking a phone calls or google meets. The sound quality of your music is insanely good once dialed in to your style of listening. The only reason (and i mean only reason) this does not get five stars is the noise cancelling, while still decent, is not the best in its current line up. When marketed as noise cancelling you really need to ensure it doesn't get outplayed by its older predecessors. Other than that, still a awesome buy thats worth it.

I really like seeing Sony offer a pair of over-ear wireless noise-canceling headphones in the new WH-CH730N for under $200. Sony has always been a company I've associated with quality audio products, and the WH-CH730N gives you a way to get into Sony's wireless noise-canceling headphones ecosystem without spending several hundred dollars, and after spending some time with them, I think Sony did a really good job balancing the features, comfort, and price. The first thing I noticed about the WH-CH730N is how well Sony balanced the overall size and weight. They don't feel overly bulky on my head, but they also don't feel like Sony cut corners just to make them lightweight. They have a good fit on my head, and the adjustable headband gives me plenty of room to get the right fit. I think the headband should fit most head sizes without an issue. Once adjusted, the earcups sit comfortably around my ears and create a good seal, which is important not only for comfort but also for getting the most out of the noise cancellation. The earcups and headband both have soft cushioning, and one thing I've really liked is that I haven't had an issue with them getting excessively hot or sweaty while wearing them for longer periods. Some over-ear headphones can get pretty warm after wearing them for a while, but that hasn't been a problem for myself with these. I liked to see that the headphones can fold up and swivel and lay flat on your chest, making them much easier to take with me on the go. When folded, they don't take up a ton of space and should fit into most backpacks, laptop bags, or travel bags. My one complaint is that Sony doesn't include a travel case. Since these are clearly designed with portability in mind, I think a basic hard or soft case would have been a nice addition to protect them while they're in a bag. It's not a deal breaker, but it's something I would have liked to see included. The active noise cancellation is another area where the WH-CH730N shines really well for the price. I wasn't expecting the same level of ANC that I would get from a much more expensive flagship pair of headphones, but for a sub $200 pair, Sony has done a really good job. The noise cancellation does a good job reducing the constant background noise around me such as fans and random background noises and makes it easier to focus on whatever I'm listening to. I also really like how easy it is to switch between Noise Canceling and Ambient Sound. It also has a NC/AMB button on the right earcup, that allows you to switch between the two modes without having to change it in the app. The ambient sound works really well when you need to hear what's happening around you or if someone is trying to talk to you while I'm wearing the headphones. There is one thing I should note: people with larger ears should be aware of. If you have slightly larger ears, I noticed that the ANC microphone inside the earcup sticks out slightly, rather than sitting flush with the speaker housing. Because of that, my right ear will occasionally rub against the microphone. It doesn't happen all the time and it hasn't made the headphones uncomfortable overall, but I did notice it after wearing them for a while. So, if you have larger ears, it's something to keep in mind because the way your ears sit inside the earcups could make a difference. Sony also did a good job with having physical controls. The power button doubles as the Bluetooth pairing button, so when I want to connect the headphones to a new device, I can simply hold down the power button to put them into pairing mode. There are also dedicated volume up and volume down buttons and a play/pause button, so I'm not relying on touch controls. I personally like having physical buttons because they're easy to find by feel when I'm wearing the headphones. The NC/AMB button can also be customized through Sony's app, including setting up double or triple-tap actions to launch a supported music streaming service. It's a small feature, but I like having the ability to customize what the buttons do instead of being locked into Sony's default setup. Battery life is another strong point. Sony rates these for up to 50 hours of battery life, and that's with noise cancellation enabled. Actual battery life will obviously depend on how I use them and what features I have enabled, but having up to 50 hours available is impressive for headphones in this price range. I would also recommend downloading the Sony Sound Connect app if you pick these up because that's where you really can get the most out of the headphones. The app allows you to adjust the EQ, customize different settings, manage the ANC and ambient sound, change button functions, and configure other settings. The custom EQ is a feature I appreciate, because I customize the sound profile to my liking. If I want a little more bass, some more treble, or a different overall balance. Pros Lightweight design Comfortable over-ear fit Soft earcup and headband Great active noise cancellation Physical buttons Up to 50 hours of battery life Custom EQ in the app Cons No travel case ANC microphone inside the earcup can rub against larger ears Overall, I think the Sony WH-CH730N is a solid choice if you're looking for a pair of over-ear wireless headphones with ANC without spending $400 or $500. I really liked how lightweight and comfortable they are, and just how good the ANC is. Sony did a great job of balancing the price to performance and you're getting a lot here for under $200. These feel like headphones that could easily compete with more expensive models while still being affordable and I highly recommend them.

I enjoy listening to music, so my collection of headphones has grown over the years. Now I get to add this new Sony WH-CH730N pair to my rotation. Here are some pros & cons, with the full writeup to follow. Good: Easy pairing 3.5mm port (no charge needed) Multi point pairing Bluetooth sound profiles Good bluetooth audio sync with TV Great TV audio clarity / Decent base EQ settings for TV Noise cancelling / hear through modes Weight Call Audio / Zoom Physical Buttons Battery Life Comfort Meh: Smaller ear cups 3.5mm port audio quality Sony App After unboxing the WH-CH730Ns, I found them to be very light, had good adjustments for head size and the ear cups can be turned flat and inward for ease of carry. I found the ear cups to be good, but on the smaller side compared to other Sony models I have. Also, in being so light, they also have a feel that reminds me of other less expensive Sony headphones - not at all like the XM5s. After charging them fully before first use (I do this for everything), my S26 Ultra noticed the headphones and prompted me to make a seamless pairing and then I used my already installed Sony SoundConnect App to manipulate a lot of the features that I’ve listed above. Pairing in general was never a problem, regardless of what I was connecting to. I noticed the 3.5mm jack on the side of these headphones, so I decided to see how it sounded connected to my MacBook Air’s headphone jack. There isn’t a power need using that port, however I found the sound pretty muddy - like I was outside the door to a concert, vs being in the same room. Running it through a DAC, I was able to EQ it to sound better, but the natural 3.5mm sound to me, wasn’t great - but would do in a pinch. When switched over to Bluetooth with no software EQ, it was much better and I found the native EQ (no EQ) to be sufficient in most situations, but the EQ style names seemed odd to me - not Rock/Jazz/R&B, but “hard/soft/clear.” Enabling DSEE helped with some sound enhancement for the music and made it a little less muddy, which you can tell for sure compared to the wired port that can’t have that “electronic” feature. Using the SoundConnect App has its benefits, though I was getting prompted to update firmware of the WH-CH730Ns but couldn’t ever figure out how to actually do that. In device settings, it can be a bit overwhelming to see all of the options but going through them individually shows just how much customization there can be. Quick access to Spotify, Youtube Music, Google Assistant, etc are all able to be made the way you like it. Physical click buttons made navigation of volume up/down music play/pause and power on/off easy and with quick access to NC/hear through, you don’t have to fiddle with an App to make changes. With multi-point pairing and watching TV with these headphones, my show would pause when the headphones cut over to play a notification sound from my phone. Not sure this mode is really worth it for me. But back to TV listening, I found the native bluetooth EQ to be perfect for any show - good clarity and sound all around and the timing was always in-sync; I never saw a delay in words or anything that made me need to reboot/re-pair the headphones. Also, I could wear them for hours without needing a break due to fit, them being too warm or the top of my head hurting. I found the noise cancellation to be pretty good and caused me to miss a few calls (was paired to my computer) – and the hear-through style mode also met my expectation for doing a good job, given I have used hear-through / ambient settings in both headphones and earbuds alike. As for call clarity, I used them on a few Zoom meetings that were recorded and was able to play it back to hear how I sounded and wow, they really do sound good. Using the noise cancellation for focus and the microphones do have the ability to drown out the sound of me typing loudly on my keyboard and tapping on my desk all while talking … I was and continue to be really impressed here. Lastly, battery life. Yes - huge battery life. I watched TV for almost a week at night without having to charge them and brought them wherever I went throughout the day. Recommended!

The first thing that surprised me about the Sony WH-CH730N headphones is how light they feel. They almost disappear on my head, which makes them much more comfy for long sessions and travel than many over-ear noise-canceling headphones that have more tech inside. They fold farely compact for travel and are supposed to last for 50 hours of playback with noise canceling on, so they are built for people who want to wear them for extended stretches rather than take them off after an hour. I don't know where the battery life comes from because they are so so light. Sound and noise canceling The sound is quite good for headphones at this value level. These are not audiophile headphones, especially with ANC engaged, but they deliver an enjoyable, generally balanced presentation instead of trying to win you over with exaggerated bass. That works well for the music and content I listen to, where clarity and balance matter more than having every track turned into a bass demonstration. I was happiest using a very mild curved EQ: a small lift to the lows and highs while leaving the mids essentially centered. Sony’s Sound Connect app provides EQ controls, so it is easy to tailor the sound without making the headphones feel unnatural. The active noise cancellation is sufficient and useful. I took these through an airport, and they did a good job reducing the general roar and background noise, which meant I did not have to turn the volume up just to hear my content. Sony does a respectable job for this class of headphone. Still, voice reduction was less effective than I would have liked. That is where the more sophisticated processing in Sony’s higher-end lineup likely earns its price premium. ANC is very very subjective. Sometimes ANC can make you dizzy when traveling in planes and trains, so be sure you try each brands' ANC yourself. Ambient mode needs refinement Ambient Sound Mode is useful in principle because it is meant to let you hear announcements and conversations without taking off the headphones. Sony provides adjustable ambient-sound levels and voice passthrough for that purpose. In my experience, though, I heard a whine at certain passthrough settings. Lowering the level made the whine go away, but that also reduces the usefulness of ambient mode in the exact scenario where I need it most—walking through an airport and trying to hear boarding, gate changes, or a group number. It is not a fatal issue, but it is the clearest performance compromise I noticed. Real buttons are a win I am very, very, very very very happy Sony used actual buttons. Volume, playback, calls, noise-control functions, and assistant access are handled with tactile controls rather than making everything a swipe or tap gesture. That may sound like a small thing, but it makes a major practical difference. I do not enjoy touch controls on headphones, particularly while traveling, wearing a hood, or trying to make an adjustment without taking the headphones off. With physical buttons, I know what I am pressing and get consistent feedback every time. This is one of the strongest parts of the overall user experience. The missing case There is always one thing, and here it is the lack of a travel case. These foldable headphones are clearly meant to go places, yet Sony does not include a protective pouch or case. For a modest increase in price, I think Sony could have included at least a basic hard or semi-hard case. It would make a real difference for protecting white headphones in a backpack, carry-on, or work bag and it would complete the purchase. Overall I am impressed with these. They are extraordinarily light, comfortable, nicely balanced for everyday listening, and equipped with ANC that genuinely helps in noisy spaces. The physical buttons are excellent, and the long battery life makes them a very practical travel and daily-use option. The tradeoffs are appropriate for the price: voice isolation is not flagship-level, ambient passthrough can have an annoying whine at higher settings, and the lack of a case is a frustrating omission. But if you want comfortable, balanced, lightweight Sony ANC headphones—and do not need premium-tier noise processing—these are an easy to buy. RECOMMENDED!

The Sony WH-CH730N Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are impressive. I didn't know what to think when I was opening the box because the packaging was surprisingly generic, but there was typical Sony quality sound packed inside. Though wireless, the headphones come with a standard right angle 3.5mm cable, should you desire to connect that way. Also included, is a "reference guide" - not to be confused with a User Guide. To get product user information (if you don't want to search online), you will need to download the Sony Sound Connect app to your phone because the software is only available for mobile devices (Android or iOS). However, you can still connect to your PC via bluetooth. And you are able to connect to two devices simultaneously, which is what I am doing, so that I can switch back and forth. They are charged via USB-C but a cable for that is NOT included, nor is a headphone case of any kind. I have plenty of USB-C cables on hand. Charging is very fast and Sony claims a full charge will last up to 50hrs with Noise Cancelling on and about 75hrs with it off. Pairing was very easy on both devices (iPhone and PC). The headphones come in pairing mode, but if you press the power button for about 7 seconds, you can manually put them in pairing mode if needed. That's it for setup! I find these headphones to be extremely lightweight, weighing in at ~207g, and quite comfortable for extended wear with the foam ear cushions - my ear actually goes inside a "cup" wrapped with the cushion, and the rose pink color makes them fun to wear. The sound is exactly what I would expect from Sony - and it got even better when I changed the equalizer settings in the app to better suit my taste - I enjoy less bass but more treble. There are pre-set modes for the equalizer as well as a choice for custom settings but all of them can be modified. When I got it the way I wanted, I cranked up the volume to see if there would be distortion and there was none! There are also settings for Adaptive Sound Control which you can set to automatically change if you are inside, outside walking, outside running or even in a vehicle. The noise cancelling feature works very well and is changed with a press of a button. I prefer noise cancelling on when I am home, but otherwise I really want to hear some ambient sounds - even if just for my safety when outside on a walk. When I receive calls or make calls, the multi-function button makes it super easy to do and the call quality on both ends is really very good. Another really cool feature is using the multi-function button to access my voice assistant - in my case, it is Siri. I ask her a lot of questions and I can tell her to play music and she automatically opens Spotify and plays my "liked songs" playlist. That same button is used to skip one song forward or back. And when I'm done using them for the day, I fold them up and put them in the drawer. Overall, I love these Sony WH-CH730N Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones. Could the sound be improved? Of course, if they were trying to make a higher-end headphone. But that's not what they are doing here. The sound is very good - I can hear the treble and bass and it is clear, with no distortion even at very high volume (PSA - don't turn them up too high. You don't want to damage your eardrum). These have added features like the user friendly equalizer and noise canceling. I can wear these for hours day after day without needing to charge them. They are very lightweight and so comfortable. I would highly recommend the Sony WH-CH730N Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones to anyone looking for some good headphones.