The C710N may be a mid-range $120 headset, but its long list of features punches the headset above its weight. Starting with the basics: there’s active noise cancellation (ANC), a customizable ambient sound mode, customizable equalizer (presets and sliders), multi-point connectivity, reconfigurable touch controls, and auto-pause when you remove the earbuds from your ears. At the more advanced end of the spec sheet, you get Adaptive Sound Control: Sony’s own tool that automates changes to sound settings based on activity or location. There’s also a custom equalizer, support for 360 Reality Audio, DSEE upscaling, and a Quick Attention feature that lowers the volume and turns on ambient sounds for short chats. The only glaring omission here is Speak-to-Chat, which automatically does the same thing as Quick Attention when you start talking, but I’m not surprised this was left out of a $120 pair of headphones.
ANC performance is impressively good on the C710N, performance that generally eludes competitors in this price range. I particularly noticed that these headphones blocked out human voices better than average, as I was able to reduce the volume of nearby conversations significantly in most cases. I’m not talking total silence, but the noise cancellation is above average if you’re around someone you’d rather not listen to at full volume. Constant distractions like noisy fans are also reduced, but not completely eliminated, so this is also better than what you get with many similarly priced options.
What’s not to like about the WF-C710N?
Compared to other mid-range headphones, the C710N’s sound quality is slightly above average, but at this price, it might be enough to keep you satisfied. The bass is tight and powerful, but often drowns out the mix in hip-hop, rock and metal – basically any genre with an intense beat. And when you move to something softer like bluegrass, the bass still limits the highs and mids. Depending on the song, the treble can be noticeable, but a mid-EQ boost would do wonders for the overall depth of the sound here (you’ll need to leave DSEE enabled). Is it enough for someone looking to buy headphones on a budget? YES. Is the audio performance comparable to flagships like the WF-1000XM5? Not even close.
In my tests, the C710N didn’t last as long as Sony promised. The company says you’ll get up to eight and a half hours of charge time with ANC enabled. However, with a combination of noise reduction and ambient sound mode, I only got between six and a half to seven hours. This is a respectable figure, but if you want to use them for a full work day, you may not be able to. This is especially true if you need to take them with you on the way to work.
Although the C710N offers a “record voice during a phone call” option in the Sound Connect app, you won’t get much information through the headphones in this scenario. Even with ambient sound on, I still felt the need to talk more than usual, so voice and video calls weren’t as natural as they could have been. Overall, Sony’s claims of “clear calls” fall short, as the sound seems okay, but not perfect. The C710N blocks most background noise, but voice quality is significantly affected. All this means that these headphones can be used for calls when you really need them. But if it’s important that the sound is intelligible during conversations, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Final verdict on the WF-C710N
If your primary concern is comfort and functionality, the C710N will serve you well. The sound quality isn’t the best, but it’s not bad either, so I have no doubt that many will be happy with it. If it could match (or even beat) Sony’s advertised battery life, it would be easy to recommend these headphones. Still, they’re still a solid option, especially at $120, as the company once again outdoes its mid-range competitors with more practical tools you won’t find anywhere else. The C710N is certainly a better option than the slightly cheaper Beats Solo Buds, which now cost $99.95 ($80 at launch).
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