Only performance, reliability and comfort can elevate a pair of wireless earbuds above the pack. Sony has been on a winning streak lately. If you’re looking for a pair of quality and budget-friendly ANC earbuds, WF-C700N could be just the thing you have been looking for.
Sleek design and decent battery life
The case the wireless buds come in is slightly different. The WF-C700N has a cylindrical case similar to that of WF-C500 but this is slightly smaller and thinner. And it looks very different from AirPods or Nothing Ear (2). Being small, it’s not noticeable when it’s in your pocket. The lid has a satisfying snap to it whenever you open or close it and the case itself has strong magnets in it, so taking your earbuds out and putting them back in is easy.
When it comes to battery life it’s not bad. The earbuds have a battery life of 15 hours (with case) and it’s with noise cancellation on but if you turn noise cancellation off, you should get around 20 hours (with case). These earbuds are a good option for someone who is always on the move or travelling a lot because the earbuds have good battery life. But when it comes to charging, this case just as you’d expect, charges via a USB-C port but there is no wireless charging. There are other noise cancellation earbuds in this price range that come with wireless charging, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2.
In terms of fit, it’s good and these go into your ear canal a decent amount, like Galaxy Buds 2 or Jabra Elite 7 Pro. Overall these earbuds fit well and they never wiggle out during normal activities like walking around. Being IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof, it’s fine to use them during workouts. On a personal note, these earbuds offer a slightly more comfortable fit than many Sony earbuds because it’s lightweight and sit more naturally in the canal.
Let’s talk about connectivity. Each earbud establishes a connection with your phone, so if you just want to use one earbud at a time, so be it. The earbuds support multipoint connection, so you can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time. It’s particularly helpful for power users who switch between devices constantly, like the phone and the laptop. And these two Bluetooth devices can be from any other company.
The earbuds are light and sit snugly in the ear canals
Clean sound profile
Listening to music or watching films, there is no lag and it can easily become your go-to device. There is support for SBC and AAC codecs, which are standard, but unfortunately it doesn’t have Sony’s popular LDAC codec, which is reserved for premium models and it’s a codec that can take a toll on battery life. The WF-C700N delivers high-quality sound thanks to DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine). Also, using Sony’s 5mm driver unit, the WF-C700N packs a punch, offering excellent bass and, more importantly, clear vocals despite their small size. You can also change your music to fit your taste with the EQ settings on the Sony Headphones Connect app.
For example, tune into Lauren Spencer Smith’s new album Mirror. On the song Best Friend Breakup, Smith’s big voice shines through. On Sam Burton’s album Dear Departed, the subtlety of the piano and the stings gets captured perfectly without compromising on the mournful vocals.In case you want more bass, there is always the option to turn it up through the EQ and it will not make the sound super muddy. If you want a brighter sound signature, turn to the EQ.
Controlling media is done through the physical buttons on the earbuds. They don’t have touch pads but through the app you can customise what these buttons can do.
What I miss on these earbuds are proximity sensors, so they will not automatically play or pause your music when you take them out of your ears or put them back in.
One of the highlights of the earbuds is noise cancellation. Do not expect them to block out as much noise as Sony’s more more premium ANC earbuds or AirPods Pro but it does a fantastic job with the sound of drilling and heavy traffic. It’s worth pointing out that it blocks out more noises than Galaxy Buds 2.
I use noise cancellation mostly during air travel, otherwise I am game for ambient mode. I want to hear some of the noises streaming in because that makes walking on the road safe. You can adjust the ambient mode to your liking and it does fairly well while cutting out noises in windy situations.
The microphone on the earbuds are decent and the voice retains clarity. Nothing Ear (2) has an edge in the microphone department.
There is good support in terms of app integration
Should you buy it?
Sony WF-C700N is a great set of earbuds with noise cancellation. The fit is fantastic and the case looks sleek. Needless to say, there is decent battery life even if you use them with noise cancellation turned on. I would recommend these to someone who likes a warmer sound signature. WF-C700N makes for a sensible purchase if you are looking for sonic sparkle without having to foot a hefty bill.
Mathures Paul
At a glance
Device: Sony WF-C700N
Price: Rs 8,990
High notes
Sonic clarity
There is EQ support
Decent battery life
Good noise cancellation
Muffled note
No proximity sensor