The Sony WF-XB700 Extra Bass headphones weren’t released to a ton of acclaim. They aren’t marketed for sports like Sony’s SP800N. They don’t have top-tier ANC like the WH-1000XM4 Bluetooth headphones. The bass-heavy WF-XB700 truly wireless earbuds still bring a lot to the table. You also won’t have to spend nearly as much. In our review, we break down everything that makes the WF-XB700s great budget earbuds and superb workout companions.
Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless Earbuds
Table of Contents
Design and Build
Sony’s WF-XB700 truly wireless earbuds are only available in black and blue. The truly wireless earbuds have a hard casing made of plastic and feel solid. On the outside, you’ll find round end caps with Sony’s logo on them. Each earbud has a small button on the bottom. More on those later. On the inside, you’ll find silicone ear tips. Sony provides extras within its packaging to help find the right fit. Attached to the ear tips is oval-like stumps that protrude vertically from the round end caps. This is a fairly unique approach design-wise. It also deviates from the design of recent truly wireless earbuds from Sony. If I’m being honest, they didn’t look like they would be comfortable. They happened to be one of the best features of these headphones in the end. Not only are they comfortable. They also sat securely in my ears during workouts. I often recommend headphones with hooks for exercise. A lot of earbuds just don’t stay still during intense workouts. That was no problem for the Sony WF-XB700 earbuds.
The hard buttons on the bottom of each earbud control playback. I’m fine with touch controls on many modern headphones. I’m also still very fond of tactile buttons on headphones when they are done right. I also find buttons preferable to most touch controls on earbuds when working out. There is much less space to work on smaller wireless earbuds. This makes touch controls a little more difficult during rapid movements. The Sony WF-XB700’s buttons have good tactile feedback. You’ll know when a press of the button has registered. A single press of the right button will pause playback. Two will skip to the next track and a triple press will take you to the previous track. Holding the right button for two seconds will activate your voice assistant. Google and Apple’s Siri voice assistant are both supported. Volume is controlled by the left earbud. Repeatedly pressing the left button will increase the volume. Holding the same button will decrease volume. The left button can also be used to power on the wireless earbuds.
Key Features and Specifications
Only the basic SBC and AAC codecs are supported on the Sony WF-XB700. Sony has unfortunately decided to only include Hi-Fi specs like AptX and LDAC in pricier headphones. They do have Bluetooth 5.0. It was easy to pair the headphones and I had no connection issues. The WF-XB700s carry an IPX4 water resistance rating. An IPX4 rating means protection against rain and sweat. This is important for those who will use these earbuds for working out. An onboard microphone is included on the XB700 earbuds. They’re just ok. They don’t do a great job of isolating your voice. In quieter environments, they performed better. There is no active noise cancelling on the WF-XB700.
Each of the XB-700’s earbuds can technically be used independently. The left earbud is the primary one. It’s the one Sony intends for you to use independently if that’s your preference. Let’s say you’re listening to both earbuds. You then remove the left (primary) earbud and place it on your desk. Playback will still continue on both, unlike some true wireless earbuds. Walking 20 feet away didn’t even impact playback when I replicated this exercise. Placing the left earbud into the charging case is the only thing that will break the connection to the right earbud. The left earbud will work independently even with the right earbud in the charging case. It’s not ideal. It’s also not much of a hassle if you really want to use the right earbud independently.
Sound Quality
Sony uses the “Extra Bass” label on many of its headphones. Its meaning varies, as we mentioned in our review of Sony’s WH-XB900N. I think the label is much more fitting on the WF-XB700 true wireless earbuds. The sound quality of the WF-XB700 is impressive at this price point. There is no especially wide soundstage or extra detail. It’s just a fun and dynamic sound signature done extremely well. The default sound signature definitely has a beefed-up low end. The XB700’s have a warm sound signature that still allows space for mids and highs to shine. They add some extra depth and punch to bass only when it’s called for. I think it’s a sound signature a lot of people can enjoy in various environments. At the same time, it’s the type of EQ many will LOVE for workouts. The deep and thudding bass is perfect for pushing through a long run.
How is battery life on the Sony WF-XB700?
The battery life on the Sony WF-XB700 earbuds is solid. They’re rated at 9 hours of battery life. I achieved just under 8 hours at moderate volume. The included charging case will give you another full charge. That’s a total of 18 hours of battery life. Charging cases are a mainstay with true wireless earbuds. Bulk is often the most common complaint about charging cases. Sony’s charging case for the WF-XB700 is luckily pretty slim. It’s compact enough to easily slip into your pocket. The plastic material doesn’t scream premium, but it feels solid. Each bud slides easily into the case with the help of magnets. The case also closes with more force than most charging cases. The top of the case is also somewhat translucent. This allows an easy view of the charging light inside the case. It’s a nice touch and an easy way to confirm your buds are charging. There is also a quick charge feature. A 10-minute charge will get you 60 minutes of battery life. A USB-C port for charging can be found on the back of the case.
Conclusion and Alternatives
You will of course find better all-around options for a pair of truly wireless earbuds. Sony’s WF-1000XM4 and the Apple Airpods Pro both have great sound quality, active noise cancelling, and more features. They both also require a much higher price. The WF-XB700s price makes them very appealing. What else does? They have qualities to make them an amazing pair of workout earbuds. There’s the dynamic and bass-heavy sound signature. IPX4 water resistance that protects from sweat and rain. Design-wise, the physical buttons are also easier during exercise. Lastly, they provide a comfortable fit and stay in place surprisingly well. The Sony WF-XB700 should be at the top of your list if you want a pair of affordable earbuds for exercise. The Jabra Elite 75t earbuds are another good alternative if you’re willing to spend a little more. They have more features, app support, and a bass-heavy EQ.
FAQs: Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless Earbuds
Is The Extra Bass Worth It?
Yes. The bass on the WF-XB700 earbuds is key to the dynamic sound signature. They provide punchy and deep bass that adds an extra dimension to the listening experience.
Do The Sony WF-XB700 Headphones Have a Quick Charge Feature?
Yes. You can get 60 minutes of battery life with a quick 10-minute charge.
Does the Sony Headphones Connect App work with the WF-XB700 earbuds?
Unfortunately, you can not connect the WF-XB700s to the Headphones Connect app. If you would like to customize EQ, you will have to try settings on the source device.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.