The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 760NC are two fairly affordable headphone options, offering quality sound, long battery life, and useful features without breaking the bank. In this quick comparison, we’ll look at the key strengths of each model to help you decide which is the right pick for your needs and budget.
- Battery Life: 40 Hours (35 w/ ANC)
- ANC: Solid Performance
- Sound: Balanced & Slightly Warm
- Cost: $
- Battery Life: 50 Hours
- ANC: N/A
- Sound: Neutral and Full
- Cost: $
Table of Contents
Comparison Table: Sony WH-CH520 vs JBL Tune 760NC
| Features | Sony WH-CH520 | JBL Tune 760NC |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Headphones | On-ear | Over-ear |
| Weight | 5.19 oz | 8.3 oz |
| Total Battery Life | 50 hours | 50 hours (35 w/ ANC) |
| ANC Support | No | Yes |
| Wired Connection | No | Yes |
| Fast Charging | 3-min charge = 1.5 hours | 5-min charge = 2 hours |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Codec Support | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| App Support | Yes | No |
| Customizable EQ | Yes | No |
| Included Case | No | No |
Feature Comparison: JBL Tune 760NC vs Sony WH-CH520
Headphone Type:
The Sony WH-CH520 are wireless on-ear headphones, while the JBL Tune 760NC are over-ear headphones. On-ear headphones are more compact and portable, but over-ear models offer better noise isolation and comfort for long listening sessions.
Battery Life:
The JBL Tune 760NC offers up to 50 hours of battery life without ANC enabled, and up to 35 hours with ANC on. The Sony WH-CH520 provides up to 50 hours of battery life. Both headphones offer exceptional battery life, with the JBL having a slight edge when ANC is disabled.
Weight:
The Sony WH-CH520 weighs 147 grams or 5.19 ounces, making them very lightweight. The JBL Tune 760NC is heavier at 236 grams or 8.3 ounces, which is typical for over-ear models. The lighter weight of the Sony makes them better suited for on-the-go use.
Active Noise Cancelling:
The JBL Tune 760NC feature active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out ambient noise, while the Sony WH-CH520 do not have ANC. ANC is useful for reducing distractions and improving sound quality in noisy environments.
Passive Playback:
The JBL Tune 760NC can be used with a wired connection via an aux cable, but the Sony WH-CH520 cannot. Having a wired playback option allows you to continue listening if the headphones run out of battery. It also allows user to listen to lossless, uncompressed audio.
Supported Codecs:
Both headphones support SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, but neither supports any advanced codecs like LDAC. LDAC would provide higher resolution audio quality over Bluetooth.
Fast Charging:
The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 760NC both offer fast charging – the Sony gets 1.5 hours of playback from a 3-minute charge, while the JBL gets 2 hours from a 5-minute charge. Fast charging is convenient when you need to quickly top up the battery.
Charging Connection:
The JBL and Sony both use a USB-C charging port, which is the latest standard and offers faster charging speeds.
Bluetooth Connectivity:
The Sony WH-CH520 has Bluetooth 5.2 while the JBL Tune 760NC uses Bluetooth 5.0. Both Bluetooth devices support multi-point pairing. Bluetooth 5.2 offers longer range and better stability.
Companion App:
The Sony headphones have the Sony Headphones Connect app with customizable EQ. The JBL lacks a companion app. The app allows you to tweak sound settings.
Included Case:
Neither model includes a hard carrying case in the box. A case helps protect the headphones when traveling.
In Conclusion: Are The JBL Tune 760NC or Sony WH-CH520N Better Headphones In 2023?
Most buyers will be happy saving $70 and going with the very capable Sony WH-CH520 in 2023. The main thing given up is noise cancellation, but the WH-CH520 makes up for it with surprising and balanced sound quality at an affordable sub-$100 price point. However, at $130, the noise cancelling performance is not as good as more premium ANC headphones that cost over $200.
For a pair of headphones under $100, the Sony WH-CH520 provides impressive sound quality with its very accurate and balanced audio reproduction across lows, mids, and highs. Unless you need active noise cancelling for travel or commuting, the Sony WH-CH520 are the better value headphones this year. You can check out our guide for some of top noise-cancelling headphones available.
JBL Tune 760NC vs Sony WH-CH520N: FAQs
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What Is The Main Difference Between The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 760NC?
The main difference between the Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 760NC headphones is that the JBL model has active noise cancellation while the Sony does not. The more affordable Sony WH-CH520 relies solely on passive noise isolation from its more portable, on-ear design.
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Can I Use Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 760NC for phone calls?
Yes, both Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 760NC have a built-in microphone, allowing you to make and receive phone calls while wearing the headphones.
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Which headphones are more affordable, Sony WH-CH520 or JBL Tune 760NC?
The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 760NC retail for $60 and $130, respectively. While the JBL Tune 760NC is more expensive, it is the older device and often goes on sale.
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Which headphones have longer battery life, Sony WH-CH520 or JBL Tune 760NC?
Sony WH-CH520 offers a longer battery life compared to JBL Tune 760NC. This means you can enjoy your music for a longer period before needing to recharge the headphones.
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Which headphones have a better design, Sony WH-CH520 or JBL Tune 760NC?
With its faux leather padding and sleek color options, the more expensive JBL Tune 760NC has a slightly more premium look and build quality than the budget Sony WH-CH520.
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.