Sony WH-XB910N vs Sony WH-CH710N: More Affordable ANC

We all know Sony’s XM line is the king of active noise cancelling performance. Sony puts a ton of money into creating and marketing those ANC headphones. And it’s reflected in the price in the sale price of the latest Sony WH-1000XM5. But the XM line isn’t the only pair of Sony headphones with active noise cancelling. In this comparison, we’re reviewing the Sony WH-XB910N and WH-CH710N. We’ll help to identify the best choice for those in search of affordable noise cancelling headphones. Highlights of both products are below followed by an extensive comparison.

Product Highlights: WH-XB910N vs WH-CH710N

Sony WH-CH710N vs WH-XB910N: Key Factors

Battery Life and Charging

We know commuters and frequent travelers depend on ANC headphones to block out background noise. They also require enough battery life to get through their day without running to the charger. Both the Sony WH-XB910 and WH-CH710N perform well in this regard.

While the WH-XB910N provides 30 hours of battery life with ANC active, it can also achieve 50-hour battery life with ANC off. By comparison, the Sony WH-CH710N battery life is 35 hours with ANC and 45 hours when ANC isn’t active. In real-world usage, Sony WH-XB910N wireless headphones actually get closer to 40 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation enabled. While not as good as the 55 hours of ANC battery life the Soundcore Space Q45 provides, both these Sony headphones achieve good battery life.

The WH-XB910N also impresses when it comes to fast charging. A 10-minute charge provides for 4.5 hours of music playback on the WH-XB910N. That compares very favorably to the WH-CH710N’s meager 1 hour of battery life after a 10-minute charge.

Verdict: Sony WH-XB910N

Design and Connectivity

Neither of these Bluetooth headphones has premium build quality, but both feel well made. The hinges feel solid and the headbands feel rigid. The WH-XB910N material does feel a little more sturdy, but both feel like they will hold up well. Both are fairly lightweight and comfortable too, which sufficiently thick ear pads. They are still too bulky for most people to use as workout headphones. And neither pair of these wireless headphones carry an IP rating for water resistance.

The actual design style of the Sony WH-CH710N and WH-XB910N are nice, if somewhat plain. The WH-CH710N does feel a little more dated. The WH-XB910N has touch controls allowing users to control playback and phone calls. By comparison, the Sony WH-CH710N has physical button controls. Both control schemes are extensive enough, easy to learn, and found on the right ear cups. While both headphones can fold flat, only the WH-XB910N comes with a hard case for added portability.

When it comes to connecting the WH-XB910N and WH-CH710, both wireless headphones have strong Bluetooth connections and allow for a wired connection. The Sony WH-XB910N has Bluetooth 5.2 and the WH-CH710N has Bluetooth 5.0. The Sony WH-C710N does support NFC pairing, which is not supported on XB910N. SBC and AAC codecs are supported on both, but the WH-XB910N also supports LDAC. This is great for those looking to use their headphones to stream high resolution. Another omission of the Sony WH-CH710N is the fact that it can’t be connected to the Sony Headphones Connect app. Available on iOS and Android devices, the companion app greatly adds to the functionality of headphones. It allows users to update their headphones, tweak the clear bass or the EQ, adjust ANC, and more.

Verdict: Sony WH-XB910N

WH-CH710N or WH-XB910N: Which Has Better Sound Quality?

The Sony WH-XB910N and WH-CH710N both have unique sound profiles. While the Sony WH-CH710N has slightly overemphasized bass, the WH-XB910N is part of the extra bass lineup. And the Sony WH-XB910N extra bass headphones live up to their namesake. For those looking for the best bass-heavy headphones, the Sony WH-XB910N is one of our top choices. Making a good pair of bassy headphones isn’t easy. There’s always the chance the bass overdoes it to the point of drowning out the mid-range and higher frequencies. This will always be somewhat the case with bassy headphones, but the WH-XB910N default EQ balances this well.

There’s a ton of thump available to bass lovers on the Sony WH-XB910N. Even songs that aren’t bassy can sound a little warm at times. But the rumbling bass isn’t going to be nearly as forceful as we experienced in our Skullcandy Crusher Evo review. Vocals and instruments don’t sound too recessed during music playback despite this bass-heavy EQ. More critical listeners will notice some instruments can come off as a little bright. It’s an overall full and warm-sounding EQ. For certain users and genres of music, this won’t be an ideal EQ. Luckily, you can modify the Sony WH-XB910N’s EQ with the Headphones Connect app. Dialing back the bass may be helpful for certain genres of music.

Unfortunately, the Sony WH-CH710N can not be connected to Sony’s companion app. Users who want to tweak the Sony WH-CH710N EQ will have to find another route. In some regard, that makes the less bassy EQ a good thing. The frequency response on the Sony WH-CH710N is closer to neutral than the WH-1000XM4 in regard to bass. It’s not perfect though. Some higher frequencies can sound a little recessed. This can result in less detailed and crisp instrumentation at times. It still might be the more versatile EQ, if it wasn’t for the WH-XB910N’s ability to adjust EQ using the companion app.

While the default EQ for the Sony WH-XB910N may not be for everyone, it’s a fun music-listening experience. It also has a more detailed sound quality and EQ customization. In addition to LDAC, it supports Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) to enhance compressed audio. While both Sony headphones have an integrated microphone for phone calls, they’re nothing to write home about. Your voice won’t always come through very clearly, but it’s acceptable for occasional video or phone calls. A dedicated headset would definitely be preferable. A cheaper headset may be ideal as many Bluetooth headphones unfortunately just don’t prioritize call quality.

Verdict: Sony WH-XB910N

Sony WH-XB910N vs WH-CH710N: Which Has Better Noise Cancelling?

Neither of these ANC headphones will rival the active noise cancelling of the Sony XM line. But that doesn’t mean their ANC performance isn’t effective. The Sony WH-XB910N will be better overall at reducing background noise compared to the WH-CH710N. Like most ANC headphones, they have a noticeable impact when reducing low-frequency sounds. It’s also moderately effective for higher frequencies like nearby conversations. While this is where a pair of mid-range ANC headphones often falter compared to premium options, the Sony WH-XB910N holds up fine. While it’s not ideal for particularly noisy commutes, it’s a good fit for those who don’t require premium active noise canceling.

In regard to active noise cancelling, the Sony WH-CH710N headphones are good for their price. They fare surprisingly well with higher frequencies when compared with the WH-XB910N. For lower frequencies, the ANC performance gap widens a bit. They’re a solid choice for entry-level noise cancelling headphones. But buyers shouldn’t expect them to compare to premium or even midrange competitors.

I should add that Sony’s companion app can also be used to adjust noise canceling levels. The Sony WH-XB910N’s speak-to-talk mode also allows users to temporarily activate transparency or ambient mode. Speak-to-talk mode is activated by holding your palm over the right ear cup of the Sony WH-XB910N. Both of these Sony Headphones have an ambient mode. Each has an ANC button to switch between Ambient Mode, ANC, and ANC off. Ambient Mode allows users to hear external noise for added situational awareness.

Verdict: Sony WH-XB910N

Conclusion and Alternatives

While neither of these noise-cancelling headphones is as premium as the WH-1000XM5, the Sony WH-XB910N is closer. The WH-XB910N has solid noise cancellation, good battery life, a dynamic EQ, and great connectivity. While the Sony WH-CH710N are solid entry-level ANC headphones, Sony really hamstrung them by omitting app support. To be fair, they also sell for over $100 less than the WH-CH710N. This means shoppers on a budget can still achieve some cost savings.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 or XM5 is the obvious upgrade option for the best noise-cancelling performance. The Bose QuietComfort 45 will also have better ANC performance and a more neutral EQ. Another substitute in a similar price range to these Sony headphones is Soundcore’s line of ANC headphones. If you’re looking for great app support and a bass-heavy EQ, the Soundcore Life Q35 is great. It holds its own when compared with the Sony WH-1000XM4 and has great battery life.

FAQs About Sony WH-XB910N & WH-CH710N