Compare Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Headphones vs Nothing Headphone (a)

LDAC evidence was mostly negative in the scored reviews, where multiple reviewers called out no LDAC or no hi-res LDAC streaming.

LDAC can produce a cleaner, clearer presentation than standard AAC on compatible devices, and reviewers value seeing it at this price.

Hi-res playback support was a repeated weakness in the scored evidence, with reviewers saying there is no hi-res or LDAC support.

USB-C high-resolution playback can add a small improvement in separation and detail, though the reviewer considered the difference minor.

Headband padding received limited but very positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the padding excellent.

The thin headband padding can create pressure on the top of the head during longer sessions.

Water and sweat resistance was a weakness, with reviewers noting no waterproof rating and limited exercise suitability.

IP52 is useful for sweat and light drizzle, but reviewers consistently caution that it is not protection for heavy rain or serious water exposure.

Audio-video sync was a limitation: one reviewer saw only minor issues, while another called out no low-latency mode for video and games.

Video use showed excellent sync in the tested cases, with reviewers reporting no noticeable Bluetooth lag during everyday playback and editing.

Setup simplicity was mixed to weak because two reviewers reported initial pairing issues.

Setup is consistently easy, with quick pairing and straightforward first-use behavior across the reviews that tested it directly.

Hinge durability was a concern in one review that warned pressure near the swivel could cause breakage.

The revised swivel hinges were specifically described as sturdier than the predecessor's.

Sustainability and repairability received limited positive evidence tied to long battery life reducing replacement frequency.

Repairability takes a hit because replacement ear cushions are not officially sold, limiting an obvious wear-part replacement path.

Durability over time was a concern because reviewers worried about cheap materials, drops, worn pads, and potential breakage.

Early durability impressions are positive, including flexible headbands, a sturdier feel, and one harsh accidental-impact test that left no visible mark.

Included accessories were limited, with reviewers noting only basic cables and no carry case.

The included cables make a positive impression, with one reviewer specifically surprised by their high quality.

Replaceable earpads received limited mixed evidence because the pads may wear but aftermarket replacements were mentioned.

The ear cushions cannot officially be replaced, which is a meaningful long-term ownership drawback.

Replaceable pads/headband evidence was limited and mixed, with worn pads mentioned alongside aftermarket replacement possibility.

The pads are not officially replaceable, and reviewers specifically note that Nothing does not sell replacement cushions.

Smudge resistance was mixed, with matte finish resisting fingerprints but the white colorway collecting dirt.

The glossy black finish can collect fingerprints and dust extremely quickly.

Low weight was a standout comfort advantage, with several reviewers emphasizing how light the headphones feel on the head.

At roughly 310g, the headphones are lighter than their predecessor but still heavier than many rivals, so some reviewers remain aware of the weight over time.

Clamping force was broadly well judged: secure enough to stay put but usually gentle enough for comfort.

Clamping force is a recurring comfort concern. Some find the grip secure and well judged, but several describe it as too firm during extended wear.

The headphones were described as discreet, slim, and subtle enough for public wear.

The design remains conspicuous rather than discreet. Reviewers who want headphones that blend in caution that these are intentionally attention-grabbing.

The included audio cable was criticized as potentially too short for some PC setups.

The included cables are mostly praised as sturdy or high quality, although one reviewer questioned the strain relief.

Headband adjustability received limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the extension sturdy.

Headband adjustment works, but multiple reviewers find the slider friction, top-mounted sizing, or general adjustment process fiddly.

Build quality was the most repeated compromise, with reviewers split between acceptable construction and cheap, plasticky, brittle feel.

Despite the move to more plastic, build quality is generally rated as sturdy and better than the price suggests. The construction feels less luxurious than flagship models but not broadly flimsy.

Reviewers generally found ANC did not damage the listening experience, with no major fatigue or radical sound shift reported.

ANC and transparency can slightly alter the tonal balance, especially by changing bass weight, but the effect is described as noticeable rather than disastrous.

Sound leakage evidence was limited but positive, with one review saying leakage was minimal.

Sound leakage is context-dependent: two reviewers noticed some bleed at louder levels, while another found virtually none.

Travel friendliness was mixed: ANC and battery help, but lack of a case and non-folding design reduce bag durability.

Travel use benefits from the huge battery and competent ANC, with reviewers reporting comfortable multi-hour or flight use in favorable fits.

Earcup padding was generally comfortable but not universally premium, with some sticky, thin, or fit-related complaints.

The large ear cushions provide plentiful padding and enough room to keep ears from feeling cramped.

The available evidence on ANC sound-signature impact was positive, with one reviewer saying ANC did not radically alter the sound.

Turning ANC or transparency on can subtly change the sound signature, most noticeably by adding some bass weight.

Codec support was viewed as limited because reviewers noted the lack of fancier hi-res options.

Codec support is useful but not exhaustive: LDAC is a welcome inclusion at this price, while one reviewer wished Qualcomm codecs were also available.

Connectivity options were positively viewed where reviewers emphasized both wired and Bluetooth listening.

Connectivity is unusually versatile, combining Bluetooth with USB-C digital audio and a 3.5mm wired option.

Ecosystem integration was limited by app/platform restrictions for certain 360 Reality Audio features.

Nothing-phone integration adds extra shortcuts such as Channel Hop, but some functions work best inside Nothing’s own ecosystem rather than equally across Android devices.

One review praised clarity at high volumes, saying the sound stayed clear rather than muddy.

Even when pushed loud, the headphones were praised for staying composed rather than falling apart with obvious distortion.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive in limited evidence, especially for users connecting a phone and PC through multipoint.

The feature set works well across Android and iPhone, making the headphones a strong cross-platform option rather than a single-ecosystem accessory.

Fit stability received limited positive evidence, with clamping force keeping the headphones in place.

Once adjusted, the fit can stay securely in place while walking without unwanted shifting.

Spatial audio evidence was mixed: reviewers liked the immersive effect, but noted limited app or subscription requirements.

Spatial modes are mostly a mixed-to-negative extra: several reviewers hear hollow, processed, or echoey results, while a minority find the Concert effect useful for expanding the presentation.

The 3.5mm input was viewed positively as a useful fallback for wired listening.

The 3.5mm input is genuinely useful for wired listening, including plane use while keeping ANC active.

Comfort was one of the strongest areas, with reviewers repeatedly praising the light fit for long sessions, commuting, and desk use.

Long-session comfort is highly head-dependent. Many reviewers wore them for hours or flights comfortably, while others needed breaks because of pressure, weight, or heat.

Smart listening features were received positively where tested, especially adaptive sound behavior and location/activity-based adjustments.

The smart feature set is broad and potentially useful, though one reviewer questions how often extras such as AI-oriented functions will matter in everyday listening.

Physical buttons were usually praised for reliability and ease, though some reviewers found the similar button shapes confusing.

The Roller, Paddle, and physical buttons are one of the strongest points of agreement. Reviewers repeatedly call them intuitive, tactile, distinctive, and easier to use than touch controls.

Midrange comments were mixed, with praise for vocals and clarity in some reviews but complaints about recessed, muffled, or muddy mids in others.

Vocals and mids are generally clear and well controlled, though a few reviewers hear recessed body or odd upper-mid emphasis in the stock tuning.

Premium feel was weak: reviewers said the headphones feel toy-like or below their price in material impression.

The plastic-heavy construction does not feel flagship-premium, and multiple reviewers notice the downgrade in material luxury compared with the Headphone (1).

Multipoint was repeatedly treated as a useful quality-of-life feature, with several reviewers praising device switching or dual-device use.

Multipoint is generally easy and reliable once enabled, with reviewers praising quick switching between a phone and laptop or other paired devices.

Microphone noise reduction was inconsistent: some reviews praised background and wind handling, while others found noisy environments a weak point.

Background-noise suppression can be impressively strong, including traffic, fans, and wind in some tests, but other reviewers found the voice processing less reliable.

Overall recommendations were mostly positive, especially for budget buyers who accept build and ANC compromises.

The overall recommendation is strongly positive: reviewers repeatedly call these an easy recommendation, a great pick, or a no-brainer in their price class.

Reviewers generally found the sound enjoyable and better than expected for the price, though not as resolving or dynamic as premium headphones.

Most reviewers find the sound enjoyable and impressively capable for the price, especially after a little EQ work. Critical listeners still hear some loss of refinement versus pricier models.

Advanced software features were a selling point overall, though one review emphasized that these are not loaded like Sony flagships.

The headphones pack in a broad modern feature set, and reviewers who discuss the software breadth consider it unusually rich for the price.

Swivel range was limited because the cups only swivel flat and the headphones do not fold.

The cups rotate for around-the-neck wear, but one reviewer found the rectangular shells rub or knock together when rotated.

Integrated microphone evidence was positive in the limited scored review, with speech remaining clear enough in office use.

The integrated microphone array can capture speech clearly in favorable conditions, although broader call-quality tests are more mixed.

Sensor coverage was weak because reviewers noted missing ear-detection or wear-detection sensors.

The missing wear sensor is a clear hardware omission because the headphones cannot detect removal for automatic pause behavior.

Voice-assistant integration received limited positive evidence as a hands-free control option through the physical button.

The dedicated assistant control is appreciated as a convenient physical shortcut by the reviewer who discussed it.

Wear detection performance was absent in the scored evidence, since the reviewer noted no wear-detection feature.

Wear-detection performance is effectively absent because the headphones do not detect removal for automatic pausing.

Value was one of the strongest consensus positives, especially when the headphones were discounted below full retail.

Value is a major strength across the review set. Reviewers repeatedly say the $199/£149 positioning delivers unusually strong battery, controls, features, and sound for the money.

Treble was often described as clear or detailed, but some reviewers found it peaky, fatiguing, or slightly rolled off depending on tuning.

Treble is often praised for crispness and detail, but several reviewers also report sibilance or abrasive upper frequencies on certain tracks.

Preset EQ profiles were praised in the two scored reviews for improving bass energy while keeping clarity under control.

The preset options are useful starting points, with Balanced often taming excess bass and the bass-focused modes appealing more to listeners who want extra low-end weight.

Call microphone performance ranged from very good and clear to merely acceptable, especially once noisy conditions entered the test.

Call quality is inconsistent across tests. Some reviewers hear clear, usable speech, while others report muffling, compression, or poor intelligibility in noisier conditions.

Instrument separation was praised in some reviews, but other reviewers found the headphones lacking resolution, definition, and complex-track clarity.

Instrument separation is usually described as clean and easy to follow, though it does not consistently reach the layering precision of more audiophile-focused rivals.

Frequency-response evidence was mixed: reviewers noted a warm, mostly pleasant balance but also bass emphasis, average timbre, and constrained openness.

The tuning lands between balanced and consumer-friendly V-shaped depending on the reviewer, with bass and treble emphasis keeping it from being truly neutral.

Passive isolation was adequate rather than exceptional, helped by padding but weaker than better-padded premium alternatives.

Passive isolation can be quite effective with a good seal, but glasses or fit issues can weaken it noticeably.

Design was generally seen as clean, minimalist, and better than expected for the price, though not premium.

The retro-futuristic, transparent styling earns substantial praise for being distinctive and fashion-forward. It is deliberately bold, so buyers who prefer conventional headphones may not share that enthusiasm.

The Sony app was a major positive, offering EQ, modes, setup controls, and added features, though some setup friction appeared.

Nothing X is repeatedly praised as a clean, fast, capable companion app with unusually deep control over sound and headphone behavior.

Bluetooth stability was a strength in the reviewed evidence, with stable connections and no signal interruptions reported after setup.

Bluetooth performance is a strength in the positive tests, with rock-solid connections, seamless switching, and no noticeable lag reported.

Auto-play and wear detection were clear missing features in several reviews.

Wear-detection auto-pause is missing, an omission reviewers consider surprising at this price.

Portability was held back by the non-folding design, despite the lightweight build and swiveling earcups.

Portability is a weak spot because the headphones do not fold inward and remain bulky in a bag, even though the cups can rotate flat.

Soundstage impressions split between wide or expansive in some listening tests and narrow, compact, or shallow in others.

Soundstage impressions are mixed. Some hear a notably open or wider-than-expected presentation, while others find it close, narrow, or only average for closed-back headphones.

ANC background-noise handling was mixed: low rumble and everyday noise improved, but traffic, high-pitched sound, and hiss remained.

ANC itself avoids obvious hiss in one test, while another reviewer hears a moderate background hiss in the strongest mode.

Immersive audio was one of the stronger technical positives, with reviewers praising 360-style spaciousness or high immersiveness.

The presentation can feel immersive for music, even if the dedicated spatial processing is less consistently liked.

Bass was a clear personality trait: many found it warm, punchy, or fun, while others called it boomy, shallow, or overemphasized.

Bass is one of the most divisive traits: many enjoy its punch and sub-bass weight, while others find the default tuning boomy, muddy, or overly dominant.

Battery life was a major consensus strength, with reviewers praising the 35-hour-plus ANC endurance and long real-world playback.

Battery life is the clearest consensus strength. Reviewers repeatedly call the 75-hour ANC figure and roughly 135-hour maximum class-leading, with real-world use generally supporting the claim.

Transparency mode was one of the better-received features, with reviewers calling it transparent or effective despite some hiss or limits.

Transparency is usable for conversation and awareness, but opinions range from natural and effective to boxy, dark, or slightly artificial.

EQ customization was one of the strongest feature wins, repeatedly described as effective, useful, and capable of improving the sound.

The advanced EQ is a standout feature, offering unusually deep frequency and Q-factor control for wireless headphones. It can substantially improve the stock tuning, though a few reviewers find it fiddly or constrained.

Wind-noise handling received limited positive evidence through Sony’s wind-reduction feature seeming to work.

Wind handling is inconsistent: some microphone tests suppress wind remarkably well, while another reviewer found wind routinely cut through during outdoor use.

Carry-case quality scored poorly because multiple reviewers noted that no case or pouch is included.

The drawstring pouch is one of the most repeated complaints. Reviewers generally see it as flimsy or inadequate protection compared with a proper hard case.

ANC was consistently useful for the price, reducing everyday noise and rumble, but reviewers rarely considered it flagship-class.

ANC is widely considered good to very good for the price, especially on low-frequency travel noise. It usually trails premium Sony and Bose models and can let more voices or higher-frequency sounds through.

Charging was strongly praised, especially the quick-charge behavior that several reviews highlighted as fast and useful.

Fast charging is excellent: several reviewers highlight that just a few minutes on USB-C can provide hours of playback.

Smart Pause performance was poor because one review explicitly noted no auto-pause when the headphones are removed.

There is no automatic Smart Pause when the headphones are removed, and reviewers explicitly criticize that omission.

USB-C was praised as a modern and useful charging standard, with fast charging mentioned in one video review.

USB-C is especially useful because it handles both charging and digital audio while retaining physical-control functionality in the tested setup.

Volume output drew limitations in flight or lower-volume listening, where reviewers needed higher volume or found detail lacking.

One reviewer found the maximum loudness a little restrained and wanted a few more volume steps for very loud listening.

Wear-detection auto-pause was missing, creating a risk of accidental battery drain.

Automatic pause on removal is absent and repeatedly called out as a feature reviewers miss.

Android pairing is especially smooth with Google Fast Pair, which worked seamlessly in the review test.

aptX-related evidence was negative, with one reviewer citing no low-latency codec support such as aptX-LL.

Auracast support was only discussed as a possible future capability, not a confirmed or praised current feature.

Auto-off was praised as helpful for preserving battery life.

PCMag awarded the headphones its Editors' Choice for midrange noise-cancelling headphones.

Bluetooth 5.2 was described as competitive in the reviewed evidence.

Wired listening was useful in a pinch, and one reviewer heard no major sound-quality penalty when using it powered on.

Fine detail is only average for the class: reviewers hear enough clarity for casual listening, but several note softer resolution and less precision than more expensive or hi-fi-oriented models.

The sound is lively and dynamic, with energetic playback that gives pop and electronic music plenty of momentum.

Feature depth was limited compared with higher-end Sony models, according to one scored review.

Gaming performance is promising in the test that covered it, with clear positional cues and useful low-latency behavior.

Glasses compatibility depends on fit: one reviewer found little pressure on glasses, another found them comfortable over spectacles, while seal loss bothered a different tester.

Imaging is strong enough for positional gaming cues such as footsteps and gunshots to come through clearly.

LE Audio readiness was speculative in the review evidence, framed as something Bluetooth 5.2 could support in the future.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive, although not unanimous. Most of the explicit satisfaction comments are enthusiastic, while one reviewer remains clearly lukewarm on the sound.

Streaming-service integration was constrained because 360 Reality Audio required supported paid apps in one review.

Mode-change audio cues are exceptionally clear and avoid the ambiguity or annoying spoken prompts found on some headphones.

Heat buildup is a recurring comfort weakness. The synthetic pads and closed design can make ears or the sides of the head warm, especially during longer sessions or workouts.

Xbox use is only partial: wired game audio works, but the reviewer could not get the headset microphones to function through the controller setup.