Compare Sony WF-C710N Earbuds vs Sennheiser CX 80U Wired Earbuds

ANC was the clearest consensus strength, repeatedly described as highly effective, above its price class, and unusually strong for budget earbuds.

Android compatibility was positive where tested, including Android pairing and no cross-platform issues.

Android-style USB-C use was strong in Tom’s Guide testing, where the earbuds worked seamlessly with a Google Pixel phone.

The app was mostly praised for control and customization, but some reviewers wanted easier setup, more features, or fewer connection frustrations.

Tom’s Guide noted there is no companion app, but judged that absence as not a major drawback for these wired earbuds.

aptX support was criticized as absent, especially because some cheaper or similarly priced earbuds offer it.

Bass was one of the most praised traits, usually described as powerful, punchy, deep, or dynamic, with a minority saying it can overpower the mix or sound too heavy out of the box.

Bass was generally described as clean, responsive, punchy, and powerful, though both transcripts noted the deepest sub-bass lacked some weight.

Battery life was usually praised as long or above average, though one reviewer fell short of Sony’s claim in mixed ANC/ambient use.

Bluetooth reliability was mixed, with several reviewers reporting no issues or stable switching, while others encountered dropouts, app reconnection problems, or buzzing.

Build quality was mostly solid for the price, though some reviewers described the plastics as slightly plasticky.

TechRadar explicitly praised the earbuds’ build quality as impressive for the budget category.

Tom’s Guide treated the built-in DAC and hi-res playback support as a major selling point for budget wired earbuds.

Control usability was limited by awkward volume gestures and limited customization despite some responsive touch surfaces.

Control usability was mixed: TechRadar disliked the missing volume buttons, while Tom’s Guide praised the button feel and responsiveness.

Cable quality/accessories drew mild criticism because one reviewer wanted a longer USB-C-to-USB-C charging cable.

Cable quality drew criticism from Tom’s Guide because the wires lack anti-tangle design and bunch up in a pocket.

Carry case quality split reviewers, with some finding it premium or sturdy and others calling it plasticky, chunky, cheap-feeling, or less sturdy over time.

Charging was mixed: quick charging earned praise, but the lack of wireless charging was a repeated limitation.

Codec support was a recurring weakness because reviewers repeatedly criticized the earbuds for offering only AAC/SBC and lacking higher-quality options.

Comfort was a major strength, with many reviewers saying the earbuds remain comfortable for hours or even all day.

Comfort was excellent across both reviews, including multi-hour listening with no irritation and full marks for long-period wear.

Design opinions were mixed but leaned positive, especially for the transparent Glass Blue finish; some reviewers found it toy-like or only average.

Design reactions were split: TechRadar loved the classy look, while Tom’s Guide found the lowkey all-black design unflashy.

Eartip fit was usually secure and comfortable when the right size was found, though smaller ears and seal sensitivity remained caveats.

Fit was a major positive, with the right seal improving comfort and Tom’s Guide’s chosen tips staying put securely.

Ear tip options were limited, with one reviewer warning that three sizes and no stabilizers may not suit many users.

Both reviews valued the supplied eartip options because they helped users find a better fit and seal.

EQ customization was useful and often appreciated, though some reviewers wanted deeper controls or found Sony’s personalization basic.

Equalizer customization is limited, but Tom’s Guide did not feel a need to tailor the sound profile during use.

Frequency balance was mostly praised as balanced or preference-aligned, though one reviewer wanted more middle and high-frequency presence.

The tonal balance was broadly praised as full-range and accurate, but Tom’s Guide still noted the lowest frequencies were less refined.

Included accessories were adequate but not generous, with one reviewer wishing Sony supplied a better charging cable.

Instrument separation was praised in several reviews, with reviewers hearing clear placement, detail, and separation across layered tracks.

Instrument and vocal separation were praised, with layers avoiding muddiness and words not bleeding together.

Integrated microphones were generally adequate to good for calls, with stronger indoor performance and weaker results in noisier conditions.

The integrated mic was usable but not impressive, with decent voice clarity offset by static and limited call quality.

LDAC support was repeatedly called out as missing, which reviewers saw as disappointing for Sony earbuds and a drawback for serious listeners.

Lossless audio support was weak because one reviewer explicitly noted the lack of aptX lossless and LDAC.

Tom’s Guide praised the earbuds for lossless, low-latency playback support up to 24-bit/96KHz.

Maximum-volume clarity was mixed, with reviewers noting muddier mids at high volume and occasional treble distortion.

At peak volume, the TechRadar review found the treble stayed controlled instead of becoming harsh or tinny.

Microphone noise reduction was often praised for wind and background suppression, but a few reviewers said voice quality suffers or becomes hard to understand in noisy settings.

The mic picked up noticeable background static, suggesting weak noise handling during recording or calls.

Call microphone quality ranged from clear and impressive to merely usable, with the best results in quiet or moderate environments.

Call mic performance was a weakness in TechRadar’s testing, with acceptable voice clarity but below-best call quality.

Midrange clarity was generally positive, especially for vocals, but some reviewers said heavy bass or higher volumes can make mids muddy or constrained.

Mids and vocals came through clearly, with one review praising robust balance and the other emphasizing intelligible, separated vocals.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive in the one review that tested both iPhone and Android without issues.

Multi-platform compatibility was strong, with Tom’s Guide reporting seamless use across a Pixel phone, MacBooks, and an iPad.

Multipoint was valued when it worked, but one reviewer reported disruptive dual-device buzzing, making reliability context-dependent.

Passive isolation received strong marks where tested, with reviewers crediting the ear tips and secure seal for blocking outside noise before ANC.

Passive noise isolation was repeatedly praised, with the seal and eartips blocking office chatter and reducing external sounds well.

Portability was mostly good because the case fits pockets, though several reviewers called it bulkier than rivals or less ideal for tight pockets.

Pocket portability is undercut by the cable tangling and bunching, which Tom’s Guide found annoying to manage.

Preset EQ profiles were viewed positively when reviewers found bass boost, Excited, or Bright profiles useful for shaping the sound.

Wear-detection sensors were praised as smooth, useful, and battery-saving.

Sidetone was weak in one review because the earbuds did not feed enough of the caller’s own voice back during calls.

Smudge resistance was mixed, with one reviewer finding the case not fingerprint-prone and another saying it attracts fingerprints and dust.

Software/setup simplicity was mixed, with one reviewer praising guided EQ setup and others reporting frustrating app signup or connection issues.

Setup simplicity was excellent because the USB-C plug-and-play interface worked without friction.

Reviewers broadly found the WF-C710N enjoyable and strong for the price, with praise for full, engaging sound, though a few noted merely average or bass-heavy tuning.

Reviewers strongly praised the CX 80U’s sound for detail and refinement, while one review framed it as mostly superb because the lowest bass was weaker.

Soundstage depth received positive comments around three-dimensional space, soundstage, and bass/soundstage impact.

One lab-based review credited the earbuds with wide, clearly defined spatial presentation.

Both reviewers found a convincing sense of space, including defined treble placement and a notably wide soundstage.

Spatial audio support was not a major draw, with reviewers noting limited service support or calling the feature unimpressive.

Stability was polarizing: some reviewers had no fallouts, while others found the earbuds slipped during running or were insecure for workouts.

Stability was excellent in Tom’s Guide testing, with the earbuds staying in place while stationary and walking.

Touch control responsiveness was generally good, but repeated taps and accidental triggers made the control experience uneven.

Transparency and ambient modes were mixed: some reviewers found them useful or excellent, while others noticed hiss, delay, or weaker high-frequency reproduction.

Treble was often described as crisp, clear, or detailed, though several reviewers noted missing upper-treble detail or occasional distortion.

Treble was a strength in both reviews, staying vivid and bright without turning harsh, tinny, or shrill.

USB-C was a major advantage in both reviews, improving fit with modern devices and making the earbuds more versatile.

Value was one of the strongest themes: reviewers consistently saw the WF-C710N as a strong budget buy despite compromises in codecs, case feel, controls, and fit.

Value was a standout strength in both reviews, with strong praise for the sub-$40 sound and overall bang for the buck.

One reviewer highlighted strong volume output, describing the earbuds as loud and energetic.

Water and sweat resistance was seen as adequate for light workouts or casual use, though not all reviewers trusted the fit for exercise.

Water resistance was a limitation because TechRadar wanted at least IPX4-style splash protection and found no waterproofing claim.

Low weight supported comfort, with reviewers noting the earbuds are light enough to forget they are being worn.

Tom’s Guide tied comfort and stability partly to the very light individual earbud weight.