Sony’s newest true wi-fi earbuds are solely $100 | Engadget

Sony’s flagship noise-cancelling headphones and tech-filled true wi-fi earbuds have been refreshed with new 1000XM4 fashions in current months. However, the corporate’s extra inexpensive choices are nonetheless due for a refresh, and Sony begins that course of at the moment. With the WF-C500, the corporate provides a stable set of true wi-fi earbuds able to dealing with immersive 360 Reality Audio for $100. And if over-ear noise-cancelling headphones are extra your vibe, the WF-XB910N pairs ANC (energetic noise cancellation) with 30-hour battery life for $250. 

The true wi-fi WF-C500 replaces the WF-XB700 on the backside of Sony’s value vary. What’s extra, they’re $30 cheaper than the XB700 was initially at $99.99. This substitution is an efficient factor as a result of regardless of dealing with the fundamentals nicely, the tiered design wasn’t as ergonomic or comfortable as the corporate advised. With the WF-C500, Sony takes design cues from its high-end WF-1000XM4 earbuds. The result’s smaller dimension and a safer match that needs to be extra snug throughout hours of steady use. And an IPX4 ranking means you should utilize these throughout exercises with out worrying about moisture injury. 

Inside, the C500 is supplied with Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) that restores among the element misplaced when music is compressed for streaming over Bluetooth. The firm additionally permits you use sound presets and modify the EQ with its Headphones app. Plus, you will have the choice of listening in Sony’s 360 Reality Audio if you happen to’re keen to splurge for the priciest streaming plan on choose companies (Amazon Music HD, Tidal HiFi, and many others.). On-board controls provide the potential to handle music, modify quantity, take calls and activate a voice assistant with out reaching to your telephone. Lastly, the C500 offers you as much as 10 hours of listening time with one extra cost within the included case. A fast-charge function provides an hour of tunes in 10 minutes. 

The WF-C500 is out there for pre-order at the moment, however colours range by retailer. Sony will supply them in black, as will Amazon, Best Buy and Target. Exclusive colours embody white (Amazon), inexperienced (Best Buy) and orange (Target). The earbuds are set to ship in October. 

For the over-ear noise-cancelling crowd, the WH-XB910N replaces the WH-XB900N in the course of Sony’s headphone lineup. The value stays the identical at $249.99, however the firm provides a brand new design and improved ANC due to a Dual Noise Sensor. As the “XB” signifies, this mannequin is supplied with the corporate’s Extra Bass function that amps up the low-end tone when activated. DSEE tech makes streaming over Bluetooth a bit extra pleasing by restoring element misplaced to compression. The XB910N may also handle Sony’s 360 Reality Audio content material and employs Adaptive Sound Control, a staple of the corporate’s pricier headphones, that may routinely modify settings primarily based on exercise or location. 

Sony can be angling on the distant working crowd right here. The firm explains that Precise Voice Pickup tech makes use of a mixture of microphones and sign processing to amplify your voice on calls. There’s additionally “a more natural listening experience” in ambient sound mode as Sony says the XB910N can choose up extra of what is going on on round you. That’s useful whether or not it’s good to keep tuned in to what is going on on both at residence or within the workplace. On-board controls embody Sony’s fast consideration function which lets outdoors noise in if you place your hand over an earcup and there is a devoted button to rapidly change from ANC to ambient sound. 

Sony says the XB910N will last as long as 30 hours with the choice of 4.5 hours of listening time after a 10-minute fast cost. To additional cater to vacationers, the corporate opted for delicate, oval-shaped earpads for additional cushion and a design that folds flat for straightforward storage. If you favor to save lots of much more in your noise-cancelling headphones, the wonderful WH-CH710N will stick round and are currently $98. Although they lack lots of the useful options from Sony’s different fashions, the noise-cancelling CH710N are gentle and cozy, dealing with the fundamentals very nicely for that value.

The WF-C500 is out there for pre-order at the moment, and as soon as once more, the colours range by retailer. Sony will supply them in black, as will Amazon and Best Buy. Exclusive colours embody blue (Amazon) and grey (Best Buy). The headphones are scheduled to ship in October.