Sony WF-C710N: Exceptional Sound at an Affordable Price

Explore the Sony WF-C710N wireless earbuds' impressive sound quality and stylish design without breaking the bank.

Introduction to Sony WF-C710N

When Sony announced the wireless earbuds, Sony WF-C710N, the What Hi-Fi? review team felt a surge of excitement. Why the buzz? Well, the reasons are twofold. First, these earbuds are the successors to the WF-C700N, which have long been our top budget wireless earbuds and claimed the “Product of the Year” in the wireless earbud category at the What Hi-Fi? Awards.

Secondly, Sony has introduced a striking new finish in the WF-C710N. The casing and ear tips are not only transparent but also come in a cool blue hue—termed Glass Blue, to be precise—something we haven't seen from this brand before.

Needless to say, we were intrigued to see how well the Sony WF-C710N looks and, of course, sounds in real life. We’re excited to report that we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Sony WF-C710N: Price

To Sony's credit, they haven't raised the price of the WF-C710N, maintaining it at the same level as the WF-C700N. This means you’ll spend around $105 for a pair of earbuds.

However, it’s worth noting that the introduction of the new Sony WF-C710N appears to have led to more regular price drops on the older model, which is something to keep an eye on, especially if you're looking for a good deal.

At this price point, the WF-C710N stands out in a market filled with competitors both above and below, including Apple AirPods 4 and Sony's own WF-C510.

Another competitor worth considering is the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS.

Sony WF-C710N: Design

Before we dive into the Glass Blue color, let’s consider what's new in the design of the Sony WF-C710N. Pull the earbuds from the box, and you’ll immediately notice the body is chunkier and thicker than the C700N, hinting at what’s inside. However, if you choose the transparent casing, you can already see what's inside!

The earbuds are noticeably larger than their predecessors. The WF-C700N were among the smallest earbuds we’ve tested, while the WF-C710N feel bulkier (pun intended). But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

Some members of our test group found them easier to pull from the case and fit into place. Depending on the size of your ear, they may sit a bit snugger than their predecessors. It’s clearly a matter of personal preference, but those with smaller ears might still prefer a smaller pair. It’s worth a try if you have the opportunity.

We suspect the increase in size is due to Sony needing to accommodate several other design changes in the new model. Firstly, each earbud features an additional microphone for noise cancellation (more on that later). Secondly, the Sony WF-C710N has introduced touch controls and presumably all the accompanying electronics.

What about that Glass Blue finish? At least in our view, it looks cool and fresh. If you’re a tech enthusiast, you’ll likely enjoy peeking inside your wireless earbuds, and in this case, that’s certainly true.

The finish is also quite understated, so when the earbuds are in your ears, they don’t stand out too much. The touch surface is slightly darker and less transparent than the rest of the earbud body, keeping them from being too flashy.

One thing we'll be keeping an eye on as we use the earbuds is how the plastic performs over time. It feels nice to touch, smooth, and not too cheap, but we can imagine that scratches and scuffs will be noticeable, especially when light hits them.

For those curious, other available finishes include pink, white, and black—none of which are transparent.

The silicone ear tips used in the WF-C710N are nearly identical to those used in the WF-C700N, and you get three sizes included—XS, M, and XL—though we don't quite understand why they can't be simply called small, medium, and large.

Sony WF-C710N: Features

• Bluetooth: 5.3
• Supported Codecs: SBC, AAC
• Noise-Cancelling: Yes
• Battery Life: 8.5 hours (with BT + ANC), 30 hours (with charging case)
• Finish Options: x4 (Glass Blue, Pink, White, Black)
• Weight: 5.4g (each)

The Sony WF-C710N earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 (the previous model had Bluetooth 5.2) and codecs SBC and AAC, which are standard for devices at this level. Fans of aptX HD or Sony's proprietary LDAC codec may be disappointed that neither is supported, but we don’t consider this a big surprise.

The new model has an IPX4 rating, just like its predecessor, and supports multi-point Bluetooth connection, allowing you to connect two devices simultaneously.

The battery life of the Sony WF-C710N is eight and a half hours compared to seven and a half hours for the C700N. Add in the charging case, and the total battery life is 30 hours with ANC on and 40 hours with it off. As is customary at this level, the charging case connects only via cable (USB-C).

As mentioned, there’s an active noise cancellation feature, and Sony has added Dual Noise Sensor filters, enhancing performance over its predecessors. There are no settings here—the function is either on or off, which is to be expected at this price.

The touch controls take some getting used to and don’t always work as desired, but in the WF-C710N, they turned out to be relatively convenient. The slightly concave touch surface seems to help guide your finger to the right spot, and the controls respond to taps.

You can control various functions, from volume to playback and sound modes, as well as launch your virtual assistant if you wish. We would have liked a bit more customization, especially regarding volume adjustment, as repeatedly tapping the earbud to increase or decrease volume isn’t very convenient.

Sometimes it feels like you’re tapping the earbud to shove it deeper into your ear canal. We’d prefer a press-and-hold alternative, which is used by some competing manufacturers.

The automatic pause and earbud wear detection feature is new for the WF-C710N. You can take an earbud out, and the music stops, resuming when you put it back in. Additionally, the quick access mode can be activated by pressing and holding your finger on the surface of the right earbud.

This lowers the volume and activates the transparency mode so you can converse without removing the earbud, but we found the slight delay between pressing the button and the full activation of the mode too long, so we prefer just to remove the earbud.

Sony WF-C710N: Noise Cancellation and Call Quality

So, did the introduction of Sony's Dual Noise Sensor filters impact noise cancellation? We believe so. You can hear how the earbuds enhance noise cancellation and filter out one or two additional layers of sound, especially at low mid and low frequencies.

The Sony WF-C710N isn’t as perfect as more expensive rivals like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort earbuds, especially when it comes to high and mid-frequency noise cancellation, but those competitors are significantly more expensive. The active noise cancellation feature in the WF-C710N is a step up from the WF-C700N, and that’s all we can expect at this price.

Sony has also taken steps to ensure that call quality meets high standards. The WF-C700N employs a wind noise-reducing microphone design along with precise voice recognition technology for clearer calls.

During our testing, we found that the new model impresses for a product of its type. We noticed that our voices sounded clearer and sharper, while background noise, including light breezes, was better suppressed.

We’re not talking about incredible amounts, but it’s enough that the reviewer on the other end noticed the difference when comparing these two options.

Sony WF-C710N: Sound Quality

Before we dive into sound quality, it’s worth noting that our initial sample of the Sony WF-C710N, which we used for review, had a minor sound issue. We noticed what could only be described as a quiet, springy "thump" when walking or tapping the earbud. It was most noticeable when no sound was coming from the earbuds and with ANC or transparency mode activated, but it also interfered when listening to podcasts. We requested a second sample for review, which did not have this issue.

The Sony WF-C710N earbuds offer fantastic sound, and somehow Sony has managed to elevate their performance.

Playing Mombasa from the soundtrack to Inception, the track immediately makes bold and powerful moves. The bass sounds weighty, solid, and full, making the Sony WF-C710N feel light and slightly overloaded at the top end. The new model sounds better.

Sony delivers this song with genuine passion, and you feel the drama unfolding—you don’t need to watch the movie to grasp that something serious is happening.

The Sony WF-C710N delivers an impressive amount of detail for the price. Switching to Eminem's Mockingbird, the earbuds give you a bit of everything. You have clear, powerful bass that sounds weighty and well-balanced.

You’ll also hear energetic percussion and snaps that highlight the higher frequencies. The sound is clear but not overcooked—the notes are colored and well-defined.

In Eminem's vocals, there’s good detail and expressiveness, along with a natural warmth that resonates with listeners.

You also get Sony’s signature musicality in full force. The WF-C710N earbuds keep rhythm exceptionally well when it comes to the temporal gymnastics required in Radiohead's 15 Step. They always remain quick and don’t get bogged down by the music or lost in the million other elements present in the track.

Sony WF-C710N: Conclusion

We know we’re repeating ourselves, but this is another pair of wireless earbuds from Sony that are sure to impress.

Once again, the company has managed to elevate the performance of their budget earbuds. The Sony WF-C710N surpasses its predecessors in several key areas, including active noise cancellation performance and sound quality, all wrapped up in an attractive and comfortable package at a great price. Impressive.

• What are the differences between the Sony WF-C710N and its predecessor? The WF-C710N features improved noise cancellation, longer battery life, and a refreshed design.
• How does the sound quality compare to more expensive models? While the WF-C710N delivers impressive sound quality for its price, premium models like the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer enhanced features and sound performance.
• What is the battery life of the Sony WF-C710N? The earbuds provide up to 8.5 hours of playback on a single charge, with the charging case extending total battery life to 30 hours.
• Are there different color options available? Yes, the Sony WF-C710N comes in several color options, including Glass Blue, Pink, White, and Black.
• What should I consider when buying wireless earbuds? Consider factors like sound quality, battery life, comfort, and additional features like noise cancellation when making your decision.

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