A comfortable fit, feature-packed design, and strong ANC performance are the standout highlights.While Sony’s premium 1000X earbuds often steal the spotlight, the company’s more affordable lineup holds some impressive surprises. The LinkBuds series, for instance, delivers strong performance at around $100 less than the flagship WF-1000XM5. Sony has also introduced several standout models under $150, including the recently launched WF-C710N priced at $120. These earbuds offer a comfortable fit, a feature-rich experience, and above-average active noise cancellation (ANC). However, there are a few trade-offs to be aware of before making your decision.
The WF-C710N punches above its weight in many areas, outperforming other earbuds in its price range — but don’t expect premium-tier audio performance.
Pros:
- Sleek, compact, and comfortable to wear
- Packed with useful features
Cons:
- Decent sound quality, but not exceptional
- Battery life falls a bit short of expectations
What Makes the WF-C710N Stand Out?
Sony’s WF-C710N builds on the success of the WF-C700N from 2023, a strong mid-range option known for its compact design and practical features. While the overall look remains similar, Sony has made subtle yet impactful updates. The most noticeable? The touch controls are now easier to find, thanks to concave circular panels. There’s also a cool new transparent blue color that lets you peek inside the earbuds and case—very reminiscent of the Beats Studio Buds + aesthetic. And honestly, the more transparent tech, the better.
One of the biggest advantages of the C710N is its size. Compared to many other earbuds in this price range, these are significantly more comfortable for extended wear. They rest nicely on the ear’s ridges without adding noticeable weight or bulk that sticks out awkwardly. It’s clear that Sony has carefully optimized the ergonomics here—I had no issues wearing them throughout lengthy battery tests. That’s not something you can say for every pair of budget-to-midrange earbuds.
Although priced at just $120, the WF-C710N packs a robust feature set that exceeds expectations. You get all the essentials:
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Adjustable ambient sound mode
- Customizable EQ with presets and sliders
- Multipoint connectivity
- Reconfigurable touch controls
- Auto-pause when you remove the earbuds
But it doesn’t stop there. On the advanced side, there’s Adaptive Sound Control, a smart feature that automatically adjusts sound settings based on your activity or location. You’ll also find 360 Reality Audio support, DSEE upscaling, Quick Attention mode (which lowers volume and enables ambient sound for brief conversations), and a personalized EQ. The only real omission? Speak-to-Chat, which would have added hands-free convenience by auto-enabling ambient mode when you start talking. Still, that’s a fair trade-off at this price.
As for performance, the ANC on the C710N is impressively effective, especially for its price point. Human voices—a common weakness for ANC tech—are significantly reduced, making nearby conversations far less intrusive. While it won’t completely silence everything, it does a solid job muting general chatter and even helps soften constant sounds like loud fans. It’s easily above average noise cancellation for this segment of the market.
What’s not so good about the WF-C710N?
Sound Quality & Performance
When stacked against other midrange earbuds, the Sony C710N delivers slightly above-average sound quality—not exceptional, but likely good enough for the price point. The bass is tight and punchy, which can be a plus, but it often overwhelms the mix in genres like hip-hop, rock, and metal, where rhythmic intensity is key. Switching to something softer, like bluegrass, the low-end still dominates, limiting the clarity of treble and mids. Occasionally, the highs manage to break through, but the sound would benefit significantly from a midrange EQ boost. For the best results, keep DSEE turned on to maintain as much detail as possible.
Is it a solid budget pick for casual listeners? Yes. But can it go head-to-head with high-end models like Sony’s WF-1000XM5? Not even close.
Battery Life
Sony claims the C710N can last up to 8.5 hours with ANC on, but in real-world use—switching between noise cancelling and ambient modes—I consistently got between 6.5 and 7 hours. While that’s decent, it might fall short for all-day use, especially if you’re counting on them to also handle your commute.
Call Quality
The C710N includes a feature in the Sound Connect app called “Capture Voice During a Phone Call”, but in practice, your own voice isn’t fed back clearly through the earbuds. Even with ambient sound enabled, I had to raise my voice more than usual. The result? Voice and video calls feel unnatural, and Sony’s claim of “crystal-clear calls” doesn’t hold up. While the earbuds do a good job of blocking background noise, it comes at the cost of voice clarity.
Bottom line: they’re passable for calls in a pinch, but if call quality matters, you’re better off exploring other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall sound quality of the Sony WF-C710N?
The WF-C710N delivers slightly above-average sound for midrange earbuds. It features punchy bass and decent clarity but lacks depth in the mids and highs without EQ adjustment.
Is the bass on the WF-C710N too overpowering?
Yes, in some genres like hip-hop, rock, and metal, the bass can dominate the mix, overshadowing mids and highs. However, some users may enjoy this if they prefer a bass-forward sound.
How does it perform with softer music like classical or acoustic?
In softer genres, the bass still tends to overshadow the treble and midrange, which may limit the detail and brightness some listeners expect from acoustic or instrumental tracks.
Can I improve the sound quality using EQ?
Absolutely. Boosting the midrange through an equalizer can significantly enhance overall depth and clarity. Also, keeping DSEE enabled helps preserve more detail in compressed audio.
How does the battery life compare to Sony’s claims?
Sony advertises up to 8.5 hours with ANC on, but in real-life usage, most users get around 6.5 to 7 hours, especially when switching between ANC and ambient sound modes.
Are the WF-C710N earbuds good for all-day use?
They’re comfortable to wear, but the battery may not last a full workday if you’re using ANC and also rely on them during commutes.
How is the call quality on the WF-C710N?
Call quality is average at best. While background noise is reduced, your voice can sound muffled or unclear. Voice pickup isn’t as refined as Sony suggests.
Does it support ambient sound or voice passthrough?
Yes, it features ambient sound mode, but during calls, it doesn’t pipe your voice back naturally, making conversations feel a bit unnatural.
Can these earbuds compete with flagship models like the WF-1000XM5?
No. While solid for the price, the WF-C710N does not match the audio fidelity, noise cancellation, or call quality of premium earbuds like the WF-1000XM5.
Is the Sony WF-C710N a good budget buy?
Yes, if you’re looking for decent sound, reliable ANC, and solid comfort on a budget, the WF-C710N is a strong contender in the midrange category.
How well does the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) work?
The ANC on the C710N is effective for everyday environments like cafes or public transport but not as powerful as Sony’s top-tier models.
Who should buy the Sony WF-C710N?
The WF-C710N is ideal for budget-conscious users who want better-than-basic sound, some ANC, and reliable performance without needing flagship-level features.
Conclusion
The Sony WF-C710N may not challenge flagship earbuds, but it confidently carves out its place in the midrange segment. With punchy bass, functional ANC, and reliable comfort, it offers more than what you’d expect at this price point. While call quality and audio balance could be improved, especially for vocal-heavy genres or long workdays, these drawbacks are understandable for the category. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly, feature-rich pair of earbuds with solid sound and a trusted brand behind them, the WF-C710N is definitely worth considering.
