Sony WF-C700N Review: A Reliable and Comfortable True Wireless Earphone Option
Sony, a brand synonymous with audio excellence, entered the true wireless earphone market a bit later than its competitors. Their initial focus was on premium offerings, but with the new Sony WF-C700N, they’re making a strong case for the competitive mid-range segment, priced at Rs. 8,990 in India. While the under-Rs. 10,000 category often sees flamboyant designs, the Sony WF-C700N takes a more straightforward approach, focusing on functionality and comfort. But can it stand out in a market dominated by big names? Let’s find out.
Design and Features: A Familiar Yet Effective Approach
In a world of flashy true wireless earphones, Sony stays true to its design philosophy with the WF-C700N. These earphones are compact and lightweight, sporting a familiar Sony aesthetic with prominent logos on the top of the earpieces. They’re a far cry from the larger WF-1000XM4, opting for a simpler yet more practical design.
The flat inner surface contributes to a secure and excellent level of noise isolation. Large microphone grilles on the outside and physical buttons for controls on each earpiece are a welcome sight, especially compared to touch controls which are common even in the budget segment. This physical control system is highly accurate and less prone to accidental triggers.
The WF-C700N is available in four colors: white, black, green, and lavender. While the green and lavender variants look interesting, I particularly appreciate the understated elegance of the black variant. As I believe true wireless earphones should prioritize comfort and functionality over aesthetics, the black color seamlessly blends into this concept.
The controls are customizable but not completely. Each earpiece offers multiple control "sets," with predetermined controls within each set:
- Ambient Sound Control: Switches between ANC and transparency modes.
- Playback Control: Pauses/plays music and activates your phone’s default voice assistant.
- Volume Control: Adjusts volume.
You can select up to two of these sets, or even deactivate controls on one or both earpieces. This system offers ease of use but can feel somewhat restrictive, forcing you to rely on your smartphone for functionality. Despite this, the physical buttons are hassle-free, although applying excessive pressure can affect the secure fit while wearing them.
The WF-C700N boasts an IPX4 rating, offering protection against light splashes of water or sweat, rendering it unsuitable for use in the rain. The package includes a short charging cable and three pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes.
The charging case is small and pocket-friendly due to its slim and pill-like shape. The back features the USB Type-C port and pairing button, while the front has the indicator light. However, this compact design limits the case to providing only one additional charge for the earphones.
App and Specifications: Simple Yet Effective
The smaller 5mm drivers contribute to the WF-C700N’s compact size and lightweight design. It’s crucial to note that driver size isn’t directly correlated with sound quality, and the WF-C700N holds its own against similarly priced competition in terms of driver capabilities.
The earphones have a frequency response range of 20-20,000Hz, utilizing Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity with support for SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. While they lack support for advanced Bluetooth codecs, this also makes the WF-C700N platform agnostic, suitable for both iOS and Android users.
The standard Bluetooth connection ensures seamless setup with virtually any device, but to unlock the full experience, you’ll need the Sony Headphones Connect app (available for iOS and Android). This app supports various compatible Sony headsets and configures itself for the specific one in use once pairing and connection are complete.
Within the app, you’ll find:
- A visual representation of the battery levels for each earpiece and the charging case.
- Adaptive Sound Control: Automatically switches sound modes based on your activity.
- Customizable transparency mode levels.
- A fully customizable equalizer.
- Control set selection capabilities.
- A timer to automatically power off the earphones when not in use.
- Firmware update functionality.
While the app isn’t as comprehensive for the C700N as it is for more expensive models like the WF-1000XM4, it covers essential functionalities and operates reliably. You won’t need to use it frequently after the initial setup, as most features are easily accessible from the headset itself.
Performance and Battery Life: A Comfortable Listening Experience
While brands like Oppo, OnePlus, and Nothing often prioritize flashy features in the mid-range true wireless segment, the Sony WF-C700N takes a more direct and less extravagant approach. It delivers a reliable, comfortable, and consistent listening experience, embodying what you’d expect from Sony regarding sound and active noise cancellation performance.
For this review, I paired the WF-C700N with an Apple iPhone 13 Pro, using them to listen to music, make calls, and watch videos. The lack of support for advanced codecs was noticeable in the sound; these earphones aren’t designed for detail and precision like the slightly pricier Nothing Ear 2.
Instead, the focus here is on the sonic signature itself, achieved through well-tuned drivers. The sound is rich, with elements across the frequency range having an almost intense, almost combative presence, vying for attention. Listening to "Lavender (Star One Remix)" by Frenchfire with ANC activated and the volume set to just over 50%, I could barely hear anything outside of the earphones. The fast, aggressive beats of this progressive house track were even better with the volume turned up.
The WF-C700N’s ability to give every element its shine is impressive – the lows rumble when needed, while the mid-range picks up perfectly. The highs are a tad subdued but not excessively so. The overall result is a warm, cozy sound that keeps me engaged and attentive without overexerting itself.
The completely customizable equalizer settings within the Sony Headphones Connect app allow for sound adjustments to your liking and are responsive to changes. However, I genuinely enjoyed the WF-C700N’s natural sound due to its fatigue-free nature, a key differentiator from the often more detailed sound offerings of the competition. I was able to comfortably use these earphones for extended periods during my workday and even zone into my evening workouts thanks to the impressive combination of noise isolation and active noise cancellation.
The WF-C700N’s active noise cancellation isn’t exceptional; in fact, it’s relatively average on its own. It reduces ambient noise, but wind noise and soft household noises like a ceiling fan remain audible. However, when combined with the excellent noise isolation and secure fit, moderate volume levels while playing music were enough to almost completely shut me off from my surroundings.
The transparency mode felt a tad too intense and amplified sounds at the highest level, thankfully adjustable to a more comfortable level within the app. In terms of volume capabilities, the WF-C700N doesn’t reach the peak levels you might expect, but the warmth and immersive nature of the sound ensures you can clearly hear everything, even at moderate volumes. Call quality was decent both indoors and outdoors.
Battery life on the WF-C700N is adequate for the earpieces themselves, providing around seven hours of listening with ANC activated and the volume set to around 50%. While respectable, the overall battery life is underwhelming considering the case only offers one additional charge for the earphones, resulting in a total of 14 hours per charge cycle. There’s no wireless charging, but wired charging is quick and efficient.
Conclusion: A Reliable Choice
While Sony may not have the same charm or attention-grabbing allure as other brands in the true wireless earphone market, they certainly win points for consistency and reliability. The Sony WF-C700N is a straightforward and easy-to-use pair of true wireless earphones that deliver precisely what you’d expect for their price point of Rs. 8,990. The warm and comfortable sound, excellent fit, acceptable ANC performance, and user-friendly controls make these earphones a worthwhile investment. Wide availability both online and offline further enhances their appeal.
The only notable drawbacks are the limited battery life on the charging case and the lack of support for advanced Bluetooth codecs. If you’re looking for a more vibrant and detailed sound, the Nothing Ear 2 might be a better choice, but otherwise, the Sony WF-C700N is a safe and reliable option.
