In the vast, crowded market of wireless audio, finding a pair of headphones that successfully balances price, performance, and features can feel like an impossible task. We are often forced to compromise: we can get great battery life but terrible sound, or great comfort but a high price tag. Sony, a titan in the audio world, aims to solve this with the WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones. These on-ear headphones promise an almost unbelievable 50-hour battery life, customizable sound with DSEE upscaling, and seamless multipoint connectivity.
But there is a significant catch to the specific product we are reviewing today: it is (Renewed). This means it’s not brand new from the factory. It’s a product that has been returned, inspected, repaired, and resold, theoretically in "like-new" condition. This "renewed" status introduces a huge variable: are you getting a stellar deal on a high-quality product, or are you inheriting someone else's problem?
This review will dive deep into every single feature and specification of the Sony WH-CH520 (Renewed), using only the official data and real-world customer feedback provided. We will explore the monumental battery life, the nuances of its audio quality, the comfort of its on-ear design, and the critical gamble of buying refurbished. Is this the ultimate budget audio hack, or a disappointing trap for hopeful music lovers?
Let's find out if this is the right Check Price on Amazon for you.
Product Scorecard
- Build Quality: 6/10 Justification: The lightweight 5.1-ounce plastic build is excellent for all-day comfort, but the "Not Water Resistant" rating and on-ear design that may feel "small" or press on glasses are notable limitations.
- Value for Money: 8/10 Justification: You get premium features like a 50-hour battery, DSEE, and multipoint for a "low cost," but the "renewed" status introduces a significant risk of receiving a defective unit, which holds it back from a perfect score.
- Ease of Use: 9/10 Justification: With Bluetooth 5.2, Android Fast Pair, Windows Swift Pair, and simple multipoint switching, connectivity is a highlight, confirmed by users finding it "very simple" to set up.
- Performance: 7/10 Justification: When working correctly, the DSEE and custom EQ provide "great sound," but the "renewed" status means there is a documented risk of receiving a defective unit with "distorted strange sound quality."
Deep Dive: The 50-Hour Battery is Not a Typo
Let's start with the headline feature, the one that makes everyone do a double-take: the battery. The Sony WH-CH520 boasts up to 50-hour battery life. This is, to put it mildly, an astronomical figure in this price bracket. Many competitors, even premium ones, struggle to offer half of that.
What does 50 hours of power actually mean for you? The official product description paints a clear picture: "enough power for multi-day road trips and long festival weekends." This isn't just marketing hyperbole. This is the reality of the 50-hour capacity. You could, in theory, use these headphones for a full 8-hour workday, five days a week, and still have 10 hours of listening time left for your weekend. This completely changes your relationship with the charger. It transforms the headphones from a device you must charge daily into one you might only charge once a week, or even less.
This stamina makes the WH-CH520 an ideal companion for travelers. You can fly from New York to Tokyo and back again on a single charge. For students, it means a full week of studying in the library without ever worrying about finding an outlet. A positive customer review confirms this, listing "long battery life" and "Great battery life!" as standout pros.
The charging specification list provided has a curious entry: "Charging Time: 50 Hours." This is almost certainly a data entry error, confusing the "Charging Time" field with the "Battery Life: 50 Hour" field, which is listed separately. The true charging prowess is revealed in the "About this item" section: a 3-minute quick charge gives you up to 1.5 hours of audio playback.
This quick-charge feature is arguably more important in daily life than the massive total capacity. We've all been there: you're about to head out the door for a walk or to the gym, and you realize your headphones are dead. With the WH-CH520, you plug them in using the included USB Type-C Cable (a modern, convenient standard) while you find your keys and put on your shoes. In just three minutes, you have enough power for a 90-minute workout or a long commute. One reviewer praised this specifically, noting the "convenient usb-s, fast changing."
This combination of massive capacity and rapid charging makes battery anxiety a complete non-issue. On this feature alone, the Sony WH-CH520 stands as a titan in its class.
Audio Performance: DSEE, EQ, and the "Renewed" Gamble
Battery life is one thing, but headphones are for listening. How do they sound? The WH-CH520 promises "Great sound quality customizable to your music preference." This is backed by two key technologies: DSEE and the EQ Custom app.
First, let's talk about DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine). The official description says this feature will "Boost the quality of compressed music files and enjoy streaming music with high quality sound." Most of us listen to music on streaming services, which use compressed files (like MP3s or AACs) to save data. This compression often strips out subtle high-frequency details, making the music sound a bit flat or less "alive" than a CD. DSEE is Sony's technology that attempts to restore these lost frequencies, making compressed audio sound richer and more expansive. This is a premium feature, typically found in more expensive Sony products, and its inclusion here is a massive point in the "value" column.
Second, the sound is not one-size-fits-all. You get EQ Custom on the Sony | Headphones Connect App. This means you can use your smartphone to tailor the sound profile to your exact liking. If you're a bass-head, you can crank up the low end. If you're listening to podcasts, you can boost the midrange for clearer vocals. This level of customization ensures you can tune the headphones (which use standard Dynamic Drivers and cover the full human hearing Frequency Range of 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz) to match your "Specific Uses For Product: Music."
A positive customer review backs this up emphatically: "Great sound quality! Highly recommend!" Another simply states, "Great sound." When these headphones work, they seem to work very well, delivering on Sony's promise of high-quality audio.
Now, we must address the elephant in the room: the "Renewed" status. This is where the audio gamble comes in. For every glowing review, there is a counterpoint that is impossible to ignore. One critical review provides a devastating account:
"Sadly, these refurbished or 'renewed' headphones, as it says on the listing, don't work. They have a distorted strange sound quality, where clearly something has gone wrong in the internal workings. I really had high hopes for these... Wish my pair had worked, and now I have to go return them, too. Disappointing. If they'd worked, I'd have kept them."
This review perfectly encapsulates the risk. The product's potential is so high ("If they'd worked, I'd have kept them"), but the quality control on the refurbished units seems to be inconsistent. A "distorted strange sound quality" is a complete deal-breaker, and the hassle of a return ("now I have to go return them, too") can negate the initial savings.
So, while the Sony WH-CH520 (New) has the potential for great, customizable sound via DSEE and the EQ app, the Sony WH-CH520 (Renewed) Check Price on Amazon comes with a significant asterisk. You might get a unit with "great sound quality," or you might get one with "distorted" audio. The 4.4-star average (from 346 ratings) suggests most units are fine, but the risk is not zero.
Design, Comfort, and Build Quality
Headphones can have the best battery and sound in the world, but if they're painful to wear, they're useless. Sony designed the WH-CH520 to be "lightweight and comfortable for all-day use."
The core of this comfort comes from its weight. At a mere 5.1 ounces (according to the specifications), these are incredibly light. This minimal weight, combined with a "cushion and soft ear pads," means less pressure on your head and ears, reducing listener fatigue over long sessions. The build material is Plastic, which is expected at this price point and is a major contributor to the low weight.
The earpiece shape is specified as On Ear. This is a critical distinction. These headphones rest on your ears, rather than enclosing them (which is known as "Over-Ear"). This design is a matter of personal preference. Some find it more breathable and less "hot" than over-ear models. This is backed by a reviewer who said they are "Very comfortable on the ears."
However, the on-ear design also presents two significant challenges, both highlighted in the critical reviews.
First, the fit with glasses. One reviewer noted: "My only one dislike is that I have to keep adjusting during my workout, I wear glasses." This is a common complaint with on-ear headphones. They press your ear against the arm of your glasses, which can create a painful pressure point over time. If you wear glasses, this is a serious consideration.
Second, the earcup size. A critical reviewer mentioned the headphones were "comfortable, although quite small. I have small ears, and they barely went over my entire ear." This user seems to have been expecting an over-ear fit, but their comment is still useful: it tells us the earcups themselves are on the smaller side, even for an on-ear model.
For portability, the headphones feature swivel earcups. This allows them to fold flat, making them much easier to slide into a backpack or laptop bag, complementing their travel-friendly battery life.
A major, major drawback is in the durability specifications. The Water Resistance Level: Not Water Resistant. This is a critical omission. Despite this, one reviewer mentions, "I've used these in the gym, walking or doing yard work." This is extremely risky behavior. These headphones have no-rated protection against sweat, rain, or moisture. Using them for workouts is a gamble that could easily lead to a dead pair of headphones, and it would almost certainly not be covered under any warranty. These are strictly for "everyday use" in dry environments (like an office, home, or on a plane) and not for "extreme sports" or fitness.
If you are looking for a lightweight, dry-use headphone, the WH-CH520 (Renewed) Check Price on Amazon is a strong contender, but if you wear glasses or need any level of water resistance, you must look elsewhere.
Connectivity and Calling Features
Beyond battery and sound, the WH-CH520 is packed with modern connectivity features that dramatically improve the user experience. The foundation is Bluetooth 5.2, a new-ish standard that provides a more stable, efficient, and low-latency connection. One reviewer praised this, noting the "long bluetooth range," which allows you to walk away from your device without the audio cutting out.
The pairing process is also streamlined. The headphones feature Fast Pair (for Android devices) and Swift Pair (for Windows 10/11 computers). This means that instead of digging through Bluetooth menus, you simply turn on the headphones near your compatible device, and a pop-up will appear asking to connect. Reviewers confirm this simplicity, with one saying "Easy connectivity to iPhone" and another noting "Very simple bluetooth set up/pairing, at least with my Galaxy (Android) phone."
Perhaps the most valuable feature in this category is Multipoint connection. The description states this "allows you to quickly switch between two devices at once." This is a game-changer for productivity. You can be connected to your computer for a work video call and to your smartphone for music. When a phone call comes in, the headphones will intelligently switch to your phone. This seamless juggling act between two "Compatible Devices" (like "Smartphones" and "Computers") is a high-end feature that makes daily use incredibly fluid.
For calling, the WH-CH520 has a built-in mic for "Crystal clear hands-free calling." The promise is that you "No need to even take your phone from your pocket." Real-world feedback is positive, if not overwhelmingly enthusiastic. One user states, "I have taken calls on them and have not had problems," and another mentions using them "once or twice for a call or work call." This suggests the microphone is perfectly "dependable" and functional for everyday calls and meetings, even if it won't be replacing a dedicated boom mic.
One important clarification from a reviewer: "Does not come with a bungle [dongle] for PC; so, need a bluetooth module for desktop PC." This is a key point. The headphones are wireless-only via Bluetooth. If your computer (especially a desktop) does not have Bluetooth built-in, you will need to purchase a separate USB Bluetooth adapter.
Pros and Cons
This section is based purely on the provided positive and critical customer reviews.
Pros {BULLET}Pretty nice {BULLET}long battery life {BULLET}long bluetooth range {BULLET}lightweight and comfortable {BULLET}Uses convenient usb-s (USB-C) {BULLET}fast changing (charging) {BULLET}Excelente producto (Excellent product) {BULLET}Great sound quality! {BULLET}Very comfortable on the ears {BULLET}Easy connectivity to iPhone {BULLET}Great battery life! {BULLET}Love these headphones {BULLET}Great sound {BULLET}looks good {BULLET}low cost {BULLET}very dependable {BULLET}good quality set for everyday use {BULLET}have not had problems with calls {BULLET}Very simple bluetooth set up/pairing
Cons {BULLET}Does not come with a bungle (dongle) for PC {BULLET}Have to keep adjusting during my workout {BULLET}(Dislike) when I wear glasses {BULLET}refurbished or 'renewed' headphones... don't work {BULLET}They have a distorted strange sound quality {BULLET}comfortable, although quite small {BULLET}I have small ears, and they barely went over my entire ear {BULLET}Wish my pair had worked {BULLET}now I have to go return them, too. Disappointing.
Who Should Buy the Sony WH-CH520 (Renewed)?
Based on this deep dive, the ideal customer for this product is very specific. You should consider purchasing this Check Price on Amazon if:
- You are a Battery Life Fanatic: If your number one, non-negotiable feature is battery life, this is your headphone. The 50-hour capacity is class-leading and a genuine game-changer. You are a Multi-Device Juggler: If you constantly switch between a laptop and a smartphone for work and personal use, the Multipoint connection feature is invaluable and worth the price of admission alone. You are a Budget-Conscious Traveler: You need something lightweight (5.1 ounces), with swivel cups for packing, and a battery that will last an entire multi-day trip. You are a Casual Music Listener: You stream your music and will genuinely benefit from the DSEE upscaling and the ability to customize your sound with the Sony EQ app. You are a Willing Gambler: You understand that "renewed" carries a small risk of a defective unit, but you're willing to handle a potential return in exchange for getting these premium features at a "low cost."
Who Should Avoid These Headphones?
Conversely, this product is absolutely not the right choice for several other groups. You should avoid these if:
- You are an Athlete or Gym-Goer: The "Not Water Resistant" specification is an absolute deal-breaker. Sweat or rain will almost certainly damage these headphones. You Wear Glasses Full-Time: The on-ear design is specifically called out by a user with glasses as a source of discomfort, requiring constant adjustment. You are Risk-Averse: If the idea of receiving a product with "distorted strange sound quality" and having to go through the "disappointing" return process sounds like a nightmare, you should pay extra for a new unit. You Expect an Over-Ear Fit: These are On Ear. They are designed to be "quite small" and rest on your ear, not enclose it. If you want the passive noise isolation and feel of an over-ear cup, you will be disappointed. You are a Critical Audiophile: While the DSEE is a great feature, a plastic, on-ear, Bluetooth, renewed headphone is not intended to compete with high-fidelity, wired, open-back audiophile headphones.
Final Verdict
The Sony WH-CH520 (Renewed) is a product of tantalizing potential and tangible risk. It is a bundle of contradictions. It offers a truly elite, 50-hour battery life and high-end features like Multipoint and DSEE, all wrapped in a lightweight, comfortable package for a "low cost." As one reviewer put it, they are a "good quality set for everyday use."
However, that "renewed" sticker is the gamble. The 4.4-star rating suggests that most customers receive a perfectly functional, dependable product. But the critical review of a unit with "distorted strange sound quality" is a vital warning. This is the roll of the dice: you are betting your money (and time) that you get a good one.
So, here is our final recommendation: If you are not an athlete and you don't wear glasses, and if your primary needs are battery life and multi-device convenience, the Sony WH-CH520 (Renewed) is one of the single best value propositions on the market today. The gamble is, in our opinion, worth the potential reward. If you get a working pair, you have won the budget audio game.
If you fit that profile and are willing to roll the dice for an incredible deal, you can find the Sony WH-CH520 (Renewed) here: Check Price on Amazon.
Post a Comment