Sony WF-C710N Review: Top Noise-Canceling Earbuds?
▼ Summary
– The Sony WF-C710N earbuds suffer from major connectivity issues on PCs, making them unsuitable for gaming despite their other strengths.
– They excel in design and durability, featuring a sturdy build, IPX4 water resistance, and a comfortable fit with customizable ear tips.
– The buds perform well with mobile devices, offering easy pairing, dual connectivity, and solid sound quality with effective active noise cancellation (ANC).
– Dual connectivity is inconsistent, especially with devices like the Steam Deck, requiring manual disconnection to switch audio sources.
– While they offer good sound and features for mobile use, competing earbuds provide better battery life, connectivity, and value at similar prices.
The Sony WF-C710N earbuds deliver impressive sound quality and active noise cancellation, but persistent connectivity issues make them a poor choice for PC gamers. While they excel in many areas, their unreliable performance on gaming rigs overshadows their strengths.
Testing these earbuds revealed frustrating audio dropouts, crackling, and frequent disconnections when used with gaming PCs. Even after receiving a replacement pair, the problems persisted across multiple systems. For gamers, this is a dealbreaker, especially when other Bluetooth headsets work flawlessly on the same setups.
That said, the WF-C710N has plenty to offer outside of gaming. The translucent blue design stands out with a nostalgic, see-through aesthetic, while the IPX4 rating ensures resistance to water and dust. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and stay securely in place, making them ideal for walks or commutes.
Pairing with smartphones is seamless, just hold the case button and select the earbuds in Bluetooth settings. Dual-device connectivity lets you switch between a phone and laptop effortlessly, though performance varies. On a Steam Deck, the feature is inconsistent, requiring a full disconnect to switch audio sources.
Sound quality shines with rich mids and crisp highs, handling complex tracks like orchestral arrangements with clarity. Bass isn’t overpowering but responds well to EQ adjustments. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is natural, avoiding the artificial “hiss” found in cheaper models. Ambient Sound mode strikes a balance, letting in enough external noise for situational awareness.
The companion Sound Control app offers customization but lacks flexibility for touch controls. Battery life is decent, 8.5 hours with ANC on (30 hours total with the case), though competitors like the Soundcore Liberty 5 outlast them.
Verdict: ✅ Buy if you need stylish, portable earbuds for music and calls. ❌ Avoid if gaming is a priority, connectivity issues ruin the experience.
While the WF-C710N excels as a mobile-focused option, its flaws on PCs and inconsistent dual connectivity make it hard to recommend over similarly priced alternatives. For gamers, there are better choices, even Sony’s own InZone Buds, despite their quirks.
(Source: PCGAMER)
