Earbuds have improved drastically over the past few years to the point where you need not worry too much about a dubious Bluetooth connection or a dropped signal. But that makes the job tougher for reputed brands like Sony, Sennheiser, Samsung or Apple because they need to put in that extra effort to come up with sound cans that deliver a punch.

Sony is known for its WF-1000XM5, but those are expensive. Enter Sony WF-C710N, which punches above its weight to deliver sound that almost matches its older sibling.

Cool design

With the transparent tech renaissance continuing (remember grey-and-black plastic video game systems plus bright colours for Nintendo’s Game Boy handhelds?!), Sony decided to play the game here. The latest device reminds one of Beats Studio Buds+.

The earbuds have a stemless design, just like the company’s flagship WF-1000XM5. The sound cans are comfortable to wear for hours at a time, and they do not slip out of the ears even while jogging as long as you choose the correct ear tips that come bundled in the box. There are no fins or hooks, which makes the device easy to wear.

You can enjoy crystal-clear calls even in noisy environments thanks to voice pickup that utilises AI technology

Just like on the XM5, there are tap controls, and they help to quickly switch between tracks or move between ANC and transparency modes. All you need to do is download Sony’s Sound Connect app, which is clean and packed with features. Here, you can check battery life information and adjust the ambient sound controls or have ANC automatically turn off or on. The equaliser is the most important part of the app as it allows you to adjust the sound of the earbuds to your liking. There are several EQ presets, like Relaxed, Vocal, Treble Boost, Bass Boost and Speech, besides custom options. But there is only a basic five-band EQ option available. If surround audio is something you like, there is the option to access 360 Reality Audio, which first scans your ear shape to offer the best experience.

In terms of connectivity, I faced zero issues as there is support for Bluetooth 5.3. Some of the codecs that are supported are SBC and AAC. Android users could be disappointed by the lack of LDAC support.

If you are scared of running out of battery life, the earbuds will continue to work and work some more, offering easily 8.5-9.5 hours (noise cancellation turned on) on a single charge. You can also use the charging case to get a few additional charges for over 30 hours of total playback time. But there is no support for wireless charging. With all the extra juice, you are most likely to take all your calls on the buds. What about the microphones? They work well but not Apple AirPods-grade “well”.

Sound treatment

Since these cost a lot less than the XM5, you must be thinking that these don’t offer good noise cancelling. Think again. It has one of the best noise-cancelling technologies you can buy at the given price point. It can cut out most loud noises up to 85 per cent, making it ideal for bus, plane or train journeys.

If you want to stay aware of your surroundings, use the ambient sound mode, which I found to work well for quick conversations.

Of course, it all boils down to sound quality. Most users would love the sound. The default tuning misses some of the details in the upper treble. Basslines appear punchy but high-frequency percussion can do with some more details. All this can be fixed by playing around with the EQ. These earbuds sound better than a majority of options available, like Nothing Ear 2 or JBL Live Pro 2 TWS.

Dual microphones improve the noisecancelling function of the WF-C710N

Make the call

Sony has added Dual Noise Sensor filters to help boost performance and touch controls are just about fine and relatively hassle-free. The company has made a decent effort to ensure call quality is up to scratch. The 5mm driver unit almost always delivers a real sense of intensity, and you can feel the drama unfolding in any song.

Sony WF-C710N is an easy recommendation, and if you don’t need something as expensive as WF-1000XM5, the new sound soldiers will keep on marching to your beats.

At a glance

Device: Sony WF-C710N

Price: ₹8,990 (best buy price)

High notes

• Excellent battery life

• Good app support

• Clear soundstage

• Improved ANC

Muffled notes

• No LDAC support

• No wireless charging