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Sony WH-CH520

SonyMusic headset

WH-CH520

Released March 2023.7Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Price and availability explicitly says released in March 2023 at EUR 70. Confirms past retail month, not the February announcement. Last checked 23 October 2026.

Form factor
On-ear
Audio connections
Bluetooth
Active noise cancelling
No
Battery life (claimed, max)
50h

75 of 161 fields known.

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At a glance

All specs

SourceCalculated

General

Series
Not available
Model numbers
YY29581Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Guide cover explicitly identifies the regulatory model.
GTIN / EAN
02724292520511Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1754496-REG/sony_whch520_b_wireless_on_ear_headphones_with.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact Black WHCH520/B product UPC 027242925205. Other colours do not inherit this identifier.
Announced
21 February 20235Press releasesony.co.uk/presscentre/sony-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-wh-ch720n-over-ear-and-wh-ch520-on-ear-wireless-headphonesRead 5 October 2026Dated manufacturer release.
Status
Not available
Predecessor
Not available
Successor
Sony WH-CH53021Reviewtomsguide.com/audio/headphones/sony-wh-1000xm4c-wh-ch730n-wh-ch530-announcedRead 23 October 2026Tom's Guide says the Sony WH-CH530 succeeds the WH-CH520.22Measurementsoundguys.com/sony-wh-ch530-review-162786Read 23 October 2026SoundGuys calls the WH-CH520 the previous model of the WH-CH530.
Launch price (US)
$59.999Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2023-02-21-Sony-Electronics-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-WH-CH720N-over-ear-and-WH-CH520-on-ear-wireless-headphones-featuring-Sonys-Digital-Sound-Equipment-EngineRead 7 October 2026Original Sony Electronics release dated February 21, 2023. Pricing and availability explicitly gives WH-CH520 MSRP $59.99. US consumer price excludes sales tax. WH-CH720N price $149.99 is separate.
Launch price (EU)
€7010Maker product pagecommunity.sony.co.uk/t5/discover-sony/not-one-but-two-new-headphones-launched-this-month/ba-p/3904427Read 7 October 2026February 2023 Sony Community Team launch article. Pricing and availability gives WH-CH520 March 2023 suggested retail price 70 EUR and 60 GBP. Published European consumer price includes VAT. Direct HTTP returned 403. Full public indexed article read through web. Later discounts excluded.
Markets
US9Press releasesony.mediaroom.com/2023-02-21-Sony-Electronics-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-WH-CH720N-over-ear-and-WH-CH520-on-ear-wireless-headphones-featuring-Sonys-Digital-Sound-Equipment-EngineRead 7 October 2026Original US release names Sony Electronics, Amazon and Best Buy sales. Other regions and colours do not inherit US part numbers.
Colours
Pink, Yellow, Blue, Beige, White, Black, One Piece Black, One Piece White4Maker product pagesony.co.uk/headphones/products/wh-ch520/specRead 5 October 2026Public indexed maker specification cells. Direct fetch intermittently unavailable. Current UK spec color table including limited One Piece variants. No color-to-SKU mapping inferred.
Segment
Music5Press releasesony.co.uk/presscentre/sony-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-wh-ch720n-over-ear-and-wh-ch520-on-ear-wireless-headphonesRead 5 October 2026Introduction music listening on-ear headphones.

Design

Form factor
On-ear5Press releasesony.co.uk/presscentre/sony-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-wh-ch720n-over-ear-and-wh-ch520-on-ear-wireless-headphonesRead 5 October 2026Introduction explicitly on-ear.
Ear cup enclosure
Closed3Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WH-CH520/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Headphone unit type: closed dynamic.
Wearing style
Headband1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Parts and controls, pages 9-10, labels headband and left/right units.
Folding
Flat8Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Construction section: earcups pivot 90 degrees. Flat swivel does not mean inward hinge.
Swivelling ear cups
Yes6Maker product pagesony.co.uk/headphones/products/wh-ch520Read 5 October 2026Designed for all-day comfort: swivel earcups.
RGB lighting
Not available
Lighting zones
Not available

Drivers and sound

Driver type
Dynamic3Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WH-CH520/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Headphone unit type: closed dynamic.
Driver size
30mm3Maker product pagesony.jp/headphone/products/WH-CH520/spec.htmlRead 5 October 2026Driver unit 30 mm.
Drivers per side
111Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1754496-REG/sony_whch520_b_wireless_on_ear_headphones_with.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact Headphone specification table states Number of Drivers 1 per Earpiece. Direct physical count, not inferred from 30 mm diameter.
Diaphragm material
Not available
Magnet
Not available
Frequency response (wired or passive)
Not available
Wireless audio transmission band
Min20 HzMax20 kHz1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Specifications: A2DP transmission range at 44.1 kHz sampling. This is not acoustic driver response.
Impedance (passive when specified)
Not available
Sensitivity (passive when specified)
Not available
Sensitivity reference
Not available
THD (claimed)
Not available
Max input power
Not available
Max digital audio sample rate
Not available
Max digital audio bit depth
Not available
DAC
Not available
Personalised sound
Not available
Onboard EQ
Yes14Press articlesoundguys.com/sony-bluetooth-headphone-control-mac-os-160060Read 7 October 2026July 2026 report lists WH-CH520 among v2 supported devices. It says manual EQ and presets are saved to the headset and need not be reapplied on another device. Applies to Bluetooth playback. CH520 compatibility is developer-reported. Reporter personally tested WH-1000XM5 only. No app platform or ANC features inherited.
Custom EQ bands
513Reviewwhathifi.com/reviews/sony-wh-ch520Read 7 October 2026Design and features paragraph explicitly states a five-band custom playback equalizer in Headphones Connect. CLEAR BASS control is separate. EQ preset names not stated.
EQ presets
Not available
Volume limit
Not available

Spatial audio

Spatial audio support
360 Reality Audio2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 84 app 360 Reality Audio setup for supported services. Not a bundled paid licence.
Spatial audio licence included
Not available
Head tracking
Not available

Noise cancelling

Active noise cancelling
No8Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Presentation and connectivity sections explicitly say no active noise cancelling. Review firmware 1.0.1 and Headphones Connect 9.3.0.
ANC type
Not available
ANC microphones
Not available
Adaptive ANC
Not available
ANC levels
Not available
ANC attenuation (claimed)
Not available
Transparency mode
No4Maker product pagesony.co.uk/headphones/products/wh-ch520/specRead 5 October 2026Public indexed maker specification cells. Direct fetch intermittently unavailable. General Features: Ambient Sound Mode No.
Adjustable transparency
Not available
Conversation detection
Not available
Wind noise reduction
Not available

Measured

Frequency response notes
With an ideal fit, bass and lower mids are emphasized. Other midrange harmonics are quieter. A broken seal reduces bass and makes mids and highs more prominent.17Measurementsoundguys.com/sony-wh-ch520-review-98695Read 7 October 2026Public lab frequency-response interpretation under ideal-fit conditions. Tested firmware 1.01, Headphones Connect 8.5, purchased WH-CH520/BZ over four days. Rig, EQ mode and codec not stated in article. Qualitative assessment only. No numeric deviation invented.
Bass amount
Not available
Treble amount
Not available
Deviation from target
Not available
Consistency between fittings
Not available
Harmonic distortion
Not available
Sound leakage
Not available
Measured noise isolation
Not available
Noise isolation (measured, best)
Not available
Passive isolation (measured)
Not available
Mic quality notes
Voices are clear but can sound thin. The microphone separates speech from moderate background noise. Loud environments can overpower the voice.18Measurementrtings.com/headphones/reviews/sony/wh-ch520-wirelessRead 7 October 2026Public Phone Calls verdict from tested Black WH-CH520, RTINGS methodology v1.5. Review updated April 9, 2024. Bluetooth connection. Codec, firmware, host and speech level not stated in public verdict. Membership-locked numeric results not used.
Mic low-frequency extension
Not available
Mic high-frequency extension
Not available
Mic speech-to-noise ratio
Not available
Measured latency
ConnectionLatency (ms)
Bluetooth224
Source7Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Connectivity section: 224 ms measured Bluetooth delay. Codec, host OS and equipment not stated, so platform/codec cells omitted. Firmware 1.0.1, app 9.3.0. Automatic video compensation does not apply to gaming.
Bluetooth latency (measured, worst)
224ms
2.4 GHz latency (measured, worst)
Not available
Measured battery life
ConnectionHours (h)
Bluetooth59
Bluetooth55.42
Source7Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Runtime section: approximately 59 h at 60% maximum volume using AAC. Tested firmware 1.0.1 and app 9.3.0. ANC absent. Lighting and other app settings not stated. Higher than maker AAC 50 h under this measured volume condition. Published approximation retained, not an invented estimate.19Measurementsoundguys.com/sony-wh-ch520-review-98695Read 7 October 2026Second row is SoundGuys standardized continuous playback result 55 h 25 min, converted exactly to hours. Firmware 1.01, Headphones Connect 8.5, purchased WH-CH520/BZ. Codec, volume and EQ/DSEE settings not stated in article. First row 59 h belongs to existing Les Numeriques AAC test at 60% volume. Distinct methods and conditions. Results are not averaged.
Battery life (measured, max)
59h
Clamping force
Not available
Weight (measured)
147g(5.2 oz)7Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Comfort section explicitly 147 g on the scale. Tested firmware 1.0.1, Headphones Connect 9.3.0. Bluetooth-only model with built-in mic and no detachable audio cable.

Microphone

Microphone
Built-in1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Parts and controls, pages 9-10, identifies integrated voice/call microphone.
Microphone element
Not available
Microphone pickup pattern
Not available
Voice microphones
17Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Microphone section explicitly one unique microphone, voice pickup, not inferred from a diagram.
Total microphones
Not available
Mic frequency response
Not available
Mic sensitivity
Not available
Mic signal-to-noise
Not available
Mic sample rate
Not available
Mic noise reduction
DSP5Press releasesony.co.uk/presscentre/sony-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-wh-ch720n-over-ear-and-wh-ch520-on-ear-wireless-headphonesRead 5 October 2026Call section explicitly noise suppression processing. AI not claimed.
Flip to mute
Not available
Mute button
Not available
Mute indicator
Not available
Sidetone
Yes1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Guide pages 72 and 74 explicitly own voice heard through headset microphone during Bluetooth phone calls. Page 82 also states sidetone during Siri. Adjustment not published.
Adjustable sidetone
Not available
Foam microphone windscreen
Not available

Connectivity

Audio connections
Bluetooth1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Bluetooth setup chapters for Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac. Analog playback added separately only where the guide proves it.
Analog source plugs
Not available
Cable connector on headset
Not available
Longest included cable
0.2m2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 8: sole included cable is approximately 20 cm USB cable.
Headset USB plug or port
USB-C1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Parts and controls, pages 9-10, USB Type-C charging port.
Audio over USB-C cable
No1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Charging, pages 15-16: music playback and Bluetooth operations cannot be performed while connected to USB power. The USB port is for charging.
Passive wired listening
No4Maker product pagesony.co.uk/headphones/products/wh-ch520/specRead 5 October 2026Public indexed maker specification cells. Direct fetch intermittently unavailable. General Features: Passive Operation No, Inputs No.
Wireless receiver
None15Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 7 October 2026Complete package inventory gives headset and USB charging cable. All documented playback routes use Bluetooth. No dedicated proprietary wireless audio dongle. Generic host Bluetooth adapters do not count as dedicated receivers.
Wireless receiver connector
Not available
Wireless range (claimed)
10m1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Specifications: approximate 10 m line-of-sight. Obstacles and host conditions affect range.
Bluetooth
5.21Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Specifications chapter, communication system: Bluetooth 5.2.
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Specifications chapter: exact supported A2DP codecs, not Bluetooth version capabilities.
LE Audio
Not available
Auracast
Not available
Bluetooth multipoint
Yes1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Connecting the headset to 2 devices simultaneously chapter. Streams switch, rather than mix.
Multipoint devices
21Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Connecting the headset to 2 devices simultaneously chapter, two Bluetooth source devices.
Paired devices remembered
81Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Android pairing, page 25: up to eight paired devices. The oldest registration is replaced when another is paired.
Mixes 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio
Not available
Fast pairing
Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair5Press releasesony.co.uk/presscentre/sony-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-wh-ch720n-over-ear-and-wh-ch520-on-ear-wireless-headphonesRead 5 October 2026Both models Swift Pair and Fast Pair.
Base station
Not available

Latency

We could not find any of these 2 fields. Show them
Low latency mode
Not available
Claimed latency
Not available

Compatibility

Compatible platforms
Android, iOS, Windows, macOS1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Individual Bluetooth setup chapters explicitly name Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac. No console path inferred.
Connection per platform
PlatformConnectionMicrophone works
AndroidBluetoothYes
iOSBluetoothYes
WindowsBluetoothYes
macOSBluetoothYes
Source15Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 7 October 2026Exact manual Android and iPhone pairing chapters, call chapters pages 71-76, and computer video-call page 77 naming Windows 10, Windows 11 and Mac. Music uses A2DP. Calls use HFP or HSP with supported host and app selection. Some video apps may not expose the correct microphone profile. USB audio excluded.
Official licence
Not available

Battery and charging

Battery capacity
Not available
Swappable battery
Not available
Batteries included
Not available
Claimed battery life
ConnectionHours (h)
Bluetooth50
Source2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 17: AAC continuous music 50 h. SBC 45 h is left in notes because table has no codec column. EQ and DSEE shorten runtime. Call 40 h is not playback. ANC not applicable and omitted.
Battery life (claimed, max)
50h
Battery life with ANC (claimed)
Not available
Battery life without ANC (claimed)
Not available
Charging port
USB-C1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Charging, pages 15-16: supplied USB-A to USB-C cable.
Full charge time
180min1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Charging, pages 15-16: approximate time explicitly defined as empty battery to full capacity. Hours converted to minutes.
Quick charge time
3min2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 17: 3 minutes charging.
Quick charge playback
1.5h2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 17: about 1.5 h music playback after 3 minutes. Codec unspecified.
Use while charging
No1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Charging, pages 15-16: connecting USB power turns the headset off and prevents music playback. Passive cable use is not claimed here.
Charging dock or stand
Not available

Controls

Controls
Buttons2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 9-10 parts list and playback chapter: three multifunction volume/playback/power buttons.
Volume control
Buttons2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Pages 9-10 volume +/- buttons.
Game and chat mix
Not available
Remappable controls
Not available
Wear detection
Not available
Voice assistant
Google app, Siri5Press releasesony.co.uk/presscentre/sony-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-wh-ch720n-over-ear-and-wh-ch520-on-ear-wireless-headphonesRead 5 October 2026Footnote 2: press play/call button to activate Google or Siri, not wake-word activation.

Comfort and build

Headband type
Padded5Press releasesony.co.uk/presscentre/sony-announces-two-new-headphone-models-the-wh-ch720n-over-ear-and-wh-ch520-on-ear-wireless-headphonesRead 5 October 2026Comfort: adjustable headband with padding.
Headband material
Not available
Frame material
Not available
Ear cup material
Plastic8Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Construction section: plastic shells.
Ear pad material
Not available
Replaceable ear pads
Yes8Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Photo caption explicitly says detachable and replaceable cushions. Attachment not inferred.
Ear pad attachment
Not available
Ear pad opening
Not available
Ear tips included
Not available
Dust and water rating
Not available
User-replaceable parts
Ear pads20Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 7 October 2026Construction photo caption explicitly states the ear cushions are detachable and replaceable. Existing earpad_replaceable true has the same evidence. Attachment mechanism and manufacturer spare-part availability not inferred.

Software

Companion app
Sony | Sound Connect1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026App chapter page 84. Headphones Connect was renamed Sound Connect in October 2024, as shown on the current guide landing page or maker product page.6Maker product pagesony.co.uk/headphones/products/wh-ch520Read 5 October 2026Current product EQ features name Sony Sound Connect.
App platforms
Android, iOS1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Installing the app chapter: Google Play and Apple App Store smartphone apps.
User firmware updates
Yes1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026App capabilities page 84: update headset software.

Dimensions and weight

Headset weight
147g(5.2 oz)1Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Specifications: approximate published mass. Detachable cable inclusion is not stated in this guide.
Headset dimensions
Not available

Certifications

Hi-Res Audio
Not available
Communication certifications
Not available
FCC ID
AK8YY295816Regulatory filingfccid.io/AK8YY2958/Letter/Charge-Mode-Letter-6126147.pdfRead 7 October 2026Original Sony Charge Mode Letter, independently downloaded from public FCCID archive. Subject explicitly names FCC ID AK8YY2958. Maker manual and photographed retail-unit label identify model YY2958 as WH-CH520. Original fcc.report mirror returned 403 during verification. No battery capacity inferred.
Other certifications
Not available

In the box

In the box
Wireless Stereo Headset, USB Type-C cable (USB-A to USB-C)2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 8 package list, no headphone audio cable.
Cables included
TypeLength (m)Count
USB-A to USB-C charging cable0.21
Source2Owner's manualhelpguide.sony.net/mdr/2958/v1/en/print.pdfRead 5 October 2026Page 8: one USB-A to USB-C cable, approximate 20 cm.
Carrying case
None7Reviewlesnumeriques.com/casque-nomade/sony-wh-ch520-p73092/test.htmlRead 5 October 2026Technical characteristics/Construction: Housse de protection fournie=Non, explicitly no supplied protective bag.

Warranty

Manufacturer warranty (source market)
1year11Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1754496-REG/sony_whch520_b_wireless_on_ear_headphones_with.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact US WHCH520/B Items Included states Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty. Scope is the original US manufacturer term stated by this dealer. Statutory rights and paid plans are separate. Current official Sony warranty PDF was inaccessible. No contrary exact term proved.

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Sources

We read 22 sources for this headset. The numbers match the markers in the sheet.

  1. Read 5 October 2026Backs 23 fields
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SuccessorSony WH-CH530