Sony WH-CH520 Review: The Perfect Student Headphone for All-Day Use?

 

Sony WH-CH520 Review: The Perfect Student Headphone for All-Day Use?

By The Tech Guru

When it comes to audio, Sony is a legendary name. They're the titans, the company that brought us the Walkman and has been perfecting sound for decades. So, when they release a budget-friendly wireless headphone, it's worth paying attention.

Enter the Sony WH-CH520. In a market flooded with flashy, bass-heavy headphones from brands like boAt and Skullcandy, the CH520 takes a different approach. It’s not about aggressive looks or earth-shaking bass. It's a simple, understated workhorse designed with one thing in mind: being an incredibly reliable, long-lasting companion for everyday use.

But is this simple, battery-focused approach the smartest choice for a busy Indian student? Or does it get lost in the noise of its more aggressive competitors? Let's find out.

Design & Comfort

The first thing you'll notice about the WH-CH520 is its minimalist and lightweight design. It's crafted entirely from a matte plastic to keep the weight and cost down. While it doesn't feel "premium" like an expensive metal headphone, it feels solid and well-constructed in a typically Sony fashion. It’s durable enough to handle being thrown in a backpack day after day.

As an on-ear headphone, the soft, cushioned earcups rest directly on your ears. Because the device is so light (around 147 grams), the clamping force is gentle, making it very comfortable for a few hours of continuous wear. For very long, uninterrupted sessions (like a 5-hour study marathon), you might feel a bit of pressure on your outer ears, which is common for all on-ear designs. But for attending a couple of online classes or listening to music between lectures, the comfort is excellent.

Sound Quality (Balanced & Clear)

This is where the Sony philosophy truly shines and sets itself apart. If you're coming from a bass-heavy brand, the sound of the CH-CH520 might surprise you. It's not about that boomy, overpowering bass. Instead, it offers a balanced and clear sound signature.

What does this mean for a student? Vocals in your music are crisp and easy to understand. The voice of your professor in an online lecture or a YouTube tutorial is sharp and clear. Instruments in genres like pop, rock, and classical have good separation and detail. Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) technology also does a commendable job of restoring some of the high-frequency detail lost in compressed streaming audio.

The bass is definitely present and punchy enough for most music, but it doesn't dominate. For bass-heads who want their music to vibrate, this might feel a bit "flat." But for the student who listens to a wide variety of genres, podcasts, and educational content, this non-fatiguing, clear sound is an absolute blessing for long listening sessions.

The 50-Hour Battery King

Let's talk about the main event, the single biggest reason to buy this headphone: the battery life. Sony claims up to 50 hours of playback time, and this is not an exaggeration.

This isn't just a number on a spec sheet; it's a quality-of-life feature. In practical student terms, this means you can charge the WH-CH520 on a Sunday night and likely not have to think about charging it again until the following weekend. It will easily power you through a full week of daily commutes, online classes, and late-night study sessions without giving you any battery anxiety. The quick-charge feature is also a lifesaver, providing around 1.5 hours of playback from just a 3-minute charge via its modern USB-C port.

Microphone & Connectivity

The WH-CH520 is packed with modern connectivity features that are perfect for a student's multi-device lifestyle. It uses Bluetooth 5.2, which provides a rock-solid and efficient connection.

Its killer feature, however, is Multipoint Connection. This allows you to be connected to your laptop and your phone at the same time. You can be watching a lecture video on your laptop, and if you get a call on your phone, the headphones will seamlessly switch over to the call. Once the call ends, it switches back to your laptop audio. This is an incredibly useful feature that is rarely found in this price range.

The microphone quality is good and clear for online classes and calls when you're in a quiet room. However, like most budget headphones, it can struggle to isolate your voice if you're in a very noisy environment like a busy street.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?

The Sony WH-CH520 is not trying to be the flashiest or most bass-heavy headphone on the market. It is a purpose-built tool for reliable, everyday use, and it excels at its mission.

You SHOULD BUY the Sony WH-CH520 if:

• Your absolute number one priority is massive, class-leading battery life.

• You listen to a wide variety of music genres, podcasts, and educational content where vocal clarity is important.

• You need to seamlessly switch between your laptop and your phone using Multipoint Connection.

• You prefer a lightweight, comfortable, and understated design for all-day use.

You should probably AVOID the Sony WH-CH520 if:

• You are a "bass-head" and you absolutely need a powerful, thumping sound for genres like EDM or Hip-Hop.

• Your top priority is noise isolation (an over-ear headphone would be better).

• You need a professional-grade microphone for taking important calls in very noisy environments.

For the student looking for a practical, super-reliable, and long-lasting wireless companion, the Sony WH-CH520 isn't just a good choice; it's arguably the smartest choice under ₹3,000.