Sony WH-CH720N: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-19
Summary
Owners most often complain about the plasticky build, occasional hinge or earcup-mount failures and Bluetooth disconnects with Samsung phones; the sound is boomy out of the box but improves with the app EQ. There are no replaceable parts or consumables, so the yearly running cost is effectively zero beyond the purchase price, though battery and part replacement costs were not verified. It is a strong buy under about $100, fair from $100 to $130, and hard to justify near the $179.99 Sony store list.
Common problems and fixes
- Hinge/earcup-mount failures — Reddit reports a retaining clip detaching under normal use, while other owners report months of trouble-free use; no prevalence data. Whether Sony covers it under warranty is unverified, since the warranty document was not read. [10]
- Bluetooth disconnects with Samsung phones — recurring owner reports of disconnects specifically with Samsung phones; at least one owner reports no issues. No documented workaround beyond normal pairing hygiene. [10]
- Boomy bass out of the box — Consumer Reports finds bass prominent and boomy and RTINGS measures bass about +5 dB; improves noticeably with the Sony app EQ. [5][3]
- Missing features and tricky multipoint — no LDAC (SBC/AAC only), no wear detection and no Speak-to-Chat/Quick Attention; multipoint must be enabled in the app and pairing two devices is reported as tricky. [3][6]
Parts and consumables
- No replaceable parts or consumables reported. [1]
Yearly running cost
No recurring cost is documented beyond the purchase price: no subscription or proprietary consumable exists and the audio and charging cables are included. [1] A user-replaceable battery or official replacement parts were not verified, so battery and part-replacement costs cannot be estimated. Not enough data.
When it is a good buy
Store price snapshots: under $100 in PCMag’s August 25, 2026 deal coverage; $75.99 at Walmart and $139.99 at Best Buy in Tom’s Guide’s October 2023 face-off; $129 in What Hi-Fi?’s test; $148 in Yahoo’s July 2024 review; $179.99 on Sony’s US store. [12][7][8][9][2] Under about $100 it is an easy pick for comfort and battery life; from $100 to $130 it is still sensible for comfort-first listeners but measured-ANC alternatives are worth comparing; above $130 the missing case, average measured ANC and plastic build make it hard to justify, and paying the $179.99 store list is a stretch. Alternatives: JBL Tune 770NC, which RTINGS says has better overall noise isolation but softer padding and longer battery; and Sennheiser Accentum, the Tom’s Guide face-off rival. [3][7]