Compare Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Headphones vs SonoFlow SE HQ31 Wireless Headphones

Reviewers generally found the sound enjoyable and better than expected for the price, though not as resolving or dynamic as premium headphones.

Reviewers split on sound: several called it warm, balanced or very good for casual listening, while others found it dull, average or uneven.

Audio-video sync was a limitation: one reviewer saw only minor issues, while another called out no low-latency mode for video and games.

Audio-video sync was mostly strong, with several reviewers reporting no lag, while one reviewer heard no meaningful low-latency difference.

Immersive audio was one of the stronger technical positives, with reviewers praising 360-style spaciousness or high immersiveness.

Immersive audio quality was mixed, as one reviewer liked vocal heightening but disliked artificial movie effects.

Frequency-response evidence was mixed: reviewers noted a warm, mostly pleasant balance but also bass emphasis, average timbre, and constrained openness.

Frequency balance varied by reviewer, from a pleasant non-harsh V-shape to unbalanced, dull overall tonality.

Microphone noise reduction was inconsistent: some reviews praised background and wind handling, while others found noisy environments a weak point.

Microphone noise reduction was praised by some reviewers for cutting background noise, but one review noted robotic or distant voice artifacts.

ANC was consistently useful for the price, reducing everyday noise and rumble, but reviewers rarely considered it flagship-class.

ANC was one of the strongest points, repeatedly judged effective for the price, especially against low, steady ambient noise.

Spatial audio evidence was mixed: reviewers liked the immersive effect, but noted limited app or subscription requirements.

Spatial audio was mostly seen as a pleasant width or immersion booster, with caveats that it is not flagship-level or can sound artificial.

Wind-noise handling received limited positive evidence through Sony’s wind-reduction feature seeming to work.

Wind handling was mixed, with one reviewer praising wind resistance and another saying wind noise could still be an issue.

Soundstage impressions split between wide or expansive in some listening tests and narrow, compact, or shallow in others.

Soundstage evidence was mixed: spatial processing and some tuning added width, but other reviewers found the stage narrow or unimpressive.

Bass was a clear personality trait: many found it warm, punchy, or fun, while others called it boomy, shallow, or overemphasized.

Bass was often praised as punchy, warm and adjustable, though one reviewer felt the low-end emphasis contributed to an unbalanced sound.

ANC background-noise handling was mixed: low rumble and everyday noise improved, but traffic, high-pitched sound, and hiss remained.

ANC background noise was present in one review, but it was not considered disturbing once music played.

The available evidence on ANC sound-signature impact was positive, with one reviewer saying ANC did not radically alter the sound.

ANC's effect on the sound signature was favorable where tested because the tonal balance stayed essentially unchanged.

Reviewers generally found ANC did not damage the listening experience, with no major fatigue or radical sound shift reported.

ANC did not meaningfully harm audio in the reviews that evaluated it, with sound staying consistent across ANC modes.

Passive isolation was adequate rather than exceptional, helped by padding but weaker than better-padded premium alternatives.

Passive isolation was decent overall, but one reviewer noted an imperfect seal while another praised low leakage and passive isolation.

Sound leakage evidence was limited but positive, with one review saying leakage was minimal.

Sound leakage evidence was limited but positive, with one review noting minimal leakage.

The 3.5mm input was viewed positively as a useful fallback for wired listening.

The lack of a headphone jack was a clear drawback in the one review that evaluated analog input availability.

LDAC evidence was mostly negative in the scored reviews, where multiple reviewers called out no LDAC or no hi-res LDAC streaming.

LDAC was treated as a strong perk, improving perceived clarity or adding high-resolution capability for supported devices.

The headphones were described as discreet, slim, and subtle enough for public wear.

Discreet/aesthetic appeal was weak in Tom's Guide, which said the headphones paled next to other sub-$50 designs.

Feature depth was limited compared with higher-end Sony models, according to one scored review.

Feature set at launch impressed the reviewer because the specification looked unusually strong for the price.

Treble was often described as clear or detailed, but some reviewers found it peaky, fatiguing, or slightly rolled off depending on tuning.

Treble was a recurring weakness in the critical reviews, described as blunt or over-exaggerated and sharp.

Portability was held back by the non-folding design, despite the lightweight build and swiveling earcups.

Portability was strong thanks to folding or flat-rotating earcups and compact storage.

Headband padding received limited but very positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the padding excellent.

Headband padding evidence was mixed, with one reviewer finding it too soft and another liking the padded feel.

Premium feel was weak: reviewers said the headphones feel toy-like or below their price in material impression.

Premium feel was divided, from clearly not premium to surprisingly premium depending on the reviewer.

Swivel range was limited because the cups only swivel flat and the headphones do not fold.

The rotating earcups were useful because they helped the headphones lie flat and improve portability.

USB-C was praised as a modern and useful charging standard, with fast charging mentioned in one video review.

USB-C was viewed positively for charging and plug-and-play wired use, though cable length remained a separate complaint.

Travel friendliness was mixed: ANC and battery help, but lack of a case and non-folding design reduce bag durability.

Travel friendliness was positive, with reviewers tying the headphones to commuting, on-the-go use and long battery life.

Smudge resistance was mixed, with matte finish resisting fingerprints but the white colorway collecting dirt.

Smudge resistance had limited but positive evidence from the matte finish resisting fingerprints.

Volume output drew limitations in flight or lower-volume listening, where reviewers needed higher volume or found detail lacking.

Volume output was split, with one reviewer saying it lacked maximum volume and another calling the volume good.

Preset EQ profiles were praised in the two scored reviews for improving bass energy while keeping clarity under control.

Preset EQ quality was generally useful, although Tom's Guide found only about half worth selecting.

The included audio cable was criticized as potentially too short for some PC setups.

Cable impressions were weak because reviewers repeatedly criticized the included USB-C cable as very short or stubby.

Midrange comments were mixed, with praise for vocals and clarity in some reviews but complaints about recessed, muffled, or muddy mids in others.

Midrange impressions were mixed, with clear mids in one review but dipped, coarse, meh or shouty vocals in several others.

Included accessories were limited, with reviewers noting only basic cables and no carry case.

Included accessories were a weakness because reviewers noted the bare-bones box, no case and limited included cable.

Fit stability received limited positive evidence, with clamping force keeping the headphones in place.

Stability was mostly good and snug, though one reviewer reported sliding during gym bench use.

Transparency mode was one of the better-received features, with reviewers calling it transparent or effective despite some hiss or limits.

Transparency mode was generally useful and sometimes excellent, though one reviewer heard some distortion in ambient sound.

Earcup padding was generally comfortable but not universally premium, with some sticky, thin, or fit-related complaints.

Ear cup padding was consistently positive, with reviewers describing the pads as soft, cushiony or well covered.

Overall recommendations were mostly positive, especially for budget buyers who accept build and ANC compromises.

Overall recommendations leaned positive for budget buyers, though one critical review advised saving money for another option.

Connectivity options were positively viewed where reviewers emphasized both wired and Bluetooth listening.

Connectivity options were useful where reviewed, especially wired fallback and simple USB-C plug-and-play use.

Headband adjustability received limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the extension sturdy.

Headband adjustment received limited but positive evidence for helping achieve a good fit.

Integrated microphone evidence was positive in the limited scored review, with speech remaining clear enough in office use.

The integrated microphone received positive limited evidence from one reviewer who found the captured voice good enough for calls.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive in limited evidence, especially for users connecting a phone and PC through multipoint.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive in the review that tested switching between iOS/macOS and Android devices.

Codec support was viewed as limited because reviewers noted the lack of fancier hi-res options.

Codec support was praised mainly because LDAC appeared in such a low-priced headphone.

Value was one of the strongest consensus positives, especially when the headphones were discounted below full retail.

Value was one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly calling the headphones high-value or a strong deal for the price.

Multipoint was repeatedly treated as a useful quality-of-life feature, with several reviewers praising device switching or dual-device use.

Multipoint and dual-device switching were judged reliable and seamless where tested.

Durability over time was a concern because reviewers worried about cheap materials, drops, worn pads, and potential breakage.

Long-term durability had limited but positive evidence from one reviewer who expected the construction to last normally.

Low weight was a standout comfort advantage, with several reviewers emphasizing how light the headphones feel on the head.

Weight comfort was mixed, with some reviewers calling the headphones light enough and others finding the weight noticeable or heavy.

Clamping force was broadly well judged: secure enough to stay put but usually gentle enough for comfort.

Clamp force divided reviewers, ranging from secure and well balanced to tight enough to cause discomfort.

Comfort was one of the strongest areas, with reviewers repeatedly praising the light fit for long sessions, commuting, and desk use.

Comfort was highly split: some reviewers wore them comfortably for long sessions, while others found clamp, weight or pressure tiring.

Build quality was the most repeated compromise, with reviewers split between acceptable construction and cheap, plasticky, brittle feel.

Build quality was mixed: many found it solid for the price, while others criticized plastic feel, wobble or budget materials.

Design was generally seen as clean, minimalist, and better than expected for the price, though not premium.

Design opinions leaned positive for a simple, modern or premium look, though one review found the aesthetics weak versus budget rivals.

Hinge durability was a concern in one review that warned pressure near the swivel could cause breakage.

Hinge durability evidence was negative in the one review that judged the hinged earcups too wobbly.

Setup simplicity was mixed to weak because two reviewers reported initial pairing issues.

Setup simplicity was positive overall, with reviewers describing the app or setup flow as simple, easy or seamless.

Physical buttons were usually praised for reliability and ease, though some reviewers found the similar button shapes confusing.

Button controls were a repeated concern, with reversed or counterintuitive mappings offset by a few comments that basic controls worked.

The Sony app was a major positive, offering EQ, modes, setup controls, and added features, though some setup friction appeared.

The app was polarizing: reviewers liked its controls and simplicity, but others found it buggy, laggy, crash-prone or poorly translated.

EQ customization was one of the strongest feature wins, repeatedly described as effective, useful, and capable of improving the sound.

EQ customization was a strength, with reviewers valuing custom EQ and preset controls despite one review noting no custom EQ option.

Advanced software features were a selling point overall, though one review emphasized that these are not loaded like Sony flagships.

Advanced features were praised as unusually generous for the low price.

Bluetooth stability was a strength in the reviewed evidence, with stable connections and no signal interruptions reported after setup.

Bluetooth behavior was praised for strong range, solid connection and fast pairing across multiple reviews.

Bluetooth 5.2 was described as competitive in the reviewed evidence.

Bluetooth 5.4 was praised for range, efficiency and current-generation capability.

Call microphone performance ranged from very good and clear to merely acceptable, especially once noisy conditions entered the test.

Call microphone quality was inconsistent but often positive, ranging from average or weak in cars/noise to excellent in several reviews.

Voice-assistant integration received limited positive evidence as a hands-free control option through the physical button.

Voice assistant use was positive where evaluated, with reliable speech recognition and swift interactions.

Charging was strongly praised, especially the quick-charge behavior that several reviews highlighted as fast and useful.

Charging was praised for useful fast-charge behavior, especially five-minute top-ups that add hours of listening.

Battery life was a major consensus strength, with reviewers praising the 35-hour-plus ANC endurance and long real-world playback.

Battery life had the strongest agreement, with reviewers repeatedly calling 60-90 hour playback excellent, outstanding or top-tier.

Android compatibility evidence was positive through LDAC use, which a reviewer said could reveal more clarity.

aptX-related evidence was negative, with one reviewer citing no low-latency codec support such as aptX-LL.

Auto-play and wear detection were clear missing features in several reviews.

Hi-res playback support was a repeated weakness in the scored evidence, with reviewers saying there is no hi-res or LDAC support.

Carry-case quality scored poorly because multiple reviewers noted that no case or pouch is included.

Wired listening was useful in a pinch, and one reviewer heard no major sound-quality penalty when using it powered on.

Ecosystem integration was limited by app/platform restrictions for certain 360 Reality Audio features.

Instrument separation was praised in some reviews, but other reviewers found the headphones lacking resolution, definition, and complex-track clarity.

One review praised clarity at high volumes, saying the sound stayed clear rather than muddy.

Replaceable earpads received limited mixed evidence because the pads may wear but aftermarket replacements were mentioned.

Replaceable pads/headband evidence was limited and mixed, with worn pads mentioned alongside aftermarket replacement possibility.

Sensor coverage was weak because reviewers noted missing ear-detection or wear-detection sensors.

Streaming-service integration was constrained because 360 Reality Audio required supported paid apps in one review.

Sustainability and repairability received limited positive evidence tied to long battery life reducing replacement frequency.

Water and sweat resistance was a weakness, with reviewers noting no waterproof rating and limited exercise suitability.

Wear-detection auto-pause was missing, creating a risk of accidental battery drain.

Auracast support was only discussed as a possible future capability, not a confirmed or praised current feature.

Auto-off was praised as helpful for preserving battery life.

LE Audio readiness was speculative in the review evidence, framed as something Bluetooth 5.2 could support in the future.

Wear detection performance was absent in the scored evidence, since the reviewer noted no wear-detection feature.

Smart listening features were received positively where tested, especially adaptive sound behavior and location/activity-based adjustments.

Smart Pause performance was poor because one review explicitly noted no auto-pause when the headphones are removed.

Voice feedback was present and usable, but the reviewer described learning the non-verbal audio cues rather than clear voice prompts.