Sony WH-CH520 vs JBL Tune 510BT
Quick take: The Sony WH-CH520 costs $2 less; the Sony WH-CH520 lasts longer per charge (50 hrs).
Which one to buy
Same price, same on-ear format, same missing headphone jack, and both connect to two devices. The JBL Tune 510BT is now an older model, and its own owners make that case: JBL's newer 520BT adds app EQ and more comfort for a few dollars, and that also explains why the Sony WH-CH520 comes out ahead here.
The Sony has a full EQ app; the 510BT has no app at all, so its bass-forward Pure Bass tuning can't be changed. The Sony lasts longer, 50 hours against 40, and is lighter at 147g against 160g with a gentler clamp, which matters on an on-ear. Owners of both still report soreness around two hours, and 510BT owners with glasses feel it sooner. The Sony's mic also handles quiet-room calls without complaints.
The JBL's real advantages are its punchier bass, which some people simply prefer, and folding hinges that pack smaller. Owners say those hinges are also its weak point: they loosen or crack, and because the snap-together design can't be opened, a broken hinge usually ends the headphone.
Sony WH-CH520
If you want EQ control, longer battery and a lighter fit for the same money. For most buyers here it's the default.
JBL Tune 510BT
Worth it when you like bass-heavy sound as it comes, need a headphone that folds small, and can get it cheaper than the Sony.
| Spec | Sony WH-CH520 | JBL Tune 510BT |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$38 | ~$40 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | On-Ear Headphones | On-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 50 hrs | 40 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 3 min = 1.5 hrs | 5 min = 2 hr |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 32 mm |
| Weight | 147 g | 160 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | No |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
Pros & cons
Sony WH-CH520
- ✓50-hour battery at a near-permanent $38 price
- ✓Full Sony Headphones Connect app with custom EQ
- ✓Real multipoint rarely found this cheap
- ✓Just 147 grams for all-day wear
- ✓Surprisingly even stock tuning for the money
- ✓3-minute charge buys 1.5 hours
- ✗No 3.5mm jack — dead battery means a paperweight
- ✗Thin on-ear pads fatigue past a couple hours
- ✗Zero noise isolation and no ANC
- ✗All-plastic build feels light, never premium
- ✗Mic only serviceable in quiet rooms
JBL Tune 510BT
- ✓Excellent battery: 40 hours plus 5-min = 2 hr quick charge
- ✓Bass-forward JBL tuning that owners genuinely like at this price
- ✓Bluetooth multipoint — rare among budget headphones
- ✓Folds compact and weighs just 160g
- ✓SBC and AAC — plays nice with iPhones
- ✓USB-C charging
- ✗Tight on-ear clamp — owners report soreness after a couple of hours, worse with glasses
- ✗No 3.5mm jack: dead battery means no audio at all
- ✗Hinge breakage is a recurring owner complaint
- ✗No ANC, no app, no EQ
- ✗Leaks sound at higher volume
Sony WH-CH520 vs JBL Tune 510BT: common questions
Can I fix the JBL's bass if it's too much?▾
No. The 510BT has no app and no EQ, so the stock tuning is permanent. The Sony WH-CH520 has a full EQ in Sony's Headphones Connect app, and JBL's own 520BT adds app EQ for a few dollars more.
Are the Tune 510BT's folding hinges a bigger breakage risk than the WH-CH520's build?▾
Owners point to the 510BT's folding hinges as its known failure point. They loosen or crack, and the snap-together build makes repair impractical. The Sony is light plastic too, and some owners report its headband or hinges breaking with rough handling, though it doesn't have a folding mechanism.
Can the WH-CH520 or the Tune 510BT plug into a plane seat or computer with a cable?▾
Neither can. Both lack a 3.5mm jack and USB-C audio, so a dead battery means silence until you recharge.