Sony WH-CH520 vs JBL Tune 520BT
Quick take: The Sony WH-CH520 costs $2 less; the JBL Tune 520BT lasts longer per charge (57 hrs).
| Spec | Sony WH-CH520 | JBL Tune 520BT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $38 | $40 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (22,100) | 4.6★ (14,000) |
| Type | On-Ear Headphones | On-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 50 hrs | 57 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 3 min = 1.5 hrs | 5 min = 3 hrs |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 33 mm |
| Weight | 147 g | 160 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | No |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
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 520BT
- ✓Real 57-hour battery — owners go weeks between charges
- ✓5-minute charge buys 3 hours
- ✓Multipoint and app EQ are rare at $40
- ✓160 grams folds flat into any backpack
- ✓Warm Pure Bass tuning crowd-pleases casual listeners
- ✓Serviceable mic for indoor calls
- ✗On-ear pressure gets noticeable after two or three hours
- ✗Thin pads leak sound both ways on a bus
- ✗No ANC and near-zero passive isolation
- ✗All-plastic build creaks and feels its price
- ✗Soft treble disappoints detail-focused listeners