Sony WF-C500 is a great value for money product and a true competitor in the budget TWS market
TWS devices have taken the wireless audio market by storm and have been steadily gaining popularity. Improved sound quality coupled with advanced AI features will be the game-changing factors that are going to provide the next level experiences to the consumers. WF line-up of wireless earphones by Sony brings in a blend of performance and features as a step forward to adapt to the changing market conditions. Now, with the introduction of the WF-C500, they are testing the waters of budget TWS segment for the first time.
Being small and lightweight, the Sony WF-C500 is primarily meant for the listeners on the move. At 5.4 gram per earbud, it’s easy to position comfortably, irrespective of the size and shape of your ear. Even though it is made out of plastic, the buds don’t feel cheap and plasticky.
As they are rated IPX4 for sweat and splash resistance, WF-C500 can be used for everyday listening as well as workouts. The box is plastic-free and you will find two additional sets of silicone ear tips – S and L while the medium ones are already installed on the buds. The ear tips feel comfortable and perfect fit ensuring passive isolation even in the absence of Active Noise Cancellation.
Charming features make Sony WF- C500 tempting
The backs of the buds have a physical button meant for specific actions. Pressing the buttons may cause stress to the inner ear and also the buttons are hard to press and fails to register certain actions, at times. Each bud has an omnidirectional microphone and call support. you can answer a call by tapping the right earbud once, tapping again will hang up the call. To make a call directly from the earbuds, you need to seek the help of voice assistant.
Sony’s ‘Headphones Connect’ app helps you control the device in multiple ways. Through the app, you can adjust EQ settings, set Bluetooth priorities and toggle the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine on or off.
The Digital Sound Enhancement Engine can make sure that standard audio files perform at high-resolution standards. The device will automatically enter pairing mode when it’s out of the case. There’s no Bluetooth multipoint support, so the buds will connect to one device only. You can use one earbud at a time, either the left or right bud if required.
Sony WF- C500 compatible with ‘360 Reality Audio’ spatial audio algorithm
The device is compatible with Sony’s ‘360 Reality Audio’ spatial audio algorithm. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity, and it’s compatible with SBC and AAC codecs. The digital audio is delivered to your ears by a pair of 5.8mm neodymium full-range dynamic drivers. Sony WF-C500 will please music listeners, commuters, and gym enthusiasts alike. Generally, a mid-level performance is easily available from the device with no major complaints.
Nothing much exciting about the Battery life of WF-C500 as it’s around 20 hours in total. At the same time, the 10 hours stored in the earbuds is a figure which is decent enough. A 10-minute quick charging will deliver another hour of playback. It has a short USB-C to USB-A cable in the packaging which is recyclable.
At 50% of battery charge, there’s a warning, once more before it drains. Priced competitively at $79 / £89 / AU$149.95, Sony WF-C500 is a great value for money product and a true competitor in the budget TWS market. Of course, Sony have made compromises for getting the price down but, as a leading brand in the audio tech segment, what they’ve brought in is a solid all-rounder.
