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Sony debuts 2 new headphones -- but not the WH-1000XM4

Meet the true wireless WF-XB700 and WH-CH710, a midrange full-size noise-canceling headphone.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
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David Carnoy
2 min read
Sony

We've long waited for the successor to Sony's noise-canceling WH-1000XM3, which earned a CNET Editors' Choice award in 2019. Credible photos of headphones that appeared to be the Sony WH-1000XM4 appeared on Twitter in early March -- but it looks like they're no-shows for now. While we're waiting, the company on Wednesday announced that it's bringing out two new wireless headphones. 

The WF-XB700 is a true wireless headphone in the company's Extra Bass line. It costs $130, while the WH-CH710N, a new noise-canceling over-ear headphone, will cost $200. Both are set to be be available for preorder in April with no word yet on UK or Australian pricing ($130 converts to roughly £105 or AU$215).

Sony unveils WF-XB700 and WH-CH710N headphones

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I'll be able to judge how they sound and fit once I've had a chance to try them for myself. In the meantime, here are the headphones' key specs, according to Sony. 

Read more: Best noise-canceling headphones of 2020

WF-XB700 Extra Bass

  • True wireless earbuds with Sony's Extra bass technology
  • Tri-hold structure creates a comfortable ergonomic fit
  • Up to 9 hours of battery life (charging case delivers an additional 9 hours)
  • 10-minute quick charge provides 60 minutes of music playback
  • USB-C charging
  • IPX4 water-resistance rating (splash and resistant)
  • Audio codecs supported: AAC, SBC
  • Low-latency audio (for video watching)
  • Available in April for preorder, in black and blue

Read more: Best turntable under $300 in 2020: Audio Technica, Pro-ject, Fluance and more  

sony-wh-ch710n-b-nc-enjoy-music-large

The WH-CH710 cost $200.

 Sony

WH-CH710N

  • 30mm drivers
  • Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancelation constantly analyses environmental ambient sound components and automatically selects the most effective noise canceling mode for users' surroundings
  • Dual microphones (feeding forwards and backwards) help catch more ambient sounds
  • Up to 35 hours of audio on a single charge
  • 10-minute quick charge provides 60 minutes of music playback
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • USB-C charging
  • 30mm drivers
  • Support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa (one-touch button access)
  • Available in April for preorder, in black

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