You are Here
News

Sony Headphone Deals: Prices on New Headphones Start at $13 – CNET

Sony LinkBuds on a green background Sony LinkBuds on a green background

David Carnoy/CNET

Unlike the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are traditional noise-isolating earbuds with tips you jam in your ears. They’re more compact and lighter than Sony’s flagship WF-1000M4 and also feature Sony’s V1 processor. While their sound and noise canceling don’t quite measure up to the WF-1000XM4’s, they’re close and cost less. They’re the Sony buds for people who can deal with larger buds but want 80 to 85% of those buds’ features and performance for significantly less.

All-time low: $128.

Sony WH-XB910N headphones Sony WH-XB910N headphones

David Carnoy/CNET

As for the WH-XB910N, this is the step-down model from the WH-1000XM4. It’s an Extra Bass model, so it does have a preponderance of bass. This updated version looks the earlier XB900N but offers improved noise canceling and multipoint Bluetooth pairing, so you can pair it with your phone and computer simultaneously. It also supports Sony’s LDAC audio codec. It often sells for around $150 or slightly less. At that price, it’s a decent value. 

While improved, the noise canceling isn’t quite up to the level of the WH-1000XM4. And the WH-XB910N doesn’t have some of that model’s extra features, such as Speak to Chat, wearing detection sensors and Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup technology. However, it does have a Quick Attention Mode, which allows you to put your hand over the ear cup to go from noise canceling to an ambient-aware transparency mode. Also, this headphone now comes with a hard case like the WH-1000XM4. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours at moderate volume levels — that’s the same as what you get from the WH-1000XM4.

All-time low price: $123

river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg

Sarah Tew/CNET

Introduced way back in 1991 (!), the Sony MDR-7506 has long been a favorite headphone of recording engineers and other sound professionals (yes, these are wired headphones). The origins of its design date even further back, since the MDR-7506 headphones are, in fact, a refresh of the Sony MDR-V6 that rolled out in 1985. Both models were designed for the pro sound market, but remain hugely popular with consumers.

While the two models have the same design and are very comfortable, they don’t sound identical. Both offer very well-balanced sound and excellent clarity for their modest prices — and both are great overall values. But the MDR-V6 headphones make a little more bass and sound more laid-back and mellow, while the 7506 headphones are leaner with a more accentuated treble range, which makes the sound a little crisper and livelier.

The headphones alone are only available at full price at the moment, but you can save $40 on a bundle that includes a pair of leather earpads and a carrying case. 

All-time low: $70.

Sony's C500 earbuds and case, in black Sony's C500 earbuds and case, in black

David Carnoy/CNET

While the C500’s design sensibility has more in common with the high-end WF-1000XM4 than their predecessor, the WF-XB700 Extra Bass, the C500 is not a noise-canceling model and is pretty basic as far as earbuds go, with no ear-detection sensors or transparency mode. But the buds are compact, lightweight, fit comfortably and sound good for an entry-level model. Read our Sony C500 first take.

All-time low price: $58

The Sony Linkbuds in their charging case The Sony Linkbuds in their charging case

David Carnoy/CNET

The LinkBuds are, in a sense, Sony’s answer to Apple’s standard AirPods. While they don’t sound as good as Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM4 noise-isolating earbuds, they offer a discreet, innovative design and a more secure fit than the AirPods, as well as good sound and very good voice-calling performance.

Like the third-gen AirPods, their open design allows you to hear the outside world — that’s what the ring is all about. That makes them a good choice for folks who want to hear what’s going around them for safety reasons or just don’t like having ear tips jammed in their ears. They also have a few distinguishing extra features, including Speak to Chat and Wide Area Tap. Instead of tapping on a bud, you can tap on your face, just in front of your ear, to control playback.

They’re IPX4 splash-proof and thanks to their fins — Sony calls them Arc Supporters — they lock in your ears securely and work well for running and other sporting activities.

All-time low price: $128.

Read our Sony LinkBuds review.

Battery Life NANoise Canceling NoMultipoint NoHeadphone Type Over-ear wired headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

<div data-id data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="8" edition="us" superlative="Save $20" imagegroup="{"alt":"sony-wh-ch710n-b-nc-enjoy-music-large","caption":"

The WH-CH710 cost $200.

","credits":"Sony","imageData":{"id":"4d8bdb18-7ff4-4c7a-903b-8e3141f65ffe","title":"sony-wh-ch710n-b-nc-concentration-large","filename":"sony-wh-ch710n-b-nc-concentration-large.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2020/04/01/4d8bdb18-7ff4-4c7a-903b-8e3141f65ffe/sony-wh-ch710n-b-nc-concentration-large.jpg","caption":"","size":1116197,"width":1258,"height":670,"dateCreated":{"date":"2020-04-01 01:26:40","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2020-04-01 01:26:55","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Sony","alt":"sony-wh-ch710n-b-nc-concentration-large","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"4d8bdb18-7ff4-4c7a-903b-8e3141f65ffe","imageAltText":"sony-wh-ch710n-b-nc-enjoy-music-large","imageCaption":"

The WH-CH710 cost $200.

","imageCredit":"Sony","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"sony-wh-ch710n-b-nc-concentration-large.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2020/04/01","imageWidth":1258,"imageHeight":670,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”

The WH-CH710 cost $200.

” overridecredit=”Sony” usepricing=”false” data-key=”cnetlisticle__b20ea5d9-b843-406f-b968-bcfa1a3c7db7″ position=”NaN” contenttype=”Deals – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

Expired Sony headphone deals

Below, we’ve rounded up Sony headphones that aren’t currently on sale, but have been discounted in the past. There’s a chance they’ll go back on sale again in the future, so if you’ve got your eye on one of these models, it may be worth holding off until you can grab one at a better price. 

Battery Life Rated up to 32 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

<div data-id data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="10" edition="us" superlative="No discounts currently available" imagegroup="{"alt":"sony-wf-1000xm4-2","caption":"

The buds now come with foam ear tips to help you get a tighter seal.

","credits":"David Carnoy/CNET","imageData":{"id":"b2c44adf-5e2b-4e2a-afeb-c18c7120b137","title":"sony-wf-1000xm4-2","filename":"sony-wf-1000xm4-2.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/0b5a6bdea60db31fc79e5d5c1a02020db46195ff/2021/06/07/b2c44adf-5e2b-4e2a-afeb-c18c7120b137/sony-wf-1000xm4-2.jpg?auto=webp","caption":"

The buds now come with foam ear tips to help you get a tighter seal.

","size":1486921,"width":4032,"height":2268,"dateCreated":{"date":"2021-06-07 15:43:11","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2022-05-17 15:53:35","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"David Carnoy/CNET","alt":"Sony WF-1000XM4","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":true,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"b2c44adf-5e2b-4e2a-afeb-c18c7120b137","imageAltText":"sony-wf-1000xm4-2","imageCaption":"

The buds now come with foam ear tips to help you get a tighter seal.

","imageCredit":"David Carnoy/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":true,"imageFilename":"sony-wf-1000xm4-2.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2021/06/07","imageWidth":4032,"imageHeight":2268,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”

The buds now come with foam ear tips to help you get a tighter seal.

” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” offer=”{"id":"231e9ecb-2510-4434-b700-5231b43f988b","slug":"sony-wf-1000xm4","label":"Sony WF-1000XM4","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"75c24176-c80c-4715-abca-917a0f3dc955","imgWidth":1510,"imgHeight":1069,"objectType":"content_product_series","typeLabel":"Series","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/75c24176-c80c-4715-abca-917a0f3dc955/resize/75×56","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}” techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"231e9ecb-2510-4434-b700-5231b43f988b","name":"Sony WF-1000XM4","slug":"sony-wf-1000xm4","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1686238034940,"displayDate":"Thu Jun 08 2023 11:27:14 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"}” usepricing=”false” data-key=”cnetlisticle__2b2a2e8d-3e26-41f7-9b82-07b2e76cf24f” position=”NaN” contenttype=”Deals – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left” readability=”6.0578680203046″>

Battery Life Rated up to 30 hoursNoise Canceling YesMultipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

Battery Life Rated up to 30 hoursNoise Canceling YesMultipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin

Related Posts

Leave a Reply