An Explanation of the Differences between the SONY WF-C700N and the WF-C500 True Wireless Earphones

My name is Kota Nekoi, an earphone review blogger.
This time, I will try to explain the difference between SONY's new fully wireless earphone, the WF-C700N that was released in April 2023 and its predecessor, the WF-C500.

SONY / WF-C700N BZ Black Completely Wireless Headphones

SONY / WF-C500 GZ Ice Green Completely Wireless Earphone

WF-C500 is a very popular entry model fully wireless earphone from SONY.
The WF-C700N is a version of the WF-C500 with the much-requested noise-canceling feature.
When we actually used the WF-C700N, we found many other changes as well.
The following is a summary of the differences I felt when I actually used it.

Major Changes and How They Feel

Noise Canceling Function

The new noise canceling function can cut out ambient noise.
However, it is positioned as SONY's entry-level noise cancellation model, and it’s not as powerful as SONY's high-end WF-1000XM4 earphones.
I have used the WF-1000XM4 myself and found that it does not create a silent space like the WF-1000XM4, but rather it keeps noise away to some extent.

Outside Sound Intake Function

This function allows the user to listen to ambient sound while wearing earphones.
This function is very good and allows me to listen to outside sounds with almost the same sensation as when I am not wearing the earphones.
The amount of outside sound intake can also be adjusted with the application.
It is possible to adjust the amount of outside sound to a level that allows you to “listen while listening” or to pick up sound a little louder than when you are not wearing earphones.
(However, when the volume is at its maximum, the sound will be a bit muddy.)
The performance is so good that we feel it is not much different from the higher-end WF-1000XM4 and LinkBuds S models.
It was possible to talk with people while wearing the earphones, not to mention when paying at a cash register or listening to announcements at a train station.

Improved wearing comfort

Thinner and smaller earphone size.
After measuring them, they are 0.4mm thinner.
You may think it is only 0.4mm, but thanks to this, I felt that the comfortability has improved very much.
It was originally a natural fit, but it has evolved to be even less oppressive.

Changes in Earphone Cases

The WF-C500 earphone case gives a strong casual impression with its translucent top cover.

The WF-C700N, on the other hand, has a new case that has a rough texture with a grainy finish.

The casualness has been reduced and the texture has become one rank higher.
In addition, the WF-C700N earphone case is fingerprint-resistant and non-slip, so it has improved not only in appearance but also in practicality.

Multipoint support

The multipoint function, which allows simultaneous connection to two terminals, will be supported.
(Not implemented as of May 2023, it’s scheduled for update in summer 2023).
This will greatly enhance convenience at work and in private life, such as connecting to a computer and a smartphone at the same time.

Points of inherited performance of the WF-C500

Sound Quality

I felt that the sound trend is similar to that of the WF-C500.
The sound is thick in the mid-range, and vocals are well reproduced.
The sound is like SONY's, which is acceptable to everyone, and the equalizer presets are abundant.
(Types: Bright/Excited/Mellow/Relaxed/Vocal/Treble Boost/Bass Boost/Speech/Manual/Custom 1/Custom 2)
If you choose Custom, you can freely adjust the sound.
The changes are relatively easy to make, so I was able to adjust the sound to my liking.
You can also use ClearBass to independently adjust the bass in 20 steps, so you can reduce the bass for a cleaner sound, or conversely, enjoy a sound that is more bass-heavy.

Earpieces

Both WF-C700N and WF-C500 come with SONY's popular hybrid earpieces.

It has the feature of a physical button type

While there are many touch-sensitive fully wireless earphones, both the WF-C700N and WF-C500 use a physical button system.
Surprisingly, there are many people who prefer the physical button type, which eliminates the risk of misoperation.
This feature makes the WF-C700N a valuable option, especially since there are very few multipoint TWSs that can connect two devices at the same time.

SONY's proprietary DSEE function

The DSEE function upscales compressed sound sources to CD quality.
This function is also included in both the WF-C700N and WF-C500.

P.S.

In this article, I briefly explained the differences between SONY's entry-level models WF-C700N and WF-C500.
The WF-C700N has many useful functions in comparison with the WF-C500, which was close to being a single-function model.
The WF-C700N features vocals with a sense of emotion and the WF-C500 inherits its sound quality, which can be changed by using an equalizer with a wide range of functions.
So, I think you should decide which one to buy based on whether or not you need the added convenience features.
Personally, I think that the excellent external sound capturing function, improved wearing comfort, and support for multipoints are what I think are the three major points of evolution.
I hope this helps you in your choice of earphones.

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