Our Hands-On Review of the Sony WF-XB700 Extra BASS Wireless Earbuds
We judge all headphones on a scale of 10, analyzing the categories we think are most important: sound, comfort, design, battery performance, and, if applicable, special features.
Here's how the Sony WF-XB700 Extra Bass wireless earbuds stack up.
The Sony WF-XB700 Extra BASS truly wireless earbuds are an exciting new addition to this incredibly competitive product category. As their name suggests, they deliver sound with the legendary brand’s signature thunderous bass for a sub-$100 price tag.
SCORES
• Sound: 8/10
• Comfort: 8/10
• Design: 8/10
• Battery Performance: 8/10
• Overall Score: 8/10
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SONY WF-XB700:
The earbuds have a sound with incredibly powerful bass
The have a secure fit with unique tri-hold design
Their USB-C battery case has fast-charging capabilities
SOUND: 8/10
In a manner befitting the Extra BASS moniker in their name, the Sony WF-XB700 wireless earbuds deliver a sound with an unapologetically powerful, insanely entertaining low range. If you like to listen to your favorite tunes with enhanced bass, you’ll love them.
The intro of Teardrop by Massive Attack — one of my favorite songs ever — sounded amazing on the WF-XB700. The heartbeat-imitating beat that kicks off the track was viscerally energizing every single time I heard it. Sony’s Extra BASS is also great for gaming and watching video, because it amplifies action-packed content.
You should be mindful that the earbuds’ bass does come at the expense of the midrange and the treble. Avid audiophiles will almost certainly think that it’s a bit too much at times, and unlike the pricier Sony WF-SP800N earbuds, there’s no app to adjust its intensity.
COMFORT: 8/10
Thanks to a clever tri-hold design by Sony, the WF-XB700 wireless earbuds deliver a comfy and secure fit without the need of additional ear arc inserts. I tried them during my daily at-home set of burpees, jumping jacks, and pushups, and they always stayed in place. There are three sets of ear tips included to help you find the perfect fit.
I was also impressed by the earbuds’ lightweight build and no-nonsense controls. There’s a button on the right earbud for controlling audio playback and phone calls, while the left one has a button for adjusting the volume (single press for increasing and long-press for decreasing).
DESIGN: 8/10
The buds’ design is understated and utilitarian in equal measure. Each bud has a housing made from textured plastic that’s available in black or blue with a matching charging case. The latter is made of plastic with the same finish.
Like the AirPods Pro, the Sony WF-XB700 Extra BASS have an IPX4 rating for water resistance, which means that they can withstand exposure to sweat and splashes of water. Combined with the thumping bass, the water-resistant build makes the buds perfectly suitable for exercising.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE: 8/10
You can expect up to 9 hours of wireless playback from the earbuds between charges — a superb achievement for a product this affordably priced. I easily made it through a workday while I tested them, with the volume set a tad above 50%. Cranking it up will likely require more frequent charging sessions.
I like the quick-charing capabilities of the earbuds’ USB-C-equipped battery case — you can get an hour of playback after only 10 minutes. I only wish that the accessory held more than just one additional full charge.
OVERALL SCORE: 8/10
The WF-XB700 wireless earbuds offer a durable build, a comfy fit, and a powerful sound with serious bass. At $98, they're also incredibly well priced, especially considering their maker’s long history of making amazing audio products.
Read More:
Tested: The Best Wireless Earbuds Worth Your Attention
These Affordable Earbuds Are Surprisingly Good
Noise-Canceling Earbuds for Tuning Out the World
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