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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds offer excellent overall sound quality and active noise cancelling, making them suitable for immersive music listening and noisy environments like air travel. They support aptX Adaptive for high-quality sound over Bluetooth and are both sweatproof and dustproof, making them versatile for exercise as well. However, for calls and meetings, they might not perform as well. The Sony WH-CH520 headphones are less expensive and provide great battery life, a very comfortable fit, and built-in virtual surround sound, enhancing TV and gaming experiences. Although less portable and with lower noise isolation, their over-ear design and durability make them a solid choice for home use. Choose the Beoplay EX if you prioritize sound quality and portable, versatile use; opt for the WH-CH520 for comfort, long battery life, and a budget-friendly price. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
8.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
Phone Calls
5.3
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
8.2
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for TV and video, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3
4.6
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
10.0
7.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.9
7.6
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Sony WH-CH520 are both good for music.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Sony WH-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX or the Sony WH-CH520
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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