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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X, being a higher-priced, wired, open-back headset with exceptional sound quality, comfort, and microphone quality, excels in music, calls, meetings, and gaming. It's particularly suited for home use given its open design, which does not isolate sound well. The Sony WH-CH520, on the other hand, is more affordable, closed-back, and wireless, with decent sound quality, excellent comfort, and long battery life, making it versatile for travel, exercise, and casual use. If you need wireless convenience and portability for a variety of settings, Sony is a solid choice; for premium sound and mic performance at home or in quiet environments, the EPOS PC38X is superior. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.5
7.6
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
10.0
8.8
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
Phone Calls
10.0
6.7
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Sony WH-CH520 is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
8.2
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and EPOS PC38X are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The EPOS PC38X has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the EPOS PC38X is good.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
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 EPOS PC38X or the Sony WH-CH520
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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