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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones, being less expensive, offer good sound quality, excellent comfort, and high scores for gaming and watching TV, but they don't have a detachable cable, active noise cancelling, or sweatproof certification. The Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are pricier but provide better overall sound quality, active noise cancelling, and are sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise and travel; however, they are less ideal for gaming and watching TV. The A40s also support wireless charging and have a longer battery life, while the Sonys have a significantly longer single-charge playtime without requiring a case. 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 Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Space A40
- The Soundcore Space A40 has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Key differences
Gaming
8.8
4.9
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.7
4.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.9
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
TV and Video
8.2
5.3
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
9.1
The Soundcore Space A40 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
52.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$40
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Sony WH-CH520 has a price of $40 and the Soundcore Space A40 costs $80.
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
The Soundcore Space A40 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.7
The Soundcore Space A40 and Sony WH-CH520 are both good for music.
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How the Sony WH-CH520 and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-CH520 | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 52 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.9 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 32 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 147.41 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Soundcore Space A40
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Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the Sony WH-CH520 or the Soundcore Space A40
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.
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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