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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're on a budget, the Sony WH-CH520 might be a better choice as they significantly cost less, while still offering great comfort and a long battery life, but their noise isolation is not as effective. The Soundcore Space Q45, on the other hand, is pricier but comes with active noise cancelling and better noise isolation, making them more suited for air travel and noisy environments. Consider the Q45 if you need a detachable cable and high-quality audio codecs like LDAC, which the Sony lacks. The Q45 also folds for portability, but it isn't as comfortable as the Sony set for extended listening sessions. 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 Q45
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.1
The Sony WH-CH520 and Soundcore Space Q45 are both good for music, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.8
5.4
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.7
4.9
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
5.9
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
TV and Video
8.2
5.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.7
The Soundcore Space Q45 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
52.0 Hours
41.0 Hours
The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life.
Cost
$40
$130
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Sony WH-CH520 has a price of $40 and the Soundcore Space Q45 costs $130.
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
The Soundcore Space Q45 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the Sony WH-CH520 and the Soundcore Space Q45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-CH520 | Soundcore Space Q45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $130 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.8/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 52 Hours | 41 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.9 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
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 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 147.41 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
Soundcore Space Q45
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Riley Ballantyne | June 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
Get a great deal on the Sony WH-CH520 or the Soundcore Space Q45
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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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
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.
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