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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and battery life, go with the Sony WH-CH520, as these are wireless and offer longer usage time between charges. However, if you're looking for a gaming headset with a microphone specifically designed for clear communication, like the boom mic on the Turtle Beach Recon 70, they would be a better fit. The Recon 70 may also be slightly more comfortable for longer sessions due to its design tailored for gamers. Consider the Sony WH-CH520 if Bluetooth and casual listening are your main concerns, but opt for the Turtle Beach Recon 70 for gaming and online communication. Keep in mind the price difference and decide if the additional features of the Sony are worth the extra cost for your needs. 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 TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.1
The Sony WH-CH520 and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for music, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.7
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the Sony WH-CH520 is only fair.
TV and Video
8.2
7.5
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
5.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and Sony WH-CH520 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is somewhat better.
Battery
52.0 Hours
N/A
The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 does not have a battery.
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.8
8.4
The Sony WH-CH520 and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both very good for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Cost
$40
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Sony WH-CH520 has a price of $40 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
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How the Sony WH-CH520 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-CH520 | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$40 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.8/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 4.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 52 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.9 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the Sony WH-CH520 or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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