Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) | Sony WF C500 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 8.56g | 10.8g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✗ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 11mm | 5.8mm | |
lowest frequency | 10Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 10hours |
battery life of charging case | 30hours | 10hours | |
charge time | 0.3hours | 2.5hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✗ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 9meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 2only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✗ | |
EXTRAS | has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✗ |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✗ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | ✗ | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | 1Years | 1Years | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings is the rating of protection offered by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value refers to protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first number of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second value of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), Sony WF C500 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to transport.
The Sony WF C500, at 10.8g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 2.24g For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they have no cables. This is an important difference since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the pair of earbuds together. Sony WF C500 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds together.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have sweat resistance Sony WF C500's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Sony WF C500 also have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation makes use of advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to counter it.
In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit tightly in place, this creates a sound covering that tones down your environment noise while preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same.
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both tone down ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound made by the device.
Sony WF C500 driver unit is 5.8mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 5.2mm
, a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.
Sony WF C500's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) produce a juicier bass than the Sony WF C500 Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component produces high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it. Sony WF C500's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices produce equal treble The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is commonly given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sony WF C500's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. This is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 30 hours.
A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge the case itself. Sony WF C500's charging case has a battery life of 10 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 20 hours It requires 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
Sony WF C500 takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2.2 hours Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply place down on a supported charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery.
Its lights indicate the charging state of your earbuds and charging case. Sony WF C500 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony WF C500 has a Bluetooth version of 5, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. Sony WF C500 have a maximum range of 9meters, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1meters Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your iPhone.
If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Sony WF C500 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. Sony WF C500 microphones are 2, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4 . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears . When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.
Also the Sony WF C500 support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Sony WF C500 too support the mute function. It means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
The Sony WF C500 too have a control panel on them. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals. If covered under the manufacturer’s warranty it is possible to get a replacement a malfunction occurs.
Sony WF C500 have a warranty period of 1Years, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Sony WF C500 too support voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the device.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them in your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony WF C500 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.