Sony's WH-CH730N noise-cancelling headphones are $128 at Amazon, down from $179.99. That is $51.99 off, about 29 percent, and the lowest price on record according to price-tracking tools. Pricing can change after publication.
The pitch is that a mid-tier pair now carries features people once paid more for. The CH730N runs on the same Sony Connect app as the company's premium headphones, which brings a 10-band equalizer (sliders for tuning bass, mids and treble), a battery care mode meant to extend the battery's lifespan, and 50 hours of battery life. It also has active noise cancellation (ANC), an Ambient Sound mode that lets outside noise in, Multipoint for connecting to two devices at once, and Bluetooth 6.0.
Adaptive Sound Control is the most interesting extra. It detects what you are doing, such as walking, sitting or standing in a loud place, and adjusts the balance between ANC and transparency without being asked. The microphones are described as decent, with a voice-isolation feature for noisy settings. There is also a wired AUX connection, which the Lifehacker writer says seems to be returning on newer headphones.
The case for buying rests on a price comparison. The premium WH-1000XM6 costs close to $500, more than three times the CH730N's sale price, and the writer's view is that it is not three times as good. That is an opinion rather than a measurement, but the tier structure supports the logic: budget, mid-tier and premium lines exist because most buyers will not spend premium money.
The cost of the lower price is build. The design is light and feels like plastic, though the writer found it comfortable for long sessions. Colors on the listing include blue, oat, pink and white.