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Sony's upcoming over-ear headphones leak online, and they may not pinch your wallet
Aug 27, 2026 — 10:00 AM ET
- Retailer listings reveal Sony’s upcoming WH-CH730N and ultra-budget WH-CH530 over-ear headphones.
- The WH-CH730N could come with ANC and support both wired and wireless playback for around $149. The WH-CH530 could cost under $60, but skip the ANC.
- The headphones are expected to launch on October 15, with shipments potentially starting on October 20.
Sony’s budget-friendly over-ear lineup is overdue for an update, and it looks like relief is right around the corner. New retailer listings reveal that Sony is preparing to launch the WH-CH730N, succeeding the well-regarded Sony WH-CH720N as an affordable, noise canceling alternative to the company’s premium flagships.
According to early retailer listings spotted by NotebookCheck, the WH-CH730N has surfaced in countries like Portugal, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Prices listed range between €98 and €149, suggesting Sony will likely stick with its familiar €149/$149 MSRP tier. The leaks point to an official launch on October 15, with pre-orders expected to ship around October 20.
The listings shed light on several key hardware details. The WH-CH730N is expected to feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth connectivity, a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening, and USB-C charging — all rather standard features in this day and age. They are reported to weigh in at around 220 grams and will arrive in five distinct color options: Beige, Black, Blue, Pink, and White.
This isn’t the only move Sony is making in the value segment. Alongside rumors of mid-tier cost-cutting models like the Sony WH-1000XM4C, Sony is reportedly also preparing the ultra-budget WH-CH530, according to NotebookCheck. Expected to launch alongside the WH-CH730N in October for around €50 (~$60), the entry-level CH530 may forgo ANC to keep costs even lower.
For commuters and students looking for reliable active noise cancelation without paying flagship prices, the WH-CH730N could easily become one of the most compelling sub-$150 options this fall. None of the listings have images, so it remains to be seen if Sony is making any other upgrades or bringing over key features to these headphones.
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