The bottom line with the Sony WF-C510 is, buy these in-ear earphones only for the audio experience. At this price, such sound is hard to come by. And, when coupled with the battery life, the Sony WF-C510 makes for a great purchase. However, if you are looking for a more feature-rich offering, especially with ANC, you will need to look elsewhere. Your options would include the realme Buds Air6 Pro, which is priced in a similar price range as these earphones, and if you are looking for an even more pocket-friendly offering, then the CMF Buds Pro 2 are your best bet.
After refreshing their premium and mid-range offerings in the TWS in-ear earphones last year, Sony has launched the Sony WF-C510, which comes in as the successor to their WF-C500, at almost exactly the same price.
The earphones are a curious case of performance vs features, where Sony leans to the performance side, favouring the raw sound signature of the earphones over including features, that some might consider gimmicky. The choice for the consumers is tough. And, so was reviewing these earphones and passing a verdict. So, read on and find out how they fared in our tests and how they position themselves in the Indian market.
With the Sony WF C-510, Sony has gone with a sleek-looking case, which has nice pocketability and a heft to it. These in-ear earphones are a much-welcome departure from what the WF C series of TWS in-ear earphones we have seen over the years. You get a subtle design that fits well with all aesthetic choices. The branding is subtle on both the case and the buds, and you get what you’d expect from Sony, which has pushed boundaries in terms of keeping their designs subtle yet distinctive.
Coming to the choice of materials, Sony is pushing for sustainability in their earbud packaging and material, and the best part is that it does not compromise on the build quality. As I mentioned earlier, the case has a nice heft to it, with the hinge also having a satisfying snap. These in-ear earphones also have an IPX4 rating, meaning that you can get through light showers of rain or workouts easily.
As for the fit, you get a set of ear tips, which, in my experience, sufficed for a variety of different ear shapes and sizes. The general fit and design of the WF C series was one of the biggest reasons it was on my list of recommendations, despite not having all the bells and whistles. And that trend of having an accessible fit for a wide variety of people, to my extreme delight, continues with these in-ear earphones. They are also lightweight, and you won’t have any issues wearing them for long periods of time.
When looking at the features of the Sony WF-C510, you do not get the bells and whistles that you get on the more expensive in-ear earphones from Sony. There is no ANC, but transparency mode, which is a rather uncommon appearance on non-ANC earphones, is present on these in-ear earphones. More on this in the performance section. Let’s focus on what we get on these earphones.
In the Sony Headphones Connect app, you do not get a lot to play with when connected with the Sony WF-C510. In the app, there is an option to play around with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, and there’s a 5-band EQ, which is about it. 360 Reality Audio adds a touch of immersion, and the EQ gives you some room to tinker with the audio; the presets are rather okay, but don’t provide enough of a boost to the experience to write home about.
There are TWS options in the market, which will come in with a lot more features, including ANC, and as you will read later in the review, will race ahead of the Sony WF-C510 when it comes to its raw value for money.
This is where the Sony WF-C510 reclaims all the lost ground. These in-ear earphones are tuned with a consumer-friendly, balanced sound signature that avoids overpowering bass. The sound signature on these in-ear earphones leans towards neutrality, with a slight boost in the bass to keep things engaging without overwhelming the overall balance. This is a great choice for listeners who prefer an audio profile that’s more versatile than the bass-heavy “fun” sound often found in budget in-ear earphones.
Bass: The low end on the WF-C510 is present but controlled, avoiding the overpowering or muddy bass that can sometimes dominate entry-level models. Bass is punchy enough to add a sense of rhythm and drive to tracks, especially in genres like pop and hip-hop, without bleeding into the midrange frequencies. For those who enjoy bass but don’t want it to overshadow vocals and instruments, the WF-C510’s approach is refreshing. However, listeners who are all about that deep, vibrating bass might find it slightly restrained.
Midrange: This is arguably the strength of the WF-C510, as Sony has clearly tuned these in-ear earphones to let vocals and instrumentation shine through. The midrange is well-defined, with a level of clarity that is particularly noticeable on vocal-heavy tracks. Singers’ voices, whether in pop, rock, or even acoustic genres, feel forward and lifelike, giving the listener a more intimate experience with the music. This also benefits instruments such as guitars, strings, and pianos, which come across with satisfying texture and detail. It’s not a studio-level reproduction, but for casual listening, the WF-C510 handles mids with surprising competence.
Treble/Highs: The high frequencies on the WF-C510 are smooth and slightly rolled off, providing a warm, comfortable listening experience without harshness or sibilance. However, this tuning approach does mean that some fine details in the upper frequencies may be less pronounced. For instance, the “sparkle” often found in cymbals, hi-hats, and certain string instruments is more subdued here, which might not satisfy audiophiles looking for an extremely detailed treble. On the positive side, the relaxed highs make the WF-C510 a solid option for extended listening, as there’s very little risk of ear fatigue.
Soundstage and Imaging: While the WF-C510 doesn’t create the expansive soundstage found in over-ear headphones, it does a decent job for in-ear buds. There’s a sense of space that allows instruments and vocals to be somewhat distinct, though the overall imaging is more compressed, as expected at this price point. The stereo separation is decent enough for most listeners to enjoy spatial nuances, but for those seeking a truly immersive experience with layered depth, higher-end options will be more fulfilling.
Noise isolation: The passive isolation on these in-ear earphones, thanks to the great fit that I got with these in-ear earphones, ensured that a lot of ambient sound during my time of use was eliminated. However, I am talking about my experience in a rather silent office space. If you are looking to step in noisier environments, you will miss ANC on these in-ear earphones.
Microphone: The microphone on the Sony WF-C510 offers a functional performance for casual calls but may not be ideal for demanding scenarios like professional video calls or noisy environments. Sony has equipped the WF-C510 with a basic microphone setup that captures voice clearly in quiet settings, so for quick calls or voice notes, it does a fine job. The microphone maintains a natural tone, avoiding the overly processed or tinny sound that can sometimes affect budget earbuds. However, in busier environments, the microphone does struggle to isolate the user’s voice from background noise. If call quality is a top priority, especially in noisy environments, users might need to consider options with dedicated noise reduction technology.
The battery life on the Sony WF-C510 is exceptional as was the case with the WF C-500. In my test, with the volume set to 50 per cent, the earbuds lasted exactly 10 hours and 15 minutes, which is more than most other earphones that have hit the Test Labs since I have started working on audio reviews. The claimed battery life on these earphones is 11 hours, so the expectation vs reality is not much of a letdown. The charging time, however, as per the brand, is 1.5 hours to go from 0 to 100, which means you will have to wait for some time. But, what you get in return makes up for this.
The bottom line with the Sony WF-C510 is, buy these in-ear earphones only for the audio experience. At this price, such sound is hard to come by. And, when coupled with the battery life, the Sony WF-C510 makes for a great purchase. However, if you are looking for a more feature-rich offering, especially with ANC, you will need to look elsewhere. Your options would include the realme Buds Air6 Pro, which is priced in a similar price range as these earphones, and if you are looking for an even more pocket-friendly offering, then the CMF Buds Pro 2 are your best bet.
