Engadget Logo Engadget Japanese version Sony announces WF-C500, a completely wireless earphone for 11,000 yen. Compatible with 360RA and IPX4 equivalent drip-proof

Sony will release the completely wireless earphone "WF-C500" on October 8, 2021, which supports the music experience 360 ​​Reality Audio using object-based 360 stereophonic technology. The estimated market price is around 11,000 yen (tax included, same below).

The WF-C500 is a model that inherits the sound quality, basic performance, and mounting design of the "WF-1000XM4" (33,000 yen), which has received a lot of attention from readers of this magazine, while keeping the price down. According to the company, the increase in the market composition ratio of 10,000 yen or less is remarkable, and we would like to expand the lineup.

It does not support the recent trends of "noise canceling function" and "function to temporarily capture external sound", but 360RA support is the focus of attention. This means that listeners can enjoy three-dimensional sound through speakers and headphones by arranging each sound source as an object in an arbitrary position in a virtual sound field space that spreads over the entire sky.

Regarding sound quality, although details such as tuning methods are not disclosed, it is equipped with a 5.8mm driver unit and supports DSEE that complements compressed sound sources to the equivalent of CD sound quality. According to the company, the vocals can be heard clearly while maintaining a balance from low to high frequencies.

As smart functions, it supports "Google Fast Pair" that allows you to check the position by making a sound from the earphones, and "Swift Pair" that pops up a pop-up screen that prompts pairing just by bringing it close to a Windows 10 PC. Of course, you can also use the "Sony ｜ Headphones Connect" app that works with Sony wireless audio devices.

Other main specifications and accessories are as follows.

→ One charge is required in the charging case.It can be played for a total of 20 hours for 10 hours after charging with the main unit 10 hours + charging case.

By the way, in the trend colors of products and interiors in the spring and summer of 2021 announced by the Japan Trendy Color Association, the shade of "Ice Green" is posted in the color group 1.Experiment Experiment, and the shade of "Coral Orange" is posted in 3.Spontaneous Spontanius. It is said that it was used as a reference for color selection of WF-C500 according to Sony.

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