Let us be fair a little bit. The Sony WF-800n is not a completely new product. As in, it is not the first time we see noise cancelling in Sony’s sports focused earphones. It is also not the first Truly Wireless (TWS) sports focused earbuds in the market. It is however, Sony’s latest TWS sports earbuds with their award winning and proven Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology.

Sony already had the remarkable WF-SP700n earphones before this. In our tests two years ago, the device performed remarkably well in all kinds of situations. It only had a battery life of 3 hours on a single charge though (just earbuds). While that was enough for a good workout, it was pale in comparison to plenty of the TWS earbuds that was coming out at that time. Still, it had a small packaging that was attractive and easy to work with. It even has its own app, Sony’s Headphones app that we think was great.

The new model, the WF-SP800N is not technically a follow up or a replacement model. It was not meant to be a successor to the WF-SP700n, although the naming moniker. It is also more expensive than the older WF-SP700n at MYR 849. At that price though, it is cheaper than the coveted WF-1000XM3, the true great Noise Cancelling earbuds.

In this case, is this a better buy than Sony’s holy grail in TWS noise cancelling, the WF-1000XM3? Is it a better buy compared to the WF-SP700n at an MYR 100 premium? Most importantly , is it worth your hard earned MYR 849? Let us face it, that is just MYR 151 shy of MYR 1,000 (yes, I can count). In that case, this is still worth a lot of money compared to some of its competition. Let us find out then, if this is worth every penny, or if you should be looking elsewhere.

Design

To begin with, the one we have here is a very neon Orange colour option. It has four colour options including this one – Blue, White, Black, and Orange. That is the same amount of colour options you get with the less expensive and more compact Sony WF-SP700n. You are choosing between different colours though. There are two more colour choices compared to the higher-end WF-1000XM3 too. So that is one point to the Sony WF-SP800N.

We cannot help it; the WF-SP800N’s orange reminds us of traffic cones. It is exactly the same colour, both the case and the headphones compared to a regular traffic cone in Malaysia. That makes it seem like we have pieces of traffic cones in our ears and our bags. There is some good in this though.

Being this bright and neon means that you are sort of visible, albeit a small dot in your ear might not make that much of a difference in visibility. But still, it makes you a little more visible in whatever conditions that Malaysia can throw at you, except for torrential rain that is. You would not want to be caught running in the rain though, why would you run in the rain in the first place?

Still the extra visibility means you are a little safer when you do your runs on the street. You want to be a little more visible since you are going to be using the Noise Cancelling feature to block out the world. We do advise that you turn on the ambient noise feature when you run on a busy route though, just so that you are aware of what is coming at you and your surroundings.

The buds themselves are about the same size as the WF-1000XM3 earphones. To be fair, even the charging case looks nearly as big with the bottom third of the case cut off. The case cap is also a little concaved from the inside to create a sort of dome cocooning the earbuds inside.

The wingtips (they call it the arc supporter) that is additional to the regular silicon eartips makes the SP800N look a little larger than the WF-1000XM3 though. This is a stark difference compared to the WF-SP700n too. The WF-SP800N is way larger and look a little more cumbersome compared to the WF-SP700n. The wingtips do make it more secure to work with than the WF-1000XM3 though.

Like any modern device with a battery, the Sony WF-SP800N charges via a USB Type-C port at the back bottom of the device. Because of its odd shape though, the case only stands on its cap. That exposes the USB Type-C port to the top. We still do not understand this design choice.

As with most modern TWS cases these days, the WF-SP800N’s case cap is magnetic and the buds starts charging the moment you fit the buds back in. That is magnetic too, as with the WF-1000XM3. All you need to do is drop the earbuds into the case and the buds will simply snap in its place to start charging.

On the WF-800N’s left bud, there is a very tiny notch that indicates that the left earbud is the master earbud. It is technical a small instruction or reminder that you are supposed to put in the left side first. The rest of the earbuds’ design language mimics the WF-1000XM3 though, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

The case is made entirely of plastic though. While that makes it light, some might say it feels cheaper and less significant. The matte finish makes it feel a little nicer and softer to the touch, but there is no soft touch or rubbery coating here. You might want to be a little more careful with handling the case too though, or maybe buy a protective case, because the case does tend to scuff a little.

Performance

Of course, an earphone is nothing without its driver and sound quality. Of course, coming from Sony, you expect something special. Sony, after all, is one of the best in the business of audio. The Sony WF-SP800N packs a relatively powerful 6mm Neodymium drivers encased in very Orange (our test unit) IP55 rated package. Mind you, the case is not water resistant rated, so do not put the case in the water with the earphones.

Sound Quality

This section has always been Sony’s party piece. In a sense, Sony is a trusted name in audio, so there is never a doubt that it would sound good. That is if you do not compare it to the WF-1000XM3.

If you compared it to the older Sony WF-SP700n, the WF-SP800N does win out a little bit in the area. It is not night and day with the sound quality between the WF-SP700n and the WF-SP800N though. There is still a difference, comparatively.

On its own, the WF-SP800N TWS earphones is a capable performer. The low frequencies are great, for an earphone with tiny 6mm driver. The bass line is punchy and full. This is mostly thanks to Sony’s acclaimed EXTRA BASS technology.

Because of EXTRA BASS though, the mid-range and high-end frequencies take a little bit of a back seat. It does not mean that the Sony WF-SP800N sounds like a muddled piece of kit though. Contrary to that, while the bass line sounds punchy and powerful, mid and low frequencies are still present and available. The low-frequency is still full of details though, not just a punch for punching sake.

We used Spotify in most of our audio tests. The simple justification of us using Spotify, even if TIDAL can offer Lossless and FLAC quality audio, is that it is the most widely used ‘Premium’ music streaming app in Malaysia. It is also one of the most affordable, so we will stick to Spotify Premium for now.

We listened to music like ‘Lost Without You’ by Freya Ridings, for that full mid-range frequency pull of the vocals. We are happy to report that vocals still sound crisp and meaty in this case. Even ‘La Vie En Rose’ covered by Daniela Andrade sounds great on the WF-SP800N. This is if you are more concerned with vocals than anything. Then there is the concern of a terrible high-frequency with bassy earphones. For that high frequency reach, we tested the WF-SP800N with a symphony of Final Fantasy VII’s Medley done by Video Game Orchestra. In the symphony also we could properly tell the balance of the earphones. Of course, thanks to EXTRA BASS, you would expect all the low frequency instruments to shine. But it does not mean that the Violins and the windpipes do not get their shine, they still really do.

Of course, the sound staging is a little less dynamic than the WF-1000XM3. In this sense, the WF-1000XM3 does win out in a significant margin.  It is also not the most accurate earphone to work with, so if you are working with audio plenty and require natural and neutral sounding earphones, this is not for you. Then again, if you do not put them side by side, like us, the WF-SP800N is a formidable earphone on its own.

Compare it to its competition though, and it will blow them away. The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ for example has nothing compared to the Sony. The Sony WF-SP800N sounds clearer with better sound staging compared to the Samsung Galaxy Buds+. There is one thing that the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ do better than the Sony though, and that is a better and cleaner vocals and mid-range frequencies. You notice them too, but overall, the Sony WF-SP800N is still a much better sounding earphone with better overall detail in all frequencies. That superiority in sound quality alone may not be enough to justify its heftier price tag though. Its other features might just make up those few extra hundred difference.

360 Reality Audio

If you have apps that takes advantage of Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, even better. Sony’s new 360 Reality Audio technology technically is Sony’s audio enhancer that completely changes your experience with music. It takes Sony’s object based spatial audio technology and allows artists and musicians to record music in a completely new way. It allows musicians to place different instruments within a spherical sound field. Like the ‘360’ naming moniker then, it gives you a true spatial music experience.

Sadly, 360 Reality Audio is only available on select music streaming platforms though. It is currently only available on Deezer, nugs.net, and TIDAL. To be fair, you can get higher resolution music via those apps compared to Spotify. A little bit of technical talk here, TIDAL HiFi accounts allows users to stream 44.1kHz/16bit files at about 1411kbps. That is in the region of Lossless and FLAC audio file quality. Spotify Premium, on the other hand only streams at 320kbps. That is no where close to CD-quality or Lossless. Of course, there is a cost to all this. TIDAL’s HiFi subscription is worth MYR 29.80 a month while Spotify Premium works out to MYR 14.90 a month.

That extra cost, if you listen to 360 Reality Audio produced music on TIDAL (our app of choice for 360 Reality Audio), the TIDAL HiFi subscription is quite worth it. But we are reviewing the earbuds here, not the app. Of course, with 360 Reality Audio, the Sony WF-SP800N shines. Suddenly your sound stage changes from a two-dimensional experience to an immersive three-dimensional phenomenon. Close your eyes, and you will feel like you are in the concert hall or recording studio itself.

The thing is, you have to be on TIDAL HiFi subscription plan to fully take advantage of Sony’s 360 Reality Audio technology. That, or you have to pay for a Deezer subscription. They do not have as many music in their library as far as we know. There are no plans yet on Spotify’s side to support higher streaming quality or even have 360 Reality Audio support. Also, subscriptions with 360 Reality Audio availability is a little more premium in pricing compared to the usual subscriptions we are used to.

Active Noise Cancelling

This is something that Sony does better than almost everyone else in the field. Sony’s Active Noise Cancelling technology is considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best, in the market. Their highly acclaimed WF-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM4 are the very products that is hailed as the best in-class currently.

That same know how in Active Noise Cancelling they used on the WF-1000XM3 is present on the WF-SP800N. This could be worth that few extra hundred bucks on top of superior audio quality over other earphones made for an active lifestyle. This is also because ANC can make plenty of difference in your music experience.

Again, we do suggest that you keep ambient noise up anywhere from 50% to 100% when you wear this for a run. You can never be too safe, and you do not want to completely isolate yourself from the world in the case that you are sharing paths with the public. If you are in the gym and are trying to block out the world though, this will do it mighty well. Even if it is just to shut out the gym music, this will do that job well enough that you are in your own world completely. You can even swim with it cranked up in your ear. Other than acting as a water seal, it keeps you entertained and pumped up for your training.

Of course, it does not just do well in the active environment. Thanks to ANC and great audio quality, it is a headphone that you can enjoy in normal commuting conditions too. It is still a perfect earphone to own and use in the train, or even in the bus. It does really block out the world and isolate you out a little bit, which is always nice and somewhat relaxing. Of course, podcasts work great too. On that note, do check out our Tech & Tonic Podcast on Spotify, or Google Podcast, or Apple Podcast.

When you get home, and need some alone time away from everyone at home or everything else that is happening around you, the ANC is good enough that you can isolate yourself virtually. Of course, if there are really loud noise like a wall banging from the construction next door, you are going to hear it a little bit. If you get a good seal from the silicon tips though (choose the correct size for your ears), you might not even hear a glass breaking two feet away from you. It is that isolating.

In that case, you might want to think twice about wearing it in the office sometimes. Sure, the noise cancellation also means that you get to focus better on your own tasks and jobs. It allows better concentration and less distractions while not biothering any of your colleagues. As we have found though, it may not be too advisable to turn your back to the world as you might not be too aware of your surroundings. Your colleague might get annoyed too for not being able to get your attention. Although, you might be able to get more work done. That, or you might just start dancing on your own like a crazy person.

Fit and Comfort

The Sony WF-SP800N some similarities to the WF-1000XM3 in terms of earbud design. For one, they do share the same silicon tip fitting. The only difference between the two earphones is the WF-SP800N having an extra wingtip to ensure that the earphones stay in your ears and not fall out in an intense work out.

Fitting and comfort for everyone is a little different though. In that sense, I would not be able to say that I speak for everyone in this matter too. I had to change the silicon tips to the largest available from Sony to get a good seal in my ear. They provided three different sizes within the packaging, which also means that you get to either pick between a large, medium, or a small ear tip. The wingtips come in two sizes, medium, or small. The one attached to the earbuds out-of-the-box is the medium sized one, which is perfect enough for me. If it gets uncomfortable, you might want to switch to the smaller one.

Yes, there is a case for foam eartips for plenty of earphones. The WF-1000XM3 comes with foam eartips in-the-box as well. Foam eartips can be a little more forgiving to your ears and also means a longer period use case will not be uncomfortable or painful. Foam tips are a little more prone to tearing and may not work too well with water though. In that case, silicon is a little more reliable. Still, if you want to get a better seal, you can opt for aftermarket foam tips.

As we said earlier, it is important to find a good fit and seal for your earphones. It helps with the entire aural experience when your ears are properly sealed. It is especially important for noise cancelling earphones. Without a good seal, noise cancellation might not work as well. Therefore, take your time to choose the right eartips sizes for each of your ear.

Once you get a good fit and seal, the earphone can sit in your ears for hours and hours on end. It is made for a good workout, so if you are using the right sized eartips and wingtips, you are going to be mighty fine on long workout sessions. Even if you are just using it to relax and settle down on your commute home, or even reading a good book, you should be fine.

The only issue is that there is a little bit of heft to it. While in most cases you may not notice it that much, if you come from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Buds or even the Buds live, you are going to feel it on your ears a little more. It is not a major issue though. It is not like the earphones weigh more than 1kg each to weight down your ears. Each earbud weighs only about 10g anyway.

Thanks to the extra wingtips, the Sony WF-SP800N is extra secure. We took it to the gym, we took it swimming, we took it for evening runs, and we did our circuit training with this too. In those sessions which lasts anywhere between 15 minutes to 45 minutes, the Sony WF-SP800N has never needed any readjustments or a refitting. The whole experience was quite uninterrupted and seamless as long as your smartphone is within stable Bluetooth connection range.

Battery Life

The Sony WF-SP800N quotes about 9 hours of continuous music play time with ANC on. The charging case charges the WF-SP800N once over, which gives the earphones a total listening time of 18 hours. On paper, that is not as good as the WF-1000XM3’s total battery life. The SP800N offers a slightly longer battery life on a single charge though over the WF-1000XM3 – nine hours over eight hours.

In real life, we never could leave music playing for nine hours in our ears. We do not have any long flights lined-up for us too. Well, flights are still limited. We will take their words on the battery life, in this case.

Still, we have only charged the Sony WF-800N with the case once in a week. Of course, exercising is not in our daily activity schedule. We not only use the WF-SP800N as our workout companion of course. You can expect this kind of battery life too even if you head to the gym daily.

Whatever it is though, the battery life is perfect for long flights. If you are heading to Europe, you are going to appreciate the nine hours of battery life, especially when you have two seven-hour stints to complete. No travelling at this time though, so short domestic flights will have to do.

Sony Headphones App

We have said before that we always appreciate an accompanying app when it comes to wireless earphones. That said, Sony has always been shipping their audio devices with their accompanying app, the Sony Headphones and Music apps available on iOS and Android for free. We can happily report that the app is nothing short of amazing.

The app is designed to ensure that experiences with all Sony audio products are at least similar or unified. In that sense, even if you have multiple Sony audio products with you, you only need to work with a single app. Well, two in Sony’s case.

The Sony WF-SP800N works nicely with Sony’s Headphones app. Even if you access it through Sony’s Music app, the app will direct you to the Headphones app anyway, do not waste your time downloading the Music app first. The Headphones app is also one of the most comprehensive earphone controller apps we have ever come across so far though.

Samsung’s Wearables app has gone the route of simplification and minimalization in the past few years. You see less and less on the menu and settings screen. Sony has gone a little more of the opposite recently. On the Sony Headphones app, you still have the usual noise cancelling level and ambient noise balance control.

You now also have a separate section and page just for action detections, and location detection. You can tune and location detection. You can tune your WF-SP800N to different locations now too, you can have slightly different settings for when you are at home or even in the office. It can be as simple as tuning your earphones to tune out noise and sound a certain way at home, or in the office. When you are at the gym, it can automatically turn on ambient noise or turn up the low frequencies to get a better kick for your workout sessions.

But there are more than just ambient noise controls. You might have noticed that we said something about low frequency tuning in the previous paragraph. That is because you can really tune the earphones to your liking. There is a general equaliser control for you to work with, and there are even preset settings you can work with too in that.

Within the app is also Sony’s new clever optimisation algorithm to tailor listening experiences for individuals. Each of us has very slightly different ears and therefore experience headphones differently. That is also why high-end earphone makers scan your ears and create a mould for your ears to tailor their earphones for your ears and for your ears only. Sony does that virtually with their clever software by just taking a picture of your ears, with your smartphone’s selfie camera.

If you have Tidal, the app will have an optimisation option for 360 Reality Audio. You do want to optimise it for the sake of your Sony earphones though, not just the WF-SP800N. As we mentioned, it really transforms your audio experience. You can hear the difference if you pay attention.

The WF-SP800N – The Better Sports Earphone

For the longest time, the most proper TWS earphones that could stand up to sweat and pool water is the Sony’s WF-SP700n. Before that, it was the Samsung IconX, which we thought was a very good idea too. The TWS earphones idea was built for that purpose too, technically. It frees you from tangling wires or being tethered to a smartphone when you jog, when you work out.

It became plenty more than that later on though. We have super high-end TWS earphones made by the likes of Sennheiser, Klipsch, and even Shure now. Sony was the first to break out their high-end TWS earbuds with the WF-1000X though. With the introduction of the WF-1000XM3, TWS earphones does not have to be rubbish sounding even with Active Noise Cancelling. With the WF-1000XM3 too, great sounding earphones do not have to last only three hours before needing a quick recharge.

The culmination of that knowledge and Sony’s industry leading water resistance knowledge birthed the WF-SP800N, a follow up from the WF-SP700n. The new TWS earphone is a step up from the older WF-SP700n in every way, including weight and size. We think that the only drawback, compared to the old hardware, is just its heft. But that is justified by a longer battery life on both its case and the earpieces.

It may not sound as good as the WF-1000XM3. If you compare it to something like a Samsung Galaxy Buds+ though, it sounds quite a little bit better. It lasts quite a little bit longer too, in terms of battery life. It also fits better than the Samsung earbuds, and way more secure than the Sony WF-1000XM3 thanks to the extended wings.

It holds an advantage over the WF-1000XM3 though. It is water resistant rated at IP55. That also means you can use it for all your workout sessions. They say you can even swim in it if you want. Of course, you get to do that at your own risk.

At MYR 849, it is not exactly cheap. As we mentioned, it is just MYR 100 shy of the WF-1000XM3. It is difficult to justify that purchase based on sound quality alone. In fact, if that is all you are looking for, the WF-1000XM3 is a better buy. The WF-SP800N is in a completely different class of product though. It is made for the active people. It is made for those who exercises regularly and has a regularly active lifestyle; it is made to take a beating. But because Sony knows their way around an audio device, the WF-SP800N still sounds good enough for you to be enjoying music in any other situations. It is a perfect earphone to have for any situation, an all-rounder.

This is an excellent all-rounder earphone with Sony’s ANC technology. Some considers Sony’s ANC to be the best in the industry too. The MYR 849 premium price is also justified by that. There are no sports earbuds currently that has ANC currently, if you think about it.

So, for MYR 849, you are getting something that is quite out of this world. For MYR 849, you are getting something unique in the market. For MYR 849 too, you are paying for Sony’s quality, knowhow in audio, and excellent ANC technology, in a body that could handle your active lifestyle and stick to your ears even when it gets tough. What more could you want from a sports earphone?