Short answer: the HyperX Cloud II, if you are buying new. The Sony WH-CH510 ranks higher than it (#98 vs #113 of 134 over-ear headphones, 3.2/5 vs 2.9/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the HyperX Cloud II is still sold new at $47.48.
The Sony WH-CH510 is the better-sounding choice. This is a wireless closed-back headphone with Bluetooth 5.0, SBC and AAC codecs, and a rated 35 hours of battery life, at only 0.3 lbs (132 g). Watch for: Presence is about 4 dB low with a 7.3 dB dip near 5.4 kHz, so vocal and guitar bite recede and detail sounds muted.
The case for the HyperX Cloud II: A built-in microphone and a closed-back design make it a ready-made gaming headset, and the 60 ohm impedance with 98 dB sensitivity means it runs easily from a PC or console. The tradeoff: A deep dip of roughly 15 dB near 4.2 kHz hollows out presence, so voices and the attack of instruments sound recessed, while a peak of about 9 dB near 8.6 kHz adds a sharp, sizzly edge to cymbals and sibilance.
Buy the HyperX Cloud II, since the Sony WH-CH510 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony WH-CH510 | HyperX Cloud II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.19 Discontinued | $47.48 |
| Ranked | #98 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #113 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.49 dB standard deviation | 3.60 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.74 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wireless | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (132 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | No | - |
| Battery Life | 35 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Impedance | - | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sony WH-CH510 compares with other leading options:
- HyperX Cloud Alpha vs Sony WH-CH510
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Sony WH-CH510
- HyperX Cloud II vs Sennheiser HD 450BT
- HyperX Cloud II vs Koss KPH40
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sony WH-CH510: $64.19 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: This is a wireless closed-back headphone with Bluetooth 5.0, SBC and AAC codecs, and a rated 35 hours of battery life, at only 132 g. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 2.7 dB above target, giving a warm, easygoing sound for casual listening, with a fairly smooth 2.49 dB deviation.
Cons: Presence is about 4 dB low with a 7.3 dB dip near 5.4 kHz, so vocal and guitar bite recede and detail sounds muted. There is no active noise cancelling, and the codec list stops at SBC and AAC, so there is no higher-bitrate option. Discontinued.
Full Sony WH-CH510 review and specifications →
| Active Noise Cancelling | No |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 35 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Connection | Wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.49 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (132 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | -9.8 dB | 0.83 |
| Peak | 5,368 Hz | +6.4 dB | 2.11 |
| Peak | 1,401 Hz | -2.1 dB | 2.20 |
| Peak | 2,257 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.59 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 239 Hz | +1.2 dB | 1.05 |
| Peak | 120 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.75 |
| Peak | 576 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.91 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | +0.4 dB | 2.76 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HyperX Cloud II: $47.48 Amazon eBay
Pros: A built-in microphone and a closed-back design make it a ready-made gaming headset, and the 60 ohm impedance with 98 dB sensitivity means it runs easily from a PC or console. The large 53mm driver delivers bass about 4 dB above the Harman target, which suits listeners who want punchy explosions and a warm, bass-forward presentation. Sub-bass and the lower midrange sit close to target, so the low end is fuller without being muddy.
Cons: A deep dip of roughly 15 dB near 4.2 kHz hollows out presence, so voices and the attack of instruments sound recessed, while a peak of about 9 dB near 8.6 kHz adds a sharp, sizzly edge to cymbals and sibilance. Treble above 6 kHz runs about 4 to 5 dB hot, which can become fatiguing at higher volumes. The HyperX Cloud Alpha has a higher rating at a lower price.
Full HyperX Cloud II review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.60 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.74 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 170 Hz | -7.0 dB | 1.06 |
| Peak | 271 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.58 |
| Peak | 3,828 Hz | +5.4 dB | 3.60 |
| Peak | 57 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.58 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,085 Hz | -3.0 dB | 3.98 |
| Peak | 2,378 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.78 |
| Peak | 3,700 Hz | +1.3 dB | 2.71 |
| Peak | 1,123 Hz | +1.1 dB | 3.29 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons