OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony MDR HW700ds Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£450Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:12 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR HW700ds Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony MDR HW700ds
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 72% of models
Score components

80%

6.5

Technical score

20%

8.3

User score

â–²Better than 72% of headphones
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

8.1

Price

â–¼Worse than 51%
6.5

Technical score

Technical score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components

52%

7.4

Sound

20%

4.6

Features

10%

6.0

Design

8%

7.4

Connectivity

6%

5.3

Battery

4%

6.1

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 70%
8.3

User score

User score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

8.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 77%
  • sony-mdr-hw700ds
sony-mdr-hw700ds
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR HW700ds

Technical score
Technical score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components:

52%

7.4

Sound

20%

4.6

Features

10%

6.0

Design

8%

7.4

Connectivity

6%

5.3

Battery

4%

6.1

Calls & Controls

6.5
User score
User score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

8.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.3
Popularity
Popularity
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR HW700ds has a popularity score of 8.1 points, which is higher than that of 77.3% of products in this category.
8.1
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

8.1

Price

7.3
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
50 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 50 mm, larger driver size than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 8.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
5 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
?
Multipoint support
yes
This pair of headphones supports multipoint. 69.4% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
?
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
12 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 12 hours, lower battery life than 85.4% of headphones and equal to 3.8% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
3 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 3 hours to charge, higher charging time than 66.7% of headphones and equal to 20.8% of headphones.
Quick charge
yes
This pair of headphones supports quick charge. 67% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
800 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 800 mAh, higher battery capacity than 75% of headphones and equal to 7.6% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
320 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 320 g, heavier than 84.9% of headphones and equal to 1.4% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR HW700ds vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • LDAC support
    This pair of headphones supports LDAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 8.1% of headphones support LDAC.
  • AptX Adaptive support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Adaptive, the average pair of headphones does not. 6.7% of headphones support aptX Adaptive.
  • 15 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (75 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    75 mm vs 60 mm
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 12 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (56 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    56 mm vs 44 mm
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 5,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • 37.9% higher battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (800 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    800 mAh vs 580 mAh
  • Play while charging
    This pair of headphones can play while charging, the average pair of headphones cannot. 29.1% of headphones support play while charging.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • Multipoint support
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • LDAC support
    This pair of headphones supports LDAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 8.1% of headphones support LDAC.
  • AptX Adaptive support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Adaptive, the average pair of headphones does not. 6.7% of headphones support aptX Adaptive.
  • Dongle included
    This pair of headphones includes a dongle, the average pair of headphones does not. 4.6% of headphones include a dongle.
  • Low-latency game mode
    This pair of headphones includes a low-latency game mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.2% of headphones support low-latency game mode.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    3 hours vs 2 hours
  • 46.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (320 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    320 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 18 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (12 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    12 hours vs 30 hours
  • 5x more expensive
    Sony MDR HW700ds is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£450 vs £90).
    £450 vs £90
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 5x more expensive
    Sony MDR HW700ds is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£450 vs £90).
    £450 vs £90
  • 46.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (320 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    320 g vs 218 g
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    3 hours vs 2 hours
  • 18 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (12 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    12 hours vs 30 hours
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

10
Armaan Sandhu
✓ explicit
06/04/2017
Long-term use · movies and games, with drawbacks noted
Verdict
Sony MDR-HW700DS is a top pick for movie and game surround sound, but not for music.
Shop video
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Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony MDR HW700ds

  • Immersive 9.1-channel virtual surround sound that effectively replicates a multi-speaker home theatre experience for movies and games.
  • Highly comfortable over-ear design with thick, soft memory foam padding suitable for long-duration wear.
  • Strong wireless performance using dual-band (2.4GHz/5GHz) technology to prevent interference and signal drop-outs.
  • Powerful bass and decent dynamic range that makes action scenes in films highly impactful.
  • Convenient on-ear controls for volume, input switching, and sound effect modes.

What customers don't like about Sony MDR HW700ds

  • Relatively high price point compared to high-end dedicated hi-fi stereo headphones.
  • Sound quality for music is less refined, with some reviewers finding the mids and treble lack detail or sound slightly 'processed'.
  • HDMI 1.4 limitations mean the processor unit does not support HDR or Dolby Vision passthrough (limited to 4K at lower refresh rates).
  • Large, bulky physical profile that is not ideal for casual wear or travel.
  • The 12-hour battery life, while decent, is shorter than many modern wireless headphone alternatives.

Verdict

The Sony MDR-HW700DS is a high-end digital wireless headphone system designed for home cinema, featuring massive 50mm neodymium drivers and a proprietary processor that reproduces a virtual 9.1-channel surround sound experience. Key technical specifications include a wide frequency response of 5Hz to 25,000Hz, dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz transmission with a 30-metre range, and support for high-resolution uncompressed audio up to 192kHz/24-bit, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Main characteristics include specialized DSP modes (Cinema, Game, and Voice) and a dedicated breakout box with three HDMI inputs supporting 4K pass-through. Its primary pros are the deeply immersive 3D soundstage, exceptional comfort for long sessions due to pressure-relieving earpads, and a solid 12-hour battery life. However, notable cons include an aging HDMI 1.4b standard that lacks HDR/Dolby Vision pass-through without external splitters, mediocre performance for critical music listening compared to hi-fi stereo headphones, and a bulky design that only functions with its specific base station.

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