Sony WI-SP500
Open-type drivers allow ambient sound in for outdoor awareness, while the IPX4 rating handles sweat and splashes during workouts. NFC one-touch pairing and an 8-hour battery eliminate setup friction and frequent charging between gym sessions. These are best for runners and gym-goers who prioritize situational awareness and a secure, wire-free fit over immersive audio isolation.
Überblick
The 30-Second Version
Decent sound and a genuinely useful open design, but micro-USB charging and a fragile port make this feel like a clearance-bin relic. Buy it only if you need ambient awareness on a budget.
Pros & Cons
Vorteile
- Open design lets you hear your surroundings, great for outdoor runs 81st
- Sound quality is better than the price suggests
- NFC pairing is genuinely handy if you have an Android phone
- Lightweight and comfortable for short sessions
Nachteile
- Micro-USB charging in 2024 is embarrassing
- Charging port breaks easily, multiple owners report failure within a month
- Fit is hit or miss, the earpieces are big and fall out for some people
- Battery life is bottom-tier compared to modern earbuds
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The Word on the Street
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Die Fakten
Performance
The open-type drivers are the whole story here. They don't seal your ear canal, so you get a light, airy sound that's actually pretty pleasant for podcasts and casual listening. Bass is weak, which is expected, but vocals come through clear. The 8-hour battery is fine on paper, but it lands in the 12th percentile of our database, which means it's basically a relic compared to modern buds pushing 30+ hours with the case. The IPX4 rating is fine for sweat, but the micro-USB charging port is a durability time bomb. Multiple owners report it breaking within weeks.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
Audio
| Driver Type | open-type |
| Codecs | Sony WI-SP500 Wireless in-Ear Sports Headphones, Bluetooth Earbuds, Black (International Version) |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 8 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | voice assistants |
| Touch Controls | No |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 |
vs Competition
The Soundcore P31i costs about the same and gives you a charging case, better battery, and a more secure fit. The JLab JBuds Pods ANC adds active noise cancellation for a few bucks more, though that defeats the purpose of the open design. If you specifically want to hear your surroundings while running, the Sony is actually a reasonable choice, but the Nothing Ear (3) and Galaxy Buds3 Pro both offer transparency modes that do the same thing with far better overall quality. You're paying for the open design, not the tech.
| Spec | Sony WI-SP500 | Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Soundcore P31i |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | open-type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 28 | 26 | 18 | 24 | 50 |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Produkt | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Nutzerresonanz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WI-SP500 | 32 | 44.9 | 81.4 | 31.5 | 11.8 | 29.5 | 15.8 | 50 | 58.1 |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K Compare | 97.5 | 97.5 | 81.4 | 99.1 | 82.9 | 73.3 | 92 | 99.2 | 80.7 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.5 | 97.5 | 98.9 | 93.6 | 77.8 | 94.6 | 79.9 | 99.6 | 89.8 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 Compare | 97.5 | 92.1 | 81.4 | 97 | 49.4 | 94.6 | 92 | 98.1 | 89.8 |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 Compare | 97.5 | 84.3 | 98.9 | 91.5 | 80 | 94.6 | 31.5 | 99.6 | 99.4 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 90.8 | 97.5 | 92 | 97.4 | 94.5 | 73.3 | 97.1 | 87.6 | 89.8 |
Preis
Value & Pricing
At $39, you're not risking much, but you're also not getting much. The sound is decent and the open design is genuinely useful for runners, but the micro-USB port and durability complaints make this feel like a gamble. If you can find them for $25 or less, sure. Otherwise, save your money.
Mehr erfahren
Overview
The Sony WI-SP500 is a weird little time capsule. It's a wireless neckband-style earbud from an era when 'sports headphones' meant 'you can still hear traffic,' and honestly, that open design is the only reason to consider these in 2024. The sound is surprisingly decent for the price, but everything else feels like Sony clearing out old inventory.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use these for running?
Yes, and that's actually the best use case. The open design lets you hear traffic and other runners, and the IPX4 rating handles sweat. Just don't expect a secure fit if you have smaller ears.
Q: Do these work with Zoom or video calls?
Not reliably. Several owners report compatibility issues with Zoom and other video conferencing apps. The mic is mediocre at best, so if calls are a priority, look elsewhere.
Q: How long does the battery actually last?
Sony claims 8 hours, and that's roughly accurate for moderate volume. But that's low by today's standards, and the micro-USB charging means you'll be hunting for an old cable.
Who Should Skip This
If you want earbuds for commuting, office use, or anything involving calls, skip these. The open design means you'll hear everything around you, the mic is weak, and Zoom compatibility is spotty. Get the Soundcore P31i or JLab JBuds Pods ANC instead. If you just want good sound for the money, these aren't it either.
Verdict
The WI-SP500 is a one-trick pony, and that trick is 'hear your surroundings while listening to music.' If that's exactly what you need for outdoor workouts, it's a passable $39 purchase. For everyone else, there are better earbuds at this price with modern charging, better battery, and fewer durability complaints. The charging port issue alone should give you pause.
