Press the Noise Canceling/Ambient Sound Mode button on the left earcup to switch between noise canceling and Ambient Sound. Each press plays a notification tone. For finer control, open Sony’s companion app, turn off Adaptive Sound Control if you want manual control, then use Ambient Sound Control → Ambient Sound to choose a level from 1 to 20.
What the two listening modes do
The WH-CH720N has two distinct sound modes. Noise Canceling uses the headset’s microphones and processing to reduce background noise. It is useful for steady sounds such as engine rumble, air-conditioning and other environmental noise, but it does not make every sound disappear. Ambient Sound feeds more of the surrounding environment into your headphones so you can remain aware of people, announcements and nearby activity without removing them.
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Sony describes the WH-CH720N as using Dual Noise Sensor technology, with feedforward and feedback microphones. Ambient Sound mode uses those microphones to capture outside sound, and the companion app provides 20 ambient-sound levels. Sony’s product information is available at the WH-CH720N product page.
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| Mode or control | How you select it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Canceling | Press the left-unit Noise Canceling/Ambient Sound Mode button until noise canceling is selected | Reduce background noise while listening |
| Ambient Sound | Press the same button to switch modes, then set Ambient Sound level in the app | Hear more of your surroundings |
| Adaptive Sound Control | Enable or disable it in the app | Automatically change noise-canceling or ambient behavior according to activity and other conditions |
| Auto Ambient Sound | Configure it within the app’s ambient-sound controls | Change ambient pickup according to surrounding noise |
The button changes between Noise Canceling and Ambient Sound only when automatic control is not overriding your choice. If the headset appears to change modes by itself, check Adaptive Sound Control first.
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- SMART FEATURES: Adjustable Ambient Sound mode and Adaptive Sound control features tailors sound to suit the environment around you.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 35-hour battery life with quick charging (3 min charge for up to 1 hour of playback).(USB Type-C Cable included)
Find the physical control
On the WH-CH720N, the Noise Canceling/Ambient Sound Mode button is on the left unit, next to the power button. Sony’s over-ear operating guide says that each press switches between Noise Canceling and Ambient Sound Mode and produces a notification sound. The guide also warns that menu names and procedures can vary by model and operating system; use the current instructions shown for your headset in Sony’s support materials at Sony’s over-ear guide.
Before changing settings, wear the headphones normally and make sure they are powered on. A loose fit can change how much outside sound you perceive, so check the earcups before deciding that a setting is not working. The mode button changes the listening mode; it does not select a particular ambient level. That adjustment is made in the app.
Switch noise canceling on or off with the button
- Put on the WH-CH720N and turn it on.
- Locate the Noise Canceling/Ambient Sound Mode button on the left unit, beside the power button.
- Press the button once. Listen for the notification tone and note the resulting mode.
- Press it again whenever you want to return to the other mode.
Use Noise Canceling when your priority is reducing background noise. Use Ambient Sound when you need awareness of conversations, announcements or nearby activity. If a press seems to have no lasting effect, continue to the Adaptive Sound Control section below; automatic rules can immediately apply a different setting.
Stop automatic changes before making manual adjustments
Adaptive Sound Control can adjust noise canceling or ambient level according to activity. It can also work with activity scenes and location-based switching. If you want the button and your chosen app level to remain in control, disable this feature first.
- Open Sony’s headphone-control app while the WH-CH720N is connected.
- Open My Device.
- Select Adaptive Sound Control.
- Switch Adaptive Sound Control off.
- Return to the headphones and press the left-unit mode button to select Noise Canceling or Ambient Sound manually.
Sony’s troubleshooting guidance specifically recommends checking whether Adaptive Sound Control is enabled when mode changes or notification tones seem unexpected. See Sony’s troubleshooting article if the behavior continues.
Adjust how much outside sound you hear
Ambient Sound is not simply an on-or-off setting. Its pickup level can be adjusted from 1 through 20 in the companion app. Higher numbers increase the amount of ambient sound picked up; lower numbers reduce it.
- Connect the WH-CH720N to your phone and open the Sony app.
- Open the device controls and choose Ambient Sound Control.
- Select Ambient Sound.
- Move the level control to a value from 1 to 20.
- Listen for a moment in the environment where you will actually use the headphones, then adjust again.
Testing in the real setting matters. A level that feels comfortable in a quiet room may be insufficient near traffic or a busy office, while a high level can add more surrounding sound than you want during focused listening. Increase the value when awareness is the priority; decrease it when you want more isolation while remaining in Ambient Sound mode.
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Sony lists Focus on Voice as an Ambient Sound feature for the WH-CH720N. If the option appears in your app, it is intended for hearing voices while using ambient pickup. The exact label or location can differ between app versions, so follow the control shown for your connected WH-CH720N rather than an older screenshot or menu description.
Understand Auto Ambient Sound
Sony also describes Auto Ambient Sound, which changes ambient pickup based on surrounding noise. This is different from choosing one fixed level yourself: the headset can vary the amount of outside sound as conditions change.
Auto Ambient Sound can be useful when your surroundings change frequently, but it is not the right choice if you need a predictable, fixed level. For consistent manual behavior, turn off Adaptive Sound Control and choose a specific Ambient Sound level from 1 to 20. If the app presents Auto Ambient Sound as an available option, read its current description before enabling it because labels and placement can change with app updates.
How activity and location rules affect the mode
Adaptive Sound Control can include activity scenes and location-based switching. Those rules may apply different noise-canceling or ambient settings when the headset detects a selected activity or when you enter a configured place.
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Which app should you use?
The model-specific Help Guide refers to the companion application as Sony | Headphones Connect, while Sony’s current support materials list the newer name Sony | Sound Connect. The controls may therefore have slightly different names or locations depending on your phone, operating-system version, region and app release.
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- DUAL NOISE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY: Take noise canceling to the next level with Sony’s Integrated Processor V1, so you can fully immerse yourself in the music.
- ALL DAY COMFORT: Super comfortable and lightweight design.
- SMART FEATURES: Adjustable Ambient Sound mode and Adaptive Sound control features tailors sound to suit the environment around you.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 35-hour battery life with quick charging (3 min charge for up to 1 hour of playback).(USB Type-C Cable included
Start with the current WH-CH720N support page at Sony’s model support page. The model’s Help Guide is available at the WH-CH720N Help Guide. If your app says Sound Connect instead of Headphones Connect, use Sound Connect; do not install an older app solely to match the wording in an earlier guide.
Update the app and headset before troubleshooting
The Help Guide advises downloading the app and updating both the app and headset software for full functions and improved performance. Sony’s support page currently identifies the headset as model YY2966 and, at the time of the listed support information, shows firmware 1.1.4 dated 2025-12-09. The same page lists a Sony | Sound Connect app entry dated 2026-09-30. These are version and listing dates, not guarantees that every region or phone will show the same release.
- Open the WH-CH720N entry on Sony’s support page.
- Check the firmware version displayed for your connected headset.
- Update the Sony app through your phone’s normal app-update mechanism if an update is offered.
- Install any headset firmware update offered inside the app, following its on-screen instructions.
- Reconnect the headphones and test the mode button again.
Do not assume that an older menu screenshot reflects the current interface. Sony notes that steps and menu names can vary by model or operating system, and software availability can also vary by date and region.
Manual control versus automatic control
Manual control is the simpler choice when you want the same behavior every time you press the button. Turn off Adaptive Sound Control, leave Auto Ambient Sound disabled, and set one Ambient Sound value that suits your usual environment. This avoids a situation in which the app, an activity scene or a place rule changes the setting immediately after you select it.
Automatic control is useful when you move repeatedly between places or activities. For example, a location rule might apply one setting at home and another at work, while activity scenes can respond to how Sony’s app classifies your movement. The trade-off is predictability: the level you selected may not remain fixed. If you are diagnosing a problem, always test with automation disabled first, then add scenes or location rules back one at a time.
A reliable first-time setup
- Charge and power on the headphones, then connect them to the phone running Sound Connect.
- Update the app and install any offered headset firmware update.
- Open My Device → Adaptive Sound Control and decide whether you want automatic behavior. Disable it for a fixed manual setup.
- Press the left-unit button to select Noise Canceling or Ambient Sound.
- If you selected Ambient Sound, open Ambient Sound Control → Ambient Sound and begin at a moderate value within the 1–20 range.
- Test the setting where you will actually listen. Adjust the level, and check Focus on Voice if you need speech to stand out.
- Only after the manual setup works should you enable Auto Ambient Sound, activity scenes or My Places, if those features fit your routine.
This order separates connection or software issues from automation issues. It also gives you a known baseline, making it easier to identify which rule caused a later change.
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The headset switches back after you press the button
- Open My Device → Adaptive Sound Control and turn it off.
- Check for activity scenes or My Places rules that could be applying a different sound setting.
- If location switching is enabled, review the phone’s location permission and precise-location setting.
- After changing the automatic settings, press the mode button again and listen for the notification tone.
You hear a notification tone but cannot tell which mode is active
Press the button once, wait for the tone, and check the mode shown in the app. The physical control cycles between the two modes; the app gives you a clearer confirmation and lets you inspect the ambient level. If the app and button appear out of sync, reconnect the headset in the app and verify that Adaptive Sound Control is disabled.
Ambient Sound is too quiet or too loud
- Open Ambient Sound Control → Ambient Sound.
- Confirm that Ambient Sound, rather than Noise Canceling, is selected.
- Raise or lower the 1–20 level while listening in the actual environment.
- Check whether Auto Ambient Sound or Adaptive Sound Control is changing the level.
- If you need clearer speech, look for the Focus on Voice option in the current app interface.
The app does not show the expected menu
Confirm that the WH-CH720N is the selected device, update the app and headset software, and consult the current model Help Guide. Menu wording may differ because Sony has used both Headphones Connect and Sound Connect names, and because labels can change across operating systems and releases.
Location-based switching does not work
My Places requires smartphone location information, the Allow all the time permission and precise location. Review those permissions in the phone’s settings, then return to the app and check the My Places configuration. If you prefer not to grant continuous location access, disable location-based automation and control the mode manually.
Practical settings for common situations
Travel and commuting
Choose Noise Canceling when you want to reduce steady transport or street background noise. If you need to hear announcements or people, switch to Ambient Sound and choose a level that lets those sounds through. Turn off Adaptive Sound Control if you do not want the headset to change the choice during the journey.
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Noise Canceling can reduce background distractions. When someone needs to speak with you, press the left-unit button for Ambient Sound or use the app to set a lower ambient level. Return to Noise Canceling when the conversation is over.
Walking near other people
Ambient Sound is the more appropriate mode when awareness of nearby activity matters. Adjust the level in the app rather than assuming the default is suitable for every street or building. Keep your attention on your surroundings; the headset’s microphones and software are not a substitute for visual awareness.
Frequent changes between quiet and noisy places
Auto Ambient Sound or Adaptive Sound Control may be convenient when conditions change repeatedly. If the automatic behavior becomes distracting, disable it and use a fixed Ambient Sound level or the physical mode button.
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Limits and expectations
Noise canceling reduces background noise; it is not a promise that every external sound will be removed. Ambient Sound intentionally introduces more environmental sound, so it will not provide the same isolation as Noise Canceling. Your earcup fit, the room and the type of noise all affect what you hear.
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App labels, permissions and available features can change by operating-system version, region and release date. Sony’s US support page is a useful reference, but your local support page and the controls currently displayed for your connected WH-CH720N take priority.
Quick reference checklist
- Use the left-unit Noise Canceling/Ambient Sound Mode button to switch modes.
- Use Noise Canceling to reduce background noise; use Ambient Sound to hear more of the environment.
- Disable My Device → Adaptive Sound Control when you want manual control.
- Set Ambient Sound Control → Ambient Sound from level 1 to 20; higher values pick up more outside sound.
- Review Auto Ambient Sound, activity scenes and My Places if settings change automatically.
- For My Places, Sony requires “Allow all the time” and precise location permission.
- Keep the app and headset firmware current, and use the current Sound Connect interface or model Help Guide when labels differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on noise canceling on the WH-CH720N?
Turn on the headphones and press the Noise Canceling/Ambient Sound Mode button on the left unit, beside the power button. Each press switches between Noise Canceling and Ambient Sound and plays a notification tone. If the headset immediately changes back, open My Device → Adaptive Sound Control in Sony’s app and disable automatic control before pressing the button again.
How can I hear people without taking off the headphones?
Switch to Ambient Sound with the left-unit mode button. Then open Ambient Sound Control → Ambient Sound in Sony | Sound Connect (called Sony | Headphones Connect in older guides) and choose a level from 1 to 20. Higher values feed more environmental sound into the headphones. Focus on Voice may also be available to emphasize speech.
Why does the sound mode keep changing by itself?
Adaptive Sound Control may be applying an activity scene or a location rule. In the app, open My Device → Adaptive Sound Control and switch it off to test manual operation. Also check Auto Ambient Sound and My Places. Location switching uses the phone’s location information and requires Allow all the time plus precise-location permission.
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Does Noise Canceling remove every outside sound?
No. Noise Canceling reduces background noise, especially steady environmental sounds, but it does not guarantee silence. Fit, earcup position, the room and the type of noise affect what remains audible. Ambient Sound deliberately adds environmental sound, so it will provide less isolation than Noise Canceling.
What do Ambient Sound levels 1 through 20 mean?
They control how much outside sound the headphones pick up while Ambient Sound is active. Lower numbers reduce the amount of environmental sound; higher numbers increase it. There is no single best value for every place, so adjust while listening in the office, vehicle, street or other environment where you will use the headphones.
Is Auto Ambient Sound the same as setting level 20?
No. A level from 1 to 20 is a fixed choice you make in the app. Auto Ambient Sound changes the pickup according to surrounding noise. Automatic adjustment can be convenient in changing conditions, but use a fixed level with Adaptive Sound Control disabled when you need predictable behavior.
Which Sony app works with the WH-CH720N?
Sony’s older WH-CH720N Help Guide calls it Sony | Headphones Connect, while current Sony support materials use Sony | Sound Connect. Use the current app offered for your phone and region, and select the connected WH-CH720N. Menu names can differ across releases and operating systems, so follow the controls shown in your current app.
Do I need to allow location access?
Only if you want My Places location-based switching. Sony says that feature needs smartphone location information, the Allow all the time permission and precise location. If you do not want continuous location access, turn off My Places or Adaptive Sound Control and operate the modes with the physical button and a fixed Ambient Sound level.
What should I do if the app is missing Ambient Sound Control?
Confirm that the WH-CH720N is connected and selected, then update the app and headset firmware. Sony’s model support page and Help Guide are the best references for the current interface. Labels can differ because the app name and menus have changed, and availability can vary by operating system, region and release.
Should I update the headset before troubleshooting?
Yes. Sony’s Help Guide recommends updating both the app and headset software for full functions and improved performance. The support page has listed firmware 1.1.4 dated 2025-12-09, but versions can differ by region and time. Install updates offered by the app, reconnect the headphones, and then retest the mode button with automation disabled.
The Bottom Line
Press the left-unit Noise Canceling/Ambient Sound Mode button to switch modes. For reliable manual control, disable Adaptive Sound Control, then set Ambient Sound from 1 to 20 in Sony | Sound Connect; use Auto Ambient Sound, activity scenes or My Places only when automatic changes suit you.
Quick Recap
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