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Lightning Review: Sony MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Cancelling Headphones
Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 2:00 AM on July 24, 2008
The Gadget: Sony's MDR-NC500D, the "world's first headphones with digital technology for noise cancelling." These over the ear noise cancelling headphones have three different environmental modes, a monitor mode, internal reachable battery and a case full of accessories and adapters.
The Price: US$400.00
The Verdict: As with any expensive noise cancelling headphones that are geared towards frequent flyers, comfort, sound quality, and noise cancelling are all equally important when reviewing.
Comfort
Doesn't matter how great a pair of headphones sound, they must be comfortable to wear especially when they're cancelling out noise on long haul flights. My first comfort impression: they're surprisingly light when wearing. Usually big over-the-ear headphones are uncomfortably heavy; but not these. The ear-cup padding is relatively thin and firm, but still comfortable. The padding on the top head strap has this same firm feel and is more than adequate. A month ago on a SF to Paris flight, I wore these headphones for a continuous 10 hours before I started to notice discomfort. So I can safely say they pass the comfort test.
Sound Quality
Now I'm no audiophile, but I do enjoy a crisp vibrant sound. It must be noted that these headphones always have the noise cancelling feature on, so they aren't exactly like a pair of normal headphones. The overall sound quality is great, but it's not astonishing. With volume at medium level the depth is there with a clean undistorted sound. In the higher volume levels the headphones start to produce very light noise and some minimal distortion. But this is at very high levels which I couldn't handle for more than a few seconds. Even though the headphones are expensive, it's excusable that the sound quality wasn't amazing because the noise cancelling totally makes up for it.
Noise Cancelling
I'm still a bit confused to how this "digital technology for noise cancelling" exactly works. But I do know it works very well. It's my understanding that it converts the analogue signal digitally by using a digital processor, and then it can apply different environmental filters based on the surroundings. When you first turn the headphones on they use the standard non-environmently filtered noise cancelling. This setting worked well, but by clicking the AI (artificial intelligence) button located right next to the power switch, the audio cut out for a second then came back even better. The AI NC mode uses an automatic environmental filter mode where it can detect the HZ range of noise and apply a filter to mask it. There are three different modes, one for a plane, one for a train/bus, and another for an office/study environment. I did play with the different manual modes for a bit but found that the automatic setting could choose the right one for me, so I had no need for the manual settings.
Once I figured out the AI NC feature I started to enjoy the headphones even more. I could barely hear the roar of the jet's engines, but at the same time I could slightly hear important outside sounds, like my girl friend asking me to get her ice cream. I tested the noise cancelling against a pair of US$200 JVC HA-NC250 on-the-ear noise cancelling headphones. Compared to the JBLs, the Sonys were amazingly better. The JBLs let in more outside noise and had a slight distortion/buzz in sound. The Sony's clarity and overall enjoyment was much better.
Accessories
These headphones come with a huge carrying case that is packed full of accessories. The case is so big that it makes carrying it sort of a hassle, but it does have every accessory you could ever need. It's got an in-flight adaptor, 1/4" stereo adaptor, 2 3.5mm stereo cords, a charger, and even a AA battery powered adaptor for when you run out of internal juice.
Final Verdict
I'm currently 30,000 feet above the Atlantic in a Boeing 747 and I can't hep but gush over these headphones. They're simply amazing. But are they worth the price? For most people I would say no way. I think these are only for those frequent flyers who are regularly taking flights longer than 5 hours. The US$400 price tag can only be justified if the headphones are being used a few times a month and not just to block out sounds around the house.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Ariel_Wollinger
Posted 3:46 AM 24/7/08
Hos is this compared to Bose's?
Ariel_Wollinger
Puck
Posted 3:35 AM 24/7/08
These don't sound like they're remotely worth it for $400. You could get a great set of cans (AT A900s!) for a lot less than this that sound incredible if space isn't a big concern. I might pay $150 for these at most, especially when the review states that the sound quality isn't astonishing and that the reviewer isn't an audiophile.
Also, when reviewing headphones and speaking to comfort, it helps to mention whether or not you wear glasses, as it does make a difference with some headphones regarding fit and comfort. I think those of us who wear glasses have to be even picker than those who do not.
Puck
bobx3
Posted 3:06 AM 24/7/08
I'm happy with my free Bose Noise Canceling Headphones I won at a raffle thank you very much.
$400 is only worth it if you're a weekly long-haul flyer imo.
bobx3
ninjagin
Posted 2:59 AM 24/7/08
Has there been a Noise-Cancelling Headphone Battlemodo?
ninjagin
Shub-Niggurath
Posted 2:33 AM 24/7/08
The noise canceling works by taking in surrounding noise via microphone, and outputs the inverse of the soundwaves to your ear. This effectively nullifies the noise outside the headphone. Interestingly if you sit in the corner of some rooms, sounds can bounce off walls and create an area of reduced sound.
Shub-Niggurath
Rabbi Dave
Posted 2:27 AM 24/7/08
Oh, forgot to say, otherwise thanks for the review! I saw these advertised yesterday and hadn't heard anything about them.
Rabbi Dave
Rabbi Dave
Posted 2:26 AM 24/7/08
@Mpls_Mikey: Good question, as I think they're the standard these days. Every time I fly and go to the bathroom, ever businessman has a pair on. I hear Sennheiser has a small over ear version as well for about $200. I borrowed my inlaws' Bose for some business flying and they are nicer than my shure in ear plugs by far, and more comfortable for long listening. Not as good sound though. I really like being able to hear direct talking though. It's like the phones KNOW when the flight attendant is there. And for a site that mentions $300+ ipods and iphones routinely, let alone widescreen laptops, $400 for the proper output is not ludicrous.
Rabbi Dave
Mpls_Mikey
Posted 2:12 AM 24/7/08
How do they compare to Bose's two over-the-ear noise canceling headphones?
Mpls_Mikey
Rabid Penguin
Posted 2:11 AM 24/7/08
If you didn't have to drop so much money on those headphones you might not have to ride coach. What the hell is that orange capped item in your seat? I hope you're wearing your vest.
Rabid Penguin
nachobel
Posted 2:09 AM 24/7/08
Maybe if I flew everyday. Maybe.
nachobel
klaybc
Posted 2:08 AM 24/7/08
I usually roll up 4 one hundred dollar bills and stuff two in each ear. This might be better.
klaybc
Rabbi Dave
Posted 4:33 AM 24/7/08
@2001gsr: third
Rabbi Dave
2001gsr
Posted 4:15 AM 24/7/08
@ninjagin: Great idea! I 2nd that request!
2001gsr
Jitty
Posted 5:02 AM 24/7/08
I've been wanting for you guys to review this for a long time. Nice review. I'm not really a frequent flier but I [i]really[/i] enjoy a good pair of noise canceling headphones. So I might pay $400 to get these. But I also enjoy very good sound quality (audiophile) and was disappointed when you said that these headphone weren't nearly audiophile quality.
Jitty
ANoel
Posted 5:20 AM 24/7/08
@bobx3:
... or ride daily on a subway or transit train.
ANoel
SCAR08
Posted 5:46 AM 24/7/08
My Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones work find for me.... I never know when a baby is crying on flights.
SCAR08
mikegriffin
Posted 6:02 AM 24/7/08
Depends on where you live and how many DB's you have to listen to per day. My Bose quite comfort's block my wife out all day long-verdict priceless.
mikegriffin
zed0
Posted 6:00 AM 24/7/08
These sound friggin awesome! I found them for $100 off.
[www.amazon.com]
zed0
nka
Posted 8:24 AM 24/7/08
$400 is insane, however I feel that most consumers will agree, and seeing this is the case, sony will lower albeit slowly, the price of these bad boys! Can't wait to try them out.
nka
bsoft
Posted 11:21 AM 24/7/08
I can't stand the size of noise canceling headphones, so I use in-ear headphones instead. My Shure e2g buds do a great job of blocking out cabin noise, they don't require batteries, and they sound great. The only downside is that they aren't as comfortable as noise canceling headphones.
bsoft
JacquesAss
Posted 2:00 PM 24/7/08
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 for the win.
Wired picked them over the Bose QC2. Pogue loved them. Sound and Vision Online loved them.
[www.audio-technica.com]
Super comfortable, great sound. I've used them on about 15 round-trip flights (including multiple cross-country legs) and never had to replace the battery. I won't fly without them anymore - just turning them off for a second mid-flight reminds me again that they were worth every penny. Around $100 online (list = $220).
JacquesAss
bobx3
Posted 1:33 AM 25/7/08
@ANoel: I don't know about that one...maybe if you have like a 45 minute train commute or something, but not the subway, for what? 10 minutes a day?
bobx3
psdiao
Posted 3:42 PM 24/7/08
+1 for the ANC7.
While the sound is terrible with the noise canceling off, they are amazing with it on. There is also a lot of sound leakage so other people can hear your music which may be annoying to others in a close quarter situation. The LED is also extremely bright which may also annoy others in dark environments.
psdiao