Sony's MDR-NC50 noise-cancelling headphones
By Ryan Block 
posted May 4th 2005 10:45AM
posted May 4th 2005 10:45AM
So Sony's followed up their
noise-cancelling headphone line with
their latest and greatest, the MDR-NC50; it's supposed to cut white noise by up to 80% (maybe about 10% more than their
last goes at noise-cancelling cans), and is supposed to retail for about $200. All we're going to say is that you've
never really lived until you've used these things on a plane, seriously.
[Via MobileMag]
I agree entirely with the sentiment about using NC headphones on a plane. I have the Bose QuietComfort2, I love them. It's amazing how much of the ambient cabin noise is eliminated, and how easy it becomes to actually sleep on those overnight international flights. It's also worth mentioning the outstaning sound quality
I've used Sony's previous models and will be curious if they managed to remove the slight buzz/hissing sound from the background as well as improved the sound quality - the last round were a bit 'tinny'
I prefer the in-ear monitors by UltimateEars.com - they're custom built to fit your ears (you need to get ear impressions made)
Why? They fit much better in my laptop bag than my old QuietComfort headphones did and there's no reduction in sound quality, unlike the NC headphones...
Worth a look...
My friend uses Etymotic ER-4S - similar results and you don't have to get ear impressions made... ;-)
quiet comfort 2 is THE way to go... $300 is a little steep, but it's worth every penny if you travel a lot for 3 reasons...
A) fold down headphones for easy packing
2) single removable cord into left headphone
D) sound quality unmatched
I agree, I have Shure E3s and they "cancel" noise better than any NC headphones. Perhaps not as comfortable, but infinitely more portable. Don't require an external power source either.
I love the Bose QuietComfort2. Great for work and blocking out the phone ringing. Even better on a plane.
You guys who think the QuietComforts have "sound quality unmatched" go mosey on over to www.head-fi.org and express your excre, uh, I mean sentiments. There is, in fact, a world out there where people care about the sound coming from their headphones. Bose does not exist in that world.
Plenty of IEMs that sound/isolate far better for much less than those QuietComforts.
^^^
what he said.
There are plenty of ~$60 headphones that do just as good a job at cancelling noise, and won't also drain your bank account. I used a pair when I went on a 6 hour trip from Boston to San Fransisco... totally rocked. (I did a side by side with the bose... and they cancelled noise equally well) Sure, they weren't top quality sound... but they weren't bad, and you're not gonna get that hi-fi experience out of your iPod with a baby screaming next to you.
My recommendation? Buy two pairs - one noise cancelling relatively cheapos for the plane, and one expensive, high quality pair for when you're in an environment more condusive to hi-fi.
"go mosey on over to www.head-fi.org"
LOL. I love it how you insecure kiddies always have some way of saying "but the cool people are doing such-and-such!" Why don't you come back in a few years after you've developed your own opinions and grown a spine?
I finally ditched the pair of NC headphones I had. The cancellation of external noise was pretty effective. The problem was that the headphones themselves generated too much noise (because of the way they were constructed and the materials that were used). I hope the more recent ones have at least taken care of that issue.
Mr. Rick, this comment "Why don't you come back in a few years after you've developed your own opinions and grown a spine?" is rather reflexive in such an interesting fashion that I shall call it art.
Fart. Whoops!
I have this headphone, and I really like it. I couldn't sleep in the airplane but with this and couple of bossa nova song put me right back to sleep for the first time. mm mm mm comfy.
I haven't listened to these Sony NC headphones, but a friend just showed me a set and I noticed:
- Heavier than Bose QuietComfort
- Better looking than above
- Single cable CAN be detached
- Carrying case is bigger than Bose's QC 2
He claimed sound is better than QuietComfort 2, but I cannot confirm.
FEDE.
I have these headphones, and I´m having a terrible time with what I think may be feedback noise in the right ear.
I am having the same problem with feedback but mine is the left ear, not sure what is happening but it is very uncomfortable. I'm still searching for a fix!
I'm looking for something like this for my boyfriend for Christmas. He has a lawn care buisness and wants something he can listen to while on the mower. Any suggestions? I hope somebody can help me out with what to get because I know nothing about these and x-mas is 11 days away....
I have these headphones and am having a problem with the sound. In some songs backing vocals are inaudible and certain insruments can't be heard. Ive got to be doing something wrong but not sure.