Ratings Snapshot
5 star:
33%
(4)
4 star:
25%
(3)
3 star:
8%
(1)
2 star:
0%
(0)
1 star:
33%
(4)
Digital Noise Canceling Headphones
Model number:
MDR-NC500D
Rated 3.3 out of 5 stars
Tranquility is yours when you strap on the world's first headphones with digital technology for noise canceling. A unique feature even adjusts settings based on your environment.
ADDITIONAL IMAGES:
- Position 2 Features
- Position 3 Specifications
- Position 5 Reviews
World's First Digital Noise Canceling Headphones
Groundbreaking technology, for your listening pleasure. The innovative MDR-NC500D headphones use digital technology to more accurately reduce stress-inducing noise from planes, trains and buses while providing the high-quality audio expected from Sony. For extra-long usage, a built-in Lithium-ion battery is included, as well as two AA batteries. Plus, in an independent blind test, frequent business travelers rated the NC500D headphones #1 twice as often as either the Bose® QC™ 2 or QC™ 3 in overall noise cancellation and audio quality.
Noise canceling technology
Noise canceling headphones reduce ambient noise and provide a quieter environment to enhance audio entertainment. The headphones have an inside microphone on each earpiece that work with an electronic circuitry to create an opposite sound wave to reduce wave. Ambient sound is reduced by synthesizing with a sound in opposite phase produced by the noise canceling circuit.
Digital Equalizer
Delivers ideal frequency response and high-quality music reproduction. A high S/N ratio is achieved through digital signal processing.
Design
Lightweight design for extremely comfortable wearing with pressure relieving urethane cushion in the earpad. They come with a premium travel case.
Ideal for:
Loud, noisy environments – planes, trains, buses, work or dorms.
Unique feature:
A built-in monitor function allows you to hear surrounding sound without taking off the headphones. Perfect for listening to announcements, flight attendants, or any external sound without the need to take the headphones off.
Noise reduction
Reduces up to 99% ambient noise (20 dB at 160 Hz) when noise canceling circuit is switched on.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Noise canceling with automatic selection of optimal noise canceling mode based on intelligent analysis of environmental ambient noise.
Battery
Internal Lithium-ion battery for up to 16 hours of use1 in addition to normal AA batteries which can be used as well and would allow for a joint 28 hours of use.
Product Specifications
Weights and Measurements
- Cord Length (Approx.) : 1.5m -L-type stereo mini plug, .5m stereo mini plug
- Weight (Approx.) : 6.9oz/195g (including built in battery)
General
- Design : Premium over the head, Noise canceling
- Headband : Adjustable, Foldable (Swivel)
- Magnet : Neodymium
- Plug : Gold-plated, L-shaped stereo mini plug
- Type of Use : Noise canceling
Hardware
- Cord : Single-sided cord connects to left earpiece
- Headphone Type : Closed, dynamic
Audio
- Driver Unit : 40mm diameter, dome type
- Frequency Response : 5 - 24,000Hz
- Impedance : 40 ohms at 1kHz (on)
- Selectivity : 3 distinct noise-canceling modes for use in three accoustically different environments (Airplane, Bus, office)
- Sensitivity (db) : 102dB/mW (on)
In the Box
- (2)AA Batteries
- Connecting cord x3 (.5m stereo mini, 1.5 type stereo mini, cord with battery case)
- Carrying Case
- Inflight plug adapter
- Startup guide
- AC Power adaptor for charging internal battery
- Unimatch plug adapter
- Warranty card
Product Reviews
Write a review( Rated 3.3 out of 5 Stars AVERAGE RATING | 12 REVIEWS Ratings Snapshot)
7 of 12 (58%) customers would recommend this product to a friend
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Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot
Reviewer: Racingboy (pasadena)
Date: Oct 29, 2009
I've had this product for 3-6 months
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amazing sound
the thumping noise described by other reviews is when the head phones are not worn flat on your head i have these they work great when you lean bay in an airplane seat put top of head phones straight up other than that amazing head phones
Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot
Reviewer: ajamini (Las Cruces, NM)
Date: Oct 20, 2009
I've had this product for 6-12 months
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Awful thumping
Pros: Looks ok
Cons: Horrible thumping noise will not stop
I cannot use these headphones anymore! There is a consistent thumping noise when I put them on. I cannot believe Sony would still be selling these, and at that horribly outrageous price!
Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot
Reviewer: PerryRZ (Santa Monica, CA)
Date: Sep 22, 2009
I've had this product for 6-12 months
1of 1 people found this helpful
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Poor Quality - Thumping Noise
Pros: None - Since not functioning
Cons: Thumping Noise after few minutes
I bought this earphone a while back and noticed a cyclical thumping noise after about 15-30 min of use. I exchanged it for another new one at the Sony Store and the same problem appeared. I then exchanged it through Sony's technical support and the same problem reappeared. This is probably a design defect, but Sony wont take it back and exchanging it again wont fix it.
Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot
Reviewer: kidrobot (Chicago, IL)
Date: Jul 21, 2009
I've had this product for 3-6 months
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Superior Pair of Headphones!
Pros: Design & NC feature/sound quality
Cons: None as of now
I have used the NC500 on a many trips to Florida and my commute to the Loop and they work and sound Great!
Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot
Reviewer: carton
Date: Jun 17, 2009
I've had this product for less than a month
16of 17 people found this helpful
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Worst Purchase Ever
Pros: would be great if they worked
Cons: they don't work
I bought these headphones last week and just got off a 10h flight - they turned out to be completely unusable due to the thumping sound also described by other reviewers. Noise cancellation works very well, but the thumping is worse than tinnitus! FYI: The problem persisted even after repeated pressing of the mode select button. In my case, it affected both speakers. Removing the headphones from the ears for a few seconds would stop the thumping, but it would start again after a short time (up to a minute or so). Accidentally leaning on the headrest would also trigger the thumping. I can't believe Sony are selling these.
Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot
Reviewer: Waipahukane (Waipahu, Hawaii)
Date: May 16, 2009
I've had this product for 1-3 months
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"Awesome"
Pros: Noise reduction
Cons: Need to make a retractable cord for headdphone to zune.
The best seperation & defination I have ever heard on any head phone system !! I use them on my Zune 120 gb. mp3 With this system I will never go back to I Pod... My flights from Hawaii back to the mainland are more enjoyable now......
Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot
Reviewer: AJMaradiaga (Tegucigalpa, HN)
Date: May 2, 2009
I've had this product for less than a month
2of 2 people found this helpful
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Great headphones
Pros: Really comfortable, nice design, great sound
Cons: Whooping sound, don't work without battery
Extremely comfortable! This is a must have for anyone who appreciates music. Price tag is HIGH....but totally worth it.
Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot
Reviewer: BusinessUser (Miami,FL)
Date: Mar 27, 2009
I've had this product for less than a month
11of 13 people found this helpful
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Not Ready for production
Pros: Does not work well - thumping
Cons: expensive and not as good as QC2
This unit has strange noises (thumping) and when I try to change the mode it flips back and forth not to the next mode. Not usable and sending it back for an exchange. Also This unit has hard pads that are uncomfortable on long flights. The QC2 and 3 work better. Sony's support is poor.
- Actual battery life may vary based on product settings, battery, usage patterns and environmental conditions.
- At 160Hz.
©2009 Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony is a trademark of Sony. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Non-metric weights and measures are approximate.