Sony MDR-NC20 Noise Canceling Headphones with Foldable Headband
from: Sony
Binding: Electronics Brand: Sony EAN: 0027242501805 Label: Sony Manufacturer: Sony Model: MDRNC20 Publisher: Sony Studio: Sony Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features:
Reduces exterior noise by more than 70 percent (10 dB) so you can hear music against a quieter background
Closed-ear design for even strong isolation from outside sound
30 mm drivers deliver deep bass down to 16 Hz and provide outstanding dynamic range
Folding headband and pivoting earpads simplify storage in a backpack, briefcase, or purse
Extended battery life approximately 45 hours with a single AAA alkaline battery
(two stars!) Mechanical creaking and pressure on ear lobes, not so cool.
After having used this headphone for a little over a year it has become virtually unusable. The plastic parts started creaking very soon. What seemed to be tolerable in the beginning has become ridiculous now. It is triggered by the slightest movement of the head, the jaw or even by taking a deep breath and sounds like an old ski-boot right on your ear.
The shells do not encompass the ears but rather sit on the outer rim of the earlobes. And no, I don't have extremely big ears. That's simply how this headset was designed. Watching an entire film on a plane leaves you with hurting ears. The noise reduction is very good but I'd rather go nuts from the engine noise than wear the Sony MDR-NC20 for the duration of a transatlantic flight. ... Read More
(2 STARS) Sound good - Noise Canceling Poor
Sound quality of the headset (noise canceling off) is good. I'm not an expert, but I'm satisfied with the way music sounds.
As for the noise canceling, I'm not satisfied. If you've never owned the Bose Quiet Comfort then you may (I repeat may) think this is what noise canceling is all about. Unfortunately I was once blessed with the opportunity to use a set of the Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones (First Generation) and the noise canceling feature on the MDR-NC20 is weak.
With or without music, there is a lot of static. This may sound odd (to have a headset on with no music) but one of the great features of noise canceling headsets is to completely block out all the noise around you and allow you to feel isolated from ... Read More
Good sound, but problems and too expensive
When I first ordered the headphones, I recieved them in the mail and they did not work, the wires or connections were messed up, I could only hear music out of one of the earphones. So I returned in in the mail. They sent me a new pair and the new one worked, it sounded really good. The only complaint, it put a lot of pressure on my ears and it bothered me if I listened to music for longer than an hour. Then after having the headphones for a year, I had the same problem that I had with the first pair. I could only hear music out of one earphone. I take care of my headphones and don't see how this could happen again unless these are not made very well. These are expensive headphones, you expect them to last a long time, but they didn't. Right now ... Read More
MDR-NC20's are great. MDR-NC50's are LOUSY
The SONY-NC20 Noise cancelling headphones are great. Unfortunately, they have been discontinued.
I was able to find them listed on Amazon.com, and ordered them. However, the vendor sent MDR-NC50's, evidently the replacement model, and far inferior from an audio standpoint.
The vendor agreed to return them, but I was responsible for shipping them back.
Wearing the MDR-NC50 headphones yeilds an unpleasant "negative pressure" sensation on the eardrums. The sound, when using NC feature, also suffers, and is very "canned".
Great product
I have used the headphones for 2 years -- they offer a material reduction in the "droning" noise on airplanes.
Even when I am ready to sleep and I turn my music off, I leave the headphones on and it reduces the ambient noise.
