Sony Mdrnc22/Blk Noise Canceling Headphone (Black)

Sony Mdrnc22/Blk Noise Canceling Headphone (Black)
by Sony

Sony Mdrnc22/Blk Noise Canceling Headphone (Black)
List Price: $99.99
Our Price: $79.75
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Category: CE
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Customers in the UK, Buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: Sony
Model: MDRNC22/BLK
Color: Black
Product features:
  • 13.5Mm Driver For Better Sound Quality
  • Up To 75 Noise Reduction
  • Slim Battery Compartment
  • Monitor Switch To Mute Audio & Turn Off Nc Temporarily
  • Black in Colour
Accessories:

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony Mdrnc22/Blk Noise Canceling Headphone (Black)

Customer Review: Good product - but do your homework before you buy
Summary: 4 Stars

First: I have read some reviews on the NC22 complaining about "weak noise cancellation" and "hiss".

Current noise cancellation technology works on specific frequencies (in the low range, but not very low), on specific types of noises (continuous or cyclic) and has a limited effect (15 to 20 dB).

The circuitry does induce a subtle hiss. And here's why: since neither the earbuds or the noise cancellation can block high frequencies effectively, this hiss, which is made of white noise, helps to mask unwanted sounds. This same principle is used on white noise generators to make an environment seem less noisy.

Of course, for US$ 150 you could get an over-the-ear which will block all sounds so it will have no hiss. But the NC22 goes for less than half their price and is much more discreet to use in the metro or in a bus.

How loud is that hiss anyway? Well, my laptop fan is louder than that (I have tested). If the hiss becomes an issue, it means that the environment is so quiet that you can certainly turn the noise cancellation off.

Plus, if you listen to music instead of just putting the earphones on, the hiss will become unnoticeable very quickly. This is because the brain will ignore weak, continuous sounds in the presence of louder, variable sounds.

But not all hiss is induced by the earphone. Some is residual noise. Objects cutting through air (airplane, trains, cars) will generate noise in a wide range of frequencies. The lower frequencies are cancelled, but the higher remain, and that sounds like a hiss. About that, there isn't much to do, except wait for the next generation of affordable noise cancellation circuits.

I have used the NC22 in a carpool, in the metro, in the bus, in an airplane, and for walking.

I use it with my Sony Ericson W880. Bass is very nice if you turn the MegaBass (Sony proprietary) feature on. Otherwise, it's ok. Other frequencies are good. It sounds pretty much like an EX81 for me.

Walking was definitely the worst experience. If it's windy, even just a little, the microphones (which are external) will capture the sound of the wind blowing on them and the circuitry will try to cancel that. Because this sound is not actually heard by you, only by the mics, this will create more windy sound instead. This is a very unpleasant artifact. The only solution: turn noise canceling off.

The carpool and the bus were about the same. It cancels the engine noise nicely (not totally, tough). Other noises will remain. Some low frequency, rapidly changing noises (e.g. tires on concrete) generate mild high frequency artifacts. The solution: listen to the music a little louder (volume 3 1/2 was enough, I use 2 for the metro).

In the metro, it works very well on the surface, and well enough in the tunnels. In the airplane, it works very well.

On the wishlist department: the circuit could be detachable from the phones. Would make untangling easier. :)

Bottom line: Good product, great value. Don't buy if you plan to use it outdoors.

Description of Sony Mdrnc22/Blk Noise Canceling Headphone (Black)

The MDR-NC22 Noise Canceling headphones are compact and comfortable bud-style headphones that can reduce noise by 75 (12dB at 200 Hz) and the 13.5mm driver units produce powerful sound.

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