American Express-SavingsSony MDR-NC50
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: MDR-NC50
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Excellent noise abatement, powerful bass, and detailed sound are all pluses, but some users may find the MDR-NC50s a bit uncomfortable over the long haul.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/03/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Sony MDR-NC50 price range: $298.95
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: David Carnoy
- Reviewed on: 06/29/2005
- Released on: 06/15/2005
The good: Over-the-ear design; effective ear seal provides ambient noise isolation; powerful bass response; Monitor switch kills music to let in outside sound; storage case.
The bad: Punily powered MP3 players lack the muscle to crank over these 'phones.
The bottom line: Excellent noise abatement, powerful bass, and detailed sound are all pluses, but some users may find the MDR-NC50s a bit uncomfortable over the long haul.
The MDR-NC50s' sleek, black earcups and thickly padded cushions hint at their upmarket appeal. They felt great when we first put them on, and even before we powered up the noise-canceling circuitry, the big Sonys sealed out ambient noise on New York City buses and trains. The Monitor switch conveniently located on the NC50s' left earcup let us mute our music so that we could hear outside sounds, such as train announcements. We don't know of any other noise-canceling headphones with this feature, but we found it very useful. Like the Bose QuietComfort 2s, the NC50s fold flat for easy portability and can be stowed in the large nylon carry case. Other supplied accessories include an in-flight plug and a five-foot detachable cable with gold-plated 1/8-inch minijacks at each end. As on the Bose QuietComfort 2s, the noise-canceling circuitry runs off a single AAA battery tucked into the right earcup.
The headphones' richly balanced sound flatters portable players. Bass is big and powerful, though we wished it had been a little tighter--bass drums and bass guitars sometimes became indistinguishable from each other. Our biggest concern with the MDR-NC50s is that they're fairly inefficient, so the sound from our iPod wasn't all that loud. And since iPods generally have more juice than MP3 players do, we're concerned that the NC50s may not satisfy MP3 users who like to listen loud. The Sony headphones' sound was detailed and lively, but it felt a little canned, with a more stuck-inside-the-head sound than our reference Grado SR125s (which, admittedly, are not noise-canceling headphones).
A pair of Solitude noise-canceling headphones we happened to be testing at the same time more effectively hushed higher-frequency noise you'd experience on a jet plane. But overall, the Sonys' powers of quietude were excellent. As purveyors of music, the Sonys flat-out clobbered the Solitudes--the latter were dull, dull, dull, while the Sonys offered far more transparent sound. Also, the NC50s' sound handily trumped that of AKG's feisty little K 28 NC noise-canceling headphones--the Sonys' was more detailed and vivid.
Sony claims the MDR-NC50s have an "ear-conscious design for premium comfort," but whether they live up to that billing is a matter of personal taste. At least one CNET reviewer found these 'phones mildly uncomfortable after 30 minutes, causing sweaty ears and a tight feeling around the headband. Other staffers found the ear pads and the padded headband comfortable enough that they angled to borrow the 'phones for the next trek from New York to San Francisco. More gripes: the noise-canceling processing sometimes produced a deep, bassy rumbling sound when we were in the path of a blowing air conditioner. Shutting down the NC eliminated the droning boom.
Summing up: Sony's MDR-NC50 headphones are a mixed bag of plusses and minuses--excellent noise isolation, big bass, good midrange and treble detail--but they may not be a sensible match with some MP3 players, and their extended comfort could be an issue for some buyers. But if the potential pitfalls aren't an issue for you, the NC50s offer worthwhile competition to Bose's QuietComfort 2s at a more affordable price point. Just be sure to try before you buy.
User reviews
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Bose QC2 and the Sony MDR-NC50
by techgeek101 on June 5, 2006
Pros: attachement for in-flight use, Rich sound, Great job phasing out transient noise than Bose did
Cons: Instead of a AAA battery use a Lithium-ion battery
Summary: Hi:
I was just was at my local Apple store over the weekend.
I asked the salesperson to set-up the Bose QC-2 and the Sony MDR-NC50 on a Apple Nano ...Summary: Hi:
I was just was at my local Apple store over the weekend.
I asked the salesperson to set-up the Bose QC-2 and the Sony MDR-NC50 on a Apple Nano which I own. To test the two sets for myself.
I would highly recommend anyone buying any headset to test them; since headphone preferences are extremely personal in addtion to fit and comfort.
The Bose QC-2 is priced at $299.00 and the Sony MDR-NC50 is priced at $149.00.
I was looking for a pair of noise canceling sealed headphones for in-flight travel.
The Sony came with an in-flight adapter (two prongs), some of the airlines that I travel on use a two prong instead of one prong to listen to in-flight movies.
So the added attachment from Sony was a plus. Bose does not offer this so I would have to pick one up at a Radio Shack at an additional cost.
For me price was not an issue and I found both headset to be comfortable.
However after listening to both the Bose QC-2 and the Sony MDR-NC50. I opted for the Sony MDR-NC50.
Why?
1. Sony did a much better job phasing out transient noise than Bose did.
2. Sony fit my head better as well as provided a better seal for my ears.
3. Sony did a better job filtering out background noise, i.e. people talking and music in the background then did Bose.
4. I found that the Sony produced a better sound to my liking, a richer bass and an overall richer sound.
Conclusion:
Based on my needs and my listening taste I preferred the Sony MDR-NC50 to the Bose QC-2
In addition the volume on my 1gig Nano and my 30 gig Ipod was good enough to drive these headphones with no problem.10 out of 11 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Just OK... but mainly dissapointing
by mebby on August 14, 2006
Pros: Button on side to let outside noise in when desired
Cons: Poor performance. Had to wear them backwards to make them work
Summary: I travel internationally quite a bit and have seen an increasing amount of people wearing the Bose noise cancelling headphones but I figured I'd give a cheaper alternative a ...
Summary: I travel internationally quite a bit and have seen an increasing amount of people wearing the Bose noise cancelling headphones but I figured I'd give a cheaper alternative a shot before droppinng $300 on a pair of Bose.
But unfortunately I was sorely disappointed. I put the headphones on shortly after takeoff and noticed an annoying hum in my left ear. Strangely enough the hum would go away by either pressing the left earphone slightly against my head or by turning my head slightly to the right (odd I know, but just trust me).
I thought perhaps this particular plane just happened to have a lot of vibration that the headphones were having difficulty dealing with and I was sitting in a window seat so I took them off and waited on my next connecting flight from Chicago to Seoul. I was flying business class and had a seat in the middle isle far away from any window so I thought for sure the hum in my left ear would go away but it did not go away at all.
Since I had left my Sony earbuds at home in anticipation of these earphones actually working as planned I was desperate for them to work so I started fiddling with them. Nothing I did short of applying pressure to the left ear or turning my head to the right (both of which are not an option for a 14 hour flight) seemed to stop the hum. I eventually tried reversing the headphones (putting the cup labeled "right" on the left ear and vice versa) and what do you know - it worked like a charm. The problem? It was uncomfortable.
Outside of the annoying hum in the left ear I was dissapointed with the sound. My $50 Sony earbuds produce a much higher quality sound than these earphones. The treble was too high and the bass was dull (sometimes it was difficult to tell the difference between two different bass sources - like a bass guitar and a bass drum for instance).
So I just ordered the Bose QC2 (they seem to be liked better than the newer QC3) in advance of my next trip to China.
Give these a shot - maybe you'll have a different experience. If not you can return them to the store like I did. It appears that the hum I was experiencing was due to the way in which the earphones fit me since I could alter the way the phones cupped my ear to resolve the problem. But even outside of that the sound quality is below average for this type of headphone.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A good product!
by jesslotr on September 23, 2005
Pros: Clear sound, good cancelling, detachable cable, carry case, in-flight adapter
Cons: Akward battery insertion and removal, not particually foldable, uncomfortable with glasses
Summary: I was very please to get my new headphones today. I did a great deal of shopping around to find them, and am very pleased with their result.
The noise ...Summary: I was very please to get my new headphones today. I did a great deal of shopping around to find them, and am very pleased with their result.
The noise cancelling on this product is excellent, and I would actually put it on par with the BOSE products. I have yet had an opportunity to test them on a plane, but let me tell you they are great at cutting out background noise from my college dorm, so that is pretty impressive.
I have watched a DVD with them, and benefited from a clearer audio track than i usually experience. I have also used them on my G4Ipod, and have found them also to be excellent. Other reviews had concerns about if they were powerfull enough for portable MP3 players, howerver, as far as IPODs go, I am very pleased with the result, although some of the bassline was lost, fiddling with the EQ settings settled this. Please note if you are an music enthusiasit, you may be slightly disapointed with the performance, but I did not find the BOSE to be much better. If you are wanting crips bassy sound, then it would be best to go for one of the Sony DJ range instead.
Other reviews have also mentioned a static hum when the headphones are used without music input, but I have found this to be minimal, and not at all intrusive.
The carry case is attractive, with pouch like areas to carry the adapters, as is the finishings on the headphones. One feature that I have found to be excellent, is the monitor button. It is smartly located on the side of the headpiece, and when pressed mutes the headphones, from music and turns of noise cancelling.
The inflight adapter is also a good accessorie, especially considering that it can be folded to be used with either one or two prong points.
The cable it comes with was a good lenght (1.5m) and is detachable from the headphones if you do not want to use them for music, and this was also a good feature.
Onto the negatives.
The panel you need to open to put the batteries in and out, I found akward to use. The headphones can fold inwards, but really they are not overly compactable.
Anonther slight annoyence was that even though they are adjustable, i did find they pushed my glasses into the side of my head somewhat, and over time this got a bit uncomfortable. Maybe over time they would stretch open more and this would be reduced, but I am not certain.
Overall a very good product. They are reasonablly priced, especially if you shop around a bit first. They have good noise cancelling, and excellent accessory features, but there is a reduction in sound quality.
Hope this review helped!3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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nice for the price
by 201181887058686217168065515476 on July 1, 2005
Pros: noise cancelling device, lightweight
Cons: low volume, slight awkwardness wearing it, doesn't fold well
Summary: I bought these a few days ago and am generally happy thus far. They're certainly nothing you can use while biking or anything, but sitting on a train or ...
Summary: I bought these a few days ago and am generally happy thus far. They're certainly nothing you can use while biking or anything, but sitting on a train or bus or plane, they're fine. I like the noise-cancelling, but you have to have the player be pretty loud for them to be most effective. I got mine for $59, although I came <thisclose> to spending 3x more to get the small, collapsable Sennheisers. maybe I'll update my opinion later once I've used them more. Post a comment if you have questions for me
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Will NOT Work For Subway Commuters
by newyorkone on July 26, 2005
Pros: big phones are cool
Cons: noise cancelling does not work on the train
Summary: Really wanted to like these since they're $100 cheaper than the Bose. Can't compare these to the Bose because I've never tried the Bose - too 'spensive. ...
Summary: Really wanted to like these since they're $100 cheaper than the Bose. Can't compare these to the Bose because I've never tried the Bose - too 'spensive. These were within reason. When you use these on the subway you get really weird fluttering because the noise that it is trying to cancel is not consistent like on an airplane. So if you will be using these in ANY situation where the noises will be inconsistent (e.g. not a constant pattern) then I'd recommend you go with PASSIVE noise cancelling. The Shure's are great!!!
5 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great alternative to Bose QC2
by wahoofan627 on January 5, 2006
Pros: A lot cheaper than Bose, for same thing-Great sound-Cancel Noise well
Cons: A tad pricy-Can be uncomfortable over long times
Summary: These head phones sound incredible. The sound quality is like a speaker system, and they are a great companion with my iPod video. These cancel out a large percentage of ...
Summary: These head phones sound incredible. The sound quality is like a speaker system, and they are a great companion with my iPod video. These cancel out a large percentage of noise, but not as well as the Bose headphones, of course they cost 3 times as much. With the noise cancelling feature on, i cant here a TV on at a regular volume in the same room. It is near immpossible to hear other peoples conversations, and they effectively drain out all car and plain noise. These come with adapters for a plane and stereophone, which come in handy, and also a case. My only complaint is that while wearing them for an extended period time, like a 2 hour car ride, they can become uncomfortable. Namely the top strap can hurt, and even give you a headache if it is in the wrong spot. The ear cups are perfectly comfortable. Overall I would reccomend these for someone who wants a cheaper version of the Bose QC2 set.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awsome! Sony lives up to its name once again!
by mshabsovich on October 8, 2005
Pros: good bass. good nise canceling
Cons: Pricy. A bit bulky
Summary: I love these! The bass works very well. When I use these headphones for sleeping in loud places it is not that amazing. It blocks out some noise but people ...
Summary: I love these! The bass works very well. When I use these headphones for sleeping in loud places it is not that amazing. It blocks out some noise but people can still be heard. But while listening to music the outside world completely shuts down. One time, I turned on the radio and started to blast music loudly. I then put on the headphones and listened to other music with the headphones. I was unable to hear the music from the radio. That?s how good it blocked the sound. I could only feel some bass but that has nothing to do with sound. These are not passive headphones meaning that the people around can?t hear what your listing to. Which is nice because you don?t have to disturb others, and it acts as a privacy feature. I like that. Before I bought these headphones I thought that if I were to plug them in to a minidisk player that uses 1 AA battery, the mini disk player would not be able to handle such powerful headphones. Fortunately I was wrong. The headphones sound great even with a low powered device. I have not tried it on an ipod yet so beware about that. I would recommend these to anybody who is looking for some nice headphones. Note that these are large full size headphones meaning that they are BIG. I would make little sense to use them for an ipod because the headphones are like 6 times bigger than an ipod which would not meet the whole portability goal. Another thing I noticed is how crappy the headphones sound when noise canceling is off. But when they are on it just leaves me speechless. These headphones retail at $200 which is more then I would ever pay for some headphones. I recommend buying them on eBay. I got mine there for $63. You just have to be patient until a good deal swings around.
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The Absolute Best for the Money
by cee3peo on October 4, 2006
Pros: Excellent Sound Quality, Nice Design, Active or Passive, ByPass button
Cons: An auto shut-off feature would be nice. The carrying case could be slimmer.
Summary: I travel 100% all over North America for my job as a Network Engineer. So, I naturally spent quite a bit of time researching and testing virtually every available option ...
Summary: I travel 100% all over North America for my job as a Network Engineer. So, I naturally spent quite a bit of time researching and testing virtually every available option of noise cancelling headphones when I decided to buy a set.
Some of the ones I compared and tested: Bose QC2, Sennheiser PXC 250, Panasonic RP-HC100, Sure E2C,E4C and E5C, and all of Brookstone's noise cancelling headsets.
The only set that matched the quality of the Sony's were the QC2's.
The reasons I did not purchase the Bose QC2's: 1) They are priced $100 more than the Sony MDR-NC50. 2) They only work as Active headphones- when the battery dies, no sound. The Sony's still produce sound even when the battery dies 3) I read multiple reviews and sat next to people in planes who have had to tape the QC2's together after sub par construction allows the plastic to break where the length extension is located. 4) The QC2's do not have the Sound Bypass button that the Sony MDR-NC50's do. This is especially useful when the flight attendent is trying to ask you if you want something to drink. Owners of the QC2's must remove thier headsets in order to converse with anyone.
The battery life is very good on the MDR-NC50. I do notice that when the battery nears the end of it's life, that the headphones begin to emit a scratchy sound. A low battery indicator light or some type of audible, yet unobtrusive tone would be far more useful.
Also, an auto power shut off would be nice if Sony could incorporate a sensor that is able to tell if the headphones are on or off the user.
I definitely do prefer the Bose carrying case over the Sony's simply because of it's thin design. The QC2's and the MDR-NC50's are about the same size and fold the same, so I think Sony could have come up with a more slender case for the travelling professional who needs to stow these in a thin space. The Sony case is about a half inch thicker. The one positive about the Sony case, is that it has plenty of room inside to hold an MP3 player as large as the first generation Ipod or Dell Digital Jukebox.
You can find these on eBay for less than $100 shipped- This is definitely worthwhile for these.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Comfortable, Superior Sound Quality, Excellent Value
by kvisions on January 12, 2006
Pros: High Quality, Durable, One AA battery, Nice Case, Monitor (Mute) Button
Cons: Somewhat large, heavy, minor whisper in noise cancellation
Summary: Let's face it, the plane is neither quiet nor comfortable. After taking several trips back to back, I decided it was time to invest in a good pair of ...
Summary: Let's face it, the plane is neither quiet nor comfortable. After taking several trips back to back, I decided it was time to invest in a good pair of Noise Cancelling headphones. It also helped that my dog ate my old pair of regular headphones, but I digress.
So I did some research and found that the prevailing opinion is that Bose is the best. I like many don't have $300 lying around to "invest" in a pair of these, so I settled for the next best thing; the Sony MDR-NC50's.
I found mine on America's Premier Auction Site, you guessed it, Ebay. After weeks of anticipation, they finally arrived today. The pictures online simply don't do them justice, they look much better than their Bose counterparts, and the sound quality is superb. I have yet to try them on a flight, but I will say they silence my rather loud aquarium pump. They also eliminate other ambient noises from the house, the Heater is imperceptable, and I can't hear myself typing. All that's left is the music, exactly what I was looking for.
Some reviews have mentioned a disconnect that causes the phones to skip out on noise at inopportune times. I noticed this as well, however it was caused by my not pressing the cord all the way into the headset. It took quite some pressure for it to finally 'set' right.
The case is very professional looking and seems durable. The phones come with an adapter for those interesting 'dual plugs' on some airlines. It also contains a standard plug adapter and a 1.5 meter connecting cord.
The nicest feature about these headphones is the 'Monitor' button on the left side of the set. Pressing this button not only cuts off sound to the phones, but also disables the noise-cancelling circuitry so that you can hear what's going on around you.
On the whole, I am very satisfied with my investment, and I believe they are worth the $179-$199 retail price. For added value though, I would highly recommend finding an excellent pair through an auction site. The value is increased, and the quality for that value is impressive indeed.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Costs less than Bose and just as good of performance
by rev68 on December 15, 2005
Pros: Sturdy construction, comfortable, lots of little features
Cons: The cable is difficult to detach
Summary: After putting up with an uncomfortable pair of cheap Aiwa noise cancelling headphones that often gave me a headache after a few minutes, I decided I needed to spend the ...
Summary: After putting up with an uncomfortable pair of cheap Aiwa noise cancelling headphones that often gave me a headache after a few minutes, I decided I needed to spend the money and upgrade. I ended up getting the Sony MDR-NC50 headphones from Best Buy for $180 (around $120 now online). I compared them head to head with a coworker's pair of Bose (in an office environment, not on a plane) and could tell no noticible difference in performance.
I used the Sony headphones on two trips to Africa (over 20 hours of flying one way) and was very happy with them. I often would wear them for 6-8 hours at a time without my ears becoming painfully sore.
The battery lasted for about 60 hours of use before I accidentally left the headphones powered on when I put them away.
My only complaint is that the detachable cable end that plugs into the headphones is a bit difficult to get a grasp on and pull out when the cable has been completely inserted into the headphones.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: MDR-NC50
- Description: Sony's worldwide reputation for creating unique, attractive, high-quality, advanced technology products rests on a long line of innovations embraced by people from all walks of life. With a diverse product lineup serving a variety of lifestyles and industries, Sony continuously strives to introduce new products and technologies to meet changing market needs.
General
- Recommended Use The noise canceling feature blocks the din on buses and airplanes. Plus, they are portable for easy transport.
- Product Type Headphones
- Weight 10.2 oz
- Additional Features Noise canceling circuit
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Response Bandwidth 14 - 22000 Hz
- Sensitivity 102 dB
- Impedance 40 Ohm
Remote Control
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Headphones cable - 5 ft
Power
- Power Device None
- Battery 1 x Standard battery - AAA type
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
