Sony MDR-NC11 Fontopia Noise Canceling Headphones with In-line Volume Control

The headphones' noise-canceling circuit senses outside noise using tiny, built-in microphones and sends an equal-but-opposite canceling signal to the headphone drivers, effectively blocking solid-state (continuous) noise from 50 to 1,000 Hz. It's especially effective on noises like air-conditioning systems, freeway rumble, and airplane engines (from a passenger's perspective).

The switchable noise-canceling circuitry runs for approximately 60 hours on a single AAA alkaline battery. When noise canceling is off, the headphones continue to function for standard music listening (and with slightly better sound quality). An inline volume control lets you adjust the sound without having to access your sound source.

I have three sets of Noise Cancelling headphones (the others are sennheiser and panasonic) and these little MDRNC11's have a very similar ability to dim ambient noise in a MUCH smaller package - perfect for my dawn and midnight runs and they are great on the airplane, the bus and the office.

After a great deal of futzing with the included (and VERY comfortable) silicone ear moulds the sound is now fantastic on my iPod. I am still listenint to MP3's (or MP4's) so the sound is not audiophile quality but I am quite happy with what I hear.

In other reviews some of the folks has mentioned the bass-heavy nature of these drivers - yes, they are a tad bass heavy, but on the iPod the "acoustic" setting rounds them out very well.

The vast majoriety of music I listen to is classical and jazz. The opening track of "Jazz at the Pawnshop" is littered with lovely ambient noises that come through very well. As this is a pretty standard track for demoing audiophile sound systems, I would say that for $100 I got a heck of a bang for my buck :-)

Again, MP3's (even the ones from apple.com) still sound like MP3's, but these little buds reproduce the music with elan. If you need a personal Oasis in your daily life I can think of many worse purchases in the headphone market.

FInal tip, shop around :-)

-J


My 2nd Pair   October 5, 2005
 25 out of 26 found this review helpful

What a bag of mixed reviews. I couldn't help but smile at some of them. For anyone considering the purchase of a sound reduction headset you have but two choices of any real consequence: 1) The MDR-NC11A, here by Sony for $59.50 or the 2) Bose QuietComfort 2 for $298.50. There are no other serious alternatives. I've tried them all.

However, the Sony at 1/6th price of the Bose is not for everyone. If you're claustrophobic or simply can't handle something inside your ear then you have no choice but to go with the Bose QuietComfort 2. Even with the beefy price tag, the Bose is only slightly better than the Sony set. Although the Sony requires a little care massaging properly into the openings of each ear canal, it's worth it. The combined ear silence of earplug and noise canceling technology fills the ear even before the music starts. Once it does, the depth of sound with its rich bass and the crystal highs are incredible for such a tiny device.

As for the negative reviews, this is my second pair, as I'm replacing an older version of these. For those stating it doesn't work, perhaps they should put down a buck for a AAA battery before writing a review. Yes, the noise cancellation technology requires a battery to power the reverse white noise that deadens reciprocating noises (engines, vibrations, etc). For anyone who just started looking, if in-ear plugs aren't a problem, buy a set. You can't go wrong.



Very Pleased   August 4, 2003
 27 out of 31 found this review helpful

I just received my pair last week and couldn't be more pleased. Their size makes them as inobtrusive as regular ear bud headsets but they are light years away when it comes to noisy environments. Lately I've been doing a lot of work in Starbucks using their wi-fi access, and most times the noise was just incredibly deafening. Forget about using traditional ear-buds in these environments, you would do harm to your ears with the volume necessary to drown out the competing noise. The MDR-NC11 seems to block noise in two stages: 1st, the earbud fits into the ear canal with a self-sealing mechanism (I was extremely leary of this at first, but unlike the other reviewer I find the fit very comfortable and snug), this blocks a tremendous amount of noise, then the 2nd stage is the electronic noise cancelling unit, which works as well as any other I've encountered (haven't tried the Bose systems). The two systems work in sync to reduce more noise than I ever thought possible.

I love this headset and won't bother ordering the new Bose system. I wasn't looking forward to wearing a huge pair of noise cancelling headsets out in public & now I realize I don't have to.


Don't Fly Without It!   March 27, 2004
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

I've tried a few noise cancel earphones like the famed Bose system, and I wanted to buy one for myself. Doing some research on the web and trying some out at shops its clear the Bose 299$ is the best but way too expensive. Sony's NC20's are now being served up in business class in long haul flights (used to be just Bose) and I found these's just as capable. Still I wanted something smaller so I bought these NC11's even after reading the mixed reviews.
The tight (comfortable) fitting earbuds knocks out a significant amount of the ambient high noise. Switching on the NC circuit knocks out the drone of the jet. At first I wasn't sure if it was working or not..... Just switch it on and forget it. Later when you're watching a movie or something, try switching off the circuit, Thats when I really noticed how effective the system was. Like someone said, its not like the dramatic effect of closing a soundproof door, its more a subtle 'removal' of some (not all) of the annoying noises that on the long run will drive you nuts or wear you out. Bottom line, the level of exhaustion you carry at the end of a 14 hour flight can significantly be reduced by keeping these things on. Its small enough you can carry them in your pockets, which is a huge plus for travellers.
Long short, don't fly without them.
PS I can understand how some might feel their NC11's are doing nothing. Its a type of noise cancellation thats not obvious or efective for all types of sounds. But I can say from experience, they are a must have on flights. (probably train and subway rides would be good places to try them out too)


Like turning off the world   September 24, 2004
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I tried these at Brookstone in the JFK Terminal 8 departures hall. Switching these on was almost spooky. The background chatter from hundreds of people, and the sound of footsteps just faded away. You could still hear it faintly, but it was amazing.

I bought them on the spot and used them both ways across the pond. 90% of engine sound and that characteristic "whoosh" goes away, and you can listen to the movie or music at a much lower volume (no need to drown out the plane) while the sound is much richer. Very restful.

Having said that, they are no match for "cup" style nc headphones like the Bose QC2 or Plane Quiet Solitude. That extra layer on insulation makes a big difference.