Sony MDR-NC500D information from Consumer Reports

Sony MDR-NC500D

Price range:

$256.20 - $403.44

Summary: Home/Studio-style closed, over-ear noise-canceling headphones that come with carrying case, carrying case shoulder strap, AC charger, detachable standard connecting cord, detachable short standard connecting cord, detachable combination standard connecting cord/external AA battery pack cord, mini-plug-to-1/4-inch-adapter, and mini-plug-to-airplane-jack adapter.

5 people have reviewed this model.

See all 5 user reviews

Write a review

Type: Home/Studio style headphones

About - Sony MDR-NC500D
The Sony MDR-NC500D is part of the headphone test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, noise-canceling headphone models like the MDR-NC500D are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Sound quality: Represents the tonal accuracy, clarity, detail, ambience, and dynamics of the audio reproduced by the headphone. Noise reduction: Represents how well the headphone reduces ambient noise when the active noise cancelation feature is activated. Sensitivity: An assessment of how loud headphones will play for a given audio input signal level. This is an important consideration if the headphones will be used with audio devices that have relatively low maximum audio output signal levels like some battery powered portables. Some models have 2 sensitivity levels given: one with the highest selectable setting or noise-reduction switch ON and the other with the lowest selectable setting or noise-reduction switch OFF.

About - Sony MDR-NC500D

The Sony MDR-NC500D is part of the headphone test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, noise-canceling headphone models like the MDR-NC500D are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Sound quality:: Represents the tonal accuracy, clarity, detail, ambience, and dynamics of the audio reproduced by the headphone.
Noise reduction:: Represents how well the headphone reduces ambient noise when the active noise cancelation feature is activated.
Sensitivity:: An assessment of how loud headphones will play for a given audio input signal level. This is an important consideration if the headphones will be used with audio devices that have relatively low maximum audio output signal levels like some battery powered portables. Some models have 2 sensitivity levels given: one with the highest selectable setting or noise-reduction switch ON and the other with the lowest selectable setting or noise-reduction switch OFF.

About This Brand
Sony is the leading brand in the headphone market. It covers all types and styles, at all price ranges with wide distribution.

About This Brand

Sony is the leading brand in the headphone market. It covers all types and styles, at all price ranges with wide distribution.

Features & Specs - Sony MDR-NC500D
Works with noise reduction off Will operate without the noise-canceling circuitry activated; allows the model to be used as standard headphones if the batteries die. Works with noise reduction off	No
Monitor function (mute) Has a control that turns off the audio, and in the case of noise canceling models turns off the noise canceling function, so that ambient sounds can be heard. Useful for hearing ambience like travel announcements without turning off the audio player or removing the headphones. Monitor function (mute)	Yes
Integrated microphone Has an integrated microphone for use with some cell phones or audio players with a recorder function. Integrated microphone	No
Call connect/disconnect control This allows you to answer or disconnect from a phone call with some cell phones. Call connect/disconnect control	No
Integrated volume control This allows you to adjust the volume without having to dig into your pocket or purse for a player. Integrated volume control	No
Integrated player control This allows you to control some player functions (for example: play, pause, track skip) via a control without having to dig into a pocket or purse for a player. Integrated player control	No
Noise canceling unit in earpiece The electronic circuitry for the noise cancelation function is integrated into headphones earpiece rather than incorporated as a separate module that is integrated into the audio cord. Noise canceling unit in earpiece	Yes
Detachable cable A detachable cable allows the headphones to be used for noise canceling without the cord being connected to a music or video player, or dangling from the headset. Detachable cable	Yes
Cable length (in.) Cable length indicates the approximate length of the cable from the headset or earpiece to the plug, measured in inches. Cable length (in.)	61
Battery type The number and type of batteries used. Battery type	Rechargeable internal proprietary Lithium ion or (2) external AA
Low battery indicator An indicator to show that the headphone battery power is low and will need to be replaced or recharged. Low battery indicator	Yes
Weight (oz.) Reflects the weight, in ounces, of the headphones including the audio cable and batteries, if any. Weight (oz.)	7.9
More features and specs

Additional Information (The information below has been supplied by an external source.)

General Information
Manufacturer	Sony Corporation
Manufacturer Website Address	www.sony.com
Product Model	MDR-NC500D
Product Name	MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Cancelling Headphone
Product Type	Headphone

User Reviews - Sony MDR-NC500D

Consumer Reports User Reviews

Already own it? Write a review

IHateComputerFans

from

Tampa, FL

(14 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Probably Worth the Money

3/17/2012

Pros

Comfortable

Good Bass

Great Sound

Lightweight

Stylish

Cons

Best Uses

Home Audio

Music

Portable Devices

Relaxing

Traveling

With My Computer

Working

Comment:

The noise cancelling is the best I've experienced and I've owned several other headphones, notably three different generations of Bose. The sound quality concerning audio reproduction is impeccable also. Disregard reviews that complain of not blocking anything but ambient noises, e.g. computers, airplanes and A/C units. There do not exist headphones that block all sound, they would be sound cancelling headphones. There are only noise cancelling headphones and these by far are the best.

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

Rambo

from

Chicago

(37 of 37 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Sony vs Bose

3/29/2011

Pros

Battery Backup Included

Comfortable

Compact

Good Bass

Great Sound

Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Home Audio

Music

Portable Devices

Relaxing

Traveling

Comment:

Having been a previous 2 time Bose QuietComfort 15 owner, I had a hard time deciding on which one to purchase. I ended up buying the Sony headphones. They are very comfortable and have a larger opening to accommodate various ear sizes. I like the idea that a battery backup device is available. I suppose I will use this on very long flights. I loved my Bose headphones and think that at the very end, they both are about equal with comfort being a few points higher on the Sony side.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

Tim the Programmer

from

Jacksonville, FL

(52 of 65 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Not for office noise

8/18/2010

Pros

Comfortable

Great Sound

Cons

Best Uses

Music

Traveling

Comment:

This product works great on steady-state noise such as from engines or motors. Unfortunately it does not work so well if the noise is office noise such as people talking, faxing or printing, or banging/striking sounds. When you put them on, instantly the sound of your computer whirring is gone, but you can still hear that annoying telephone conversation going on across the hallway. If you're buying these to achieve focus and concentration in a busy office, they're not worth the money.

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Other User Reviews

4.0

(based on 2 reviews)

dominoist

User has 7 Days of experience with this product

5.0

soul sound

06/21/2012

Strength

Weakness

well well well ! you will hear the sound of soul that your ears never touch on http://www.monsterbeates.com/. click and enjoy !

Source: Price Grabber

anonymous

User has of experience with this product

4.0

Cant go wrong with these.

07/23/2009

Strength

These earphones truely do drown out the ambient noise

Weakness

Storage when not in use.. A bit bulky

If youre a true headphone person these wont let you down. I'd been looking for something other than the conventional earbuds for quite some time and I ran accross these. I'm not one to endorse products at all,but I'm happy to write this little tidbit about these headphones.

Source: Price Grabber

See all 5 user reviews

Recommended Ratings

Nobody Tests Like We Do: Our testers put 100s of products through their paces at our National Testing and Research Center. Learn more about how we test for:; Performance; Safety; Reliability; Learn more

To find the model that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value. Here's one tip: Don't pay for more features than you'll use.

Headphones

ConsumerReports.org

Consumer Reports Network