Sony MDR-NC60 Noise Canceling Headphone

Overview

- This is the most comfortable pair of cans I’ve ever tried. The overall fit is very comfortable – I was able to fall asleep on a 3 hour flight. There is absolutely no “suction” effect as I’ve experienced with another phones I’ve tried.
- Both, the cups and the bridge are wrapped up in very fine leather. I read some reviews that some people do not like leather on the headphones as it may cause sweating – I personally never experience that, not with this pair nor with any other headphones I’ve owned. So, even though I cannot say anything negative about that aspect, I might not be the best judge in this case – some people can be more sensitive then others. As far as leather quality and feel – they are as good as they come.
- The unique feature of this model is a “monitor” button that allows you to hear surrounding sounds without turning off the NC or taking the cans off. The only comfort comment I have about this model is that this button is hard to find for someone who’s just beginning to adjust to this set. As I’m getting used to this pair, though, I’m getting much better at it – minor problem with a design in my mind.
- This pair runs on a regular AAA battery, illuminating the need to carry a battery charger and having to worry about how to charge it in Europe. This is a big plus in my books. 1 AAA battery gives you 30 continuous hours of NC; if you think that it is not enough – just take a couple of spare AAAs with you – it is still better then a charger, and sure will be enough for a trip to any destination.
- Overall build is very sturdy, yet easy to adjust to whatever position is desirable. Folds neatly into a carrying case, and as far as “over-the-ear” designed go – do not take much space when folded. Again, if the portability is your main concern – you might want to check out “on-the-ear” designs.

Product Specifications

Silence the world around you with Sony Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones. They shut out up to 85% of the ambient noise around you, including jet engines, office printers and subway chatter. These headphones are perfect for work, traveling, or just when you're trying to sleep in a loud place. The ear-conscious design offers premium comfort, so you can wear them for long stretches without pinching your ears. For added convenience, the built-in monitor switch allows you to hear surrounding sound without taking off the headphones. The 40mm dome-type driver has a frequency response of 14-22,000Hz, and one AAA alkaline battery powers the device for approximately 30 hours.

Reviews

First a few words about a noise canceling headphones in general. I'm a frequent traveler, flying about 50% of time internationally. I'm not a musician by any means, but I understand that having a pair of good "cans" sometimes is the difference between arriving to your destination wasted or completely relaxed. You owe it to yourself to have a pair of good quality noise cancellers if you travel internationally or coast-to-coast at least 3 times a year. I've owned my share of noise canceling headphones, starting from Sony "in-the-ear" MDR-NC11A, then graduating to Sennheiser "on-the-ear" RPXC 250. Finally, I borrowed Bose "over-the-ear" QuietComfort 3 to my conference flight to California and back to Ohio. If you are deciding which general design of headphones to choose - let me tell you up-front that "over-the-ear" design gives you the best comfort you can have on the long flight - hands down. Now in the detail about this particular set. After experiencing the "over-the-ear" design of Bose, I decided to get a pair. But being burned by my previous experiences, I decided to do some careful comparison shopping. After a few weeks of research, I went to the actual store to compare 3 models that I've selected: Bose QuietComfort 3 ($299), Sennheiser PXC 350 and ($359) and Sony MDR NC50 ($199). The MDR NC60 Model was not even on my list then, and Sennheiser PXC 450 ($449) being as good as they are (canceling 90% of the noise) was simply too pricy for me. I've tested Bose QuietComfort 3 first. Being so highly advertised, I was expecting it to be the top performer, but was extremely underwhelmed. It performed much better then any of my previous headphones, but it was no match for Sennheiser and it was even worse then Sony, that, may I remind you comes up to be $100 cheaper. On the top of it, I could not find the actual acoustic characteristics for the Bose pair anywhere in the manual. (Since then, I've done search on the WEB and I still cannot find them... amazing!). Then I moved on to the Sennheiser PXC 350, and was not disappointed. I almost left the store with that pair in the shopping bag. Cancelling up to 85% of noise, it was an excellent pair. When you turn the NC on - it fills like you suddenly went deaf. The BASS is very punchy and powerful even when the noise cancellation is off. Third on my list were Sony MDR NC50 and they were surprisingly good as well. Not so good with the BASS when NC is off as Sennheiser, and they felt a bit awkward on my head, but the sound quality was better then those of Bose. I was almost ready to leave, when a store clerk showed me a pair of NC60's and that's when I was sold - right then and there. They are as good as they come, canceling up to 85% of noise, with excellent sound quality, and with a good BASS output when NC is off. I'd say that if Sennheiser PXC 350 is better - I could not determine it. After researching this model on the WEB for another week, I've purchased it from Amazon for $149.00. I've already had my first flight experience with it and let me tell you - I'm not disappointed. Here is the list of Pros and Cons from where I'm sitting
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Product Accessories

Accessories for this Product

* Up to 85% (16.5dB at 200 Hz) ambient noise reduction * Built-in monitor switch to mute music to listen outside * Premium case * Lightweight 230g * Adjustable, foldable headband