Sony MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones with Carrying Case

2013-03-19T20:00:00

I'm a big fan of Sony noise cancelling sets, so I upgraded to this model. The reviews and the product descriptions failed to mention that the batteries are NOT integrated into the headsets. If you want to run on batteries you have to carry a separate "battery pack" that holds 2 AA batteries. If you want to use the internal battery you have to carry a separate charging brick. Are you kidding? This is a complete non-starter for me, so I will be returning them. I am surprised that this disadvantage was not pointed out in any of the other negative reviews. My previous Sony sets had one AAA battery integrated into the earphone itself. NO accessories needed.

frequenttraveler

Originally posted at

2013-02-26T19:00:00

These headphone were an impulse buy. I quickly read a positive magazine review on them and then did some shopping on the net that brought me here, and low and behold they were on sale. BOOM. They perform about as well as any $50 headphone. The noise cancelling as actually pretty decent and the headphone themselves are actually quite comfortable. But the sound is somewhat muffled which is unacceptable for listening to music. So I paid a small fortune so I could listen to podcasts on an airplane? I've learned 3 things from this experience 1) try before you buy - I've been to a Sony store since this purchase and notice they do have a large selection of headphones on display for demos, this way you can decide for yourself if Sony should be in the headphone market. 2) Buying something online? - to return something is a major pain. 3) Don't believe anything you read in a magazine.

Orangekick

Originally posted at

2013-01-09T19:00:00

These headphones are amazing but for some reason when im on the bus i hear thumping noises. I use these usually for my Djying or when im changing audio levels in songs or doing homework the block out my sibblings noise really good and for that thank you Sony. I would strongly recommend these headphones.

DeejayManafest

Originally posted at

2012-12-29T19:00:00

I loved these headphones until the internal wiring for the righ ear piece broke ( I can still get sound if I hold the right ear cup just right). I used these lightly for two years and expect more out of a product that lists for $399. The only repair option is to pay $175 to exchange them for refurbs. Their 90 day warranty is too short - other headphone brands come with two year warranties.

3boyfather

Originally posted at

2012-12-28T19:00:00

I'm a huge fan of Sony headphones with this being my 3rd higher end pair. At 1st I was really unhappy experiencing everything that the 1 star reviewers were experiencing with weird thumping and distortions. They were slated to be returned in disgust. I tried them on several audio devices and I came to realize that it is just more difficult to plug the jack all the way in. Once I really pushed the jack in the sound I experienced was the same as the 5 star reviewers. If you are looking for wired NC headphones specifically then I would recommend these and I am keeping my pair. Cool digital sound combined with a really long battery life.

JTravis

Originally posted at

2012-01-17T19:00:00

These headphones are great. The music is so clear and loud and you hear every little note. They are very comfortable, light weight and not bulky. The digital noise cancelling feature really does just that, you can't hear anything outside of your music even in loud and noisy places. Only feature I wish it had was volume and playback controls on the cable. If I could just adjust the volume or skip to the next track from the cable it would be perfect.

Kevvo

Originally posted at

2011-10-18T20:00:00

This is my first pair of noise cancelling headphones, and thus far I've been very impressed. Last weekend I traveled via two airplanes, the first a jet, the second a turbo-prop and neither of them could compromise the noise cancellation of these headphones. At times it was hard to know I was on an airplane they did such an amazing job cancelling ambient noise. The sound quality and comfort is uncompromised by any other pair of headphones I've ever tried on/owned. At just 6.9oz it's easy to forget they're even on your head which a good thing when I'm traveling/studying etc. for hours a time. Highly recommended if you can swing the price for them, which I found a little on the high side given the market these days... but at the same time nothing seemed to compare with the technology of the MDR-NC500D which at the time has the competition beat.

MrBrutus

Originally posted at

2011-04-18T20:00:00

Bought these at the airport before a trip to Europe about 3 years ago and have used them many times, on several trips, and at home and the library. When they are on, it is quite but if I want sound, the itunes sound great. They last for 12 hour flights and in fact, have never run out of battery even though it comes with a battery back-up just in-case. They have exceeded my expectations and I expect a lot of Sony by now. Get yourself a pair. You will be very happy.

Gladiator03

Originally posted at

2011-03-26T20:00:00

These headphones are amazing in just about all aspects. My only complait is that they do not do a lot of noise canceling. On airplains, you cannot hear a thing but on plains or in offices they do not do so well. These headphones could be the best headphones in the world only if Sony were to incorporate some sort of passionate noise canceling as well as their outstanding active noise cancellation technologies. My best regards the the dev. team.

thebossXI

Originally posted at

2011-01-24T19:00:00

Switched from Bose QC-15 headset to these and have been very pleased with the results. They headsets are comfortable, very quiet, and have excellent sound reproduction. I have noticed that if the headset is tilted toward the back of the head I get a thumping noise. This disappears if the headset is worn on top of the head (as expected). Don't know how to measure how much quieter it is than the Bose set, so I will position as follows. Bose worked well except during take-offs, and if I was seated near the engine. These headsets truly minimize outside noise including engine take-off noise.

Roughrider

Originally posted at

2010-04-16T20:00:00

I don't see what you all are cryin in the reviews down there. I love these headphones. I even got the refurbished for 17 dollars GREAT DEAL!

KYoung

Originally posted at

2009-10-29T20:00:00

the thumping noise described by other reviews is when the head phones are not worn flat on your head i have these they work great when you lean bay in an airplane seat put top of head phones straight up other than that amazing head phones

Racingboy

Originally posted at

2009-07-20T20:00:00

I have used the NC500 on a many trips to Florida and my commute to the Loop and they work and sound Great!

kidrobot

Originally posted at

2009-06-16T20:00:00

I bought these headphones last week and just got off a 10h flight - they turned out to be completely unusable due to the thumping sound also described by other reviewers. Noise cancellation works very well, but the thumping is worse than tinnitus! FYI: The problem persisted even after repeated pressing of the mode select button. In my case, it affected both speakers. Removing the headphones from the ears for a few seconds would stop the thumping, but it would start again after a short time (up to a minute or so). Accidentally leaning on the headrest would also trigger the thumping. I can't believe Sony are selling these.

carton

Originally posted at

2009-05-15T20:00:00

The best seperation & defination I have ever heard on any head phone system !! I use them on my Zune 120 gb. mp3 With this system I will never go back to I Pod... My flights from Hawaii back to the mainland are more enjoyable now......

Waipahukane

Originally posted at

2009-05-01T20:00:00

Extremely comfortable! This is a must have for anyone who appreciates music. Price tag is HIGH....but totally worth it.

AJMaradiaga

Originally posted at

2009-03-26T20:00:00

This unit has strange noises (thumping) and when I try to change the mode it flips back and forth not to the next mode. Not usable and sending it back for an exchange. Also This unit has hard pads that are uncomfortable on long flights. The QC2 and 3 work better. Sony's support is poor.

BusinessUser

Originally posted at

2009-03-10T20:00:00

I bought Sony headphones twice now, this is the second time I have the same problem ...on left speaker an intermittent sound starts after few minutes working. Not sure why but it happen twice to me. On first headphones set -MDR-NC50, after a year or so, I have to listen a constant buzzing while on the go -on a bus or a plane -especially when I had altitude changes. It was so bad that I need to turn off the noise canceling feature and hear the music + external noise. I decided to buy this model -MDR-NC500D just because I thought the digital NC was a nice feature and would never have the same problem again. Despite my hopes, now I'm having same problem back, it starts with some constant, repeated interruptions on left speaker -sounds like a drum, very low sound, about every 1/3 of a second, until I either separate the left speaker a little bit from my ear and/or change the AI NC mode manually -and some times not even that helps. It's really uncomfortable. NOTE: sometimes the same defective sound effect can be heard is left speaker is being firmly pushed against the ear, The real problem is that I can't turn off the NC feature on these new headphones, as the sound goes completely off too as a difference to the old ones. Can someone help me to explain if I'm doing something wrong or is just a headphone defective construction or so? Thanks ...Germy

Germy

Originally posted at

2009-01-09T19:00:00

Got these for XMAS, and the noise reduction is outstanding. Overall sound reproduction is great too - excellent bass, great treble, realistic voice, etc. Only issue I have: when "sealed to ear" (without wearing glasses, etc.), and volume is loud; there is an occasional feedback loop on bass that causes very annoying warbling effect. Headphones must be adjusted on head to stop the warbling. Only noted on good rock music at loud levels (which I like ..., sadly). Effect is minimized (rarely occurs) when I wear my glasses - which create an air/noise gap. Otherwise, a real winner; and if you listen at "normal levels", you'll not notice the issue.

davearn

Originally posted at