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Sony MDR-NC22 Review

Posted to Headphones 2009-05-24

The next time you board a noisy bus, train, or airplane, you may just want to give the Sony MDR-NC22 noise-canceling earbuds a try. With the ability to reduce environment noise by 75% (12db at 300Hz), these compact headphones allow you enjoy peace and quiet without sacrificing audio quality. Gone are the days of bulky headsets. Sony has introduced valuable yet affordable pair of earbuds that virtually silences your surroundings at the touch of a button, without giving you an earful of excessive foam.

Sony's MDR-NC22 headphones are the result of leaps in compact headphone technology. Featuring unique 13.5mm drivers, these earbuds fit snugly into your ear canals to prevent excess noise. As for audio quality, the headphones produce a pure, powerful sound that is complimented by smooth bass tones. The headphones also use the latest noise-canceling techniques to ensure that distorted sounds are kept out. Such capabilities are typically rare in earbud headphones (usually found in over-ear), but Sony has stepped forward to fill that void. Even more unique is the "Monitor" feature, which allows you to simultaneously silence your music and the noise cancellation feature. This is especially useful if you need to listen to an outside sound source, such as a flight attendant, without removing the headphones.

Rating:

out of 5

Value

These noise-canceling earbuds are an excellent value when compared to price. The package includes the required AAA battery, carrying pouch, ear pad, and three sets of earbud cushions to suit your ear size. Plus, an in-flight adapter is included so you can plug in your headphones into the airplane's system. And of course, the regular plug is compatible with virtually all MP3, DVD, and CD players. The included goodies seem to make the headphones really worth their value. Though the ergonomics differs from that of typical headphones, the audio quality and noise-canceling capabilities of this set rival those of more expensive brands.

Ergonomics

As far as design goes, the headphones look modern and stylish; however, they are a little awkward to wear. The set uses a neck-chain type chord, which means the wire connecting the earbuds together runs beneath your chin, like a chin strap. Also, the battery compartment clips on to your shirt, so rapid movement may cause the earbuds to come out of your ears. It seems that Sony did not put much thought into the overall appeal of the headphones, but they compensated this by focusing more on noise-cancellation and audio quality, rather than style. One strong positive, however, is the headphone's portability, convenience, and ease to wear.

Summary

There will be moments when you need to escape the noisy realities of your surroundings. Sony's MDR-NC22 noise-canceling earbuds allow you to sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet, or indulge with some noise of your own (music). Offering great quality for the price, these headphones are sensitive enough to silence noise around you, yet powerful enough to let you enjoy your own audio- whenever you want, and without disturbing others. So the next time you find yourself in a noisy situation, consider the Sony MDR-NC22 headphones. Your ears might appreciate it.

Pros

Compact and convenient design
Noise reduction up to 75% (12db @ 300Hz)
Features
Offers peace and quiet for the office, home, or mass transit

Cons

Wire acts like a chin strap