Sony MDR-NC11
Starting at: $69.99
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Reviewed on:
- Updated on:
The good: Very comfortable earbuds; highly effective noise-canceling circuitry; excellent sound quality; handy volume control; extraordinarily light.
The bad: Wires have a tendency to get tangled.
The bottom line: These little earbuds have excellent sound and above-average noise-hushing capability.
When we first unpacked Sony's Fontopia MDR-NC11 noise-canceling earbuds, we doubted they could compete with the better over-the-ear headphones, such as the ... Expand full review
When we first unpacked Sony's Fontopia MDR-NC11 noise-canceling earbuds, we doubted they could compete with the better over-the-ear headphones, such as the Bose QuietComfort IIs, but we quickly became true believers. The MDR-NC11s offer excellent noise cancellation, and the effect isn't limited to just a narrow spectrum of midrange frequencies, as it is with many other models. No, we heard significant low-, mid-, and high-frequency noise suppression--quite impressive.
The compact earbuds weigh just 1.7 ounces with the battery. Their soft, silicon-rubber cushions provide a comfortably snug fit and seal out a lot of ambient noise on their own, without the noise-cancellation circuitry. A single AAA battery housed in a separate slim case (which doubles as a remote volume control) lasts for up to 40 hours.
The MDR-NC11s were a pleasure to use as long as we were sitting still. But any sort of movement that jostled our clothes transmitted noise through the wires to the earbuds, and it was audible because of their tight seal with the ears. So forget about jogging or even walking with these. One other nitpick: We were constantly untangling the MDR-NC11s' wires. However, we could level that criticism at a number of portable devices.
We kicked off our listening tests with the elder statesmen of punk rock, the Ramones, and their pile-driving beat sounded amazing. It kicked more than it does on most headphones--certainly way more than on your typical bass-challenged earbuds. On our acoustic-jazz CDs, we heard exquisite bass definition, and vocals possessed remarkable midrange detail. High frequencies were likewise airy and finely detailed. DVD movies were also well served by the MDR-NC11s. As for the noise cancellation, it was extremely effective, even on a noisy subway train. Although they have a retail price of $149, the MDR-NC11s are a fine deal, offering impressive performance and efficient design. Hide Review
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Ex-movie theater projectionist Steve Guttenberg has also worked as a high-end audio salesman, and as a record producer. Steve currently reviews audio products for CNET and works as a freelance writer for Home Theater, Inner Fidelity, Tone Audio, and Stereophile. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.
User Reviews
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stars 13 of 14 users found this review helpful
"Don't bother" By zikanda
Pros Sound is rich and detailed
Cons Hiss and reliability
Summary At £90 these are not cheep and having had my pair fail in the left ear after just 2 days of use was very disappointing to say the least. To add to my frustration when I checked all the online reviews across several websites it turned out that this is ... Expand full review
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Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Headphones Type: Headphones - Binaural
- Product type: Headphones
- Design: In-ear canalphone
