Sony MDR-NC22/WHI Noise-Canceling Headphone White

These cannot be compared to a product costing four times as much, and besides, most people won't find that the high-end Bose won't give them four times the value. Also, choosing not to spend more money does not mean "can't afford." In my case, I could more than afford Bose, but I refuse to since I tend to be rough on my hardware (most of my headphones and earbuds last just a few months, half a year at most). I was unwilling to buy even these Sonys, at first.

However, my previous noise-canceling headphones broke, and when I looked at replacements, these Sonys were recommended. They work wonders on my daily commute, drowning out the loud rumble of the commuter train and the subway. The in-ear design provides some passive noise isolation, helping a bit to drown out passengers' conversation (although nothing, not even Bose's best, will silence people who yak incessantly next to you). The noise-canceling does produce a slight hiss, but I find it noticeable only if you're not listening to anything.

I personally prefer a medium-sized "suction cup" style of headphones, which make somewhat of a seal over the ears for passive noise isolation. This is more sanitary, also -- earbuds should be cleaned frequently with antibacterial wipes to avoid giving yourself an ear infection. Headphones also don't get pulled out of your ears. One problem with these Sonys is that if the circuitry becomes unclipped, the weight can pull the earbuds out of your ears. The clip could be stronger, but it will hold if you can clip it vertically.

Nonetheless, I've come to like them very much. The audio quality is excellent, and the noise canceling works excellently for anyone without the most exacting standards.

I just bought these headphones and so far, I'm pretty impressed with them. Suction-cup like silicon jacket helps the headphones block out nearly all high pitched whisps while the noise cancelling feature really does make a difference in blocking out lower pitched hums (Perfect for airplanes)

Pros:
+ Noise cancelling works, and unlike the in-ear solutions, you don't have to stick these way up your ear canals.
+ Extra long cord and light weight, unobtrusive, battery compartment.
+ Pretty decent sound.

Cons:
- Average, but acceptable bass levels. Probably better than the competing models.
- Price. A little more expensive than I would have liked to pay for any headphones. But at least now, I can hear my music in the train.

These headphones do a great job of blocking the general roar of the commuter train -- it's amazing how much lower I can set the volume on my MP3 player with the noise cancellation option on. This has got to be good for my ears.

Don't expect these headphones to block all the noise like you might get with the uber-expensive (IMO) Bose models. On the other hand, you don't have to carry a separate briefcase for these, either. I also don't feel like my head's in a clamp with the in-ear design.

Added bonus: battery life is excellent!

I recently compared the Bose QC2 headphones (an obscene $299) with the cheaper Sennheiser PXC-300 ($159.99) and the new Sony MDR-NC22s ($70.00). The Sennheiser's are a smaller design that does not completely cover your ear and comes in a smaller case, which is more convenient for travelling. The Sony's are an in-ear solution, and have the smallest case. All have active noise canceling.

I did my testing in the rear of an Boeing 737. The rear is generally the noisiest location in an airplane. My primary testing criteria was which headphone reduced overall noise the best. I also listened to see which headphone allowed me to listen to music and audio programs (podcasts) at the lowest volume level. I was really hoping that one of the cheaper options would be better than the Bose, but they weren't.

The Bose knocked out the most airplane noise and allowed me to listen to music at the lowest volume level and still hear it. The Sennheiser was next, and the Sony was last. The Sony also suffered from a noticeable hiss noise which you could easily hear on audio programs and music played at a low volume.

In short, if you want the best, it is still Bose. If you want to pay a little less and don't mind that you're not getting the best, the Sennheiser is a good choice. The Sony is a good choice only if you can't afford the Sennheiser and you want to play music LOUD.

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