RSSSony Headphones Quiet Things Down
By Ed Oswald | Published May 3, 2005, 12:44 PM
With noise pollution becoming an ever-increasing problem in today's society, its no surprise that more companies are looking into ways to quiet things down a bit. Enter Sony's new MDR-NC50 headphones, which the company claims will reduce white noise -- a term used to describe everyday unavoidable noise -- by up to 80 percent.
Behind the technology is a microphone within the headphones. This detects the sound and sends it to a new noise-canceling circuit developed by Sony. Any noise that is below the 300 hertz level, which would include jet engines, leaf blowers, subway trains, server fans and household appliances, could be virtually eliminated.
"People want to make the most of their travel and commute time, while also making it enjoyable," Jim Leahey, Sony's general manager for peripherals and enhancements says. "These headphones offer some of the best sound quality on the market, packaged with comfort and style."
The headphones are also fairly unobtrusive, meaning they can be used for everyday use. In addition, the MDR-NC50 comes with active and passive modes, meaning the user can turn on the noise canceling features as-needed.
The headphones are available for pre-order on Sony's Web site at a retail price of $199.99 USD. The company expects the headphones to be available from major retailers starting in June.
Wikipedia's defintion of white noise:
"White noise is a signal (or process) with a flat frequency spectrum. In other words, the signal has equal power in any band, at any centre frequency, having a given bandwidth."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_noise
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|Advertising articles on betanews! More please!
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|I have an old pair of MDR-7504's and for what they are they've held up great over the years. I'm torn between new sony or pioneer headphones. In a club environment the noise canceling may come in handy.
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|http://www.sony.co.uk/Sh...ng&product=MDR-NC11
MDR-NC11 - Fontopia style inner ear headphones. Retails for £119.00 ($225.18 at current rates)
Been tempted by these, but, doesn't never given in. Big fan of the £30 Fontopia inner-ear range. I'm currently using the MDR-EX71SL to great effect.
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|Bose have been doing this sort of thing for a few years now - I have a set of their QuietComfort 2 headphones, and they're really quite good. Bloody expensive ($275), but great all the same. It'll be interesting to see how the Sony 'phones stack up.
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|I too have the Quiet Comfort 2 headphones since I travel so much. I've tried LOTS of noise cancelling headphones and the Bose ones are hands down the best ones on the market and well worth the price if you travel a lot. I will be interested to see how Sony's new headphones stack up against the Bose ones.
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|Too right - Bose have said ability in the sound system for one of our locally delivered cars (Mazda RX8). Supposedly counters engine and road noise quite well.
Personally I'd steer clear of most Sony headphones. The sound quality just doesn't justify the price, IMHO. Maybe the fontopia ones are ok, if I couldn't afford the Shure or Etymotic versions.
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|Sounds great! They look a bit bulky for normal wear outside, but it only means they will get smaller and lightweight from here on out.
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