Rating: 
Summary: Great for the Mini iPod
Review: I travel via air almost every week, and I've tried just about every headphone, earbud, you name it for my Mini iPod. I've returned them all. This is the first product that I have been satified with. I have my Mini set in Acoustic mode and it plays all genre of music cleanly across these earbuds. They pack very crisp bass for such small speakers. The noise canceling feature does buzz a little when no music is playing, but is not noticeable once it starts. I would not recommend them for just wearing as a noise filter. They are much better when both playing music and filtering noise is combined. I did try them while just listening to music on my computer, and was greatly disappointed. The sound quality just wasn't there. More likely the file playback on the computer than the quality of the earbud. Overall I believe that are an excellent value if you are an iPod junky like myself.
Rating: 
Summary: Like turning off the world
Review: I tried these at Brookstone in the JFK Terminal 8 departures hall. Switching these on was almost spooky. The background chatter from hundreds of people, and the sound of footsteps just faded away. You could still hear it faintly, but it was amazing.
I bought them on the spot and used them both ways across the pond. 90% of engine sound and that characteristic "whoosh" goes away, and you can listen to the movie or music at a much lower volume (no need to drown out the plane) while the sound is much richer. Very restful.
I really don't know what I did without these. Love them!
Rating:
Summary: really not bad
Review: I was keen for a long time to buy this product but read some bad reviews and found the price deterring. But now that I bought one, I must say I do not regret. I fly a lot and there is nothing better on the plane (that I know of). I also own a Sony MDR-NC5 (noise reduction headphones), so I can compare. The headphones always caused me headache on long flights (I wear glasses), no such problems with earphones. Portability is a big issue since my only carry-on is a notebook bag - earphones are again the winner. Sound I have not compared one-to-one and I saw some discussion on the net whether MDR-NC11 is active or passive noise reduction (they do have built-in mics to record environment), but theoretical and audiophile arguments apart, they sound great on the plane and I know of nothing better. Final verdict: If you fly a lot, buy these!
Rating: 
Summary: Foolish Purchase
Review: I was reserved about spending $150 on these. They look a bit too dinky to be worth it. I did, however, and since then I've been so disapppointed with myself.
The noise canceling was good enough to drown out airplane engines, which I thought merited the slight pain in my ears. None of the three sizes of replaceable earbud dealies fit me comfortably.
The cable is too long and awkward (with the volume control box) for upright iPod use, let alone jogging, unless you're taller than 6'8". Also, they are desiged to be worn on the left side, so they're irritatingly asymmetrical and pull out of the left ear quite often.
I bought these on a Thursday, and on Sunday the right earbud just quit working. After two hours on the phone with Sony I was given a work order number. I got replacement set about a week later. Those worked for about six days before the left earbud quit working.
I guess if you get lucky and yours don't break, then these are good headphones for use while sitting. Still, don't pay full price.
Rating:
Summary: What's All The Noise About?
Review: I was very disappointed with the functionality of the noise-canceling feature of these head (ear) phones. The noise-canceling feature seems to feed the sound back into itself causing a hissing noise. The set seems more like a noise-adding system than a noise-canceling system.
The tight fit of the ear pieces isolates the sound going into your ears and it seems that's the benefit to these. When the noise-canceling function is turned on, you hear a constant hissing sound.
I think you're better off buying a noise-isolating set than this set. Not at all what I'd hoped they'd be.
Rating: 
Summary: If only I could give it a ZERO
Review: I'm a Sony fanatic. I buy Sony first (save for Bose speakers & iPod stuff). I have a Sony receiver, Sony CD changer, Sony DVD player, Sony Walkman, and on and on and on. This is the single worst Sony product I've ever purchased. It is so bad I challenge Sony to show my one documented photo of a single Sony employee who has ever used the product. First, my Bose noise-cancelling headset doesn't hiss--Sony's claim this is normal is bunk. Second, the endless mass of controls and weirdly assymetrical cords make it almost unusable on the train and ferry. Walking with it is nearly impossible owing to the tangle of wires. The weight of the control box weighs enough to pull th ebuds out of your ears. This may sound picky but if you buy these you'll soon see what I mean. It makes then useless for motion--I can't imagine running in them--which is in part why I bought them. The earbuds don't fit in my ears (I can use the standard iPod buds, but none of the Sony buds fit well).Did *anyone* at Sony actually try this product before it hit the market? At $100 a pop this product is a rippoff. And as a huge Sony fan I warn fellow consumers--go straight to Bose. (I bought these to compliment the Bose because I thought the in-ear design would be better for my daily commute and walking.)
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic noise cancelling and comfort
Review: I'm not sure what prompted such a poor rating for these headphones from other people, but I love them. I work in a large software lab all day, where one could go crazy from the humming and beeping of the multitude of machines. I put these headphones in, put on a cd in my computer, and I can't hear anything except for the music. It's wonderfully quiet... to the point that my co-workers have to tap on my shoulder or send me an instant message if they want to get my attention! I guess I could see how the whole in-ear rubber gasket thing could take some getting used to, but I don't notice them there, even after a whole workday of use - they are very comfortable. In addition, the sound that these headphones put out is very dynamic - lots of good bass, clear highs and mids. Now that the price has come down on them some, I'd jump on them if you want a great set of noise cancellers to help you filter out the noise (and maybe your boss?) at work. :)
Rating:
Summary: Great product but there's a bit of a learning curve.
Review: I've had these for 6 months now and use them every day. They do take getting used to. It comes with 3 sizes of earbuds and it is very important to find the right fit; too small or large will will ruin the noise cancelling feature. It is also key to wear the cord the right way (it's in the directions!). The noise canceling works well and also doubles as a nice amp for MP3 devices. It made driving bearable when my muffler broke and also kept me sane when working in an office trailer on a construction site. Wherever I go, my iPod and Sony noise canceling headphones will be with me.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Fly Without It!
Review: I've tried a few noise cancel earphones like the famed Bose system, and I wanted to buy one for myself. Doing some research on the web and trying some out at shops its clear the Bose 299$ is the best but way too expensive. Sony's NC20's are now being served up in business class in long haul flights (used to be just Bose) and I found these's just as capable. Still I wanted something smaller so I bought these NC11's even after reading the mixed reviews.
The tight (comfortable) fitting earbuds knocks out a significant amount of the ambient high noise. Switching on the NC circuit knocks out the drone of the jet. At first I wasn't sure if it was working or not..... Just switch it on and forget it. Later when you're watching a movie or something, try switching off the circuit, Thats when I really noticed how effective the system was. Like someone said, its not like the dramatic effect of closing a soundproof door, its more a subtle 'removal' of some (not all) of the annoying noises that on the long run will drive you nuts or wear you out. Bottom line, the level of exhaustion you carry at the end of a 14 hour flight can significantly be reduced by keeping these things on. Its small enough you can carry them in your pockets, which is a huge plus for travellers.
Long short, don't fly without them.
PS I can understand how some might feel their NC11's are doing nothing. Its a type of noise cancellation thats not obvious or efective for all types of sounds. But I can say from experience, they are a must have on flights. (probably train and subway rides would be good places to try them out too)
Rating:
Summary: Should be zero stars
Review: If I could give this product zero stars, I would. I own two pairs of bulky noise cancelling headphones, which work very well. I purchased the NC11 earbuds for my wife, based on a glowing review in PC Magazine - BUT they simply don't cancel noise. They make the background noise even louder by overlapping it with a hissing sound. We sat in our kitchen with the dishwasher running, and did a side by side comparison. Both the $30 Aiwa HP-CNS and $50 Panasonic RP-HC100 headphones blocked the hum and grind of the dishwasher. The Sony earbuds did not work at all.
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