Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony MDR-NC6 Noise-cancelling Headphones

There are some misconceptions about noise canceling headphones. They do not totally eliminate noise, but do get rid of low frequency elements such as airplane drone, fan humming, low vocal conversations, generators, etc. They magically disappear while allowing you to still hear regular noises and voices. When music is applied, you are in your own symphonic wilderness. The sound is particularly good with great high and low crispness and a bass that is strong and plucky with no boom. They are also relatively lightweight and comfortable without feeling like they might tip off your head if your bend over or move. The AAA battery (not included) lasts a long time (two weeks for me now with 3-5 hours of listening a day). There are also attachments for airplane use (why pay money on an airline, nowadays?). I use mine for my iPod and my home stereo (I did need to buy an adapter for my home receiver). Sony makes a good product and this is a durable headset.

I bought a set of these in the US and have used them on several flights, when they certainly make a difference. All of the noise cancelling phones have limited range - typically aimed at flight/train/car lowish frequency noise. The noise has to be relatively constant for cancelling to work. I subsequenty bought my wife the Senheisser PXC250 folding headphones (at > twice the price), which have a broader noise cancelling range, but I prefer the Sony because of the more traditonal full ear cover and a much simpler single wire arrangement (the battery sits in the headband - the PXC250 have a separate holder). The single AAA battery on the Sony seem to last for ever. I use them as normal headphones at home with cancelling switched off most of the time and always take them on flights, with cancelling switched on.

These are excellent value for money, and offer great sound. The headphones take a few seconds to "kick in", and after that most background noise disappears. Its a strange sensation the first time you flick the switch, as though your ears have popped.

Sitting next to a computer, you no longer hear the fan noise, however you can still hear people talking - which is to be expected.

Your ears get very warm due to the large pads, however there is virtually no noise leakage even on high volume. They offer very good sound, with good bassey tones, and crisp vocals.

They are fairly lightweight, even with the AAA battery.

Even though they are sold as Noise Cancelling, the writing on the headphones is mis-spelt as Noise Canceling.


Overall, a great value product.

1. Generally, these headphones are very well made, attractive design, the usual Sony quality.

2. The cable is quite short if you intend to use these with a home hi-fi. Looks like you get about a metre - which is fine for travelling or a portable device, I guess.

3. The noise cancelling works. In an office environment, it completely blocks out the background rumble of the air conditioning. Flick the switch, and about a second later there is silence. Doesn't work on fast changing noise though - colleagues chattering etc.

4. No battery included in the retail packaging: needs a single AAA 1.5V. You do get an adapter for use on aircraft though (double 3.5mm jack plug).

5. If I had paid High Street retail (£50) I'd be a little disappointed. But for £35 delivered, they represent pretty good value.

6. Sound quality is perfectly acceptable. I'm no audiophile, but the overall experience is good.

7. Overall: recommended.

As the other reviewer notes, these headphones do not eliminate noise totally but they do remove background 'white noise' and muffle other noises - music is a lot clearer and volume can be reduced a lot. Sitting on a train using them I found they picked up the signal noise from nearby mobile phones and amplified the 'beepitty beep' to an irritating level - I had to remove them. Only other problem is hot ears - they do heat up a fair bit from the foam cushion (hence four stars). You may find that 'ear plug' type noise cancelling headphones will suit you better? - but they may well have other drawbacks all of their own. It's a good product, the days of 'ordinary' phones are numbered.