Gadget review: Sony MDR-NC500 Digital Noise Cancelling Headphones

Sony popped a pair of their top-of-the-range MDR-NC500 noise cancelling headphones in the post just in time for Christmas. Hoping they were the kind of present to drown out Last Christmas for the last time, it was fair to say I was intrigued.

Digital noise cancelling uses tiny microphones to capture external sound, which is monitored intelligently by a signal processor and removed. The MDR-NC500s are far superior than any of the other noise cancelling cans on the market and are perfect for travelling - from cancelling out the engine roar of a plane or the constant whining of those little darlings screaming, “Are we there yet?”

They sound great too, albeit the bass does struggle with prolonged attacks of sub bass - fans of ambient dub take note. Throw rock, indie and classical at these beauties and they sound exceptionally good. The hi-end is rich and spacious and the mids handle anything thrown at them with the speed and agility of Hermes himself.

Engaging and responsive, the MDR-NC500s have a lovely sense of space, very airy, which makes the most of your music. They come with a leather carry case, all the necessary cables and adapters to fit a larger 6.3mm jack and an aeroplane jack.

An additional battery pack, using AAs, extends the lifespan but bear in mind you cannot use them without power. You’ll get ten hours out of the rechargeable Lithium Ion battery built into the headphones, then switch on the additional battery pack to boost performance by a further 15 hours.

The precision of the MDR-NC500s is really impressive. Even though they look like a pair of cans straight out of the 70s, they are striking nonetheless; two high gloss monolithic cups connected by a tough plastic frame and luxurious leather padding, all of which quietly whispers luxury and comfort.

If you are after excellent sound quality with noise cancelling, they are hard to beat at the price.

That said, at a smidgeon over £215 they are expensive. But if you are a frequent flyer or endure a hefty commute and have toyed with the idea of being inside your own little bubble of musical bliss, then these are exactly the cans to get.

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