Sony MDR-NC40 Noise Canceling Headphone (Black) | 
 enlarge | Brand: Sony
Category: CE
List Price: $99.99
Buy Refurbished: $48.00
You Save: $51.99 (52%)
New (4) Used (3) Refurbished (8) from $48.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  14 reviews
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 10.3 x 6.4 x 3.9
MPN: MDR-NC40
Model: MDR-NC40
UPC: 027242724433
EAN: 0027242724433
ASIN: B0002T3UQ0
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: New Sony Warranty included----No shipping to APO's & FPO's ---Shipped in Sony-sealed box with Owner's Manual, Sony accessories, and New Sony Warranty. Buy with confidence-Authorized Sony Dealer since 1990.
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| Features:
| • | Lightweight head-band NC headphones | | • | Pressure relieving urethane cushion | | • | Passive operation when power is off | | • | Battery life: Up to 40 hours | | • | High quality noise canceling |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
Tired of taking your CD or MP3 player onto a plane only to hear the guy next to you better than the music itself? Do away with the problem for good with the MDR-NC40 noise-canceling headphones, which reduce ambient sound by a dramatic 10 dB so you can enjoy your favorite music distraction-free. The headphones work by synthesizing ambient sound with the noise-canceling circuit, thus reducing the commotion before it reaches your ears. In the meantime, the MDR-NC40's neodymium magnets deliver a wide-ranging frequency response and clear, rich tones whether you're listening to delicate arias or ear-busting metal. The headphones serve other purposes as well, such as blocking at sound while you're trying to nap or honing in on hard-to-understand passages of a voice recording. Appropriately for a travel unit, the headphones fold compactly for easy storage in a carry-on or backpack. They also fit comfortably over the ears thanks to the soft ear pads, which listeners can wear for hours with no ill effects. The MDR-NC40 also includes a plug adapter for connecting to a stereo or, alternatively, an airline dual jack for enjoying in-flight music services. What's in the Box
MDR-NC40 headphones, carrying pouch, plug adapter, user's manual.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
Sony MDR-NC40 vs. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 December 31, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I report a comparison of the Sony MDR-NC40 headset Sony MDR-NC40 Noise Canceling Headphone (Black) to the very popular Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 pair Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones. My background is scientific and technical, but I am not a serious audiophile. I have no particular allegiance to either brand.
1. First impressions
The Audio-Technica (A-T) headset struck me as much more solid, larger, and more padded on the headband. The Sony looks less substantial, is definitely lighter, and has a battery pod halfway down the cord that stands out right away.
2. Fit, comfort, and size
The Sony is on-the-ear, while the A-T is over-the-ear. I was expecting to prefer the A-T for that reason, but find that the ear cups have overly small openings. In addition, the ear cup padding, for some mysterious reason, has a seam located very close to the lip of the hole for you ear. The inner material is not smooth, and I find that the seam touches my ears, despite all attempts to adjust the position. I have a large head (always XL hat sizes), and I have to max out the headband on the A-T. The Sony has spare adjustment when I have it set to my liking. The A-T is certainly heavier and larger, the Sony less so. The over-the-ear A-T protrudes further back, potentially bumping seatbacks or pillows more easily. Finally, the Sony folds at three hinge points (one on top and one above each ear cup), so the folded result is very compact. The A-T can be adjusted to smallest headband length and the ear cups rotated to fit flatter within the headband for storage. The Sony on-the-ear pads feel quite comfortable with a good amount of pressure, but push just a tad on the rear part of the ear. Whether they may bother over long periods is a matter of individual preference.
3. Noise cancellation
This is a tough one. I played music through speakers and used both of them with no music playing through the headphones, but noise canceling on. The A-T have more passive noise cancellation being over-the-ear, and eliminate a lot of sound, particularly mid- and low-tones, not as well in the high tones. A very, very slight hiss is heard with no music playing. I didn't think I could hear any hiss on the Sony pair until I squashed them against my ears and was just able to hear a bit. I was unable to hear any hiss with music playing on either of them. The Sony also eliminates some mid- and low-tones, definitely noticeable, but I give the edge here to the A-T.
4. Sound quality
This is very difficult to quantify. Let's just say that both, with power on, seem great to me. I have good hearing but am no audiophile. With the same input, the A-T is slightly louder. Turning the power off, both sound muted, duller, less 3-dimensional, with serious loss of all frequencies, but especially treble (highs). While the Sony starts out quieter with power on, the A-T volume drops much more with the power off. I judge the Sony usable with power off (in a pinch), and the A-T less so.
5. Cords and plugs
Both cords are identical in diameter, very skinny an unsubstantial looking in my opinion. The cords appear to be the same length, but the Sony connects to both ears, while the A-T attaches only to the left earcup. The Sony has a right-angle plug that almost doesn't fit into my computer speaker receptacle. The A-T has a cord with one straight and one right-angle plug, usable either way. It can also be detached when using the headphones for noise canceling only. The Sony has its battery, switch, and mute button on a pod halfway down the cord. The A-T has a switch on the left earcup. I find the Sony pod a bit annoying while using it at my desk. It is in just the wrong spot so it wants to fall off the desk. The A-T includes a two-prong airline adapter and one of the really large stereo plugs. The Sony also has an airline two-plug adapter that has a swiveling prong so it can be either one or two pronged. Not sure why one needs it to swing out of the way when the plug is the same as on the cord, and has a right angle to it already.
6. Mute button
The Sony has one, the A-T doesn't. Seems very handy for when the flight attendant asks what your food and beverage choices are.
7. Carrying case
Both have zippered cases. The Sony is foldable, with an oval shape about 4.5" wide x 5.5" high x 2.5" thick. The A-T case is about 7.75" wide x 8.25" wide x 2" thick. While slightly thicker, the Sony case is about 1/3 the frontal area of the A-T case. Both cases have a spare battery holder, and both have one battery included.
8. Packaging
My Sony pair came in one of those indestructible plastic shell packs. If you cut it carefully all the way around the perimeter near the back, it opens up very cleanly. The A-T comes in an absurdly large box, because the case is separate from the headphones so they can be seen. The box is unusual, with top flaps that open to the side first. I felt stupid almost tearing it apart to open it, but there are no instructions other than small thumb holes as a hint.
9. Conclusion
I'm not saying which one I kept. I think it is too much a matter of individual preference. I give both models 4 stars because I did not experience that "sigh of contentment" with either of them, but they are both solid contenders.
 Noise cancelling headphones December 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I spent quite a lot of time doing research before investing in headphones. I need them for long-haul flights and when I want total seclusion while listening to music. These headphones fit the bill and I am glad I decided to go with them. My other choice was Bose but they are far too expensive and I do not feel that the quality was going to be three times better than these ones. I am delighted with my purchase.
Great price, very good noise cancellation, good sound December 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I first purchased a pair of slightly-cheaper, over the ear noise cancellation headphones from another brand I will no mention. The bass response was so terrible, the cans were very tinny, and the bass would distort at ANY volume. To boot, the noise cancellation (despite promises it would reduce it by 70%) was almost non-existent.
I took those back and purchased the Sony pair. Wow, what a difference. It really does seem to reduce noise by around 70% (not the 80% claimed), and that is enough for me. It will reduce the dull roar at coffee shops to polite chatter; the coffee grinding is a low buzz. The sound is also pretty good. The bass is great (sometimes TOO good).
My only qualms would be the fact that the pair NEEDS a battery to sound good. That's a design flaw. Other than that, I am pretty happy with these (especially with the price tag being 1/3 of the Bose sets).
Fine product November 10, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I travel a great deal and have a drawer full of noise canceling headphones by Panasonic, Kensington, JVC and Sony. Each had limitations -- not enough high end, poor construction, poor noise reduction, or in the case of lesser Sony's I bought several months ago, pretty good sound, but rather inadequate ear cups and poor portability (they wouldn't fold up to occupy as little as possible space in my briefcase.)Always worried about losing or damaging something while traveling I did not go for the full kahuna and buy Bose.
So, having seen these around some local shops and taken a listen I bought the NC40 and immediately took them on a trip.
By and large they are fine. When turned on (don't even try to listen to them when off) the sound is rich and clean; lovely base and good high end, which is important to my tired ole ears. Plenty of mid-range. Nice volume. I'm not sure they are world beaters in terms of overall noise reduction, but they certainly take the edge off and from my same old seat near the rear of a Southwest jet, they provide a relaxing and easy to take listening experience. One WANTS to use this extremely comfortable headset, whether noise reduction is needed or not. I hear things I didn't know my MP3 decoder put in a file. Oh, I listen mainly to jazz and classical music.
Oh yes, they fold up neatly and I like the on-off switch/battery holder, which lives by itself on the connecting line and has an override button that works beautifully.
Good Performance, Nice price September 30, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
As a frequent business traveler, I was looking for some noise canceling headphones but did not want to spend the chunk of change on Bose. After reading some of the reviews on these Sony's here and other places, I decided to give them a shot. I'm glad I did! Now, I'm no audiophile, nor do I have much to compare these to from a noise canceling perspective, but they do their job well. Yes, you have to have them turned on for them to sound decent, but the battery life seems very good. I've made 3 trips to China and a few domestic trips with the original battery still in them. Probably 60 hours conservatively (I only use them on the planes). I can keep them on for a 13 hour flight with out any discomfort, and I am very pleased with the degree of noise canceling.
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