Noise Canceling XBA Earbuds

Xbanc85d_ca
Model number: XBANC85D
Rated 2.0 out of 5 Stars
Tune out the outside world with balanced armature noise canceling earbuds well suited to see you comfortably through the long haul. Rechargeable battery lasts for up to 20 hours, perfect for all your traveling needs.

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$ 499 .99

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Peaceful revolution.

Introducing the world's smallest and lightest digital noise canceling in-ear headphones. With a revolutionary box-free design, these XBA-NC85D Balanced Armature in-ear headphones reduce ambient noise in airplanes, offices and other environments by up to 97.5% so you can enjoy your music in peace. Slip into sublime sonic bliss with a premium blend of crisp, radiant highs and deep, breathtaking bass—delivered to you absolutely unadulterated and delightfully distraction-free.

  • Sensational Sound

    Designed for discerning audiophiles, XBA Series in-ear headphones are outfitted with Sony's newly developed balanced armature driver units engineered for crisp, balanced sound of incredible depth and precision. Infused with premium audio technology, even the most subtle musical nuances are delivered with tremendous clarity and detail.

  • Balanced Armature Drivers

    Compared to conventional dynamic drivers, Balanced Armature drivers deliver crystal-clear vocals and booming bass with impressive depth. Plus, the micro-sized, full range driver comes precision tuned by Sony engineers to evenly reproduce a broad spectrum of high to low frequency response for an incredibly balanced audio experience.

  • Discreet, Box-free Design

    Say goodbye to bulky noise canceling headphones. With a streamlined box-free design, get everything you need for outstanding noise canceling and premium audio reproduction all housed inside a compact, go-anywhere earpiece—including an extra powerful battery for up to 20 hours
    of performance.

  • Digital Noise Cancelation

    Sony's advanced digital signal processing technology reduces aggravating ambient noise by up to 97.5% for deliciously distraction-free listening, even in loud public places. A tiny microphone on each earpiece works in tandem with noise canceling circuitry to create an opposite sound wave and eliminate an onslaught of ambient noise.

  • Adapts to Your Environment

    Not all ambient noise is the same. Artificial Intelligence technology automatically analyzes the type of sound that surrounds you—whether it be aircraft, train, office or other—and selects the optimal noise canceling mode for the environment.

  • Long Lasting Comfort

    Because Balanced Armature drivers sport an ultra compact design for a smaller overall form factor, they slip easily inside the ear for a snug, more natural-feeling fit. The result? Further reduced ambient noise and long-lasting comfort and wearability—even after hours of non-stop listening.

Product Reviews

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( Rated 2.0 out of 5 Stars AVERAGE RATING | 4 REVIEWS Ratings Snapshot )

Ratings Snapshot
5 star:
25%
(1)
4 star:
0%
(0)
3 star:
0%
(0)
2 star:
0%
(0)
1 star:
75%
(3)

1 of 4 (25%) customers would recommend this product to a friend

Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot

big disappointment value for money

Pros: battery runs out very quick

Reviewer: ramstar (Dubai)

Date 25-Feb-2013

I've had this product for1-3 months

19of21 people found this helpful

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battery runs out very quick. not a great noise canceling and actually big disappointment for the money paid.

Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot

Disappointing

Pros: Attractive design

Cons: Poor sound, poor noise cancelling

Reviewer: Sibelius (Ottawa)

Date 7-Sep-2012

I've had this product forless than a month

23of34 people found this helpful

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The Sony XBANC85D noise cancelling earbuds are disappointing. The sound is brittle and harsh, even when the signal is equalized to reduce treble or to boost bass. This is especially noticeable with vocal music and solo piano, though less so with orchestral music. Ben Heppner through these sounds like Jussi Bjorling, and a piano sounds like it's being played over the telephone. Other reviewers have noted the lack of bass, but I don't think that's the problem; rather, the problem is the exaggerated treble, which makes these earbuds almost unlistenable. As for the noise cancelling (I bought them for flying), when I tested them with power tools in a workshop, I could not detect any reduction of noise at all (apart from the passive isolation provided by the foam ear buds). I am not surprised that Sony has just reduced the list price. The Shures that I listened to have a much smoother sound, especially the 535s (about the same list price as the Sonys), but even the 315s (less than half as much) are much better than the Sonys, and seem to offer the same passive noise isolation.

Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot
Performance
20%
Design
60%
Reliability
20%
Value
20%

XBA NC 85D deception

Pros: none

Cons: expensive- porr performance- cost

Reviewer: princeling (Florida)

Date 20-Jul-2012

I've had this product for3-6 months

30of60 people found this helpful

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I have to try to use this headphones since 6 months that I bought, with several PMP ( ipod,sony walkman, cowon and samsung galaxy player) for to have all arguments and give a chance, but the result ALWAYS was the same: 1- the sound is terrible ( the worst bass ever and poorly clear) 2- noise cancelling function is a joke 3- Price ( that hurts!) is needlessly high for the function: Never again i¨ll buy a sony headphones, in the market exist very much better option in a 1/5 of the price of this piece of trash. My patiente has been broken

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Arrive rested and energized with these Balanced Armature noise canceling in-ear headphones made for drowning out ambient noise while providing soaring highs and deep, rich lows. Boxless digital signal processing technology automatically reduces ambient noise from offices, airplanes and trains by up to 97.5% by automatically selecting the optimal noise canceling effect through analysis of ambient noise. The ultra-compact design of the Balanced Armature driver allows for a natural in-ear fit and improved, long-term comfort. Enjoy up to 20 hours of audio thanks to the internal rechargeable battery1. Travel case, USB charger adapter, in-flight plug adapter, cord adjuster and clip included.

Digital Noise canceling technology

Digital technology provides for optimal noise cancelation with outstanding audio performance. Read below to learn more about the digital difference when it comes to noise canceling ear buds.

Wearing Comfort

The ultra-compact design of a Balanced Armature (BA) driver allows for a natural in-ear fit and improved, long-term comfort.

Accessories

Travel case, USB charge adapter, in-flight plug adapter, cord adjuster, and clip.

Sound Story

Compared to conventional Dynamic drivers, BA drivers produce a broad and even frequency response with notable vocal clarity. BA drivers can even be tuned for higher or lower frequency response, as well as combined to emphasize certain sound characteristics.

Boxless Design

It’s all there. Everything you need for outstanding noise-free audio reproduction can be found housed inside the ear pieces: the micro-sized BA drivers, sophisticated digital noise canceling circuitry, and an internal, rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of listening enjoyment1.

Smart Charge System

While the XBA-NC85D earbuds enable music playback just like conventional headphones, they are charged by connecting the audio jack to a USB interface, just like a smart phone or digital media player.

Environmental Information

In developing the all-in-one XBA-NC85D digital noise-canceling earbuds, Sony has eliminated the cord-mounted control box that normally houses the battery and noise canceling circuitry. This new, integrated circuit consumes less than 1/30th (a mere 3mW) than that of the previous circuit, which consumes 105mW2. This translates into up to 20 hours3 of rechargeable listening time (when fully charged) as compared to the up to 16 hours of the previous model when operated by single use non-rechargeable batteries.

Balanced Armature Driver

Newly developed micro-size, full-range driver units deliver detailed and transparent sound reproduction. Be it your favorite vocalist, driving bass line, piano, guitar or drum solo, hear even the most subtle musical details with tremendous clarity.

Intelligent Auto-Selection

Not all ambient noise is the same. Fully automatic AI Noise Canceling circuitry automatically selects the optimal noise canceling (for aircraft, train or office) through analysis of available ambient noise.

Noise Isolation

Noise isolation earbuds (Included: Small, Medium, and Large) not only provide a comfortable, snug fit, but also utilize pressure relieving urethane foam to further reduce ambient noise.

Product Specifications

General

  • Case Type : Carrying Case
  • Plug : Gold-plated L-type stereo mini plug
  • Power Handling Capacity : 50 mW 
  • Type of Use : Portable

Weights and Measurements

  • Weight (Approx.) : 6 g (0.22 oz.) wihtout cord

Audio

  • Driver Unit : Closed, Balanced Armature
  • Frequency Response : 5 - 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance : 820 ohms at 1 kHz
  • Selectivity : 3 distinct noise-canceling modes for use in three accoustically different environments (Airplane, Bus, office)
  • Sensitivity (db) : 106 dB/mW

Hardware

  • Cord : 59 1/8 in. (1.5 m), OFC Litz cord neck-chain
  • Headphone Type : Vertical in-the-ear design, noise canceling

Convenience Features

  • Noise Reduction : Total noise suppression - Approx: 16 dB (when power is on)1

Power

  • Battery Indicator : yes
  • Battery Life (Approx) : Up to 20 hours with internal rechargeable, nickel-metal hydride battery
  • Battery Type : DC 1.5V, 1 x AAA/LR03 battery

In the Box

  • Plug Adapter for in-flight use (single/dual) (1)
  • Carrying Case (1)
  • USB Charger Adapter (1)
  • Cord Adjuster (1)
  • Operating Instructions (1)
  • Noise Isolation Earbuds - S (2), M (2), L (2)
  • Clip (1)
  • Warranty Card (1)

Product Profile

Support

Product Reviews

Write a review

( Rated 2.0 out of 5 Stars AVERAGE RATING | 4 REVIEWS Ratings Snapshot )

Ratings Snapshot
5 star:
25%
(1)
4 star:
0%
(0)
3 star:
0%
(0)
2 star:
0%
(0)
1 star:
75%
(3)

1 of 4 (25%) customers would recommend this product to a friend

Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot

Reviewer: ramstar (Dubai)

Date 25-Feb-2013

I've had this product for1-3 months

19of21 people found this helpful

Was this review helpful?

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Report as inappropriate

big disappointment value for money

Pros: battery runs out very quick

battery runs out very quick. not a great noise canceling and actually big disappointment for the money paid.

Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot

Reviewer: Sibelius (Ottawa)

Date 7-Sep-2012

I've had this product forless than a month

23of34 people found this helpful

Was this review helpful?

Yes No

Report as inappropriate

Disappointing

Pros: Attractive design

Cons: Poor sound, poor noise cancelling

The Sony XBANC85D noise cancelling earbuds are disappointing. The sound is brittle and harsh, even when the signal is equalized to reduce treble or to boost bass. This is especially noticeable with vocal music and solo piano, though less so with orchestral music. Ben Heppner through these sounds like Jussi Bjorling, and a piano sounds like it's being played over the telephone. Other reviewers have noted the lack of bass, but I don't think that's the problem; rather, the problem is the exaggerated treble, which makes these earbuds almost unlistenable. As for the noise cancelling (I bought them for flying), when I tested them with power tools in a workshop, I could not detect any reduction of noise at all (apart from the passive isolation provided by the foam ear buds). I am not surprised that Sony has just reduced the list price. The Shures that I listened to have a much smoother sound, especially the 535s (about the same list price as the Sonys), but even the 315s (less than half as much) are much better than the Sonys, and seem to offer the same passive noise isolation.

Rated 1.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot
Performance
20%
Design
60%
Reliability
20%
Value
20%

Reviewer: princeling (Florida)

Date 20-Jul-2012

I've had this product for3-6 months

30of60 people found this helpful

Was this review helpful?

Yes No

Report as inappropriate

XBA NC 85D deception

Pros: none

Cons: expensive- porr performance- cost

I have to try to use this headphones since 6 months that I bought, with several PMP ( ipod,sony walkman, cowon and samsung galaxy player) for to have all arguments and give a chance, but the result ALWAYS was the same: 1- the sound is terrible ( the worst bass ever and poorly clear) 2- noise cancelling function is a joke 3- Price ( that hurts!) is needlessly high for the function: Never again i¨ll buy a sony headphones, in the market exist very much better option in a 1/5 of the price of this piece of trash. My patiente has been broken

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot

Reviewer: raybay (Jedah, KSA)

Date 17-Aug-2012

I've had this product for1-3 months

19of30 people found this helpful

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really good

it's a really good headphone. The noise is almost completely canceled, the bass is great, and the overall experience is excellent!

VIEW FOOTNOTES

  1. Actual performance varies based on settings, environmental conditions, and usage.
  2. MDR-NC300D
  3. Actual battery life may vary based on product settings, battery, usage patterns and environmental conditions

© 2011 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony and the Sony make.believe logo are trademarks of Sony. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Non-metric weights and measures are approximate and may vary.