Recommended for use with the new Sony Xperia Z3 Smartphone, the Sony Digital Noise Cancelling Headset (RRP AU$79, MDR-NC31EM) brings together high quality sound with digital noise cancelling technology for an affordable price.
Audio Quality
Firstly, let’s talk about the audio quality. Putting it simply: it’s solid. With frequency response from 20Hz to 20,000Hz, it performs comfortably over a wide range. I play everything from Hip-Hop to Dance and Rock and in all instances I never experienced any sound issues. But with the snug fitting ear pieces (there are 4 sizes included), you shouldn’t need to have it that loud anyway. Nonetheless, the quality permits it.
Using the Microphone
Where even is the microphone? They’ve hidden it well, though they’ve noted that the headset only works when plugged into a 3.5 mm 5-pole audio contact. I tested on both an Xperia Z3 and an iPhone 4S and it worked very well, with about 80% of the quality reported on the other end of the line to what you’d normally experience on the iPhone, and about 90% on the Xperia (compared to using the phone sans headset).
Digital Noise Cancelling
So what exactly does this mean? Well, rather than the active noise cancelling ability of high end units put out by companies like Plantronics (Read our review of their Backbeat Pro), the digital noise cancelling (DNC) is a feature enabled only when plugged into certain devices that contain the appropriate software. Naturally, this keeps the cost down. In the case of these headsets, the noise cancelling function is activated when plugged into your Sony Xperia Z3 (or Z3 Compact- and we’re told it also works on the older Z2 models), with a variety of options available from the software built into the phone.
Travelling as much as I do, having the option to enjoy noise cancelling without bulky, heavy headphones, is much appreciated – and with the two days battery life of your phone, you can plug the headphones into your Z3, tell the system to keep the DNC active even when the screen is turned off, and give yourself a good nights sleep. I have to say I’ve done this more than once.
Plugging into non-Xperia devices
Of course, headphones are multi-use, and you might want to plug it into other phones, other media devices, tablets or your laptop. When plugged into non-Smartphone devices, such as a laptop, I do notice that it’s difficult to get the music to work in both ear pieces – though with a bit of maneuvering you do get there in the end. On the iPhone or iPad, the device works well, though the DNC functionality isn’t available.
The Verdict
At $79 (Australian RRP), these are great value headsets. I’ve been using mine for two months now, primarily on the go, and have never had any problems with them. As they sit in my pocket, rather than in my bag or around my neck – as with the bigger, more expensive units – the lifespan will presumably be much shorter than their more expensive counterparts, but that’s more a choice by my care, rather than the fault of the device. But it’s also what to expect when you’re paying under $100 for a headset. Still, I probably should take better care of them…
I particularly love travelling with them thanks to the DNC functionality, and with the excellent sound quality, I enjoy using it on a variety of devices – in spite of some minor issues plugging it into my laptop.
————-
Want a pair of headphones yourself? We’re giving you the chance to win your own (never-before-used, we promise!), with a brand new Xperia Z3 smartphone for a total prize value of almost $1,000! Head HERE. The competition closes on 10th February 2015 at 5pm.
The headphones were provided for review by Telstra.
