Complete technical specifications, details, expert ratings and review of Sony MDR NC20. Find out how your chosen headphones stack up against the competition and whether they are the ones that best meet your expectations with the headphone comparison feature.
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DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Sony MDR NC20 |
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Product Type | Headphones - wired - 3.5 mm jack | |
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Weight | 175 g | Worse than 54 % of headphones rated. |
Colour | Black | |
Body Material | Plastic | |
Recommended Use | Home audio, portable electronics |
The Sony MDR NC20 are wired headphones. In the case of studio and professional DJ headphones, a wired connection is a standard and a necessity. In this case, connecting via cable reduces audio transmission delays and prevents unwanted battery drain as it would be in case of wireless headphones. The same is de facto true for gaming headsets. In case of headphones for normal music listening, the cable is rather a relic, although it still has its fans. However, the wireless option is much more popular for everyday use in today’s world.
The design of the headphones is around the ears. Because of this design, the headphone envelops the entire ear and isolates the ear better from surrounding noise when listening compared to for example on-ear headphones. With that, they offer high-quality listening without interference. However, they are most likely heavier by design and less practical for frequent carrying. The weight of the headphones is 175 g.
SOUND QUALITY Sony MDR NC20 |
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Headphones Form Factor | Full size | |
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Headphones Technology | Dynamic | |
Connectivity Technology | Wired | |
Sound Output Mode | Stereo | |
Frequency Response | 16 - 22000 Hz | Better than 75 % of headphones rated. |
Sensitivity | 99 dB | Worse than 76 % of headphones rated. |
Impedance | 24 Ohm | |
Diaphragm | PET - 30 mm | Worse than 76 % of headphones rated. |
Magnet Material | Neodymium |
The sound quality can be affected by many factors. When it comes to frequency range, the wider it is, the more detail you will hear when listening. However, the range a person can perceive is highly individual. The average person is able to perceive frequencies in the range of 16 to 20 000 Hz. So the most common frequency range you will see on the market is 20 to 20,000 Hz. Lower frequencies up to approximately 256 Hz are considered bass frequencies. Therefore, the lower the bottom value is, the better the headphones will reproduce bass. Conversely, values from approximately 2 048 Hz upwards are treble. That is why headphones with a high upper value will provide a much more accurate reproduction of high notes. Sony MDR NC20 offers a frequency range of 16 - 22000 Hz. The sensitivity parameter determines how sensitively the headphones can receive the signal from the source. The higher the sensitivity value, the louder the headphones will be able to play with less power consumption. In general, a higher listening volume also means a higher power load for the connected device. So if you're buying headphones to listen to music from your mobile phone, for example, this is relevant to think about as you don't want to drain your phone's battery too much. Lower values around 85 dB are more suitable for listening in more quiet environments (for example, at home or in the office). Medium values of around 90 dB can provide good listening quality in noisier environments (for example, on public transport or in cafés). Headphones with high sensitivity values of around 100 dB or more are designed for really noisy environments, such as concerts. The Sony MDR NC20 has 99 dB.
The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 24 Ohm value.
An important part of these headphones is the diaphragm, which, simply put, converts the electrical signal into a sound. The thin diaphragm that is around 6 mm thick can react quickly to changes in the audio signal and improves high-frequency listening. However, it is less sensitive to bass. The medium-thick diaphragm of around 10 mm provides a fairly balanced sound profile, allowing you to enjoy both bass and treble. A thicker diaphragm of around 20 mm cannot react so quickly to changes in the sound signal, thus impairing bass listening. However, it is more sensitive to higher frequencies. This model features the PET - 30 mm.
REMOTE CONTROL Sony MDR NC20 |
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Controls | On/off |
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CABLE Sony MDR NC20 |
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Cable Type |
Headphones cable - 0.5 m Headphones cable - 1 m |
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Plated Connector | Gold |
BATTERY AND CHARGING Sony MDR NC20 |
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Battery Type | 1 x battery - AAA type Alkaline | |
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Battery Life | 45 hour(s) | Better than 94 % of headphones rated. |
In terms of headphone battery life as a significant factor in the purchase decision, it depends on what you want to use the headphones for and potentially how often you will be able to recharge them. Headphones with up to a few hours of battery life are more suitable for home use as they will require more frequent charging. Headphones with a battery life of around 10 hours or more are already more suitable for commuting and shorter journeys. However, nowadays you can also find headphones on the market that have a battery life in the higher tens to hundreds of hours. In this case, you do not have to worry about your headphones simply running out of power on longer journeys, and you will not have to deal with constant recharging. The battery life of the Sony MDR NC20 reaches up to 45 hour(s).
Show moreCONNECTIONS Sony MDR NC20 |
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Connector Type | Headphones (mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm) |
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OTHERS Sony MDR NC20 |
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Included Accessories | Soft case, 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo adapter | |
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Service & Support | Limited warranty - 1 year |
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