SONY MDR-NC100D - Noise Canceling Headphones Manual
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.
Features
- Digital noise canceling headphones with Sony's unique DNC Software Engine.
Creation of a high-precision canceling signal delivers outstanding noise canceling performance. - AI (Artificial Intelligence) Noise Canceling function.
Select AI NC button for optimal noise canceling mode based on intelligent analysis of the environmental ambient noise. - Digital Equalizer and full digital S-Master amplifier delivers ideal frequency response and high-quality music reproduction.
- Large 13.5 mm dynamic type driver units deliver a wide frequency range and broad dynamic range.
- Closed type vertical in-the-ear headphones for wearing comfort and secure fitting.
- 3 sizes of noise isolation earbuds for effective attenuation of ambient noise (S, M, L).
- Stay-in design for a more secure fit.
- Built-in monitor function to hear surrounding sound without taking off the headphones.
- Able to use as a regular headphones even when the POWER switch is set to "OFF".
- Supplied plug adaptor for easy connectivity to stereo or dual jack for in-flight music services.
Installing a battery
- Push and slide the battery lid on the rear of the control box fully, and open.
Before opening the battery lid, check that the claws of the lid are seen.
- Insert one LR03 (size AAA) battery in the battery compartment. Observe the correct polarity when installing battery.
- Align the battery lid with the control box correctly, then slide to close the battery lid.
Battery life
Battery | Approx. hours* |
Sony alkaline battery LR03 SIZE AAA | 22 hours* 2 |
*1 1 kHz, 0.1 mW + 0.1 mW output
*2 Time stated above may vary, depending on the temperature or conditions of use.
When the battery is low
- Replace the battery with a new one when the POWER indicator blinks or lights off.
- You can use the headphones even without turning on the power. In this case, the noise canceling function, Digital Equalizer and S-Master are not active, and the headphones operate as passive headphones.
Installing the earbuds
If the earbuds do not fit your ears correctly, the noise canceling effect will not be optimal. To optimize noise canceling and to enjoy better sound quality, change the earbuds to another size, or adjust the earbuds position to fit your ears comfortably and snugly.
The M size earbuds are attached to the headphones before shipment. If you feel the M size earbuds do not suit your ears, replace them with the supplied S or L size earbuds. Confirm the size of the earbuds by checking color inside. When you change the earbuds, turn to install them firmly on the headphones to prevent the earbud from detaching and remaining in your ear.
Noise isolation earbuds
Supplied noise isolation earbuds provides a snug fit for effective attenuation of ambient noise.
Earbud sizes (inside color)
Notes
- Prolonged use of the noise isolation earbuds may strain your ears due to their snug fit. If you experience discomfort or pain in your ears, recommend to take a short break.
- The pressure-relieving urethane cushion is extremely soft. Therefore, do not pinch or pull the urethane cushion. If the urethane cushion is broken or detached from the earbuds, it will not take its correct position and the earbuds will lose their noise isolation function.
- The pressure-relieving urethane cushion may deteriorate due to long-term storage or use. If the pressure-relieving power is lost and the urethane cushion becomes hard, the earbuds may lose their noise isolation function.
- Do not wash the noise isolation earbuds. Keep them dry, and avoid accumulation of water in the pressurerelieving urethane-cushions. Not doing so may cause early deterioration.
To detach an earbud
While holding the headphone, twist and pull the earbud off.
Tip
If the earbud slips and cannot be detached, wrap it in a dry soft cloth.
To attach an earbud
Twist and push the earbud onto the headphone to where the end of the earbud's colored part aligns with
Listening to the music
- Connect the headphones to the AV equipment.
* "WALKMAN" and "WALKMAN" logo are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. - Wear the headphones marked in your right ear and the one marked ( has a tactile dot for ease of use.) in your left ear. Push the earbud into your ear carefully so that the earbud fits the hole of your ear snugly.
Note
Be sure the earbuds fit your ears correctly, otherwise noise canceling will not function properly. Adjust the earbuds position to sit on your ear comfortably so that they fit your ears snugly.
Tactile dot (inside)
Stay-in design for a more secure fit
Headphones have projection at rear side. It will fit at the hollow in the ear.
Tip
The stay-in design uses a thermoplastic elastomer that is pliable to fit the hollow of your ear. If it does not stabilize, adjust its position.
- Turn on the power of the headphones. The POWER indicator lights up in green. When power is turned on, ambient noise is reduced, and you can listen to music more clearly at a lower volume.
Notes
- After you turn on the power of the headphones, you may hear a slight hiss. This is the operating sound of the noise canceling function, not a malfunction.
- Do not cover the microphone of the headphones with your hands. The noise canceling function may not work properly.
- Turn on the power of the AV equipment.
Notes on using on the airplane
- The supplied plug adaptor can be connected to the dual or stereo mini jacks of in-flight music services.
- Do not use the headphones when use of electronic equipment is prohibited or when use of personal headphones for in-flight music services is prohibited.
Utilizing the AI Noise Canceling
AI Noise Canceling
AI Noise Canceling is a useful function that automatically selects one of the noise canceling modes.
This function provides the most effective noise canceling mode by immediately analyzing ambient sound components when the AI NC button is pressed.
Press the AI NC button.
When you press the AI NC button and the POWER switch is set to "ON", beep sounds come from the headphones to inform you that the unit has started analyzing ambient sound components (approx. 3 seconds).
During analysis, sound reproduction from the unit is stopped and the POWER indicator blinks.
When analysis is completed, the most effective noise canceling mode is set automatically, and sound reproduction from the headphones starts.
Noise canceling mode types
NC Mode A: Noise mainly in an airplane is effectively reduced.
NC Mode B: Noise mainly in a bus or a train is effectively reduced.
NC Mode C: Noise mainly found in an office environment (PC, copier, air ventilation, etc.) is effectively reduced.
Tips
- When the power of the headphones is turned on, NC Mode A is set. (See "Noise canceling mode types" for details about NC Mode A.)
- Press the AI NC button again to reset the noise canceling mode if ambient noise has changed, such as when you move outdoors from a room.
Hearing environmental sound for safety
Press the MONITOR button while the POWER switch is set to "ON", playback silences, and you can hear the surrounding environment. To cancel this function, press the MONITOR button again.
Beep sound and indicator status
Status/ Function | Beep sound | Indicator |
Power off | No beep | Lights off |
Power on | Beep once | Lights on |
AI NC | Beep twice | Blinks twice |
MONITOR | Beep once | Blinks slowly |
Low battery | Long beep (2 seconds) | Blinks quickly (lights off after 30 seconds) |
Using the clip
You can fasten the control box by its clip on a shirt pocket.
Using the supplied cord adjuster
You can adjust the cord length by winding the cord on the cord adjuster. (The cord can be wound to the cord adjuster up to 40 cm. If you wind more, the cord comes off from the cord adjuster easily.)
- Wind the cord.
- Push cord into slot hole to secure in place.
When carrying the headphones
The headphones and the control box can also be separately stored in the partitioned carrying pouch (supplied).
After use
Turn off the power of the headphones.
Precautions
The headphones contain a noise canceling circuit.
What is noise canceling?
The noise canceling circuit actually senses outside noise with built-in microphones and sends an equal-butopposite canceling signal to the headphones.
- The noise canceling effect may not be pronounced in a very quiet environment, or some noise may be heard.
- The noise canceling effect may vary depending on how you wear the headphones.
- The noise canceling function works for noise in the low frequency band primarily. Although noise is reduced, it is not canceled completely.
- When you use the headphones in a train or a car, noise may occur depending on street conditions.
- Mobile phones may cause interference and noise. Should this occur, locate the headphones further away from the mobile phone.
- If headphone sound is noisy, move the control box away from sources of interference, such as a radio, etc.
Notes on usage
- Clean the headphones with a soft dry cloth.
- Do not leave the plug dirty otherwise the sound may be distorted.
- Be sure to consult a Sony dealer when the earbuds become dirty or damaged, or when the headphones require repair work.
- Do not leave the stereo headphones in a location subject to direct sunlight, heat or moisture.
- Do not subject the headphones to excessive shock.
- Handle the driver units carefully.
- If you feel drowsy or sick while using these headphones, stop use immediately.
- Install the earbuds firmly onto the headphones. If an earbud accidentally detaches and is left in your ear, it may cause injury.
Notes on headphones
Preventing hearing damage
Avoid using headphones at high volume. Hearing experts advise against continuous, loud and extended play. If you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce the volume or discontinue use.
Do not use headphones while driving and cycling, etc.
As headphones reduce outside sounds, they may cause a traffic accident. Also, avoid listening with your headphones in situations where hearing must not be impaired, for example, a railroad crossing, a construction site, etc.
Note on static electricity
In particularly dry air conditions, noise or sound skipping may occur, or mild tingling may be felt on your ears. This is a result of static electricity accumulated in the body, and not a malfunction of the headphones. The effect can be minimized by wearing clothes made from natural materials.
If you have any questions or problems concerning the system that are not covered in this manual, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.
Troubleshooting
No sound
- Replace the battery. You can use the headphones even without turning on the power. In this case, the noise canceling function, Digital Equalizer and S-Master are not active, and the headphones operate as passive headphones.
- Check the connection of the headphones and the AV equipment.
- Check that the connected AV equipment is turned on.
- Turn up the volume of the connected AV equipment.
The noise canceling effect is not sufficient
- Change the earbuds to another size that fits your ears.
- Adjust the earbud position to fit your ears comfortably.
- The noise canceling function is effective in low frequency ranges such as airplanes, trains, or offices (near air-conditioning, etc.) and is not as effective for higher frequencies, such as human voices.
- Turn on the headphones.
Distorted sound
- Turn down the volume of the connected AV equipment.
Power does not turn on
- Check if the battery has expired (the POWER indicator lights off). Replace the battery with a new one.
No operation works
- Set the POWER switch of the headphones to "OFF", confirm the connections, and then set the POWER switch back to "ON".
The sound of the connected source device, such as radio and TV, cannot be heard, or headphone sound is noisy
- Move the control box away from the connected source device.
Specifications
General
Type | Dynamic, closed |
Driver units | 13.5 mm, dome type (CCAW adopted) |
Power handling capacity | 50 mW |
Impedance | 70 at 1 kHz (when the power is on) 16 at 1 kHz (when the power is off) |
Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW (when the power is on) 103 dB/mW (when the power is off) |
Frequency response | 8 Hz – 23,000 Hz |
Total Noise Suppression Ratio*1 | Approx. 17.5 dB*2 |
Cord | Approx. 1.5 m OFC Litz cord, neck-chain (including control box) |
Plug | Gold-plated L type stereo mini plug |
Power source | DC 1.5 V, 1 x LR03 (size AAA) battery |
Mass | Approx. 9 g headphones (not including cord) Approx. 26 g control box (including battery, not including cord) |
Included items
Headphones (1)
Plug adaptor for in-flight use*3 (single/dual) (1)
Noise Isolation Earbuds (S x 2, M x 2, L x 2)
Cord adjuster (1)
Carrying pouch (1)
Operating Instructions (1)
Warranty card (1)
*1 Under the Sony measurement standard.
*2 Equivalent to approx. 98.2% reduction of energy of sound compared with not wearing headphones.
*3 May not be compatible with some in-flight music services.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
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