The new MDR-10 Series starts at $199.99 and includes the standard MDR-10R, the noise-cancelling MDR-10RNC, and the wireless Bluetooth MDR-10RBT. September 4, 2013 1:30 PM PDT The Sony MDR-10R will retail for $199.99 and ships in October. It also comes in white. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) When we reviewed Sony's $299.99 MDR-R1 headphones last year, we gave them high marks despite their high price tag, saying they were "highly accurate-sounding headphones with style and substance." That model can now be had for closer to $200, which is where the new MDR-10 Series will start. The new models aren't quite as swanky the MDR-R1. Nor do they sound quite as good. But they are a little lighter, arguably more comfortable, more mobile friendly and, in theory, more affordable (I expect that their street prices will come down after launch). All three models have an over-the-ear design and I thought the two wired models I tried out briefly at a Sony preview event seemed very comfortable. The MDR-10R has a 40mm driver and is described as being balanced and highly accurate (I had a quick listen and it sounded decent but the MDR-R1 has a richer, fuller sound). The MDR-10R also comes in white (click image to enlarge). (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) The company says Sony engineers and music artists "identified the critical 30-40Hz sub-bass region that is the signature of today's music styles and developed an enhanced Beat Response Control design for the new MDR-10 headphones, featuring a closed back for maximum isolation and exceptional bass response." (For $200, you'd expect nothing less, right?). The headphone has a detachable cable and Sony also throws in a cable with an inline remote and microphone that allows you to make cell phone calls. Next up in the line is the $269.99 MDR-10RNC, an active noise-cancelling version of the MDR-10. Sony claims it "effectively reduces up to 99.4% of ambient noise" and it incorporates Sony's Automatic Intelligence Noise Canceling technology (push a button on the side of the headphone and the headphone analyzes the ambient noise through a built-in microphone and activates one of three optimal noise canceling modes). It offers 20 hours of battery life (AAA battery) and still works when the battery cuts out, which is something many noise cancelling headphones, including the Bose Quiet Comfort 15 and Beats Studio, can't do. Sony also throws in a cable with an inline remote and microphone that allows you to make cell phone calls. Rounding out the lineup is a wireless Bluetooth model, the $249.99 MDR-10RBT. Sony didn't have that model on hand at its preview event but it includes AptX support, NFC (tap-to-pair) for phones that support it, and it can be used as a corded headphone if the battery dies (battery life is rated at 18 hours). The MDR-10R and MDR-10RNC are due to ship in October while the MDR-10RBT is set to arrive in November. We'll review them as soon as we get our hands on the final shipping products. The $269.99 MDR-10RNC is an active-noise-cancelling headphone. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
The new MDR-10 Series starts at $199.99 and includes the standard MDR-10R, the noise-cancelling MDR-10RNC, and the wireless Bluetooth MDR-10RBT.
The Sony MDR-10R will retail for $199.99 and ships in October. It also comes in white.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
When we reviewed Sony's $299.99 MDR-R1 headphones last year, we gave them high marks despite their high price tag, saying they were "highly accurate-sounding headphones with style and substance."
That model can now be had for closer to $200, which is where the new MDR-10 Series will start. The new models aren't quite as swanky the MDR-R1. Nor do they sound quite as good. But they are a little lighter, arguably more comfortable, more mobile friendly and, in theory, more affordable (I expect that their street prices will come down after launch).
All three models have an over-the-ear design and I thought the two wired models I tried out briefly at a Sony preview event seemed very comfortable. The MDR-10R has a 40mm driver and is described as being balanced and highly accurate (I had a quick listen and it sounded decent but the MDR-R1 has a richer, fuller sound).
The MDR-10R also comes in white (click image to enlarge).
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
The company says Sony engineers and music artists "identified the critical 30-40Hz sub-bass region that is the signature of today's music styles and developed an enhanced Beat Response Control design for the new MDR-10 headphones, featuring a closed back for maximum isolation and exceptional bass response." (For $200, you'd expect nothing less, right?).
The headphone has a detachable cable and Sony also throws in a cable with an inline remote and microphone that allows you to make cell phone calls.
Next up in the line is the $269.99 MDR-10RNC, an active noise-cancelling version of the MDR-10. Sony claims it "effectively reduces up to 99.4% of ambient noise" and it incorporates Sony's Automatic Intelligence Noise Canceling technology (push a button on the side of the headphone and the headphone analyzes the ambient noise through a built-in microphone and activates one of three optimal noise canceling modes).
It offers 20 hours of battery life (AAA battery) and still works when the battery cuts out, which is something many noise cancelling headphones, including the Bose Quiet Comfort 15 and Beats Studio, can't do. Sony also throws in a cable with an inline remote and microphone that allows you to make cell phone calls.
Rounding out the lineup is a wireless Bluetooth model, the $249.99 MDR-10RBT. Sony didn't have that model on hand at its preview event but it includes AptX support, NFC (tap-to-pair) for phones that support it, and it can be used as a corded headphone if the battery dies (battery life is rated at 18 hours).
The MDR-10R and MDR-10RNC are due to ship in October while the MDR-10RBT is set to arrive in November. We'll review them as soon as we get our hands on the final shipping products.
The $269.99 MDR-10RNC is an active-noise-cancelling headphone.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
