Sony MDR 100ABN Review | 93 Data compared

The Consumer Reports review of the Sony h.ear MDR-100ABN highlights excellent active noise reduction and top-tier sound quality when the headphones are powered, providing a well-balanced audio delivery with deep, high-impact bass. The headphones effectively neutralize ambient noise, maintaining consistent performance across wireless and wired configurations, although the overall sound is described as slightly gritty and closed-in. Consumer ReportsConversely, audio performance drops significantly to "fair" in unpowered, wired mode, resulting in a muffled sound. Physical drawbacks include ear pads that can feel hot or sticky, faint vibrations while walking, and a poorly designed folding mechanism that can pinch fingers. Consumer Reports

Review Summary The Sony h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN) headphones are a stylish, tech-packed option for music lovers seeking solid wireless performance and effective active noise cancelling at a competitive launch price of $349 (£220). Designed with bold, colorful aesthetics like Viridian Blue and Cinnabar Red, the headphones feature a lightweight 290g plastic build that offers a comfortable, low-pressure fit and folds neatly into an included hard shell carry case. On the performance front, they offer key features like up to 20 hours of battery life, NFC quick-pairing, aptX codec compatibility, and Sony’s proprietary LDAC technology for high-quality Bluetooth streaming. While the headphones excel in functionality, they come with a few trade-offs. The pros include excellent wireless sound quality, an easy-to-use button control layout, and non-aggressive noise cancelling that eliminates low-frequency ambient sounds without creating uncomfortable ear pressure. Furthermore, they remain cheaper than rivals like the Bose QC35. On the downside, the cons include a mostly plastic construction that can feel less premium, a slightly annoying voice prompt during pairing, and a sound profile heavily dominated by the bass and...

The Head-Fi review of the Sony MDR-100ABN highlights excellent sound quality, a wide soundstage, and high-res audio via LDAC Bluetooth, along with 20-hour battery life and effective active noise cancellation. The headset is praised for its comfortable design and portability, although it requires a specific, proprietary cable due to a recessed socket and has unclear ear-pad replacement procedures. While the noise cancellation is strong, it may not block all high-frequency sounds, and the high-res LDAC functionality is largely restricted to the Sony ecosystem. Overall, the review emphasizes a strong, feature-packed performance for its, or any, era. Head-Fi.org

Tom Westrick’s review of the Sony h.ear on MDR-100ABN headphones highlights their competitive, ergonomic design, featuring exceptionally comfortable, articulating earcups and a durable, lightweight construction. A key advantage is the flexible, completely optional Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which can be toggled off while in wireless mode, unlike many competitors. Medium·Tom WestrickWhile praised for durability, the headphones’ plastic build lacks the premium materials found in other flagship models, and the vibrant color options may appear too bold for some users. The review suggests opting for the black model for a more understated, professional appearance.

The Sony MDR-100ABN wireless headphones, purchased for $200 at Costco, offer exceptional over-ear comfort comparable to the Bose QC series and effective active noise cancellation. Key strengths include high-quality audio with crisp highs and a highly intuitive, tactile physical control layout on the ear cups for easy, eyes-free navigation. The RobservatoryThe primary drawbacks involve significant pricing volatility on Amazon, which ranges from $229 to $348, as noted in the review. Furthermore, the $200 price point is strictly limited to the black model, while vibrant color alternatives require paying a steep premium.

Review Summary The Sony H.ear On MDR-100ABN wireless headphones are highly praised for their clean, minimal, and stylish single-shape design, particularly the eye-catching Viridian Blue variant. Weighing 290 grams, they offer exceptional, solid comfort due to generous padding on the adjustable headband and soft ear cups, making them comfortable enough for all-day wear. In terms of performance, the dual 40mm drivers deliver expansive and outstandingly detailed Hi-Res Audio, capturing crisp instrumental nuances in acoustic tracks as well as a booming, energetic low end in bass-heavy music. Additionally, they boast an impressive battery life, providing a reliable 20 hours of continuous playback even with the active noise cancellation (ANC) fully engaged. Despite these strengths, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks. The active noise cancellation, while effective at blocking general ambient drone, fails to silence everything, allowing sharp or close-proximity sounds like whispered voices to leak through. Users may also experience minor connectivity glitches, such as audio mistakenly blaring from a paired tablet rather than the headset when switching between multiple devices. From a design perspective, the integration of physical buttons for...

The TrustedReviews analysis of the Sony MDR-100ABN h.ear on Wireless highlights active noise-cancelling headphones that deliver an easy-going, full, and fun audio experience, featuring excellent, consistent sound quality with ANC toggled on or off. Key strengths include superior digital noise cancellation, robust Bluetooth/NFC connectivity, high-resolution LDAC codec support, and an exceptionally comfortable over-ear design. Conversely, the review notes that audio performance lacks drive and cohesion when used in passive, powered-off mode, and the build quality feels less premium due to a predominantly plastic construction. Further drawbacks include stiff competition from competitors like Bose, a potentially confusing control layout, and hinges on the folding mechanism that can pinch fingers.

The Sony MDR-100ABN "h.ear on" Wireless NC headphones offer a comfortable over-ear design with slanted-back, padded earcups that prevent ear pinching and provide a secure fit. Their standout feature is exceptional active noise-cancelling, which effectively blocks external ambient sounds like road noise and elevates the audio to a more engaging, tight, and high-volume performance when powered on. Available in multiple luminescent colors, these headphones deliver a solid and lively sound experience, but only when their internal battery is fully charged and active. However, the headphones suffer from severe limitations, most notably their poor, hollow, and unbalanced sound quality when used passively without battery power. Even when active, the audio balance feels disproportionate with an overly pushed EQ curve on the bass that drowns out certain mid-levels, failing to reach the class-leading standard of previous Sony MDR models or competitors like the Audio-Technica MSR7. Furthermore, the external microphones are susceptible to distracting wind noise outdoors, and the overall plastic construction gives them a cheap look and feel that does not justify their expensive £220 price point.