Sony MDR 10RBT Review | 93 Data compared

The iGeneration review of the Sony MDR-10RBT highlights a lightweight, comfortable circum-aural wireless headset with excellent ergonomics, plush padding, and nearly 17 hours of battery life. It features NFC, aptX, and AAC support for high-quality, seamless connectivity, making it easy to wear for extended periods. Conversely, the review notes weak passive sound isolation due to a loose seal, allowing ambient noise to intrude. Additionally, while bass is controlled, the soundstage feels less dynamic and slightly veiled over Bluetooth compared to wired mode, and the navigation rocker is prone to accidental presses.

The 01net review highlights the Sony MDR-10RBT as a high-quality, lightweight Bluetooth headset that provides an exceptionally comfortable, "armchair-like" fit for the ears. Weighing just 228 grams, the circum-aural design distributes weight evenly without pressing on the skull, featuring soft leather padding. On the performance side, the device stands out with its versatile wireless connectivity options via Bluetooth (with aptX support) and NFC, alongside an impressive battery life exceeding 18 hours. It delivers a dynamic sound with a built-in preamplifier that significantly boosts power in wireless mode. Additionally, it functions flawlessly as a hands-free kit, offering loud and distinct vocal clarity during calls. However, the reviewer points out several limitations, particularly regarding the headset's acoustic signature and build limitations. The audio presentation heavily favors the low-end spectrum, resulting in an excess of bass that recesses the mid-range and requires proper physical positioning on the head to maintain ideal sound quality. In terms of design flaws, the MDR-10RBT does not fold down completely, making it prone to scratching unless stored carefully inside its pouch. Lastly, when the battery drains and the...

The Les Numériques review of the Sony MDR-10RBT awards the wireless supra-aural headphones a solid 4 out of 5 stars, praising them as a well-constructed addition to Sony's prestige "R" line. The reviewer notes that the device successfully achieves its goals of delivering premium, compact Bluetooth audio with reliable wired versatility. Key strengths highlighted in the review include its robust and beautifully finished build quality, plush and comfortable handmade leather-style ear pads, and highly efficient NFC functionality for seamless touch-to-pair connectivity. Sonically, the headphones deliver a very clean and responsive lower-frequency spectrum with an expansive stereo image that enables easy instrument separation, alongside an impressive real-world battery life measured at just over 16 hours. On the downside, the review exposes notable design flaws and functional limitations. A major audio drawback is that the headphones are highly sensitive to physical placement; even a minor shift on the ears completely alters the overall sound rendering and stereo balance. Additionally, the sound signature can feel like it is lacking slightly in bass depth. From an ergonomic standpoint, the onboard media controls are criticized...

The Sony MDR-10RBT is a lightweight, comfortable, supra-aural (on-ear) Bluetooth 3.0 headphone that offers a budget-friendly alternative to high-end wireless models. Its standout features include a strong 17-hour battery life, NFC "tap-to-pair" capabilities for easy pairing with Android devices, Apt-X audio support, and a built-in microphone for phone calls. The layout of the physical controls—including easily identifiable volume and playback buttons—makes it highly user-friendly. Additionally, it comes packaged with a basic transport pouch and a backup audio cable for wired listening if the battery dies. In terms of performance, the headphones deliver decent sound quality for a sub-200€ model, performing well across a wide variety of music, though it lacks the overall warmth and dynamic, natural sound found in premium options like the Beats Studio Wireless. On the downside, the audio profile can sound a bit sharp when the treble and bass are pushed too far. The track-skipping control is overly sensitive, which can lead to accidental track skipping during transport or general handling. Furthermore, the included carrying case does not feature any closure system, like Velcro. While it offers...

The reviewed Sony portable headphones, the MDR-10RC and MDR-10RBT, both excel in user comfort but differ significantly in their design and performance. The MDR-10RC is a lightweight (165g), foldable, on-ear (supra-aural) wired model featuring a highly customizable, multi-platform inline remote compatible with Android, Apple, and Blackberry. While praised for its broad soundstage, wide bandwidth, and fatigue-free long listening sessions, its acoustic performance is held back by a noticeable "veiled" or muffled effect that lacks overall dynamics. On the other hand, the MDR-10RBT is a larger, over-ear (circum-aural) model that adds Bluetooth and NFC connectivity alongside well-integrated on-ear cup controls. When used with its included cable, it dramatically outshines the 10RC by lifting that audio veil to deliver a lively, rapid bass and free mid-to-high frequency range.