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ALTERNATIVES
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Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony MDR NC500D Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£270Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):yes

Sony MDR NC500D Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony MDR NC500D
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

80%

7.1

Technical score

20%

7.1

User score

â–²Better than 75% of headphones
7.7

Value for money

Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.1

Price

â–²Better than 70%
7.1

Technical score

Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

52%

8.5

Sound

20%

5.2

Features

10%

7.6

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.2

Battery

4%

6.1

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 77%
7.1

User score

User score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

5.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 84%
  • sony-mdr-nc500d
sony-mdr-nc500d
Where to buy
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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR NC500D

Technical score
Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components:

52%

8.5

Sound

20%

5.2

Features

10%

7.6

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.2

Battery

4%

6.1

Calls & Controls

7.1
User score
User score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

5.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.1
Popularity
Popularity
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR NC500D has a popularity score of 5 points, which is lower than that of 58.9% of products in this category.
5.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.1

Price

7.7
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
yes
This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation. 72.6% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
5 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
2
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 2 microphones, more microphones than 77.9% of headphones and equal to 8.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
yes
This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode. 75.2% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
2
Market range: <2 – >12
This pair of headphones offers 2 adjustable ANC levels, more adjustable ANC levels than 93% of headphones and equal to 1.5% of headphones.
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
16 hours
Market range: <15 hours – >55 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life with ANC of 16 hours, lower battery life with ANC than 85.1% of headphones and equal to 2.3% of headphones.
Charging time
3 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 3 hours to charge, higher charging time than 66.7% of headphones and equal to 20.8% of headphones.
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
195 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 195 g, lighter than 57.4% of headphones and equal to 0.9% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR NC500D vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 13 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (73 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    73 mm vs 60 mm
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Wind noise reduction
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • 1 more microphones
    This pair of headphones has more microphones than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    2 vs 1
  • 13 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (73 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    73 mm vs 60 mm
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 10.6% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (195 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    195 g vs 218 g
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 1 more microphones
    This pair of headphones has more microphones than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    2 vs 1
  • Wind noise reduction
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • Ambient sound mode
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    3 hours vs 2 hours
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 14 hours shorter ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (16 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    16 hours vs 30 hours
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 14 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    30 mm vs 44 mm
  • 3x more expensive
    Sony MDR NC500D is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£270 vs £90).
    £270 vs £90
  • 12.7% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony MDR NC500D
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR NC500D has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.1 vs 8).
    7.1 vs 8
  • 3x more expensive
    Sony MDR NC500D is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£270 vs £90).
    £270 vs £90
  • 12.7% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony MDR NC500D
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR NC500D has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.1 vs 8).
    7.1 vs 8
  • 14 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    30 mm vs 44 mm
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (3 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    3 hours vs 2 hours
  • 14 hours shorter ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (16 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    16 hours vs 30 hours
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 8 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2008 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    April 2008
    2008 vs 2016

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony MDR NC500D

  • Superior digital noise cancellation with three environment-specific modes (airplane, train, office)
  • High level of comfort with soft leather-like earpads suitable for long-haul flights
  • Solid mid-range audio performance and clear high-frequency details
  • Generous accessory package, including a durable hard carrying case and various adapters
  • Includes an external battery pack that allows for extended use using standard AA batteries

What customers don't like about Sony MDR NC500D

  • High retail price relative to competitors, often considered poor value for money at its original MSRP
  • Bass can sound 'mushy' or lack punch, with some users reporting distortion at high volumes
  • Proprietary built-in lithium-ion battery is non-removable and has a shorter lifespan than some rivals
  • The large carrying case and extra accessories add significant bulk for travelers

Verdict

The Sony MDR-NC500D is a pioneering set of closed-back, over-ear digital noise-canceling headphones featuring 40mm neodymium drivers and a broad frequency response of 5Hz to 24,000Hz. These headphones are distinguished by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) noise-canceling engine that automatically selects between three modes optimized for airplanes, buses/trains, or offices, achieving up to 99% ambient noise reduction at 160Hz. They offer a lightweight magnesium-aluminum alloy construction (approx. 195g) and a dual-power system providing up to 16 hours of use from the internal lithium-ion battery or 28 hours when combined with the included external AA battery pack. Main pros include its highly effective digital noise suppression, comfortable pressure-relieving urethane padding, and a comprehensive accessory kit with airline adapters. However, notable cons include a high premium price point, the inability to operate in passive mode without battery power, and occasional reports of weak or mushy bass response compared to other high-end models.

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