Sony XBA-NC85D

alaTest has collected and analyzed 19 reviews from magazines and websites. Views about the treble quality and portability are generally positive. The design and comfort also get good feedback. Many are critical about the noise isolation and bass quality. Comments are divided on the build quality.

sound, comfort, design, portability, treble quality

value for money, bass quality, noise isolation

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Headphones the Sony XBA-NC85D is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 79/100 = Good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 19 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (21% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (11% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (no reviews)
    (32% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (37% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Sound
  Show positive (30%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
Value for money
  Show positive (19%)Show negative (31%)(Show all)
Comfort
  Show positive (40%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
Bass quality
  Show positive (14%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
Noise isolation
  Show positive (6%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (75%)None yet(Show all)
Portability
  Show positive (25%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
Treble quality
  Show positive (43%)None yet(Show all)
Build quality
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
Mids quality
  Show positive (50%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 19 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 19 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (1)

Expert review by:

Sony XBA-NC85D

 

Balanced-armature (BA) designs produce lower distortion and cleaner sound than conventional headphone driver types, which are essentially miniature speaker drivers. Sony currently makes 11 balanced-armature models, with the $499.99 XBA-NC85D...

The Sony XBA-NC85D noise-canceling in-ear headphones feature batteries conveniently built in to the earpieces that recharge with the included USB stick.

The build quality doesn't justify its ambitious price, and they fall short in sound quality and noise-canceling performance. Your music also dies when the battery runs out, and the tangle-prone wire lacks inline controls as well as a microphone.

The Sony XBA-NC85D is marginally effective at canceling noise and its disappointing sound quality does nothing to offset the exorbitant price.

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Consumer review by:

Amazon review summary for the Sony XBA-NC85D

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 12 user reviews of the Sony XBA-NC85D from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products on Amazon.com.

42% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

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Consumer review by:

big disappointment value for money

 

battery runs out very quick. not a great noise canceling and actually big disappointment for the money paid.

battery runs out very quick

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Consumer review by:

Disappointing

 

The Sony XBANC85D noise cancelling earbuds are disappointing. The sound is brittle and harsh, even when the signal is equalized to reduce treble or to boost bass. This is especially noticeable with vocal music and solo piano, though less so with...

Attractive design

Poor sound, poor noise cancelling

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Consumer review by:

really good

 

it's a really good headphone. The noise is almost completely canceled, the bass is great, and the overall experience is excellent!

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Consumer review by:

Disappointing

 

Although I generally trust Sony to offer excellent, quality products, this one really missed the mark. Especially for being so pricey. Out of the box, these headphones seem like they'd be cool. No bulky dongle for a battery, just a small 1"x.25"...

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Consumer review by:

No bass

 

I got these as a gift and I am very glad I didn\'t spend [$] to buy these myself. I currently own a Sony MDR-NC13 Active Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphone that costs $59.99 and the quality of sound is so much better. Out of the XBANC85D ([$]) the sound...

Comfortable","Compact

Poor Sound

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Consumer review by:

Decent noise canceling but sound is just OK

 

I was so excited to try out my new Sony Balanced Armature Digital Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones. What I experienced, though, was a set of earbuds that is way overpriced. In the price range that this product occupies, I expect very good sound...

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Consumer review by:

XBA NC 85D deception

 

I have to try to use this headphones since 6 months that I bought, with several PMP ( ipod,sony walkman, cowon and samsung galaxy player) for to have all arguments and give a chance, but the result ALWAYS was the same: 1- the sound is terrible ( the...

none

expensive- porr performance- cost

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Consumer review by:

NC 85D deception

 

I have to try to use this headphones since 6 months that I bought, with several PMP ( ipod,sony walkman, cowon and samsung galaxy player) for to have all arguments and give a chance, but the result ALWAYS was the same: 1- the sound is terrible ( the...

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