Magic and Lies

Carefully balancing the danger of resembling a North London pikey against the desirability of actually being able to hear my music above the roar of the aeroplanes I spend so much time in, I tentatively took the plunge on my way to Orlando last week and shelled out for a pair of Sony MDR NC60 Noise Cancelling Headphones.

The difference between these and the ‘bud’ phones I’m used to using is extraordinary. The stats boast 85% noise reduction - I’d happily concur and add to that crisp, clean bass reproduction, comfort and a range of plug adapters designed to allow use in aeroplanes, with domestic hi-fi and I-Pod and the £100 price tag begins to look reasonable.

From the users perspective, with noise cancelling switched on, background noise is almost entirely screened out. Powered by a single AAA battery, this is a feature worth its weight in gold. I tested these phones on a transatlantic flight, with a Sony Network Walkman playing a mixture of rock, country, blues and jazz - no complaints at all. Listening to the in flight movie  only highlighted the paucity of the visual arrangements - wide sound stage, great clarity.

In summary, I’m a convert - I fly at least twice a week and these headphones will substantially add to the quality of my life in airports and aeroplane.