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X-Series headphones are beginning to go

It has been almost 30 months since I got my X-Series and it appears that the right side of the NC headphones has given way.  I noticed about 6 months ago or so that the right side was not as loud as the left side.  I always assumed this was my hearing due to a right ear infection a few years prior, but now it seems that is not the case, since the volume is way too low.  So now I am left with a dilemma, use the NC headphones until they completely die, use my MDR-V55s, bye new NC headphones, or get a used NC Sony player and use the headphones from that.

I am not keen on using the V55s since they are a bit too loud and would annoy people around me like on public transport.  So for now I'm kind of stuck with broken headphones.

19 comments:

  1. Yes, join the club! My X-series headphones just finally died two weeks on a flight; the right side as well. Even before that, I had been looking for replacements, and scoured Sony's parts websites for suitable replacement. I could never find one... So now, what to do. For the last two weeks, I've been using the headphones from my old A818, which are fine, but nowhere close to the quality of the X. I do want that Japanese 64GB F-series, so that might be a replacement...

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  2. I have a pair (came with my x series) which have only been used once and i don't need them anymore. I've listed it on ebay link :

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181004450877

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  3. The Sony nc100d could be a good option - noise cancelling buds and the s-master amplifier. Using the nc button allows me to reduce the volume by a couple of clicks on the subway. They are noticeably better than my previous nc 33 pair, which are probably similar to nc pair on the x-series as they are both from c 2009. Not sure how the s master system on the x series would work with the s master system on the 100d! The 100d are very underrated based on sales and number of reviews on Sony style and amazon (for example) and its unclear whether they are being discontinued in North America. Cheers Rob

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  4. I now use my X Series Walkman as a source for my Cambridge Audio integrated amp via the Fiio L5 line out adapter. Sound quality is superb. I've given up on the Walkman brand now, Sony don't appear to be interested anymore so why should I??? My latest MP3 player is the Hisoundaudio Rocoo-P, a superb piece of kit from an up and coming audio specialist.

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  5. I got some MDR-V55s and they work well with my oldskool Sony NWZ-A826 walkman. Even better with my Colorfly C3 that I got last week. Not too loud for others either...

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  6. I have the MDR-V55s but they are too big and I'd rather have something smaller and with noise cancellation.

    Anyone know if the headphones from the NWZ-S570 will work with the X? They are the MDR-NC033.

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  7. If anyone cares about the Walkman Z update I found this: http://anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70721

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  8. I do care about the Z series. Love my Z1060. Thanks for the news. I cant update my firmeware, though. Anyone can give me a tip?
    Thanks!

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  9. Thanks for the news on the Z's upgrade to ICS. Love my Z1060. I can't, howevet, update to ICS using the links posted on the thread. Anyone can give a helping hand? Thanks!

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  10. Perhaps the version for upgrading is region specific as with all devices that run android, but this shouldn't be the case with the walkman, have you tried all the links in the thread on anythingbutipod?

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  11. Thanks! Yeah, I think that's the case. I bought the Z in the US but registered it in Argentina. I'm trying the Latin America update (anythingbutipod) but although I follow Sony's instructions, I can't manage to complete the Update (the updater keeps prompting me to "connect the device" even if it's connected and with the "USB connected" function and even if Windows does "see" the Walkman). I guess I'll try the US update. Thanks again!

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  12. Does anyone know any Sony headphones that are equivalent to the headphones that came with the Sony Walkman X series? What is the model of the headphones? Do they still make these headphones? The headphones I have been seen from Sony lately feel less premium and opting for a plastic casing instead of metal. Perhaps the XBA series of Sony headphones should be on par or better than the headphones that came with the Sony Walkman X series

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  13. My X-Series NC earphones just died last week! Right ear is gone and only the left one works. For the SQ there are many replacements but of course I'm going to miss the NC function. Been using Bowers and Wilkins P5s mainly for the last few months though and they are incredible, sound especially amazing with the X (Y)

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  14. After years of faithful service my awesome NWZ-X series NC headphone have finally given up on me. The player itself still works fine so wanna just get new earphones... any suggestions as to what headphones work with the X series noise cancelling function?

    I realise the last post was Jan 2013 so this thread could be a ghost town : )

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    Replies
    1. I believe most of the headphones from the E series with noise cancellation should work, MDR-NC31s or NC033s, I will charge my X series and test those headphones with my X and let you know in a reply here whether they work or not.

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    2. Hey P.Lis! That would be amazing thanks : )

      I took a closer look at the headphone themselves and they have the part number of MDR-NC020. A quick google brought up plenty available on ebay etc for a very reasonable price. However a lot of them mention a "bulge" that needs to be chipped off to fit in a reg jack. I think those versions were possibly meant for a phone and aren't the exact ones I am looking for. They were also black or white and not the silver colour of the originals and appeared to only have three black contact lines on the jack rather than the four my pair have.

      I also did find the 31's and the 33's and was going to take a risk and order them online (all the Sony stores here have closed in the last few years) but if you could test them that would be amazing!

      Don't want to let the ol walkman go, despite the terrible wi-fi, tiny screen and useless browser, it is still the best sounding mp3 player I've ever had. I love it!

      Thanks for your help. Looking forward to hearing from you : )

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    3. Ok bad news, neither 31s or 33s work with the X series, guess the plug on the older X NC headphones is different enough to warrant this. The differences are very small but it seems enough to cause this. If you can buy MDR-NC020 headphones from ebay, it is the only option I feel.

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    4. Thats so frustrating, but thanks for checking that out for me P.Lis.

      One of the main reasons I bought the Walkman, instead of another iPod, was the NC function. A couple of pairs of the original headphones are available on ebay, but at crazy prices, and who knows what condition.

      I may as well buy a decent pair of NC phones with a warranty and just start using Spotify and my phone.

      I wonder does Sony have an official reason for this or would they respond if I asked them, or offer a solution, I mean its leaving me with a real sour taste right now. Maybe its time for me to move on from Sony... Siiiiiiigggghhhhhhh.

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  15. first of all, I love my X1050 and i hope some will help this:
    the MDR-NC750 DOES work with the x-Series NC, but sadly the NC is barely noticeable... btw their sound quality is good (not as detailed as the NC020) It really does look like, that you have to search for spare MDR-NC020... it's a shame.

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