Sony MDR-A34L Vertical In-The-Ear Headphones

Other products by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1.2 inches ; 2.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006IS50
• Item model number: MDRA34L
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 15, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

These Sony headphones are super-lightweight, comfortable and safe. The MDR-A34L stereo headphones have a thin, lightweight and adjustable headband which allow you to fit them perfectly to your head's shape. The headphones are foldable (via three hinges) which allow for greater transportability; you can pack these away in your workout bag or in a jeans pocket.

The open-air design removes undesirable resonance by allowing outside air to pass through the headphones; the result is a better sounding headphone. The open-air design is also a key factor in keeping you safe while you exercise. The headphones allow outside noises like horns, passing bikers and oncoming dogs to meet your ears, even with music playing. With sixteen millimeter drivers, although miniscule, you can expect to hear a good bass sound. Neodymium magnets, a rare feature on such economically priced headphones, provide maximum energy with minimal size. Meanwhile, the Sony Acoustic Turbo circuit is included for high efficiency; it gets high sonic output from your portable stereo, and extends bass response.

The MDR-A34L's oxygen-free copper (OFC) Y-style cord is double-sided and is 3.9 feet long, allowing for ample movement and separation from the sound source. The gold-plated, L-shaped stereo mini-plug fits mini-plug jacks, not the full-size stereo jacks. The headphones are a flat black color.

What's in the Box
Sony MDR-A34L headphones

Product Description

Ultra-compact headphones that fold even smaller.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great compact headphone solution, February 23, 2006

By	David J. Lewis (Arlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Since I got my DAP (an iAudio X5) I've been looking for a good compact headset to carry around (for classical music). This Sony MDR-A34L is the one I finally settled on, after nearly giving up.

First, I can't see paying $100's for a compact headset that is likely to break or get lost. Sure, they may have better sound, but when I'm riding the bus, puffing on the treadmill, or even sitting in the office, I'm not expecting and probably couldn't distinguish the highest levels of sound quality anyway. That I'll reserve for sitting at home with good speakers or a full-size headset. Besides, the correlation between price and quality (according to reviews) seems pretty tenuous; some of the best reviews went to the $10-15 models. Finally, there is so much individual variation in comfort, and the only way to know for sure is to try one in combat. I'm not paying $100+ to find out it hurts my ears.

So, I tried a number of well-rated loose earbud models in the $10-40 range. These are the ones I see around most commonly. Well, I must have odd ears, because they were all uncomfortable and/or fell out easily and/or did not seal well enough to give good bass. I was about to give up when I decided to try the in-the-ear with headbands. This Sony was well rated, fairly cheap, and had the bonus of folding up, so I wouldn't totally sacrifice the compactness of free-standing earbud units.

Well, I discovered that the in-the-ear-with-headband models are a totally different beast from the loose earbuds. The headband models position the speaker unit in an enitrely different way than the earbuds -- facing forward and backward in the ear rather than inward. Also, with the headband to provide gentle inward pressure, the earpeice need not be shaped to stay in the ear on its own. It can be made both more comfortable and more optimal for listening.

So, I put this Sony on my head, and was blown away... great sound, great bass, reasonably comfortable once I get the headband adjusted right (sorry, but I will never be totally at ease with things stuck in my ears). I was skeptical of the folding aspect, but it works very nicely. I keep a rubber band around when folded, and it's about the size of a small candy bar. I wish somebody would make a little slipcase for it, but for an under $15 item, it's not likely. And of course, at under $15 I can afford to buy a couple more against breakage and the inevitable day that Sony discontinues this model.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why I like these headphones, November 1, 2005

By	M. Weaks (Mpls MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really like these headphones.
For two reasons:
1. I have a big cranium, and I need headphones that have a little give and dont smash my ears. Well these fit the bill -- they are foldable but still adjustable, so someone with just about any size head can wear these. Thanks Sony.
2. I cannot wear ear bud headphones, they fall out of my ear and make my eats sore. But I still crave compactiveness, because I am using these headphones in conjunction with a PSP so I needed headphones that fit in a small pouch. Again these fit the bill.

The cord seemed too short to me, but I am a giant so maybe it is just me, so I gave these headphones a 4 out of 5 only because of the cord. Otherwise these headphones are great, exactly what I wanted - foldable - compact - over the head, head phones and the price is right too.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Used mine for 3 years until it broke - ordering two more!, August 17, 2006

By	R. L. Hodges (Layton, UT, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

These is the best mobile headphones I've ever used.

Not because of sound quality (which is EXCELLENT), but because of fit, price, comfort, lightweight, durability and how it sticks to my head even when running. Not jogging - SPRINTING - as in to catch airplanes and buses.

Mine broke the other day after 3 long years of faithful service. If I didn't turn around fast and crush it against my desk while it was folded up in my pocket, it would probably last another 3 years. It sounded great with no buzzing (even at high volumes) right up until I broke it.

The cord's length is perfect, I keep my MP3-loaded PocketPC in my left front pants pocket. It's long enough but not too long, and never catches on anything.

As for the phones themselves, they go far enough into the ear to properly point the speakers forward, not merely inward like those annoyingly uncomfortable little bud things do (how they justify the price for those things, I'll never know).

As for allowing outside noise through, they do if you have them turned down low, but I can't tell what people are saying when listening to stuff at "normal" volume. In other words, they're just as good as ear buds without the annoying lack of comfort or ability to keep from falling out. They do let LOUD sound in, however, which can disrupt what you're hearing. For example, loud vehicles like buses driving past you at a bus stop will completely drown out what you're listening to. Small price to pay for the things sticking to your head like glue in great comfort for hours on end.

Sound quality is great. The larger speakers provide for a very well-rounded sound, not just treble and bass like most ear buds. Perfect for anything from music to talk radio.

The foldable design is a feature of importance to me because I'm a long distance commuter by bus and ferry boat (4 hours a day). Compact, portable and lightweight are very important to me, even more important than sound quality. Fortunately, I didn't have to sacrifice a bit of sound quality by using these over buds. These headphones give great sound, are comfortable, are lightweight, stick to your head even when running, and they're very compact and portable. And for 10 measly bucks!

You can have those over-rated, expensive buds and all the discomfort and "fallout" that goes with them.

Did I mention I am here on this web site right now to buy two more pairs of these?