Sony Qualia 010 User manual

Dedicated to invention and reinvention, QUALIATnot only embraces change, we anticipate it, we foster it, we
create it. As digital audio technology has progressed at a tremendous pace over the last decade, our engineers set
out to create a way to not just fulfill the promise of this new technology, but a way to be truly transported by sound –
a way to enjoy a new listening experience.

The sound created by QUALIA 017 can only be described as sculpted. Employing the highest-quality MiniDisc
audio amplification system to bring to life Sony’s exclusive MiniDisc technology, the player is capable of
reproducing sound of incredible depth and character. From its internal rechargeable battery to individually crafted
earphones, QUALIA 017 comes complete with everything needed for the ultimate portable music experience.
HIGH-QUALITY HD AMPLIFIER (a) The MiniDisc audio system at the heart of QUALIA 017 produces sound quality
that exceeds the limitations of MP3 and other compression-file audio players. BASE (b) A stunning presence in any
PURE SOUND / A reinvention of the hi-fi headphones concept, QUALIA 010 was designed to deliver the highest
quality audio reproduction, including Super Audio CD and DVD-A. The result of a no-compromise approach, the
design employs a range of new technologies. From its transverse pressed neodymium magnet to its porous
cellulose baffles, QUALIA 010 is the first single-driver headphone system capable of reproducing the full frequency
range of today’s most advanced audio sources.

setting, the base fully recharges QUALIA 017 in 3.5 hours. REMOTE CONTROL (c) Easily accessible for use while
in motion, the intuitively designed remote offers a full range of controls, including play, rewind, pause, forward and
reverse track skip, scan, and volume. EARPHONES (d) Carved from solid brass and aluminum, these instruments
create a rich acoustic space, with detailed treble and full, rounded bass. EARPIECE SET (e) No two sets of
ears were created equal; therefore QUALIA 017 comes with a full range of earpieces, ensuring proper fit.
LEATHER CARRY CASE (not shown) An elegant and secure enclosure for QUALIA 017 and all its attachments,
this handsome case makes a compact, elegant travel companion.

The diaphragm of QUALIA 010 is composed of nano-ordered silica particles, providing the high strength needed for wide frequency response.
Air Chamber
Frame
Transverse Neodymium Magnet
NANO-COMPOSITE DIAPHRAGM / QUALIA 010 achieves extraordinary tonal quality.
Bass and midrange display great definition, depth and harmonic content, and the over-
all frequency response reaches up to an astonishing 120kHz. To accomplish this
remarkable feat, we designed the diaphragm using state-of-the-art computer modeling,
and employed nano-composite materials, which are packed much more tightly than
traditional materials. As a result the diaphragm is at once a full 50mm in diameter (the
largest ever used in a headphone system) while remaining incredibly light, thin and
strong, allowing the driver to reproduce an unprecedented range of frequencies.
The nano-composite frequency response is much more consistent than a diaphragm composed of traditional materials.
Silica/PA66 Nano-composite Sheet (QUALIA 010 ) PET Film (traditional materials) Sony MDR-M10 Headphones

HIGH-POWERED TRANSVERSE PRESSED NEODYMIUM MAGNET / The driver magnet is the heart of any speaker
system. The more powerful the magnet, the more accurately it can move the diaphragm and the more accurate the
resulting sound reproduction. Of course, the more powerful the magnet, typically the larger it is. The design concept
of QUALIA 010, however, was to deliver a superior frequency range in extremely lightweight headphones.
In order to accomplish this, we employ a system known as transverse magnetic field pressing. Rather than being
composed of a single piece, the material is created in four sections and then combined into a single unit. The resulting
magnet is better able to retain its strength, and therefore is capable of helping to reproduce sound with much greater
definition and richness than was previously possible.
Traditional axial pressing (a) results in magnets which cannot by themselves retain their maximum magnetic field. Transverse magnetic
field pressing (b), however, creates a magnet that is able to retain its full strength, allowing for increased frequency response.
N
S
N
S
a. b.

POROUS BAFFLE / In order to reduce resonance (or the “sea shell” effect, a common artifact with headphone
systems), rather than employing a solid barrier which keeps air within the speaker chamber, QUALIA 010 employs
a porous baffle, so airflow and resistance are consistently managed. This provides an optimum listening
environment in which ear fatigue is significantly reduced and the user experiences no distracting noise, only music.
HIGHEST-QUALITY CABLE / Often taken for granted, the headphone cable is of
paramount importance in delivering sound to the headphones. The QUALIA 010
cable employs oxygen-free, 99.9999% pure copper for incredible efficiency. Its cloth
coating has a cushion structure which absorbs most vibration. A unique wire rod completely separates the
left and right channels, eliminating crosstalk.
left
right
A specially manufactured porous cellulose material is used to enclose the speaker chamber, providing optimum airflow.

PURE COMFORT / In order to create the optimum listening environment, QUALIA 010 was designed for
exceptional comfort. The headphones feature an extraordinarily strong and lightweight magnesium-alloy frame.
The wide headband disperses the weight of the headphones across a wider area of the user’s head. And the
ear pads are made of soft, supple, natural sheepskin, ensuring that your ears fit comfortably inside. For truly
perfect fit, QUALIA 010 can be customized 18 different ways. Variations include overall size, headband size,
cable lengths and colors. The headstand has been designed to provide convenience as well as proper protection.

Type ..................................................Open air, Dynamic
Driver unit........................1.96 inches (50mm) diameter;
........................dome-type Nano-composite diaphragm
Impedance (IEA) ................................70 ohms (at 1kHz)
Sensitivity.....................................................100dB/mW
Power handling capacity .........................1500mW (IEC)
Frequency response .................... From 5 to 120,000Hz
Cord.............6N-OFC (99.9999%) Litz Wire Detachable
Choice of one cord length ................ Approx. 6.5ft (2m),
.............................................11.5ft (3.5m) or 16.5ft (5m)
Plug ...............................Gold-Plated Standard 1/4 inch
Weight (w/o cord) ..........................Approx. 7.5oz (200g)
Supplied accessories .......................Headphone stand,
.................... soft cleaning cloth and instruction manual
©2004 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Nonmetric weights and measures are approximate. “QUALIA” and “Sony” are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

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