Sony MDR100ABN/B Reference guide

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
Use this manual if you encounter any problems, or have any questions.
Getting started
BLUETOOTH connection
What you can do with the BLUETOOTH function
How to make a wireless connection to BLUETOOTH devices
Supplied accessories
Checking the package contents
About the supplied manuals
Features
What you can do with the headset
Parts and controls

Location and function of parts
About the indicator
Charging the headset
System requirements for battery charge using USB
Charging the headset
Available operating time
Checking the remaining battery charge
Voice guidance
About voice guidance
Making connections
One-touch connection (NFC) compatible Android devices
One-touch connection (NFC) with a smartphone (Android 4.1 or later)
One-touch connection (NFC) with a smartphone (Android 2.3.3 or later, and less than Android 4.1)
Disconnecting the smartphone by one touch (NFC)
Switching the device by one touch (NFC)
Android devices not compatible with one-touch connection (NFC)
Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone
Connecting to a paired Android smartphone
iPhone (iOS devices)
Pairing and connecting with an iPhone
Connecting to a paired iPhone
Computers
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 10)
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 8/Windows 8.1)
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 7)
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows Vista)
Connecting to a paired computer (Windows 10)
Connecting to a paired computer (Windows 8/Windows 8.1)

Connecting to a paired computer (Windows 7)
Connecting to a paired computer (Windows Vista)
Other BLUETOOTH devices
Pairing and connecting with other BLUETOOTH devices
Connecting to a paired BLUETOOTH device
Multi point connection
Connecting the headset to both a music player and a smartphone or mobile phone
Connecting the headset to 2 Android smartphones
Connecting the headset to an Android smartphone and an iPhone
Headphone cable connection
Using the supplied headphone cable
Listening to music
Listening to music via a BLUETOOTH connection
Listening to music from a device connected via BLUETOOTH
Controlling the audio device (BLUETOOTH connection)
Disconnecting BLUETOOTH connection (after use)
Disconnecting BLUETOOTH connection (after use)
Noise canceling function
Noise canceling function
Using the noise canceling function
About the Automatic AI noise canceling function
Sound quality mode
Switching the sound quality mode
Checking the sound quality mode
Supported codecs
Supported codecs
Making phone calls
Making phone calls
Receiving a call

Making a call
Functions for a phone call
Disconnecting BLUETOOTH connection (after use)
Using the voice assist function (Siri)
Voice assist
Using the voice assist function (Siri)
Important information
Precautions
Precautions
What is BLUETOOTH wireless technology?
Trademarks
Trademarks
Support website
Customer support websites
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
What can I do to solve a problem?
Power
The headset is not turned on.
Charging
Charging cannot be done.
Charging time is too long.
The headset cannot be recognized by a computer.
The remaining battery charge of the headset is not displayed on the screen of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Sound
No sound
Low sound level
Low sound quality

4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
Sound skips frequently during playback.
The noise canceling effect is not sufficient.
Pairing
Pairing cannot be done.
One-touch connection (NFC)
Unable to connect the headset to a BLUETOOTH device with one-touch connection (NFC)
BLUETOOTH connection
Unable to make a BLUETOOTH connection
Distorted sound
The BLUETOOTH wireless communication range is short, or the sound skips.
The headset does not operate properly.
Phone calls
No voice from callers
Low voice from callers
Resetting or initializing the headset
Resetting the headset
Initializing the headset to restore factory settings

Table Of Contents
Help Guide MDR-100ABN i...............................................................................................................
Getting started i.................................................................................................................................
BLUETOOTH connection i................................................................................................................
What you can do with the BLUETOOTH function 1.....................................................................
Help Guide | How to make a wireless connection to BLUETOOTH devices 2............................
Supplied accessories i.......................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Checking the package contents 3...........................................................................
Help Guide | About the supplied manuals 4................................................................................
Features i...........................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | What you can do with the headset 5.......................................................................
Parts and controls i............................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Location and function of parts 6..............................................................................
Help Guide | About the indicator 8...............................................................................................
Charging the headset ii......................................................................................................................
Help Guide | System requirements for battery charge using USB 10..........................................
Help Guide | Charging the headset 11........................................................................................
Help Guide | Available operating time 13....................................................................................
Help Guide | Checking the remaining battery charge 14.............................................................
Voice guidance ii...............................................................................................................................
Help Guide | About voice guidance 16........................................................................................
Making connections ii........................................................................................................................
One-touch connection (NFC) compatible Android devices ii.............................................................
Help Guide | One-touch connection (NFC) with a smartphone (Android 2.3.3
or later, and less than Android 4.1) 19........................................................................................
One-touch connection (NFC) with a smartphone (Android 4.1 or later) 17.................................
Help Guide | Disconnecting the smartphone by one touch (NFC) 22..........................................
Help Guide | Switching the device by one touch (NFC) 23..........................................................
Android devices not compatible with one-touch connection (NFC) ii................................................
Help Guide | Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone 24........................................
Help Guide | Connecting to a paired Android smartphone 27.....................................................
iPhone (iOS devices) ii......................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Pairing and connecting with an iPhone 29..............................................................
Help Guide | Connecting to a paired iPhone 32..........................................................................
Computers ii......................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 10) 34.....................................
Help Guide | Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 8/Windows 8.
1) 38............................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 7) 41.......................................
TOC-1

Help Guide | Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows Vista) 44.................................
Help Guide | Connecting to a paired computer (Windows 10) 47................................................
Help Guide | Connecting to a paired computer (Windows 8/Windows 8.1) 50............................
Help Guide | Connecting to a paired computer (Windows 7) 53..................................................
Help Guide | Connecting to a paired computer (Windows Vista) 55............................................
Other BLUETOOTH devices iii..........................................................................................................
Help Guide | Pairing and connecting with other BLUETOOTH devices 58.................................
Help Guide | Connecting to a paired BLUETOOTH device 60....................................................
Multi point connection iii....................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Connecting the headset to both a music player and a
smartphone or mobile phone 62..................................................................................................
Help Guide | Connecting the headset to 2 Android smartphones 63...........................................
Help Guide | Connecting the headset to an Android smartphone and an
iPhone 65....................................................................................................................................
Headphone cable connection iii.........................................................................................................
Help Guide | Using the supplied headphone cable 67.................................................................
Listening to music iii..........................................................................................................................
Listening to music via a BLUETOOTH connection iii........................................................................
Help Guide | Listening to music from a device connected via BLUETOOTH 68.........................
Help Guide | Controlling the audio device (BLUETOOTH connection) 70...................................
Help Guide | Disconnecting BLUETOOTH connection (after use) 71.........................................
Help Guide | Disconnecting BLUETOOTH connection (after use) 72.........................................
Noise canceling function iii................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Noise canceling function 73....................................................................................
Help Guide | Using the noise canceling function 74....................................................................
Help Guide | About the Automatic AI noise canceling function 76...............................................
Sound quality mode iii.......................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Switching the sound quality mode 77.....................................................................
Help Guide | Checking the sound quality mode 79......................................................................
Supported codecs iii..........................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Supported codecs 80..............................................................................................
Making phone calls iii........................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Receiving a call 81..................................................................................................
Help Guide | Making a call 83......................................................................................................
Help Guide | Functions for a phone call 85..................................................................................
Disconnecting BLUETOOTH connection (after use) 72..............................................................
Using the voice assist function (Siri) iv..............................................................................................
Voice assist iv....................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Using the voice assist function (Siri) 87..................................................................
Important information iv.....................................................................................................................
TOC-2

Precautions iv....................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Precautions 88........................................................................................................
Help Guide | What is BLUETOOTH wireless technology? 89.....................................................
Trademarks iv....................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Trademarks 91........................................................................................................
Support website iv.............................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Customer support websites 92...............................................................................
Troubleshooting iv.............................................................................................................................
Help Guide | What can I do to solve a problem? 93....................................................................
Power iv.............................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | The headset is not turned on. 94............................................................................
Charging iv........................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Charging cannot be done. 95.................................................................................
Help Guide | Charging time is too long. 96..................................................................................
Help Guide | The headset cannot be recognized by a computer. 97...........................................
Help Guide | The remaining battery charge of the headset is not displayed on
the screen of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. 98........................................................................
Sound iv.............................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | No sound 99...........................................................................................................
Help Guide | Low sound level 100...............................................................................................
Help Guide | Low sound quality 101............................................................................................
Help Guide | Sound skips frequently during playback. 102.........................................................
Help Guide | The noise canceling effect is not sufficient. 103.....................................................
Pairing v.............................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | Pairing cannot be done. 104...................................................................................
One-touch connection (NFC) v..........................................................................................................
Help Guide | Unable to connect the headset to a BLUETOOTH device with
one-touch connection (NFC) 105................................................................................................
BLUETOOTH connection v...............................................................................................................
Help Guide | Unable to make a BLUETOOTH connection 106...................................................
Help Guide | Distorted sound 107................................................................................................
Help Guide | The BLUETOOTH wireless communication range is short, or
the sound skips. 108....................................................................................................................
Help Guide | The headset does not operate properly. 109..........................................................
Phone calls v.....................................................................................................................................
Help Guide | No voice from callers 110.......................................................................................
Help Guide | Low voice from callers 111.....................................................................................
Resetting or initializing the headset v................................................................................................
Help Guide | Resetting the headset 112......................................................................................
Help Guide | Initializing the headset to restore factory settings 113............................................
TOC-3

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
What you can do with the BLUETOOTH function
The headset uses BLUETOOTH wireless technology, allowing you to listen to music or make phone calls wirelessly.
Listening to music
You can receive audio signals from a smartphone, mobile phone, or music player to enjoy music wirelessly.
Talking on the phone
You can make and receive a call with your hands free, while leaving your smartphone or mobile phone in your bag or pocket.
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
1

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
How to make a wireless connection to BLUETOOTH devices
You can enjoy music and hands-free calling with the headset wirelessly by using your device’s BLUETOOTH function.
When connecting a device for the first time via BLUETOOTH, device registration (pairing) is needed.
Device registration (pairing)
The operation to register a device to be connected is called device registration (pairing).
If the device to be connected does not support the one-touch connection (NFC), operate the headset and the device to perform
device registration (pairing).
If the device supports one-touch connection (NFC), you can just touch to perform device registration (pairing) and establish a
BLUETOOTH connection.
Connecting the headset to a registered (paired) device
When the device is registered, it is not necessary to register it again. Connect to it with an appropriate method.
For details, see “Making connections.”
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
2

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
Checking the package contents
After opening the package, check that all items in the list are included in the package. If items are missing, contact your dealer.
Numbers in ( ) indicate the item amount.
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset (1)
Carrying case (1)
Micro-USB cable (approx. 50 cm (19 3/4 in.)) (1)
Headphone cable (approx. 1.2 m (47 1/4 in.)) (1)
Reference Guide (1)
Operating Instructions (1)
Other documents (1 set) (*)
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
May not be supplied in some countries or regions.
*
3

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
About the supplied manuals
The following three manuals come with the headset.
Help Guide (this data)
Operation manual on the Web, which can be accessed by a PC or smartphone, provides the detailed information on how to use
the headset and troubleshooting, etc.
Operating Instructions (enclosed paper)
Provides basic information on how to connect or use the headset.
Reference Guide (enclosed paper)
Provides precautions and specifications.
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
4

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
What you can do with the headset
Wireless noise canceling headset with 40 mm HD driver unit
You can listen to the music using the included headphone cable even if the battery runs out.
To enjoy high resolution audio, recharge the battery and turn on the power.
Digital noise canceling with dual noise sensor technology
Highly accurate Digital Noise Canceling software with microphones both inside and outside the housings reduces a variety of
ambient noise and lets you focus on music.
SBC/AAC/aptX/LDAC Codec supported
40 mm HD driver unit that supports high resolution, up to 40 kHz reproduction
Clear voice hands-free calling with built-in microphone
Folding mechanism for easy carriage and storage
One-touch connection with Near Field Communication (NFC)
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
5

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
Location and function of parts
L mark
1.
Slider
Slide to adjust the length of the headband.
2.
left unit
3.
Built-in antenna
A BLUETOOTH antenna is built into the headset.
4.
N-Mark
5. Headband
6. R mark
7. right unit
8.
Tactile dot
The left unit has a tactile dot.
9.
(power) button
10
.Indicator (blue/red)
11
6

Related Topic
About the indicator
Checking the remaining battery charge
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
Lights up in red or blue to indicate the power or communication status of the headset.
.
NC (noise canceling) button
12
.Indicator (green)
Shows the noise canceling status.
13
.
Micro-USB port
Connect a computer to this port with the supplied micro-USB cable to charge the headset.
14
.
INPUT jack
Connect a music player, etc. to this jack by using the supplied headphone cable. Make sure that you insert the plug of the
music player until it clicks. Otherwise, you may not hear the sound normally.
15
.
Jog switch ( / / / )
16
.+/- (volume) buttons
The + button has a tactile dot.
17
.
Microphone
Picks up the sound of your voice when talking on the phone and suppresses noise when using the noise canceling function.
Both of the L and R microphones are used when talking on the phone.
18
.
7

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
About the indicator
The indicator flashes in red or blue to indicate various statuses.
: Turns on in blue/ : Turns on in red/-: Turns off
Turning on
When turning on the headset by pressing and holding the button for about 2 seconds when the headset is turned off.
- (flashes two times)
Turning off
When turning off the headset by pressing and holding the button for about 2 seconds when the headset is turned on.
(lights for about two seconds)
BLUETOOTH status indication
Pairing mode
(Pressing and holding the button for about 7 seconds when the headset is turned off)
Not connected
- - - - - - (one-second intervals)
Connection process completed
(flashes quickly for about five seconds)
Connected
- - - (about five-second interval) ---
Incoming call
Sound quality mode indication
Priority on sound quality
- - - -
Priority on stable connection
For details, refer to “Switching the sound quality mode.”
8

Remaining battery charge indication
High
- - - -
Medium
- -
Low (needs to charge)
For details, refer to “Checking the remaining battery charge.”
Other
Initialization completed
For details, refer to “Initializing the headset to restore factory settings.”
Hint
When the remaining battery charge becomes low, the indicator turns from blue to red, except for pairing mode.
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
9

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
System requirements for battery charge using USB
The headset contains a lithium ion rechargeable battery, which should be charged before using the headset for the first time.
Personal Computer with pre-installed with any of the following operating systems and USB port:
When using Windows®
Windows® 10 Home / Windows® 10 Pro
Windows® 8.1 / Windows® 8.1 Pro
Windows® 8 / Windows® 8 Pro
Windows® 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Ultimate
Windows Vista® (Service Pack 2 or later) Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Ultimate
When using Mac
Mac OS X (version 10.3 or later)
Note
Sony does not guarantee proper operation in all system environments.
When using Windows 8.1 update using Windows Update.
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
10

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
h.ear on Wireless NC (MDR-100ABN)
Charging the headset
The headset contains a lithium ion rechargeable battery. Charge the headset using the supplied micro-USB cable.
Note
The headset cannot be turned on, nor can the BLUETOOTH and noise canceling functions be used, during charging.
If the headset detects a problem while charging due to following causes, the indicator (red) may turn off, although charging is not complete. In this
case, charge again within the charging temperature range. If the problem persists, consult your nearest Sony dealer.
Ambient temperature exceeds the charging temperature range of 5 °C – 35 °C (41 °F - 95 °F).
There is a problem with the battery.
If the headset is not used for a long time, the indicator (red) may not light up when you connect the micro-USB cable to charge the headset. In this
case, do not disconnect the micro-USB cable from the headset: wait a few minutes until the indicator (red) lights up.
If the headset is not used for a long time, the battery may be quickly depleted, however, after a few recharges, the battery life will improve.
If you store the headset for a long time, charge the battery to its full capacity once every 6 months to avoid over discharge.
If the headset is not used for a long time, it may take longer to charge the battery.
If the life of the built-in rechargeable battery drops significantly, the battery should be replaced. Consult your nearest Sony dealer for replacement
of the rechargeable battery.
Avoid exposure to temperature extremes, direct sunlight, moisture, sand, dust or mechanical shock. Never leave the headset in a car parked in the
sun.
If the computer enters into hibernation mode while connected to the headset, charging will not be completed properly. Check the setting of the
computer before charging. The indicator (red) will go off automatically if the computer enters into hibernation mode. Charge the headset again in
this case.
Connect the supplied micro-USB cable to the headset, and then connect the other end to a booted
computer.
Make sure that the indicator (red) lights up.
Charging is completed in about 6 hours (*) and the indicator (red) goes off automatically.
1
Time required for charging the empty battery to its full capacity.
*
11

Use the supplied micro-USB cable only, and connect directly to a computer. Charging will not be completed properly by an indirect connection,
such as via a USB hub.
Hint
You can use the headset by connecting the supplied headphone cable, even while charging the headset.
If charging starts while the headset is turned on, the headset will turn off automatically.
4-590-741-11(1) Copyright 2016 Sony Corporation
12