Noise cancelling recommendations?
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njb182
Active Member
I have that pair of Bose headphones. They sound great. My only complaint is that they run off of AA batteries. When the batteries get low, the headphones will fail to play anything too high, low, or loud. You will be listening to a song one second and then the next the headphones will just stop playing music and then kick back in when that high/low/loud note is over.
...if that makes sense.
...if that makes sense.
Are you buying these just to cancel noise?? Or to listen to music while noise is being cancelled??
I ask because in-ear monitors as as effective, or maybe more effective, at blocking noise if your primary use will be to listen to music while traveling. Google "Shure SE-310 Sound Isolating Earphones".
One issue with the Bose and like noise cancelling headphones is size. In ear monitors are much smaller.
I've been using Shure EC-500s for years and travel routinely for business. Think the new model is called SCL-5. There are other manufacturers too Etymotic, Ultimate Ears, etc. Amazon usually has good prices on these.
I ask because in-ear monitors as as effective, or maybe more effective, at blocking noise if your primary use will be to listen to music while traveling. Google "Shure SE-310 Sound Isolating Earphones".
One issue with the Bose and like noise cancelling headphones is size. In ear monitors are much smaller.
I've been using Shure EC-500s for years and travel routinely for business. Think the new model is called SCL-5. There are other manufacturers too Etymotic, Ultimate Ears, etc. Amazon usually has good prices on these.
Sony has two or three models as well. I have the Bose QC-2, which I've found excellent on airplanes. The reviews indicate their sound is not bad, and I agree, but the exclusion of the aircraft noise makes them into a great product.
I understand the QC-15 is improved in all respects, and was thinking of grabbing a pair. I'll be watching this thread for better alternatives.
I understand the QC-15 is improved in all respects, and was thinking of grabbing a pair. I'll be watching this thread for better alternatives.
I've heard decent things about the Bose sound, but not so much as far as the build quality.
My recommendation is the same one I've made several times before - Audio-Technica. Built like tanks and sound great. The semi-hard case even has a nice open spot that happily manages to be a perfect fit for an iPod.
Which of the three models?
http://www.audio-technica.com/cgi-b...l?select_3=Active Noise-cancelling Headphones
I have the ATH-ANC7 headphones. I haven't heard the 7b or the 1 and 3 series.
njb182
Active Member
It all depends on how loud you listen to your music and for how long.
I have the totl sennheiser pxc-450 which has superb noise canceling and is also good as a hi-fi can when used passively. . I used the bose QC2 which was good at noise cancelling and was very comfortable like the senn's. My gripes with the bose were a flimsy headband (always cracked around the adjusters, had it repaired twice,) the fact that they can't be used as a passive can (once the batteries run out, show's over.) I also found them very bass heavy which became fatiguing too quickly.
The Sennheiser 450 is an excellent can without the noise cancelling and good ambient noise reduction. Combine that with some really good electronics and the noise canceling effect is excellent - even more than the bose. It can be used in active or passive mode so when the batteries run out and you forget to bring extras you at least still have music.
Although they are larger than the bose, they are still light and very comfortable. The ear and headband cushions are very plush and exert very little force on your head. The sound is very flat and uncolored. Unlike most noise canceling headphones were the sound is greatly changed - particularly in the midrange - when the noise canceling function is engaged, the sennheiser engineers did it right, and the eq curve built into the noise canceling circuitry makes there be almost no noticeable difference in sound between passive and active except for a very slight loss in really low frequencies (below 30hz)
The adjustable volume on the earpiece is a nice touch - perhaps not a necessity but nice. The talk-through feature allows you to switch between music and mics on the outide monitoring noise. This means you can effectively carry on a conversation without having to remove your headphones - a must if your lazy as hell.
The Battery life is supposed to be around 20-30 hours. I haven't really kept track, but I'm sure the numbers vary.
If you're going to empty your wallet for a good set of NC cans, I would highly recommend the sennheisers as a person who has tried both them and bose.
Your mileage may vary.
The Sennheiser 450 is an excellent can without the noise cancelling and good ambient noise reduction. Combine that with some really good electronics and the noise canceling effect is excellent - even more than the bose. It can be used in active or passive mode so when the batteries run out and you forget to bring extras you at least still have music.
Although they are larger than the bose, they are still light and very comfortable. The ear and headband cushions are very plush and exert very little force on your head. The sound is very flat and uncolored. Unlike most noise canceling headphones were the sound is greatly changed - particularly in the midrange - when the noise canceling function is engaged, the sennheiser engineers did it right, and the eq curve built into the noise canceling circuitry makes there be almost no noticeable difference in sound between passive and active except for a very slight loss in really low frequencies (below 30hz)
The adjustable volume on the earpiece is a nice touch - perhaps not a necessity but nice. The talk-through feature allows you to switch between music and mics on the outide monitoring noise. This means you can effectively carry on a conversation without having to remove your headphones - a must if your lazy as hell.
The Battery life is supposed to be around 20-30 hours. I haven't really kept track, but I'm sure the numbers vary.
If you're going to empty your wallet for a good set of NC cans, I would highly recommend the sennheisers as a person who has tried both them and bose.
Your mileage may vary.
goldear
Certifiable Audio Junkie
I've owned the Quiet Comfort 1, 2, and I just got a pair of the 15s. I wear them at work all day, almost every-day, they have averaged about 5 years of hard use per pair before each of these eventually broke.
The QC 2s sounded by far the best of the bunch on music, and had excellent noise cancellation (about 10db). The QC-15s are in another league altogether in terms of noise cancellation (>20db for most common noises), but their performance on music is only Okay (the noise cancellation is so extreme on these, that it gets in the way, IMO).
I've never heard the QC3s, but if you want noise cancellation, absolutely nothing on the market even touches the QC-15s! But I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the senheisers and/or Sonys sounded better on music.
The QC 2s sounded by far the best of the bunch on music, and had excellent noise cancellation (about 10db). The QC-15s are in another league altogether in terms of noise cancellation (>20db for most common noises), but their performance on music is only Okay (the noise cancellation is so extreme on these, that it gets in the way, IMO).
I've never heard the QC3s, but if you want noise cancellation, absolutely nothing on the market even touches the QC-15s! But I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the senheisers and/or Sonys sounded better on music.
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Actually, I would find that feature to be really useful. When you're on the plane and have the tray table full of paperwork and your computer, just throwing a switch to answer the FA's questions etc. means you don't have to scramble to accept what the FA is handing you while keeping hold of the headphones. I like it!