noise cancelling headphones

[alocispepraluger102]

how do they work?

are they any good?

[kh1958]

how do they work?

are they any good?

I recommend them for air travel. They definitely reduce (but they do not eliminate) the unpleasant sound of jet engines.

They operate with batteries, so you have to turn them on to get the noise reduction effect--in my limited understanding they emit an inaudible sound which cancels out certain low frequncy sounds.

I wouldn't spend alot of money on a pair though, as I've found they tend to break fairly often--I'm on my third set right now.

[Teasing the Korean]

From my understanding, they actually mic the ambient sound (in stereo) and throw it out of phase, thereby reducing it considerably.

I've never used them, but some report experiencing greater ear fatigue with these than with standard headphones. No idea if that's true.

And if you try to listen to metal with them, you won't hear anything.

Edited October 18, 2007 by Teasing the Korean

[Peter Friedman]

They make a significant positive difference on airplanes. I used a pair flying to India a couple of years ago. Without them, the noise of the planes engines made it extremely difficult to listen to my iPod. With the noise reduction earphones listening was quite enjoyable.

[rostasi]

I'd like to hear some brand names and/or styles mentioned if possible.

I'm considering getting these for my sweetheart's b-day on 11/11 (or Xmas).

I understand that they are available two ways: with or without music listening capabilities?

A nice pair for "silent" sitting on a plane would be what she'd like.

I like the sound of airplane roar, so these would be just for her.

The inner mic coupled with 180° phase is the trick indeed!

R~~

[alocispepraluger102]

"I like the sound of airplane roar".

fascinating.

[Guest Bill Barton]

From my understanding, they actually mic the ambient sound (in stereo) and throw it out of phase, thereby reducing it considerably. Interesting... I'm permanently out of phase so I wonder what I'd hear.

...if you try to listen to metal with them, you won't hear anything. Hmmm... What about Sonic Youth? Or sixties ESPs? Inquiring minds want to know.

"I like the sound of airplane roar".

fascinating. So, do you have 12" LPs of that lovely sound? My bet is, you do!

[rostasi]

So, do you have 12" LPs of that lovely sound? My bet is, you do!

Yes, on LP, mini-discs and personal iAudio harddrive.

[tonym]

So, do you have 12" LPs of that lovely sound? My bet is, you do!

Yes, on LP, mini-discs and personal iAudio harddrive.

Doesn't this belong in the unusual recordings thread?

These are supposed to be quite good....

apparently quite soft on the ears and i'm sure they come with a standard 3.5 plug. If you go for IEMs make sure the tips are renown for comfort as some brands' tips can be quite uncomfortable over extended periods.

Head over to Head-fi and get some nearly new ones for a snip!

[rostasi]

These are supposed to be quite good....

apparently quite soft on the ears and i'm sure they come with a standard 3.5 plug. If you go for IEMs make sure the tips are renown for comfort as some brands' tips can be quite uncomfortable over extended periods.

Head over to Head-fi and get some nearly new ones for a snip!

The link went to Audio-Technica's homepage,

but I'm assuming you're referring to the Quiet-Point's?

I like that they can be used with or without music.

Don't think I really want IEMs, so this looks like they'd be pretty nice!

I'll keep them in mind and do a bit of searching for consumer feedback on them. Thanx!

R~~

[Guy Berger]

For what it's worth, when I was in grad school I bought the cheapest pair available ($40). You get pretty much what you pay for -- they are better than nothing, but I am thinking of upgrading.

What about the Shure earbuds or whatever they are called? Everybody who has them swears by them.

Guy

[vibes]

For what it's worth, when I was in grad school I bought the cheapest pair available ($40). You get pretty much what you pay for -- they are better than nothing, but I am thinking of upgrading.

What about the Shure earbuds or whatever they are called? Everybody who has them swears by them.

Guy

If you buy Shure, don't get anything less than the 4 series or above. I've tried the E2s and E3s, and they have zero bass whatsoever. They do block outside noise extremely well without noise cancellation circuitry, and I see that as a benefit since noise cancellation technology sometimes makes me feel ill.

After being disappointed with and returning E2s and E3s, I ended up ordering some Ultimate Ears super.fi5Pro in-ear monitors. Yes, they're a bit pricey, but they have excellent, balanced, detailed sound and they block exterior noise extremely well--very handy for the office or when traveling. Some details:

http://www.headphone.com/products/headphon...-5pro-black.php

[John L]

I've never used them, but some report experiencing greater ear fatigue with these than with standard headphones. No idea if that's true.

Interesting. I thought that I was just strange in that respect. I travel quite a lot on planes, and have a pair of Bose headphones that I enjoy on long flights. On the other hand, I do find the noise reduction mechanism to be bothersome to my ears. I therefore still use the iPod buds in most circumtances, despite the much lower fidelity.

It is a strange feeling on the ears, something like an increase in air pressure. It does create ear fatigue. After a few hours, my ears feel very tired. It kind of pisses me off that these $300 state-of-the-art Bose headphones don't even give you the option to turn the noise reduction off when you don't want to use it. I would love to use the phones in my hotel room, for example, instead of the iPod buds, if only there was a way to turn off the noise reduction.

[Teasing the Korean]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think audio signals that are "eliminated" by phase cancellation are nevertheless perceived as a signal by the eardrums.

[vibes]

I've never used them, but some report experiencing greater ear fatigue with these than with standard headphones. No idea if that's true.

Interesting. I thought that I was just strange in that respect. I travel quite a lot on planes, and have a pair of Bose headphones that I enjoy on long flights. On the other hand, I do find the noise reduction mechanism to be bothersome to my ears. I therefore still use the iPod buds in most circumtances, despite the much lower fidelity.

It is a strange feeling on the ears, something like an increase in air pressure. It does create ear fatigue. After a few hours, my ears feel very tired. It kind of pisses me off that these $300 state-of-the-art Bose headphones don't even give you the option to turn the noise reduction off when you don't want to use it. I would love to use the phones in my hotel room, for example, instead of the iPod buds, if only there was a way to turn off the noise reduction.

The amount of noise cancellation employed will definitely have a noticeable effect on the user. I was discussing noise cancellation with my Thomson (Acoustic Research) rep a few years ago, and he said that they had come up with a pair of noise-canceling headphones that eliminated an extreme amount of noise across the spectrum, but that test users of the headphones had had problems with vomiting and equilibrium after wearing the headphones for a very short period of time. Increase in pressure is right!

Edited October 22, 2007 by vibes

[baptizum]

i got a pair of philips at best buy. the noise cancellation works decently, but the sound quality is fantastic. deep base an crisp highs. they cost me about $75 and were totally worth it

[Big Al]

I got a pair of Shures from Best Buy for $100, and they work very nicely.

[rostasi]

SeatGuru Review for you too!

[samnat]

I have the Sennheiser PXC-300 I bought at Tiger Direct.com--very happy with them and they came in No. 2 in the seatguru.com review.

[rostasi]

Here's another site.

This one, I think, has more depth.

After spending a few days of reading reviews,

I've gone with the Solitude w/Linx.

Aloc, have you decided?