The Best Noise Cancelling Stereo Headphones
Stereo headphones with active noise cancellation technology let travelers hear their music with greater clarity and less ear fatigue. These headphones are useful for those who want to seal out their surroundings, since noise cancellation circuitry is especially effective at countering low-frequency tones (like crowd noise or engine noise on an airplane). Here are four of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market.
Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard Noise Canceling Headphones
Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard Noise Canceling Headphones
The Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard headphones deliver high-quality audio and up to 90% noise reduction, along with several features sure to be appreciated by frequent travelers. Two AAA batteries provide up to 50 hours of noise cancellation, and the headphones can still be used without the canceling on. There is a volume control on the cable, and the PXC 450 headphones come with both 6.3mm and airplane-style adapters. A unique feature is Sennheiser’s “TalkThrough” technology: a small integrated microphone can pick up nearby sounds while still reducing ambient noise, allowing users to have a conversation without removing the headphones.
You can find the Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard Noise Canceling Headphones at Amazon for $289.95.
Bose QuietComfort 15 Noise Canceling Headphones
Bose QuietComfort 15 Noise Canceling Headphones
Bose was a pioneer in the early days of noise canceling headphones, and their experience shows in the QuietComfort 15. Improved noise cancellation electronics and sound quality make these a step forward from older models. Super-soft cushioning enhances noise isolation, and the QuietComfort 15 headphones handle both crisp highs and thumping lows nicely. A minor downside of the headphones is that they are only usable with noise cancellation turned on, but their single AAA battery provides a solid 35 hours of listening time. Travelers will appreciate the fold-flat earcups, dual plug adapter, and carrying case.
The Bose QuietComfort 15 Noise Canceling Headphones are available for $299.95 from Amazon.
JVC HA-NC250 Noise Canceling Headphones
JVC HA-NC250 Noise Canceling Headphones
JVC promises that the adaptive feedback circuitry of its affordable HA-NC250 headphones will reduce ambient noise “clutter” by up to 85%. The headphones are powered by a single AAA battery, which provides 50 hours of noise cancelation – plenty for even the longest flights. They’re lightweight at just 5.3 ounces, and memory foam earpads provide comfort and add passive noise isolation. The HA-NC250 headphones come with a dual-plug airplane adapter and a carrying case (the earpieces swivel flat for storage). And best of all, they won’t break the bank.
The JVC HA-NC250 Noise Canceling Headphones are available at Amazon for $100.49.
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Noise Canceling Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Noise Canceling Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 headphones manage to compete with some of their big-name competitors – but at a substantially lower price point. Their QuietPoint noise cancellation technology cuts background noise by up to 85%, and large-aperture drivers provide clear high and low audio tones. The Audio-Technica headphones feature generously sized and well-padded earcups for comfort. They include a carrying case, 3.3’ and 5.2’ detachable cables, plus airplane and 6.3mm adapters.
You can find the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Noise Canceling Headphones at Amazon for $169.95.
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Groan! This collation [and that's all it is] reminds me of that similar one for toasters some months back. Sure it’s nice to have links to the major players on one page, but MetaEfficient obviously didn’t read the [mostly negative] feedback to its toaster piece. As a result of reading this headphones piece you won’t learn anything new about noise-cancelling headphones. And something new is why we come to Metaefficient, instead of Epinions, or Gizmodo etc. etc. etc.
Of course, there doesn’t seem to be much to learn. Having extreme noise-sensitivity [medically diagnosed, not a neurosis], i’ve tracked this technology for more years than i’d like to admit. [They're like electronically stabilized binoculars- not advancing or even just coming down in price.] And its fatal flaw is that it cuts low[er]-frequency noise at the cost of *adding* high-frequency hiss. And most people are more sensitive to high-frequency noise than low… Every set I’ve ever tried, cheap or exorbitant, more or less hisses. Probably the only realistic use for these things is for frequent fliers, where their hiss is masked by jet cabin noise.
I think i might need to get me some of these head phones.
Why bother with noise cancelling circuitry, batteries and comprimised sound?
Just get a decent pair of noise isolation ear buds.
I agree with Jabber. I researched this myself a few years ago when traveling. Noise Isolation ear buds work much better and are better for your ears.
Marinus, here is the “something to learn” part that was left out of this article. I hope it helps you with your hyperacusis.
Noise canceling headphones work by muffling the environmentally generated noise and producing an inverse wave of the inbound noise at the exact same volume so as to cancel it out. The inverse wave is added to the outside noise so your ear is being hit by twice the sound pressure of the original muffled sound. The end result is that you don’t ‘hear’ the sound, you hear a white noise or ‘hiss’ which is the sound pressure. You then have to turn the volume of your music up past this hiss to hear it clearly.
Sound isolation earbuds work by being an ear plug that just plain blocks out most of the environmental noise, reducing it by about 15db and thereby reducing the sound pressure on your ear. The benefit to this method is when you listen to your music, you only need a very small amount of volume to hear it clearly. There is much less sound pressure reaching your ear which means much less stress on your ear.
They are not made to block all sound as this would be unsafe. People have been using sound isolation ear buds for years but mostly in the professional music industry not the consumer market.
I have owned my pair of Shure SE110 for 4 years now and and am very happy with this budget model of the professional sets I see at work.