Noise-cancelling headphones

fluffnutter

Anyone got any advice on noise-cancelling headphones? I'm loving listening to my ipod at work so I can drown out the dodgy local station that's always on the radio! But, after a few hours my in-ear buds can make my ears ache a bit (not volume but pressure on the ears). I'm thinking of getting a big pair of cans but want to know if I should go for noise-cancelling.

Are they worth it? Any recommendations?

Thanx guys.

Not_a_Newbie

We got our in ear ones from the local Kawasaki store. Not had a chance to wear them on the motorbike but they we're great when we went to New Zealand earlier on in the year. Even fell asleep with them in (on the plane) and had no problems with my ears. They have really nice comfy rubbery bits on the end.

http://www.motrax.co.uk/index.php?mod=product&id_prd=210

taliesin

You might find it helpful to understand how "noise-cancelling" headphones work. As you might expect, they contain a microphone and small amplifier which detects the "noise" in your vicinity and adds an "out of phase" (that is, negative) version of that to the signal so as to cancel the external noise. However, the distance between the microphone and the earpieces (a few inches) is the critical factor which means that this system (at least, in its typical form) can only cancel lower frequencies -- those with wavelengths long compared to that distance -- below about 300 Hz. So they are pretty good at removing rumbling noises from trains, buses and even jet engines, but do nothing for higher frequencies. Indeed, in the ones I've used, the little amplifier also produces a certain amount of hiss, so in genuinely quiet environments they actually increase noise. I've owned three or four pairs over several years and haven't found the £100+ ones any better at noise cancelling than the cheapest £40-£50 ones.

So if what is irritating you is a tinny tranny, standard "noise-cancelling" headphones won't help, or only help to the extent that they are also "noise-isolating". "Noise-isolating" headphones simply provide an acoustic barrier (foam to most of us!) to keep the external noise out. If the problem is a tinny tranny, you would probably be best going for an out-and-out "noise-isolating" type.

tomstickland

Get some closed ear proper headphones.

dmg24

I agree, you need noise isolating rather than cancelling. I have some Sennheiser ones, can't remember the model number but if you check out some reviews you'll find something suitable.

bebewoo

Don't get the Bose in ear ones they are rubbish. I have a pair and they don't isolate the noise at all. I got a pair of Klipsch ones from Amazon on sale and they are far better.

jamesperrett

I really like my Sennheiser HD25SP's. They're around 70 pounds but they fold fairly flat, sound good and keep out external noise. Apparently you can also buy velour earpads for them which are even more comfortable than the standard leatherette ones.

James.

Philycheesesteak

Gadget show did a review on 3 last season recently...

http://fwd.five.tv/gadgets/audio-video/hi-fi/headphones-headsets/bose-quietcomfort-3

This one came up tops. Personally I think they're overly expensive. Just have normal ones and turn up the volume.lol

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dmg24

bebewoo wrote: »

Don't get the Bose in ear ones they are rubbish. I have a pair and they don't isolate the noise at all. I got a pair of Klipsch ones from Amazon on sale and they are far better.

I agree, plus the buds kept falling off mine. Bose admitted there was a problem so sent me more 'improved' buds ... which fell off again!

Philycheesesteak wrote: »

Gadget show did a review on 3 last season recently...

http://fwd.five.tv/gadgets/audio-video/hi-fi/headphones-headsets/bose-quietcomfort-3

This one came up tops. Personally I think they're overly expensive. Just have normal ones and turn up the volume.lol

These will not necessarily block out the radio, they are more suitable for flying.

Boa21

I have the Bose quiet comfort 2's and they are excellent (if expensive). They are great if you fly a lot as you don't even have to plug them into anything and they drown out most of the aircraft noise.

They require an AAA battery, but this lasts ages. I think the QC 3's are re-chargeable.:p

DigitalJedi

I had a pair of noise cancelling headphones too and borrowed my mate's Sony ones too.

Personally I found them a complete waste of money. They are too bulky and if you wear glasses, they press against your ear and hurt after a while. Even without glasses on, I found them uncomfortable for long periods. On a plane they were so-so.

In the end I've gone for noise isolating earphones, some Sennheisser's and they are way better. I can use them on a plane, they are small and I can wear them for hours without any pain.

Trust me, don't waste your money on noise cancelling. Try a pair of Sennheisser CX300's for a cheap starter pair. They come with different size buds so if you choose the right size, it shouldn't hurt you.