Noise-cancelling Headphones for Noisy Neighbours' Bass-heavy Music?

Saga

Wasn't sure if this was the best forum for this request for recommendations.

Despite me very politely asking my neighbours to keep their bass-heavy dance music down last month (and to their credit they did so if only for a few days) they've gone back to playing it at a very loud level which goes through me. I also have another set of neighbours whose children being children (bless them 😊) as an unfortunate by-product make a lot of noise banging toys etc and running around on uncarpeted floors, and the family always have the TV on very loud!

The reviews for the Sony WH-1000XM4 active noise-cancelling headphones all seem pretty good in terms of noise cancelling when listening to media but I was hoping for feedback from the forum users who have used ANC headphones to block out the horrid low-frequency bass and constant boom boom boom from neighbours' music. I appreciate everyone's noise tolerance and hearing is different, however I would hate to spend nearly £300 on something that hasn't really worked for others in a similar situation to me.

chrisw

I doubt any will stop the bass sounds as those frequencies tend to be felt as much as heard. 

Noise cancelling headphones tend to be very good at removing constant noise such as aircraft engine noise or general background noise, but don't tend to cancel one off sounds such as someone speaking or shouting.

[Deleted User]

chrisw said:

I doubt any will stop the bass sounds as those frequencies tend to be felt as much as heard. 

Noise cancelling headphones tend to be very good at removing constant noise such as aircraft engine noise or general background noise, but don't tend to cancel one off sounds such as someone speaking or shouting.

Have you ever actually used ANC headphones?

They are excellent at blocking low frequencies like bass around up to 500-1000Hz.

They can cancel one off sounds just as easily as constant background noise.

Saga said:

The reviews for the Sony WH-1000XM4 active noise-cancelling headphones all seem pretty good in terms of noise cancelling when listening to media but I was hoping for feedback from the forum users who have used ANC headphones to block out the horrid low-frequency bass and constant boom boom boom from neighbours' music. I appreciate everyone's noise tolerance and hearing is different, however I would hate to spend nearly £300 on something that hasn't really worked for others in a similar situation to me.

I've had a set of WH-1000XM4 for about a year and I'd rate them very highly and recommend them. They will work well with neighbour noises as these tend to be lower frequencies that penetrate through the walls which is where the ANC excels.

Combined with good isolation for the higher frequencies, you can really block most external noise to the extent it won't interfere with what you want to listen to. They cancel out my washing machine on noisy spin with ease, traffic noise etc.

Some actual tests here:

https://www.soundguys.com/best-noise-cancelling-headphones-5220/

googler

Industrial ear defenders. 

If you want music at the same time, put in a pair of compact ear buds and wear the ear defenders on top. 

Try it first with (say) an £11.99 pair from B&Q before you splash out, see how they work out for you

Thrugelmir

I'd recommend Deep Purple - Made in Japan . Pump the volume up and let rip.............

forgotmyname

Thrugelmir said:

I'd recommend Deep Purple - Made in Japan . Pump the volume up and let rip.............

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Im sure your neighbours will enjoy the full 90+ minutes.
Probably enjoy it enough to ask you to stick it on repeat whilst you go out shopping or a weekend away?

IvanOpinion

My recommendation is usually "Blues for Klook" by Eddie Louiss

googler

Getting in the spirit ....

Wagnerian Opera at full tilt.

If those wailing sopranoes and groaning baritones don't get the point across.... 

chrisw

[Deleted User] said:

chrisw said:

I doubt any will stop the bass sounds as those frequencies tend to be felt as much as heard. 

Noise cancelling headphones tend to be very good at removing constant noise such as aircraft engine noise or general background noise, but don't tend to cancel one off sounds such as someone speaking or shouting.

Have you ever actually used ANC headphones?

They are excellent at blocking low frequencies like bass around up to 500-1000Hz.

They can cancel one off sounds just as easily as constant background noise.

I have the Sony WF-1000XM3 buds. I can certainly hear someone speaking to me, maybe the over ear type are better isolating.

The OP can always buy some from somewhere like Amazon who are happy to do headphones returns to try them out in situ.

flaneurs_lobster

forgotmyname said:

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. 

I think that counts as "torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" and is illegal under the Human Rights Act.

Jenni_D

Just before you go out for the day, crank up the volume on your music system and put on some Rammstein on repeat. 😁