Post: #1

Hi everyone,

I value silence when I'm on my computer, so am currently looking at the noise cancelling headphones technology.

From what I've read, the principle is simple : when an exterior sound is detected, the cask sends a sound into your ears, to cancel it.
On paper, it sounds really interesting, but concretely, is it really working?

Have you ever tested such headphones?
If yes, was it worth the price?
Does it work on all types of sound? (regular ones like ventilation, brief and strong ones like car honking, ...).

Thanks.

Post: #2

Casks? You mean headphones? Cause those do that too.

Post: #3

(02-21-2016 12:21 PM)Virtus Wrote:  Casks? You mean headphones? Cause those do that too.

Indeed, wrong french translation, edited original post.

Post: #4

I have and extensively used various different models as well.

There are active and passive means of achieving true noise cancellation and it is important to know what that means.

Active noise cancellation means that the headphones use a special microphone that sends white noise designed to cancel out exterior noise. I've used active cancellation headphones while I did dremel work on a car once. Very useful and did a good job at protecting my hearing. These really did silence anything around me. Without playing music, turning on the active filtering would make hearing an outside voice very difficult.

Active noise cancellation would probably be a product better used if you fly often. Bose is one brand that comes to mind.

Passive is what the name suggests. It achieves noise cancellation through passive means. Latan, since you've told us you want to silence your work space may I recommend a passive set of headphones mostly on a cost and function aspect. I'm a bit biased against Bose.

I use the 80 ohm version of these headphones http://www.juno.co.uk/products/beyerdyna...oCvojw_wcB

They cover your entire ear in a comfortable pillow. The headphones are designed for music mixing so you'll get immaculate sound. Sometimes depending on the recording I can hear where the engineer did his cuts. Very cool. You'll be isolated and not hear anything with these. I fly often and these headphones are great at dulling that plane drone noise. Make sure not to get the 120 ohm version. It's not a deal breaker, but you'll need a headphone amp for regular headphone jacks.

Above all, when it comes to noise cancellation, get the headphones that completely cover your ears. Don't waste your time with earbuds.

Post: #5

Thanks The Beast1 for this answer.
Made me get more information about passive and active noise cancellation, didn't know there was a difference.

You actually use an active headphone, if I understood correctly.
I fear that using a passive one might not be enough for me, as just lowering my ambiant noise wouldn't be enough, I really need to cancel it.
The noise I need to get rid of vary from ambiant discussions to high heels stomping.

Does your actual headphone produce this effect?
I read that higher frequencies are not cancelled by active headphones.
Does yours cancel multiple types of noises?

Post: #6

If you want true high end audio quality don't go for Bose, it kind of blows and like Monster is based on marketing rather than actual product quality, what you want is a IEM (in ear monitor/ear bud) from a legit company. IEMs provide plenty of sound isolation if fitted right.

The Shure SE line is pretty amazing. I think a good value is the SE 535, it's about 500, I use them and love them and have had two pairs (I lost my first pair, they didn't break). You can go as cheap as 50 in the SE line and as high as 1000, but the SE 535 are amazing and give superlative fidelity and range while still being somewhat reasonable in price. Custom molding is an option with their better models if you want superior sound isolation.

If money is no object, go for a custom molded pair from Ultimate Ears. The UE 18 Pro is 1350, and the UE PRM is 2,000 and allows for total personalization and tuning. They are the favorite of many professional musicians.

Post: #7

Before buying any noise canceling headphones, I would recommend first trying them out for a few minutes at a store. I bought expensive Bose headphones about two years ago, and I would get headaches and become nauseous after a few minutes. I did a little research and found out that these types of reactions can affect around 5-10% of the population. The headphones have been sitting in my closet since then.

Post: #8

These earbuds aren't classified as "noise cancelling" but they do a great job of blocking out outside noise regardless. The noise quality is superb as well. They're very cheap too:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RPHJE120...B003EM8008

Post: #9

I use these:

http://www.dx.com/p/langston-mt001-woode...sq9mOaDB6I

Worth giving a shot!

Post: #10

Coming back from my reseller, I was able to try the QC25.

The noise reduction is here, but it's clearly not what I was expecting.
I'd say I was getting -20% noise, while I was expecting -80%.
I get the same result with my current headphone, which has a good passive noise reduction just by covering my ears enterily.

I guess I expected too much from this technology.

Thanks for your previous answers, have a great day.

Post: #11

I've been using Bose noise cancelling headphones (they are really ear buds) for several years now when I travel by air. Totally kills engine noise and other ambient noise such as babies crying. Its a must have when I travel.

Latan - I've been using QC20 no problem. I believe the QC25 is over the ear and the QC20 is earbud.

Post: #12

i had the beats by dr dre studio version for a couple of years. they were total crap and ended up breaking. I just bought the qc15 a few days ago (bose) and absolutely love it. They are specially good if in your office there is backround noise or if you travel a lot

The noise cancellation works, but you cant expect it to be perfect. I would suggest you to try them out in the apple store or in a best buy. Another brand that is really good is senheisser. Either or, they are a safe bet.

I bought the bose instead of the senheisser because i got an absolute deal, but both are great.

Don`t buy monster products though, they suck balls, are cheaply made and way overpriced.

Post: #13

They are a must for binaural beats.

I use the Panasonic RP-HTF600s.

Post: #14

(02-21-2016 02:43 PM)Latan Wrote:  Thanks The Beast1 for this answer.
Made me get more information about passive and active noise cancellation, didn't know there was a difference.

You actually use an active headphone, if I understood correctly.
I fear that using a passive one might not be enough for me, as just lowering my ambiant noise wouldn't be enough, I really need to cancel it.
The noise I need to get rid of vary from ambiant discussions to high heels stomping.

Does your actual headphone produce this effect?
I read that higher frequencies are not cancelled by active headphones.
Does yours cancel multiple types of noises?

No! I've tried and used active canceling Bose headphones in the past, but no longer have the pair.

Right now I use the Beyer Dynamic DT770s. They are by definition passive as they fully enclose your ears to the point where you can sleep in them and not have them hurt. I have to take my headphones off if I want to talk to people. They're as effective if not better than the active noise canceling headphones.

Post: #15

I got the Bose ones and I find them invaluable for travel and to take the edge of loud noises.

They don't create silence, just dull and reduce volume.

When there is a screaming baby behind you on a 14 hour flight, they are worth every penny.

Post: #16

I'm actually wearing the Bose Quiet Comfort 15s right now. Love them. It's all about ambient noise cancelling, not just any noise. So they work great for airplanes and the like. They are also comfortable to the point that I'll just turn them on and wear them to sleep on a flight, without anything playing through them. They don't look overly stylish, I'm not trying to look like a DJ. Sound quality is good, plenty of bass. Not "audiophile" quality, whatever that even means. Only downside is that I go through a lot of AAA batteries because I forget to switch the headphone off, but I think one AAA lasts like up to 30 hours or something. Also, if the battery is dead, they won't work so it's best to keep a supply in the headphone case with them.

Post: #17

(02-23-2016 02:48 AM)eatthishomie Wrote:  They are a must for binaural beats.

I use the Panasonic RP-HTF600s.

Do you use the binaural beats for meditating and calming down?