Isolating earphones

[moa999]

Doesn't seem to have been a thread on this topic for a while

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/noise-cancelling-headphones-9076.html
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/noise-cancelling-headphones-4929-2.html

Specifically making this thread on isolating earphones so we don't get into a debate about ety/shures vs bose.

Looking at buying a pair shortly. Currently between the Etytomic ER6i and Shure SCL2 (ie sub $150)

Conisdering pairing with a Shure PTH unit (available on ebay for about $60 delivered) for use on an airplane.

Any recent purchases in this range / other comments.

 

[11sjw]

Just purchased 2 pair of earbud type Scosche brand off ebay (US) for US$55 each delivered to my home. They worked well with my laptop, IPOD and the AVOD system on various domestic and Intl flights during March.

Very happy with them, especially given the price.

 

[markis10]

I purchased the Sony headphones that are currently being cleared out at Officeworks, around $199 at JB HiFi stores, I am very happy with the performance for $49 delivered:

Officeworks | Sony Earbud Noise Cancelling Headphones

Sony - MDRNC22B EARBUD NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES - BLACK | Hi Fi & Home Audio, Headphones : JB HI-FI

 

[notzac]

I purchased the Sony headphones that are currently being cleared out at Officeworks, around $199 at JB HiFi stores, I am very happy with the performance for $49 delivered:

What's the sound quality like? That's astoundingly cheap.

 

[Maca44]

The sony noise cancelling headphones take an AAA battery albeit they are supposed to last for 50 hrs continuous use, but the Shures do not need battery power and have good results.

 

[markis10]

What's the sound quality like? That's astoundingly cheap.

I am very happy with them on the IPOD, better than the standard IPOD issue ones with good bass reproduction, I have been disappointed with Sony products recently but this purchase was worth while for the $50, at that price they are a nice introduction to travel headphones that would be hard to beat.

 

[moa999]

Good price for the sony's but are an active (ie battery) set rather than isolating (the headset design creates the sound isolation)

11sjw, Note the scosche's often have microphones in their controls, can this be used for push to hear style activities, or only on a mobile.

Also now looking at klipsch image range.

 

[RescuePilot]

Hi Guys - in regards to the noise cancelling hphones on the Mel-BNE sector last week the CSM came and told three of us that from top of descent that we would need to take the noise cancelling units out and revert to the Prisoner Plastic Pack type headphones provided.

When questioned he stated that there had been notification provided to the CSM's at the last EP's that this was to be the norm. Thought it quite strange although on the BNE-SYD sector the following day with a different crew the same thing happened although this time the female naz_ came along and pulled the connector out of the seat and told the guy next to me that he can "no longer use these as they are classified as electrical equipment".

Anyone had similar issues???

Oh and by the way (apologies for getting off thread somewhat) the Bose sets are relatively good however not as good as my David Clarke headset!!

 

[rwatts]

Hi Guys - in regards to the noise cancelling hphones on the Mel-BNE sector last week the CSM came and told three of us that from top of descent that we would need to take the noise cancelling units out and revert to the Prisoner Plastic Pack type headphones provided...
Anyone had similar issues???

Had an announcement to that effect on one of my flights the Friday before last - CSM announced at top of descent that "all electronic equipment including noise-cancelling headphones must now be switched off".

I was road-testing one of the pairs of Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220 isolation earphones I bought cheaply recently instead of the noise-cancelling Panasonics I normally use. I was very impressed with their performance for their price and probably wont bother with the active devices in the future.

Richard.

[Incidently on both flights that Friday the (different) CSMs announced very clearly that the economy class toilets were at the rear of the aircraft.]

 

[tuppaware]

On that note why do people prefer in-ear rather then the over the ear.

Last big trip I took I borrowed my friends Bose over the ear type , they were good but unsure if they are worth $500.

 

[rwatts]

On that note why do people prefer in-ear rather then the over the ear.

Last big trip I took I borrowed my friends Bose over the ear type , they were good but unsure if they are worth $500.

For passive devices, decent isolation is probably easiest to achieve with in-canal earphones. I have an aircraft headset with oil-filled ear cups that achieve a great seal with my head by squeezing like a vice. Certainly not comfortable for any length of time. Nothing like the modern NC headsets of today.

As far as the Bose headphones - I would love to get some as a present but I cant justify to myself the cost.

Richard.

 

[11sjw]

On that note why do people prefer in-ear rather then the over the ear.

Last big trip I took I borrowed my friends Bose over the ear type , they were good but unsure if they are worth $500.

I quite often travel with just carry on so the earbud type mean much less bulk. If that wasn't an issue I would've stuck with the Phillips over the ear type that I had as I really liked them (note they were $250 two years ago).

 

[JetLagged]

On that note why do people prefer in-ear rather then the over the ear.

I for one prefer over the ear - have a nice pair of Sennheiser 250s - ear canal systems give me a terrific headache and not comfortable for long distance use - but ure it is a matter of personal preference.

The comments re noise-cancelling headphones beging banned must be either new or sporadic - I flew Syd-Mel with my active headphones and had no suggestion, request, etc.

 

[AV8]

On that note why do people prefer in-ear rather then the over the ear.

Last big trip I took I borrowed my friends Bose over the ear type , they were good but unsure if they are worth $500.

Just a warning re the Bose QC2 headset - I have been using mine for several years however on my last flight it was pointed out to me by AV8+1 that there was some black flecks on my face - upon further inspection it revealed that the Bose earcups were breaking down. Bose has a replacement earcup set at A$90 - will wait till a friend returns from USA with a US$35 set.

 

[tuppaware]

Yeah, the ear pieces do fall apart!

 

[BensAdventures]

I've used both the 'over ear' and 'earbud' noise canceling headphones and I'm definitely in favor of the 'over ear' version. I currently have a Jabra set, that are now discontinued, that are fantastic. The real benefit of the set I have is being able to use them when there is no input. I can turn on the noise canceling and hear almost nothing! This gave me the best sleep on my last trip back from the US.

 

[HardieBoys]

I've been extremely happy with a pair of Bose 2 (over-ear) noise-cancelling headphones, and would highly recommend them for long-haul flights. I'm surprised by the reference to $500, as I thought the price had dropped when the Bose 3 headphones were released. The storage case for both the 2 and the 3 is the same size, by the way, even though the 3 are smaller.

I've gone through a few sets of Sennheiser ear buds for iPhone, but I've managed to break both sets, so I now just use $29 Panasonic ear buds instead.

 

[munitalP]

I have a set of BOSE headphones - not noise cancelling. I chose these because:

They are light
They are quite small
The soft padding actually decreases external noise level remarkably
No need to charge them
The sound quality is amazing

Cost - $199 (current listed price)

I have used the BOSE noise cancelling many times but I revert back to my own in a short period. My mate the mad scientist bought a pair of NC in Orlando last year while we were there, and he agreed that the sound quality was comparable, however, the NC wasn't quite as crisp as the non NC.

I also have a set of Panasonic NC headphones I bought a couple of years back - they are laying on the floor in my garage -thats how little I value them!

Mr!

 

[Ewing]

I for one prefer over the ear - have a nice pair of Sennheiser 250s - ear canal systems give me a terrific headache and not comfortable for long distance use - but ure it is a matter of personal preference.

Same.

I can use my in-ear 'canal-phones' (Shure) for the 45 minute commute to the office if I take public transport, or for flights up to an hour or two. Anything longer than that and they start becoming uncomfortable.

At the moment my main set of headphones are Bose 'on ear'. These are quite comfortable and usually go with me wherever I go.

As for noise isolating earphones needing to be turned off at TOD - I thought it was always the way. I specifically purchased mine without that circuitry so I could continue using them right through to arrival as most of my flights are the short hops between CBR and SYD/MEL. I still get requests to turn them off from time to time though (which is sorted by a quick explanation that they don't have noise cancelling electronics).

On the other hand, if we could sort out being able to use my Kindle (with wireless deactivated) during take-off and descent I'd be a very happy man

I have a set of BOSE headphones - not noise cancelling. I chose these because:

They are light
They are quite small
The soft padding actually decreases external noise level remarkably
No need to charge them
The sound quality is amazing

Cost - $199 (current listed price)

Yep, that's what I have.

Absolutely love them

 

[straitman]

Hi Guys - in regards to the noise cancelling hphones on the Mel-BNE sector last week the CSM came and told three of us that from top of descent that we would need to take the noise cancelling units out and revert to the Prisoner Plastic Pack type headphones provided.

When questioned he stated that there had been notification provided to the CSM's at the last EP's that this was to be the norm. Thought it quite strange although on the BNE-SYD sector the following day with a different crew the same thing happened although this time the female naz_ came along and pulled the connector out of the seat and told the guy next to me that he can "no longer use these as they are classified as electrical equipment".

Anyone had similar issues???

On most of the QF flights I flew last month this appeared to have become the norm though I am not sure of the reason for the change.

Oh and by the way (apologies for getting off thread somewhat) the Bose sets are relatively good however not as good as my David Clarke headset!!

The problem with the Bose in this situation is the lack of passive noise attenuation. The David Clarke with active moulded ear pieces appears to be the best.