Noise cancelling headphones for teenager

[nutwood]

I'm chasing advice on a purchase.
Daughter (14) has two trips to Europe happening next year. Thinking this may solve the Christmas present question, I'm considering headphones. I have absolutely no experience in this area as I only fly domestically (earning money to indulge children!) and I read a book.
All suggestions welcome. I'm not overly concerned about price. I don't like paying for a brand name but don't mind paying for quality.

 

[NM]

I measured the NC of my older QC15s as being 22.9dB, which I thought was pretty impressive. I placed a microphone under the ear cushion just outside the ear, while the headphones were being worn by a real person (my daughter), and measured the signal level on an oscilloscope with the active noise cancellation off and then again with it turned on. So this is just the ANC reduction and does not include any acoustic reduction by just earing the headphones.

Then its just maths. The reference microphone signal dropped from 504mV peak-to-peak to 36mV peak-to-peak with ANC turned on. Made for an interesting high school physical extended research assignment (which she received an A+ of course).

We used a 100Hz sine wave source, which is about as optimal a source signal as active NC is going to be able to cancel - low frequency and constant/repeating.

I do not believe the QC35 actually achieve 32dB reduction in real use. Even a claimed 39dB reduction is difficult for me to accept. The difference between 20dB and 30dB reduction is huge.

Maybe I should run the same test again now that the same daughter bought he rown set of QC35II.

To me, the mist significant differences between the different products is around the other features. The Bose QC35 and Sony WH-1000XM3 are wireless (Bluetooth), which is a feature some are willing to pay significant sums to have. The Bose can pair with two devices at the same time (phone and computer for example) while the Sony only pairs with one device at a time.

Most of us are listening to MP3 type recordings of audio sources, so the actual audio quality we are hearing is more constrained by the limitations of MP3 format than the actual audio quality of the headphones themselves.

If you really want the best audio quality with minimal outside noise, the best option is to get a set of professional in-ear monitor earphones and have custom ear moulds made to suite. Something like 64 Audio which are very popular with musicians. But a set with custom ear moulds will set you back around $500-$1000 depending on the actual in-ear devices selected.

 

[NM]

It must be university exam time ... just look around my home office and see QC15, QC25 and QC35 all in use by uni students trying to isolate themselves from the real world while preparing for exams (its the only air-conditioned room in the house), listening to recorded lectures, Khan Academy videos, or just music. Back in my university days I could not afford such luxuries. I had to get up every 20 mins to turn the record over if I wanted to listen to music - how times have changed.

 

[nutwood]

Just returning to this thread to thank those who contributed. The outcome was that I bought a set of the Sony WH-1000XM3. I was in Adelaide so went into Addicted to Audio and tested the various alternatives. Stepping outside and listening (or not listening!) to traffic noise put the Sony at the top of the list, with the closest contender being the Bose.
Present was duly purchased, put under tree and delightedly accepted. Return trip to UK was successful and headphones returned home. I then tried them, whilst operating a bulldozer. Totally blown away and have now purchased my own pair. The dozer in question dates from the sixties and is 11 tonnes of noisy metal with no cab. The headphones totally kill all the deep notes, such as engine and exhaust noise. The higher frequencies, such as track squeaks, still come through. This is actually a benefit as it's easier to hear things going wrong without the background.
However, put music on and all reality is gone. Great for track rolling, or some repetitive task, but I suspect seriously dangerous for working. I could demolish the neighbour's house whilst listening to Jethro Tull and barely wonder what the bump was!

 

[tdimdad]

I got the Sony's, too. Of all the places, from QFF Rewards Store (well, their offer was genuinely good).
For the first time ever, I've actually enjoyed watching a movie onboard. Now I need slightly longer flights to watch them...