Noise cancelling headphones for under $200?

[hroebuck79]

Is it possible to buy a pair of noise cancelling headphones for under $200 that will withstand the aircraft cabin? Generally I am of the opinion that you get what you pay for, but flying later this week around the world with the kids and would love to invest in a pair for myself, just am on a budget (after forking out for 4 plane tickets!!).

Hit me with any gems you have found, and tried and tested, in this price range!

Thanks

 

[Denali]

Co worker bought a pair last year at an Aldi sale they are happy with. No idea if its a regular thing they sell.

 

[Limewood]

Try eBay for used Bose 25's, replacement pads are just a few shekels there too.

 

[rock86]

I have heard some very good things from a few people who have purchased these Sennheisers, so if you are into your music Sennheisers are great and you can usually pick them up online for around the $200 mark.

Or go into JB Hifi and see what they can do for you, I reckon they may knock $20-$30 off the list price.

https://en-au.sennheiser.com/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-noise-cancelling-hd-4-50-btnc

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

 

[Renato1]

Kogan are selling wired over-ear Sony Noise cancelling earphones with airplane adapter reduced from $129 to $59. I have two as back-ups.
Sony On Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones (MDRZX110NC) | Over & On-Ear Headphones |

I have previously used the Sony earbud noise cancelling earphones that used to cost $160, they were great but they did a big crunch and stopped noise cancelling three trips ago.

Since then I've used the Kogan noise cancelling earphones that cost $32, and they are great - but I had to use the airplane adapter from the Sony pair, as the adapter I bought off Ebay wasn't so good (one channel kept fading in and out).


Regards,
Renato

 

[MickC32]

I was in the Perth Bose store a few weeks ago, they had some of the old models (still brand new) for around $250.

Also, I used to have a pair of Sennheiser on ear which were awesome, I am sure they were well under $200

 

[Daver6]

Audio Technica is your friend here. See Travel & Noise-Cancelling - Audio-Technica Australia - Always Listening Can be found online for less.

I've got the ATH-ANC33 which do the job.

 

[moa999]

Recently bought a pair of Bluedio Turbine T4S off the official eBay store.

Delivery in 2 days and good sound quality.

ANC works, albeit not as well as Bose but for under $60 it's not a bad buy.

It's a plastic metallic look cup with good quality construction and great packaging. But also has mic and BT. Listening appears always on. When on my Android ''OK Google' quietens the sound and works.

Lots of reviews on Amazon and YouTube as well.

(Note unlike Bose the software isn't upgradeable, and they previously had issues with the T4 headsets noticeable on TV sync - T4S appear fine)

 

[daft009]

Audio technica anc9 would be the best I feel under $200 can be had for ~$170 of on special

 

[Gold60]

ATH-ANC33 - has anyone else had much to do with these earphones ?? - they look OK, sound OK (haven't actually tried them myself), and are on special at the moment - i am very tempted to buy a set.

i have bought the SONY pair that have been mentioned here. if they don't shape up as NC headphones, i will just use them around the house.

 

[moa999]

The Bluedio T4S I mentioned are now $50 on eBay. Great value

 

[Renato1]

........... if they don't shape up as NC headphones, i will just use them around the house.

If they don't work, get your money back or a replacement pair - because they have to work and get rid of the background hum of the plane's engines. The difference between having the unit turned off and on should be unmistakeable.

I used to dislike long flights before getting NC headphones - I could never follow new movies well with standard headphones and preferred watching movies I'd seen before in order to follow them, and I'd be dying for the flight to end. Nowadays, with the NC Headphones, I often get annoyed when the flight is landing or ending, as it interrupts my movie watching.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Daver6]

ATH-ANC33 - has anyone else had much to do with these earphones ?? - they look OK, sound OK (haven't actually tried them myself), and are on special at the moment - i am very tempted to buy a set.

i have bought the SONY pair that have been mentioned here. if they don't shape up as NC headphones, i will just use them around the house.

These are my travel headphones that I've had for a couple of years now. Great value for money. I'm not an audiophile, but no complaints from me. Battery lasts forever.

 

[Gold60]

Thanks Dave most appreciated. I am almost sold on the idea of buying them.....

These are my travel headphones that I've had for a couple of years now. Great value for money. I'm not an audiophile, but no complaints from me. Battery lasts forever.

 

[Daver6]

Thanks Dave most appreciated. I am almost sold on the idea of buying them.....

I previously had Sennheiser CXC 700 headphones which I managed to lose. I actually did prefer the Sennheiser ones, but at more than double the price I figured I'd try the Audio Technica ones. I've stuck with them since

 

[Azzy]

These are my travel headphones that I've had for a couple of years now. Great value for money. I'm not an audiophile, but no complaints from me. Battery lasts forever.

+1 for the ATH-ANC33

I have these and the Bose QC20s. IMO there's not much difference between them.

 

[Gold60]

You people are talking me around to the purchase!!! Go you good things, keep talking......

+1

I have these and the Bose QC20s. IMO there's not much difference between them

 

[TomVexille]

I've previously had Audio Technicas and think they're great value with excellent sound.

 

[timster]

Other important considerations for NC headphones that you want to be convenient for long-hauls ...

Over-ear vs on-ear vs ear-buds ? .. I get sore ears with on-ear models after several hours, so must be over-ear for me.

Should fold up to minimize size in carry-on.

I much prefer internal battery with charging via USB / 5 volts than removable batteries.

Don't forget adaptor for single or dual pin airplane audio systems, plus 6.5mm adaptor for home stereo use (if desired).

I've had several $25 Chinese pairs off ebay (foldable, USB charged) , which clearly worked well enough to satisfy me ... just not as well as the Bose I tried, which cost over 10 times as much. Currently looking for something possibly a little better for $50 to $150 (but maybe they won't actually be any better ?). I don't believe the Bose (or other expensive models) difference is worth the money.

If you can get your hands on a few pairs to try, there are recordings of in-cabin noise on Youtube to test them with.

 

[sezza]

I have the in-ear audio technica earphones and they are great. At first i was worried they would feel uncomfortable after a long aus to uk flight but with the spongy (that's the technical term) ear bud attachments it was perfectly fine. Taken them on a few long haul flights and they've been durable, and a life saver with drowning out crying babies. At under $100 best investment for long haul flights.