Noise Cancelling Headphones

[rlarosa]

Hi All,

I'm looking at purchasing some noise cancelling headphones and I'm sure many of you will have plenty of advice! Probably looking at something mid range. are there any issues with compatability with different airlines?

Recommendations welcome!

Cheers

 

[Robert K]

Shure's in-ear headphones (with foam tips) are nice. They are not active noise canceling headphones, but they pretty much block everything out. i have the SE410.

Active noise canceling headphones are a bit hit and miss some times. I was trying out some bose headphones once, it blocked everything, except for the tv that was playing behind me.

Active noise canceling headphones have another drawback. They work by emitting 'anti noise' which causes discomfort (like feeling pressure to the ear drum) to some users.

If you decide on active noise canceling headphones, make sure they try them first.

 

[Maca44]

I have updated, and have my 3rd set of Shure in-ear headphones (I think SE310) and they great especially when sleeping on a flight as they don't cause so much of a problem if you roll whereas the size of some others, such as Bose over ear, might cause a problem. They do tend to block out/inhibit etc a lot of noise.

 

[nlagalle]

I currently have 2 sets.

Bose QC2: great on the longer trips, don't bother with domestic now. The QC15's are even better.

Sony in ear: great on the short commutes and I got mine from the QF store for about 14,000 points. I use them all the time.

 

[nlagalle]

Active noise canceling headphones are a bit hit and miss some times. I was trying out some bose headphones once, it blocked everything, except for the tv that was playing behind me.

Active cancelling ones will only block out the white noise, such as the low drone of the engines and the sounds of the air passing by. They aren't designed to block everything out. So yes you will still hear noises around you. the blocking of those levels of noise are best handled by the actual soundproofing of the headset itself.

Having said that by the time you start a movie or some music you won't hear a thing anyway.

 

[simongr]

I do wish someone could bring out some good bluetooth headphones (with built in mic) that were noise blocking. The Jaybird headphones are woeful and the Backbeat's are only marginally better

 

[moa999]

Currently using the ultimate ears 220vi (passive noise isolating)
which doubles as a spare mobile headset when I need.

Not top of the range but does a good isolating job and the sound is great.

 

[gumpy]

my favourite are audio technica in ear ones

Fantastic sound

under 100 dollars

they work with and without NC

They have a Inline volume control

work off AAA power so you can just chuck a new battery in when it runs out during the flight

Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : ATH-ANC23 : QuietPoint® Active Noise-Cancelling In-Ear Headphones

 

[TonyHancock]

I have updated, and have my 3rd set of Shure in-ear headphones (I think SE310) and they great especially when sleeping on a flight as they don't cause so much of a problem if you roll whereas the size of some others, such as Bose over ear, might cause a problem. They do tend to block out/inhibit etc a lot of noise.

I have the Bose QC3's and it is a bit of a problem when sleeping, but they are very, very good when it comes to blocking out the engine/flight "hum"

The QC15's are even better.

I tried some in the Bose store recently and they are also very, very good. I'm still in two minds as to which is best. QC3 or QC15.

If you are on a budget you may want to look elsewhere though, or try to get them from the US.

 

[NM]

Another Shure user here. When I lost my E3s I bought SE520 and love them. Much smaller and lighter than any NC headphones and no battery to go flat. I jst carry them in their zipper container in my pocket and they don't trigger the metal detector at the airport when I forget to take them out of my pocket. And far better at removing the crying babies, air conditioning, flushing toilets, chatty neighbours etc than any noise canceling headphones will ever be.

 

[Limewood]

Have aset of Audio Technica: ATH-ANC7b on order from Headphonic paid $199 delivered, see how they go.

 

[2353]

I've got some TDK in ear buds from DSE. They were $50 about 3 months ago and have the foam surround and a little battery(AAA)/electronics box.

Really kill the drone of Dash 8's and reduce the noise of jets (even reduces the whine of Brisbane trains!!!) Probably nowhere near the quality of the Bose and Shure gear - but the price was right.

For the 2nd question - DSE sells airplane adaptors for around $7 from memory - The Source in the US/Canada sells the same thing for $10 plus tax.

 

[bertflyer]

I have had the Sennheiser PXC 150 headphones for around 1.5 years. Small, very comfortable, great sound and the batteries last forever. Some may not like the noise cancelling stick but I clip that to the seatbelt in-flight and it doesn't bother me at all. I got them for about $150 online but I'm sure you can get better prices...

 

[Andyzx]

I use Sony Digital MDR-NC300D Headphones. In ear and require batteries but fantastic. If they can block most / All noise from a Rex Saab then they have to work well. I Carry a spare set of batteries. They come in a case and have different size ear buds to fit.

I brought mine from Amazon and had them delivered to a US friend then shiped here, as they dont ship direct (or didnt) US$175 so about the same including the extra postage:mrgreen:

Sony Aust can't justify the price here so i had no issue about getting them from the US

 

[schomers87]

If you are on a budget you may want to look elsewhere though, or try to get them from the US.

Definitely. Saved 250 bucks on bose n/c headphones by buying from the usa. most online stores will prevent from shipping to australia due to licensing- but there are a few out there that will still send them down this way.

 

[JohnM]

I've had Bose over-ear NC headphones for some years and they are good but the downside is the bulky case to squeeze into an often full wheel-aboard.

I recently got a bit fed up with that and bought a set of Panasonic in-ear NC earphones when passing through duty-free. They are pretty much as good as the Bose and very compact.

The only downside is they are not as easy to take off and re-position as the over-ears when needing to respond to a FA asking about drinks/meals. Maybe I should just get in the habit of hitting the stop play button on my iPod instead of removing them for conversation. I'd possibly hear the talk OK through the NC, although the in-ear buds would probably muffle the sound. Will try to remember to test it next trip.

 

[nlagalle]

I use Sony Digital MDR-NC300D Headphones. In ear and require batteries but fantastic. If they can block most / All noise from a Rex Saab then they have to work well. I Carry a spare set of batteries. They come in a case and have different size ear buds to fit.

I brought mine from Amazon and had them delivered to a US friend then shiped here, as they dont ship direct (or didnt) US$175 so about the same including the extra postage:mrgreen:

Sony Aust can't justify the price here so i had no issue about getting them from the US

I just picked up a set of those for a friend at Harvey Norman for $150!

 

[ColinP]

Have aset of Audio Technica: ATH-ANC7b on order from Headphonic paid $199 delivered, see how they go.

I've had a pair of ATH-ANC7 for 2 or 3 years now. You won't be disappointed

 

[rlarosa]

Thanks eveyone - as always a rich fountain of knowledge!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

My Shure 520s have gone in the bin. They are nowhere near the comfort, sound quality or noise blocking my Bose qc15s provide.

Considering I paid $500 for the shures I feel they are very poor value.

Tried the new Sony noise cancelling ones last week, for $700 they d'o feel nice but Bose are still much much better.