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[Dilbert]

I am potentially interested in getting some noise-cancelling headphones for travel, but I have heard that some people are sensitive to the noise cancellation technology. (Basically, the sound waves exert extra pressure on the eardrums which is uncomfortable or nauseating.) So, for people who have experience with these headphones or this phenomenon:

1) How long does it take to figure out that the headphones will be a problem? In other words, if I find a Bose shop and try on some QCs for 10 minutes, will I know right away that I can handle them (or not), or is it the kind of thing that takes hours of exposure to discover? (Side note: I'm considering Audio-Technicas, not Bose. Please spare me the comments. I was saying Bose since I don't know of any other vendor who might have noise-cancelling headphones out on display to try.)

2) Do different types of noise-cancelling headphones affect people in different ways, or are pretty much all of the over-the-ears types designed in a highly similar way?

3) Is the noise reduction worth the price? I would be hoping for something medium-sized to fit into my already-cramped work laptop bag, and my main use case would be for some upcoming international travel. (Although it would be nice for shorter domestic trips, too.) I have huge, comfy, closed circumaural headphones that reduce a lot of ambient noise, but they aren't portable in the slightest, so this purchase would solely be for airplane-type environments.

Thanks for any info you guys have...

 

[Crazymoogle]

I am potentially interested in getting some noise-cancelling headphones for travel, but I have heard that some people are sensitive to the noise cancellation technology. (Basically, the sound waves exert extra pressure on the eardrums which is uncomfortable or nauseating.) So, for people who have experience with these headphones or this phenomenon:

1) How long does it take to figure out that the headphones will be a problem? In other words, if I find a Bose shop and try on some QCs for 10 minutes, will I know right away that I can handle them (or not), or is it the kind of thing that takes hours of exposure to discover? (Side note: I'm considering Audio-Technicas, not Bose. Please spare me the comments. I was saying Bose since I don't know of any other vendor who might have noise-cancelling headphones out on display to try.)

2) Do different types of noise-cancelling headphones affect people in different ways, or are pretty much all of the over-the-ears types designed in a highly similar way?

3) Is the noise reduction worth the price? I would be hoping for something medium-sized to fit into my already-cramped work laptop bag, and my main use case would be for some upcoming international travel. (Although it would be nice for shorter domestic trips, too.) I have huge, comfy, closed circumaural headphones that reduce a lot of ambient noise, but they aren't portable in the slightest, so this purchase would solely be for airplane-type environments.

Thanks for any info you guys have...

BOSE is pretty well regarded for their noise-cancelling headphones, actually. It's just that they still manage to be the most expensive, and unless they've changed something recently they don't work unless powered (without batteries, they are useless).

I don't have this condition you mention, although I will admit there is definitely a sense of ear fatigue after awhile. The thing is, it's mostly because of having something on your actual ears. Headphone or earphone, it does put a bit of a strain on you. Having the neutralizing sound definitely adds a bit of pressure, but it's nothing compared to the natural pressure changes that occur as the plane adjusts altitude.

I'd love to try the BOSE set for a long distance flight sometime, but given the money I've been happy using Sony's earphone set (which does function as normal earphones without the batteries) for limited spurts. I'm guessing the cancellation isn't nearly as good as a closed headphone, but there is a weird, noticeable difference compared to when you turn off the cancellation. (I think Sony's latest earphone gen has a plane-specific frequency now, too...)

 

[clav]

As most audiophiles would tell you, BOSE stands for = Buy Other Sound Equipment (unless it's on sale for super-cheap).

I own a pair of Sennheiser noise cancelling ones, and they work very well. I've taken them on plane rides, and it has dramatically cancelled out the noise in the background. Basically, how it works is that there is a low-pass filter to cancel out the droning background sound of a jet engine while you're listening to music, playing games, or watching movies.

I've taken the Sennheisers on long flights from America to Asia several times. Enjoyed it all the way. In fact sometimes, if I'm not listening to anything, I just leave the headphones on and fall asleep.

 

[Stinkles]

I find the Sony and Bose to be almost identical, having tested it a few times by swapping with neighbors on flights. Both are great for silence and decent for music/movies. Get the cheapest, which is invariably the Sony. It rates well too. This is one of few areas where Bose is actually competitive in tech, perf and price though.

As for sensitivity, you can tell instantly, but up the volume higher than you think, or stand next to a loud sound source.

 

[mrkgoo]

I find simple noise-isolation earphones to be pretty good.

 

[AlexMogil]

I am potentially interested in getting some noise-cancelling headphones for travel, but I have heard that some people are sensitive to the noise cancellation technology. (Basically, the sound waves exert extra pressure on the eardrums which is uncomfortable or nauseating.)

Wow... thanks for putting the feeling I get into words. I never thought that the added pressure could cause this. Some noise canceling headphones actually cause my sinuses to hurt. I never put it together.

It sounds kinda dumb now that I think of it. "Wow my sinuses hurt when I put these headphones on. It feels better when I take them off! Wow, I wonder what's causing it!" Duh.

 

[baultista]

Help me GAF.... I'm torn between noise cancelling and noise isolating headphones.

There are a few things to consider:

1) I want headphones, not earphones. These are strictly for home use with my home theatre/PC... will be used for movies/gaming. I assume larger headphones would make for better sound quality.... but plz let me know if I'm wrong here. Quality is the most important thing!

2) Price: I don't want to spend more than $175 CAD



Cable length and input type are irrelevant.




Also... do noise cancelling headphones work when the volume is off? I wouldn't mind something that also works when I'm studying (since the noise my deaf dad makes is greater than the noise my earplugs can block out)

 

[Crazymoogle]

Noise cancelling at home doesn't really do much; active cancellation is really best used for constant hums/droning sounds like engines. They do work when you're playing nothing though; when I fly I leave the cancellation on even when trying to get some sleep. Not sure how well it could work with something irregular like a single person talking. Probably 95% of the effect would simply be passive (eg: wearing headphones of any sort over your ear.)

Size doesn't really make a difference; it's more about sets with quality specs and manufacturing.

 

[sharkmuncher]

I have always had this. It sets in after about 30 min of listening and is usually just a dull headache with maybe some nausea. I have determined that I have to just say no to NC headphones and wear decent closed headphones instead. They do almost as well of a job as NC and almost always sound better.

 

[Dilbert]

Thanks for all of the feedback. In the end, I decided to go with a pair of IEMs for airplane use. (Apple In-Ears; $79.) I tried them out recently and felt they did a very good job of isolating my ears from outside noise -- I didn't have to crank up the volume, and my ears weren't ringing when I landed. The medium tips were surprisingly comfy...no issues during a 4+ hour flight. That being said, I don't know if I will typically use them outside of an airplane environment since it was damn hard to hear anything with them on, and talking while wearing them was bizarre. But for travel, I'm happy with the purchase.

(Also, for what it's worth, the Apple IEMs seem decent. The sound signature was very balanced -- not too bassy, and even with the background noise, clearly a step up from the stock earbuds. I know there are other choices in that price range for IEMs, and I almost went with the MM50s, but having the iPhone controls in the cord ended up being a big selling point.)

 

[navanman]

I have a Sony X-Series Walkman and these have active noise cancellation earphones included. They work really really well especially for air travel.

They do as you say feel a little weird, kinda of weird pressure or something, for the first few minutes but you then adjust.
The X-Series earphones work on the inverse sin wave principle picked up by a small microphone in earphone.

 

[Gibbo]

Bought a pair of Ultimate Ears 700 earphones 2 weeks ago and am totally satisfied with it. Use it on the subway every morning and you can hardly hear any noise- except for the station announcements. It's also the most comfortable earphones that I've ever owned- super light and you'll hardly notice that you even have them on.