Travel Technology - NC Headphone Review: CNNMoney.com

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/smallbusiness/0907/gallery.noise_canceling_headphones_review.fsb/index.html

Five of them? Thats all they could find? I'd expect that from some smalltime blog, but CNN?

Ugh.

This part of the Aurvana X-Fi review makes me think he never actually tested them:

The Creative Aurvana features a complicated control panel adorned with glowing buttons and inscrutable acronyms. Younger or geekier users might find this appealing, but I played with the controls and didn't notice a significant difference in sound.

The sound difference with the various enhancers turned on or off is MASSIVE. For someone to not notice it means they are either deaf, or faking the review.

It's just such a shame they ignored brands like Audio Technica, Planequiet or Able Planet, or explain to people the difference between active and passive noise canceling.

Ah well, perhaps I'm just being a whiner :D

Five of them? Thats all they could find? I'd expect that from some smalltime blog, but CNN?

Ugh.

This part of the Aurvana X-Fi review makes me think he never actually tested them:



The sound difference with the various enhancers turned on or off is MASSIVE. For someone to not notice it means they are either deaf, or faking the review.

It's just such a shame they ignored brands like Audio Technica, Planequiet or Able Planet, or explain to people the difference between active and passive noise canceling.

Ah well, perhaps I'm just being a whiner :D

No, you arent being a whiner. It is a pitiful excuse for a review in my opinion.

Shame he didn't try a quality in-ear 'phone like a Shure or Ety. I have 3 or 4 sets of NC's around the house, and have tried others, but always end up going back to my $150'ish Shures (E3c's, 210's, through the current model)

Shame he didn't try a quality in-ear 'phone like a Shure or Ety. I have 3 or 4 sets of NC's around the house, and have tried others, but always end up going back to my $150'ish Shures (E3c's, 210's, through the current model)

So are the in-ear buds the best choice? I've used various NC headphones, all of the over-the-ear variety, but because I also wear glasses they are uncomfortable for long flights. Haven't tried the in-ear buds yet -- do they seal so tightly that during ascent/descent they cause discomfort from pressure equalization?

So are the in-ear buds the best choice? I've used various NC headphones, all of the over-the-ear variety, but because I also wear glasses they are uncomfortable for long flights. Haven't tried the in-ear buds yet -- do they seal so tightly that during ascent/descent they cause discomfort from pressure equalization?

It is a really personal thing. I prefer in-ear, but the seal does indeed cause some discomfort with big pressure changes, plus you need to practice at inserting them correctly.

I'll switch back to on-ears every now and then (I use the Creative Aurvana X-Fi's). For in-ear I use the Altec Lansing Backbeat PRO (passive noise reduction) or the Audio-Technica ANC3's (active NC).

[...] the difference between active and passive noise canceling.


Passive noise canceling? Do you mean passive noise reduction like in in-ear noise blocking headphones?

Passive noise canceling? Do you mean passive noise reduction like in in-ear noise blocking headphones?

My bad - indeed.

It is a really personal thing. I prefer in-ear, but the seal does indeed cause some discomfort with big pressure changes, plus you need to practice at inserting them correctly.

I'll switch back to on-ears every now and then (I use the Creative Aurvana X-Fi's). For in-ear I use the Altec Lansing Backbeat PRO (passive noise reduction) or the Audio-Technica ANC3's (active NC).

Cool. Thanks for the pointer --- I'll look into the ANC3's.

I'm in the market for a new set of NC headphones. I've used an old Bose set for many years, patched together with electrical tape and rubber bands! In those days Bose was about the only game in town.

I prefer an active NC design over passive in ear designs. So what is a good choice? I know Bose is still out there.

I'm in the market for a new set of NC headphones. I've used an old Bose set for many years, patched together with electrical tape and rubber bands! In those days Bose was about the only game in town.

I prefer an active NC design over passive in ear designs. So what is a good choice? I know Bose is still out there.

I have both in ear (Etymotic ER6i, Ultimate Ear, and some cheapee Shures) and active. I think that the passive definitely sound better but sometimes are less comfortable than my Bose. In the active realm, I think Bose are still solid, although I prefer the over ear QC2s to the newer on ear QC3s.

I'm in the market for a new set of NC headphones. I've used an old Bose set for many years, patched together with electrical tape and rubber bands! In those days Bose was about the only game in town.

I prefer an active NC design over passive in ear designs. So what is a good choice? I know Bose is still out there.


Those Creative Aurvana X-FI's mentioned in the CNN article for $299 are just $133 through Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5QAYE?tag=prd_idnr-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B000V5QAYE&adid=0VQHC1W9RDNJX6RKPZME&) - they sound better than the Bose in my opinion, and come in a similar hard shell carrying case. Fantastic sound and an amazing price.

I just about bought these through the Amazon link, but was put off by the negative reviews, all of which pretty much said the same thing: they break really easily, and Creative won't repair them.

Comments?

I just about bought these through the Amazon link, but was put off by the negative reviews, all of which pretty much said the same thing: they break really easily, and Creative won't repair them.

Comments?

I think as with all reviews, only the negatives will head to Amazon to complain. I've had mine for close to a year, and they are still rock solid. Also, I'd be pretty confident that Amazon would intervene if a manufacturer refused to honor their warranty.

I'm in the market for a new set of NC headphones. I've used an old Bose set for many years, patched together with electrical tape and rubber bands! In those days Bose was about the only game in town.

I prefer an active NC design over passive in ear designs. So what is a good choice? I know Bose is still out there.

Bose will often replace your broken headset under warranty sometimes free sometimes with a small fee, even if the warranty is expired. I would give them a call first to see.

I think as with all reviews, only the negatives will head to Amazon to complain. I've had mine for close to a year, and they are still rock solid. Also, I'd be pretty confident that Amazon would intervene if a manufacturer refused to honor their warranty.

Given that there are many other products reviewed with overwhelmingly positive comments and ratings, is there something about the users of Creative products that brings out the whiners? The Audio Technica ATH-ANC7 and Denon AH-NC7732 are rated on average a full :-: higher than the Creative Aurvana X-FI, and cost twice as much.

Bose will often replace your broken headset under warranty sometimes free sometimes with a small fee, even if the warranty is expired. I would give them a call first to see.

Not only is Bose support really good in that regard but there is also upgrade features. I had an old BOSE QC1 set that had the material covering the cups flaking off. I contacted BOSE support and asked about getting replacement cups or an upgrade to a newer model. They offered a discount to go to QC2 or QC3s. I paid the $100 IIRC to upgrade to QC2 and quite happy i did. I also have in-ear noise reduction ear phones and they work well too, sometimes I wear in ear other times on ear.

E

Given that there are many other products reviewed with overwhelmingly positive comments and ratings, is there something about the users of Creative products that brings out the whiners? The Audio Technica ATH-ANC7 and Denon AH-NC7732 are rated on average a full :-: higher than the Creative Aurvana X-FI, and cost twice as much.

The Aurvana X-Fi's used to be listed for $289 - I think if something breaks at that price, people are going to be pissed off. At the new lower price reviewers are not as critical.

Not only is Bose support really good in that regard but there is also upgrade features. I had an old BOSE QC1 set that had the material covering the cups flaking off. I contacted BOSE support and asked about getting replacement cups or an upgrade to a newer model. They offered a discount to go to QC2 or QC3s. I paid the $100 IIRC to upgrade to QC2 and quite happy i did. I also have in-ear noise reduction ear phones and they work well too, sometimes I wear in ear other times on ear.

E

Hmm, $100.00 for new foam ear cups seems steep to me. Yeah you are getting a new head set but what if your $300.00 QC2's are working fine?

Hmm, $100.00 for new foam ear cups seems steep to me. Yeah you are getting a new head set but what if your $300.00 QC2's are working fine?

$35 if you want new ear cups that make them like new.

I've just picked up some Sony NC Headphones, from Amazon.co.uk.

These cost £35, an 1/8th of the cost of Bose, and they are quite good, I've used the AA Bose so I have something to compare them with, I would say that they compare with Bose on NC abilities, are well made, slightly less comfortable, but fold much smaller. They could do with a more sturdy case, rather than the pouch. But they look good, and are great value.

I recommend them.

Cheers Larry.

After reading a ton of online reviews, I finally purchased two new active NC headphones- The JVC HANC250 and the Sony MDR-NC60. I have had a set of Sure in-ear headphones for quite some time, and although they have the desired passive noise canceling effect, I can't stand them for more than an hour or two. Here's the summary review:

JVC- slightly better sound quality than the Sony, Very lightweight, nice case, over the ear design. I like them a lot.

Sony- around the ear ear cup (which I prefer), good sound quality, monitor button to allow conversation.

Both allow pass-through music, so you can still hear music if the AAA battery dies, both are compatible with iPhone.

I tried the Bose QC-15, they were comfy and seemed to have very good noise cancellation, but I experienced the "pressure" on my eardrum that some people have posted in online reviews with many different NC headphones.

All in all, I'd buy the Sony or JVCs again, especially for about $100 each on amazon, with a slight lean towards the JVCs for the sound quality.