Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: Qantas
Posts: 196
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
Hi everyone,
My wife and I are going to be traveling extensively over the next few years and I want to buy a couple of noise canceling headphones.
I like the Bose QC2 (covering the whole ear) and my wife likes the QC3 (over the ear type), and we have tried both of them in a store.
However being in a store and flying with them are totally different, so I wanted to ask flyers who have noise canceling headphones for advice.
I'm open to any brand and price, just as long as they work well.
Also if you have any suggestions on where to buy them (I was planning on getting them as a Bose outlet at Wrenthem outlet in MA), please let me know.
Thanks for all your help in advance.
My wife and I are going to be traveling extensively over the next few years and I want to buy a couple of noise canceling headphones.
I like the Bose QC2 (covering the whole ear) and my wife likes the QC3 (over the ear type), and we have tried both of them in a store.
However being in a store and flying with them are totally different, so I wanted to ask flyers who have noise canceling headphones for advice.
I'm open to any brand and price, just as long as they work well.
Also if you have any suggestions on where to buy them (I was planning on getting them as a Bose outlet at Wrenthem outlet in MA), please let me know.
Thanks for all your help in advance.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: Qantas
Posts: 196
Thought someone would say that...
I actually looked through the forums first (last 6 months anyway), but they all seem to be very specific:
Best In Ear Headphones
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...earphones.html
Is the Bose QuietComfort 15 good:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...mfort-2-a.html
Sennheiser PXC 450 discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ight=headphone
A discussion of interference with noise-canceling headphones:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ight=headphone
etc,etc
But I couldn't find any threads about recommendation about the best ones to purchase. However if you know of any, please let me know.
Best In Ear Headphones
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...earphones.html
Is the Bose QuietComfort 15 good:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...mfort-2-a.html
Sennheiser PXC 450 discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ight=headphone
A discussion of interference with noise-canceling headphones:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ight=headphone
etc,etc
But I couldn't find any threads about recommendation about the best ones to purchase. However if you know of any, please let me know.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: ??????????
Posts: 963
Personally, I prefer in-ear headphones. I think the issue every has though is finding comfortable ones ... myself included.
That said, I find they do the best of blocking any noise as they seal the ear.
I've been using these for the past year: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...qid=1261506638 and have been happy. For $30, and nothing special; I couldn't complain.
A few weeks ago, these were on uber-sale from Amazon (lasted about an hour) http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Ears-.../dp/B0019RBJOE @ $99 so I scooped up a pair and love them. I don't feel like they isolate the noise any differently (slightly better with the included isolating adapter I guess), however the audio range is what makes me happy with them.
I've had a pair of Sennheiser HD600's for about 10 years (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD6.../dp/B00004SY4H) and find myself using the UE 10's at home now instead of them; to me the overall sound quality is better.
I've all but given up on big clunky headphones; especially when travelling. I used to travel with headphones that did active noise cancelling / had power packs / required batteries, but they were all too big for me. My under seat / floor storage is precious space and I don't want headphones taking up the space.
That said, I find they do the best of blocking any noise as they seal the ear.
I've been using these for the past year: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...qid=1261506638 and have been happy. For $30, and nothing special; I couldn't complain.
A few weeks ago, these were on uber-sale from Amazon (lasted about an hour) http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Ears-.../dp/B0019RBJOE @ $99 so I scooped up a pair and love them. I don't feel like they isolate the noise any differently (slightly better with the included isolating adapter I guess), however the audio range is what makes me happy with them.
I've had a pair of Sennheiser HD600's for about 10 years (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD6.../dp/B00004SY4H) and find myself using the UE 10's at home now instead of them; to me the overall sound quality is better.
I've all but given up on big clunky headphones; especially when travelling. I used to travel with headphones that did active noise cancelling / had power packs / required batteries, but they were all too big for me. My under seat / floor storage is precious space and I don't want headphones taking up the space.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 496
Whenever I test out a pair of Bose QC2 or QC3 (since they are made available in business class on American Airlines transcons and international flights), I always go "ugh" at the boomy, muffled sound they provide. I much prefer my Etymotic ER-4P in-ear headphones: better noise isolation, better sound quality. But of course some people are really bothered by the in-ear headphones. Still, I think Bose is better at marketing than on making nice-sounding headphones; you might try out some Sennheisers.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Alabamastan
Programs: DL-PM
Posts: 114
Whenever I test out a pair of Bose QC2 or QC3 (since they are made available in business class on American Airlines transcons and international flights), I always go "ugh" at the boomy, muffled sound they provide. I much prefer my Etymotic ER-4P in-ear headphones: better noise isolation, better sound quality. But of course some people are really bothered by the in-ear headphones. Still, I think Bose is better at marketing than on making nice-sounding headphones; you might try out some Sennheisers.
I found these (Audio Technica ATHANC7) on Par with the QC2's as far as noise reduction and I thought they sounded better. But, IMHO the QC1.5's are better then either one for noise isolation and is an improvement over the QC2's for sound quality.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...49H4J7CSXZP7ZJ
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: Qantas
Posts: 196
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
Whenever I test out a pair of Bose QC2 or QC3 (since they are made available in business class on American Airlines transcons and international flights), I always go "ugh" at the boomy, muffled sound they provide. I much prefer my Etymotic ER-4P in-ear headphones: better noise isolation, better sound quality. But of course some people are really bothered by the in-ear headphones. Still, I think Bose is better at marketing than on making nice-sounding headphones; you might try out some Sennheisers.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 707
Whenever I test out a pair of Bose QC2 or QC3 (since they are made available in business class on American Airlines transcons and international flights), I always go "ugh" at the boomy, muffled sound they provide. I much prefer my Etymotic ER-4P in-ear headphones: better noise isolation, better sound quality. But of course some people are really bothered by the in-ear headphones. Still, I think Bose is better at marketing than on making nice-sounding headphones; you might try out some Sennheisers.
Exactly my opinion as well. I much prefer the in-ear headphones, and I find the Ety ER-4P's to be absolutely amazing. I can't believe I used to travel without them. What a difference.
#11
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
See if this thread helps: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...eadphones.html
Has onyone tried the Sony Headphones?
http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/s...-32854241.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/s...-32854241.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/10629436-post111.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/9594183-post20.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12283036-post18.html
Last edited by lin821; Dec 23, 2009 at 12:38 am Reason: adding MDR-NC500D posts
#12
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 130
Audio Technica makes a great over-the-ear type headphone (ATH-ANC7B) (which I think is really important to block some of the non-background noise: In my experience the on-ear type electronically canceled jet noise pretty well, but didn't do nearly as much for a screaming baby as the physical barrier provided by over-the-ear 'phones).
One common complaint re: the A-T's is they leak sound out when listening to music, so best to avoid if that's a concern.
One common complaint re: the A-T's is they leak sound out when listening to music, so best to avoid if that's a concern.