Best in-ear noise canceling travel earphones?
Oct 22, 2008, 11:27 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Clearwater, FL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat.
Posts: 299
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Etymotic In-Ear Earphones. They are basically ear plugs with speakers in them.
They are very effective in blocking outside sounds, but you can still hear announcements, etc, if you turn down the sound. And the sound is absolutely incredible.
I've been traveling with the ER-4P model for seven years and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are small, light, comfortable and... perfect.
I wasn't happy with the Bose NC headphones, and some online research brought me to the Etymotics. They are a lot cheaper now than when I bought mine. I paid $300 for them, but they are available for $170 now (Amazon).
The company stands by its product, too. After years of heavy use, one of the earplugs developed a crack. They replaced it.
They are very effective in blocking outside sounds, but you can still hear announcements, etc, if you turn down the sound. And the sound is absolutely incredible.
I've been traveling with the ER-4P model for seven years and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are small, light, comfortable and... perfect.
I wasn't happy with the Bose NC headphones, and some online research brought me to the Etymotics. They are a lot cheaper now than when I bought mine. I paid $300 for them, but they are available for $170 now (Amazon).
The company stands by its product, too. After years of heavy use, one of the earplugs developed a crack. They replaced it.
Oct 22, 2008, 11:54 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA1k-to-UAnada, HiltonLowAsUCanGo, HertzDoesntMatter
Posts: 279
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Etymotic In-Ear Earphones. They are basically ear plugs with speakers in them.
They are very effective in blocking outside sounds, but you can still hear announcements, etc, if you turn down the sound. And the sound is absolutely incredible.
I've been traveling with the ER-4P model for seven years and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are small, light, comfortable and... perfect.
I wasn't happy with the Bose NC headphones, and some online research brought me to the Etymotics. They are a lot cheaper now than when I bought mine. I paid $300 for them, but they are available for $170 now (Amazon).
The company stands by its product, too. After years of heavy use, one of the earplugs developed a crack. They replaced it.
They are very effective in blocking outside sounds, but you can still hear announcements, etc, if you turn down the sound. And the sound is absolutely incredible.
I've been traveling with the ER-4P model for seven years and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are small, light, comfortable and... perfect.
I wasn't happy with the Bose NC headphones, and some online research brought me to the Etymotics. They are a lot cheaper now than when I bought mine. I paid $300 for them, but they are available for $170 now (Amazon).
The company stands by its product, too. After years of heavy use, one of the earplugs developed a crack. They replaced it.
Nov 9, 2008, 9:37 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: UA 2.2MM, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, National Exec, Hertz President's Club, Starwood Gold
Posts: 173
I am a bit of a headphone junkie and I have tried them all.
I was sold on the Bose for a while, but their size and bulk outweigh their benefits for air travel.
I am currently sold on Shure (I have several different models that I've bought when I've seen them on sale).
They are very small and they do a great job of blocking (not canceling) the noise of airplanes.
They are also great for the gym -- this was a major factor for me. I was concerned that with sound isolating earbuds that I would hear myself breathing (like snorkeling) while on the treadmill at the gym, but this was never a problem.
I was sold on the Bose for a while, but their size and bulk outweigh their benefits for air travel.
I am currently sold on Shure (I have several different models that I've bought when I've seen them on sale).
They are very small and they do a great job of blocking (not canceling) the noise of airplanes.
They are also great for the gym -- this was a major factor for me. I was concerned that with sound isolating earbuds that I would hear myself breathing (like snorkeling) while on the treadmill at the gym, but this was never a problem.
Nov 10, 2008, 5:58 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: on the Llano Estacado
Posts: 2,652
Another vote for the Etymotic ER-6i. You do have to learn how to insert them properly in order to obtain the best sound and maximum noise blocking. But if inserted correctly, you quickly forget you have them in and can leave them in for long periods and sleep with them. And noise-cancelling headphones don't come close to the sound quality and quiet you obtain with the ER-6i. I use the 3-flange earpiece that comes standard - the foam is comforable, but not as quiet.
Typical NC headphones won't block that crying child or annoying neighbor, are too uncomfortable to allow most people to sleep, are large and heavy, require batteries, and worst of all, make the music sound dull or muted. The Etymotics overcome all these problems and provide better noise blocking, as well. I've also heard good things about the Shures, but have no experience with them.
Typical NC headphones won't block that crying child or annoying neighbor, are too uncomfortable to allow most people to sleep, are large and heavy, require batteries, and worst of all, make the music sound dull or muted. The Etymotics overcome all these problems and provide better noise blocking, as well. I've also heard good things about the Shures, but have no experience with them.
Nov 23, 2008, 7:17 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Where you want to be
Programs: DL DM & 1MM, AA, BA, National Emerald
Posts: 384
Just a follow up to my post on here. I puchased the Sony MDR-NC22 on ebay and just used them for a long trip and loved them. stayed in my ears noise reductoin amazed me considering price and they travel well. Thanks for all the input but i am sold on Sony!!
Nov 23, 2008, 7:21 pm
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Metro Detroit
Programs: DL Plat, NW Plat
Posts: 708
One more vote for the Etymotic ER6-i-incredibly comfortable-to the point of not knowing they are in your ear. The sound quality is excellent, and the noice cancelling is far better than my over-the-ear Bose. My kids liked them so much that they "borrowed" them-permanently.....
Nov 23, 2008, 7:31 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: JAX
Programs: US Plat, DL Gold, WN when needed, PC Plat, SPG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 340
They don't require batteries, and they are much smaller than on-ear or around-ear headphones. The good ones should have different size rubber ear pieces, so you can pick the ones that fit the best.
The stock iPOD ear buds are the worst ever made, as they do fall out of your ear easily, and they don't drown out background noise very well. Almost any pair of buds over $100 should do a much better job.
Dec 2, 2008, 12:49 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA 3mm Plat
Posts: 10,067
I have been using a set of the Shure E5's for a couple of years now. I think they are great. The sound reproduction is fantastic in keeping with the fact that these were developed for musicians to use on-stage as monitors. I use the triple flange silicone tigs, stick them way in deep and listen to music as it was recorded.
Though some find them uncomfortable, I use them for up to 18 hours trans-con plus trans-Atlantic.
Shure has replaced these with a newer top of the line in earphone.
They do stay put!
Though some find them uncomfortable, I use them for up to 18 hours trans-con plus trans-Atlantic.
Shure has replaced these with a newer top of the line in earphone.
They do stay put!
Dec 2, 2008, 3:32 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,345
I have had more NC's and normal headphones than I can recall (in the ar and over the ear), the best for price and comfort are probably (sacrilege) the JVC Air Cushion earbuds, for some reason I find them extremely comfortable and great at blocking noise, much superior in fact than the last two pairs of Sony NC ear buds that I have had. Oh yeah, and they retail for $20-30.
Dec 3, 2008, 7:29 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: WN, HA, UA
Posts: 24
I have tried a number of headphones. The Shure E2c phones worked well, but they don't cut the drone of aircraft engines like noise canceling earphones. I have settled on the Sony MDR NC22 and my wife uses the Sennheiser on the ear phones.
Dec 15, 2008, 7:44 am
#26
Join Date: May 2002
Location: IAD
Programs: UA PrmEx
Posts: 162
I bought a pair of Shure E2C or E3C from Best Buy and I don't really like them. "Smokin' Buds" (Skull Candy?) available at Target, Marshalls, etc, are really cheap, light, sound great and I won't cry if I lose them. I put folding ear muffs on top of them when I really want noise cancellation without the white noise of Bose et al.
Call it a ghetto solution, but it works for me. YMMV.
Call it a ghetto solution, but it works for me. YMMV.
Dec 18, 2008, 1:33 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,223
Has anybody ever seen in-ear headphones with a retractable (zip-linq) cord?
I have a pair of headphones but the cables are always getting tangled when I travel. I have retractable cables for all my other travel devices. I wish I could get headphones that also have a retractable cable...
I have a pair of headphones but the cables are always getting tangled when I travel. I have retractable cables for all my other travel devices. I wish I could get headphones that also have a retractable cable...
Dec 27, 2008, 4:24 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Socal
Programs: CO Platinum, NWA Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Starwood Gold, Hertz #1 Gold 5*
Posts: 457
Shure on sale
If you hurry, you might still be able to pick up a pair of Shure SCL4 (white only) for $79. On sale now at Guitar Center, Musicians Friend, & Music 123.
I bought the last pair at my local Guitar Center and ordered a second pair (backordered) from Musicians Friend.
Will try them on a plane for the 1st time this weekend. I love my Bose, but they are just too big. I actually purposely left them at home on my last 3-week trip that involved 7 flights.
I bought the last pair at my local Guitar Center and ordered a second pair (backordered) from Musicians Friend.
Will try them on a plane for the 1st time this weekend. I love my Bose, but they are just too big. I actually purposely left them at home on my last 3-week trip that involved 7 flights.
Dec 27, 2008, 11:22 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: BWI
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 105
I have a pair of Shure e3c's. The sound is great, but I feel like you really have to shove them deep to get any bass response. However, once you get the fit perfect, the noise canceling is far better then my old Bose over the ear headphones. It's not even close.
A word of warning, though...one time one of the rubber sleeves got stuck in my ear.
It was quite uncomfortable and also a bit embarrassing. There is no glue or adhesive that keeps the sleeve on, just plain friction! The sleeves do get worn out and need regular replacing. Otherwise they will slide right off, which is not good when they are still in your ear.
A word of warning, though...one time one of the rubber sleeves got stuck in my ear.
It was quite uncomfortable and also a bit embarrassing. There is no glue or adhesive that keeps the sleeve on, just plain friction! The sleeves do get worn out and need regular replacing. Otherwise they will slide right off, which is not good when they are still in your ear.
Dec 27, 2008, 9:57 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
If you hurry, you might still be able to pick up a pair of Shure SCL4 (white only) for $79. On sale now at Guitar Center, Musicians Friend, & Music 123.
I bought the last pair at my local Guitar Center and ordered a second pair (backordered) from Musicians Friend.
Will try them on a plane for the 1st time this weekend. I love my Bose, but they are just too big. I actually purposely left them at home on my last 3-week trip that involved 7 flights.
I bought the last pair at my local Guitar Center and ordered a second pair (backordered) from Musicians Friend.
Will try them on a plane for the 1st time this weekend. I love my Bose, but they are just too big. I actually purposely left them at home on my last 3-week trip that involved 7 flights.