New Headsets in Y
 

Noticed these on my last Y flight. They've changed the sponge covers to make them look more premium/ like the J headphones but they aren't noise cancelling.
http://i62.tinypic.com/rcoaar.jpg

They also come in a green pouch i/o of the purple ones previously.
http://i62.tinypic.com/21k9qhy.jpg

the older ones were better .... imo

Both the old ones and the new ones are no good.

Best to take your own.

I carry my Bose noise cancelling ones with me and it makes an amazing difference to the enjoyment.

Will be interesting when I get a chance to compare the J class ones with Bose later on this year.

I've used both. The Bose is slightly more comfortable and offers more (or more obvious) noise cancellation, ie when you flick the switch on the Bose it's like someone's stuck your head in a plumber's plunger. 'Better' sound quality, if you like the Bose sound (I don't).

OTOH the EK one doesn't need batteries, works as normal headphones when the noise cancellation is switched off, and the cable is more sturdy. But you sometimes have to give it back half hour or so before landing.

I own and use a set of custom in-ear monitors which I use pretty much from boarding to landing.

+1 - far superior than any over-ear noise-cancelling devices when travelling IMHO, both for sound quality and convenience (after all, you can sleep in multiple positions over a long flight with your in-ear monitors in, but it's just awkward with headphones on, not to mention batteries).

I always carry my Phiaton MS530's with me whether I'm flying in Y, J or F. Personally I haven't found a better set of over-ear noise cancelling headphones, including Bose, Sennheiser or B&W. Extremely underrated brand, IMHO.

I don't like the over-ear noise canceling headphones as they are quite bulky to travel with and you cant lie on the side (for sleeping or whatever reason).

Until recently, I've used my Shure 535's on airplanes. They are not noise cancelling. I use the conical ear buds and those do a fantastic job blocking out external noise. The sound quality is also fantastic. You need to use the volume control adapter on airplanes, however, otherwise you'll have quite a shock when someone goes on the PA.

I generally don't mind using the EK noise cancelling headphones in F/J. They are adequate (and I've never had to hand them back before landing).

However, last month I purchased the in-ear Bose Quiet Comfort 20s on impulse and have been quite happy with them. I haven't compared to the over ear models but I've been quite pleased with the noise-cancelling quality. They are also quite comfortable to wear on long haul.

The Shure SE535s are why I avoid exit rows in economy - I have twice put the case with the earphones in the side pocket, left them there and forgot to get them on disembarking...suffice to say, lost and found turned up nothing :D

Great piece of kit though, better sound quality than noise-cancelling over-ears, imho, especially on the plane.

I had these on A6-EOB on a recent LGW-DXB flight, I have to say, they were MUCH better than the old ones, but i did compare because on my onward flight to BOM (EK506, operated by A6-EMX) it had the old headphones in Y