In Ear Noise Cancelling vs. Noise Blocking
#1
Original Poster
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In Ear Noise Cancelling vs. Noise Blocking
My current pair of noise-blocking in-ear headphones has bitten the dust, so I'm in the market for a new pair. I previously used over-the-ear noise cancelling headsets (combined with foam earplugs) for maximum sound isolation, but found the headsets too bulky for long flights and sleeping comfort, so won't consider that option again. Looking exclusively at in-ear solutions.
I see lots of recommendations for the Shure and Etymotic's lines of noise-blocking options, but am intrigued by the Phiaton PS 20NC active noise-cancelling (and noise-blocking) headsets. I've also seen the Audio Technica ATH-ANC3 and AKG K 390 NC Black Mamba mentioned.
Would like to keep the budget under $150, though up to $250 is acceptable for a superior solution. Primary goal is countering the high frequency noise as I find when I do that, I arrive in much better shape than if not. In-ear comfort, both while seated and when lying on my side is almost as critical, and I have very small ear canals. Music quality is important, but behind the other two factors; from my research if the other two factors are met, looks like the quality will be sufficient to make me happy.
Would love feedback from those who have used active noise-cancelling in-ear sets vs. the passive noise-blocking, or other suggestions.
I see lots of recommendations for the Shure and Etymotic's lines of noise-blocking options, but am intrigued by the Phiaton PS 20NC active noise-cancelling (and noise-blocking) headsets. I've also seen the Audio Technica ATH-ANC3 and AKG K 390 NC Black Mamba mentioned.
Would like to keep the budget under $150, though up to $250 is acceptable for a superior solution. Primary goal is countering the high frequency noise as I find when I do that, I arrive in much better shape than if not. In-ear comfort, both while seated and when lying on my side is almost as critical, and I have very small ear canals. Music quality is important, but behind the other two factors; from my research if the other two factors are met, looks like the quality will be sufficient to make me happy.
Would love feedback from those who have used active noise-cancelling in-ear sets vs. the passive noise-blocking, or other suggestions.
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I just purchased a pair of Etymotic HF3's to replace my Shure's that had a frayed wire. I am very impressed with them. They also have a deal right now where for $100 you can get custom ear tips made. I definitely would buy them again. For me, size of the earphones in the case is very important as I only carry my luggage on and typically have 2 laptop computers when I travel.
#4
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Etymotic and Shure are noise blocking, rather than cancelling. As I understand it, the problem with active noise cancelling earphones is the placement of the microphones. Essentially, for noise cancelling to work, the microphones have to be where the ears are which means, for earphones, on the actual earpiece. However, when you sleep, you often bury your ear into a pillow which then picks up otherwise inaudible vibrations from the plane. Accordingly, the technology then emits the opposite noise - which sounds weird and is very distracting. I found this on some I tried a few years ago, and it happens on my current headset also.
As a separate matter, I see no mention of the Etymotic promotion on custom-fitting on the website. Can anyone provide a link, please?
As a separate matter, I see no mention of the Etymotic promotion on custom-fitting on the website. Can anyone provide a link, please?
#5
Join Date: Jun 2011
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http://www.etymotic.com/customfit/index.html
$100 is the normal price, and what I was expecting to pay.
I was merely relating that, for me, it was considerably less. YMMV
Note that the whole purchase "experience" is a little weird. You go into an audiologist to have the impressions made with the little form you print off the website, then they mail the impressions in. Out of the blue, I got an email PayPal request from ACS, which I paid. Then again, out of the blue, the box with your molds and a new leather bag for the headphones shows up on the porch. Never a call or email, nothing.
$100 is the normal price, and what I was expecting to pay.
I was merely relating that, for me, it was considerably less. YMMV
Note that the whole purchase "experience" is a little weird. You go into an audiologist to have the impressions made with the little form you print off the website, then they mail the impressions in. Out of the blue, I got an email PayPal request from ACS, which I paid. Then again, out of the blue, the box with your molds and a new leather bag for the headphones shows up on the porch. Never a call or email, nothing.
#6
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I used to have the Bose QC 2 or whatever they called it.
Now I just use cheap $15 - $25 in-ear ear buds, and play some soothing music. It works quite well. Far more compact, and cheaper than expensive solutions that are too bulky, kills batteries, or are an expensive custom lost item.
Now I just use cheap $15 - $25 in-ear ear buds, and play some soothing music. It works quite well. Far more compact, and cheaper than expensive solutions that are too bulky, kills batteries, or are an expensive custom lost item.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 75
I have the Etymotic ER-4s. Best $300 I ever spent, next to the $300 I spent on a similar pair from Etymotic Research in 1999 that eventually wore out. I haven't used the noise-cancelling headphones, but the size of these are much more appealing for packing in my bag. I use them constantly: I can keep the volume low, hear almost nothing, yet get great sound quality.
Although sometimes you do wish you could hear more. Just today I was wearing them and eventually the guy next to me tapped me: passengers across the isle were freaking out because we were landing and I still had my laptop running, tray-table down, and seat reclined (nothing I would worry about if I was a passenger but hey). I put it all away and opened my window shade: we touched down about 5 seconds after I opened the shade. I never heard any announcements (never do) but strangely enough no flight attendant said anything to me. I asked the guy next to me and he said nobody ever came by.
Although sometimes you do wish you could hear more. Just today I was wearing them and eventually the guy next to me tapped me: passengers across the isle were freaking out because we were landing and I still had my laptop running, tray-table down, and seat reclined (nothing I would worry about if I was a passenger but hey). I put it all away and opened my window shade: we touched down about 5 seconds after I opened the shade. I never heard any announcements (never do) but strangely enough no flight attendant said anything to me. I asked the guy next to me and he said nobody ever came by.
#8
Join Date: May 2008
Location: London, UK
Posts: 13
I use the Etymotic ER-6is and find them to be a good compromise between size, cost and sound quality (never tried the ER-4s).
I used to use the original Bose noise cancelling headphones which, due to their over the ear (rather than on the ear) design were extremely comfortable, but their drawback was their bulkiness. I then switched to using Sennheiser PX-250s for their ability to fold up into a small package, but even they were a little too bulky for my taste.
The biggest problem with headphones in general is that they don't work particularly well with neck pillows, which sit too close to the ear, whereas in-earphones are less fussy about positioning of the head when sleeping.
I used to use the original Bose noise cancelling headphones which, due to their over the ear (rather than on the ear) design were extremely comfortable, but their drawback was their bulkiness. I then switched to using Sennheiser PX-250s for their ability to fold up into a small package, but even they were a little too bulky for my taste.
The biggest problem with headphones in general is that they don't work particularly well with neck pillows, which sit too close to the ear, whereas in-earphones are less fussy about positioning of the head when sleeping.
#9
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Not to nit-pick, but are there any IN EAR noise CANCELING headphones? I thought all the true NC headphones were ON the ear or OVER the ear, having to have the INBOUND microphone/speaker makes a true IN EAR NC nearly impossible?
#10
Join Date: May 2008
Location: London, UK
Posts: 13
There are the Sony MDRNC22, but I've never tried them.
#12
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#14
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
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Another vote for Etymotics. Great sound and sound isolation, light and compact to carry, no batteries needed, great customer service... I've compared them against the Bose noise-isolating headphones while in-flight on several occasions, and I find the Bose to be less quiet and I also dislike their boomy, muddled sound. When I'm in biz class and they are handing out the Bose headsets, I turn them down in favor of my Etys. I also used to have the Sony MDR22 and again I much prefer the Etys.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
I'm a huge, huge fan of Etymotic (I have most of the product line, but my travel 'phones are the hf3 model) and custom eartips (I have several but the best are the ACS tips available through the Etymotic custom-fit program). So I recommend those highly.
But I have also tried a lot of universal-fit (non-custom) solutions. Of those, the most comfortable noise-blocking in-ear earphone that I've found was the d-jays (http://jays.se/products/earphones/d-jays.html) Easy and non-fiddly to insert, comfortable enough for lengthy wear, decent sound (far below Ety-class, but still quite okay), and the driver unit is extremely small and interferes with pillow use less than anything else I've tried.
Your ears of course may vary. Most do.
But I have also tried a lot of universal-fit (non-custom) solutions. Of those, the most comfortable noise-blocking in-ear earphone that I've found was the d-jays (http://jays.se/products/earphones/d-jays.html) Easy and non-fiddly to insert, comfortable enough for lengthy wear, decent sound (far below Ety-class, but still quite okay), and the driver unit is extremely small and interferes with pillow use less than anything else I've tried.
Your ears of course may vary. Most do.