Bose QuietComfort 3 Acoustic and Sony MDR-NC500D are two of the highest-rated noise cancelling headphones…
When it comes to listening to music, good quality headphones are one of the best accessories for the utmost music experience. Nowadays, as music lovers normally do not want to compromise on the quality of music they listen to, they need the best headphones possible. One of the latest technologies implemented in advanced headphones is ‘noise cancellation’.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
As the name suggests, these are headphones which, using a specific technology or just the exterior, repel sound waves coming from outside. Some people have a misconception that ‘noise cancellation technology’ is the same as ‘sound isolation’. You need to note that sound isolation means preventing the outside sound from going inside the ear, by using snugly fitting in-ear earbuds. This is mainly associated with earphones and not headphones. On the other hand, noise cancellation means using the exterior body and/or a particular system for preventing outside sound waves from reaching the ears. These headphones are most appropriate to be used for listening to music in noisy places, crowded areas, or while in an airplane.
Types
You will typically find two kinds of noise cancelling headphones, namely active and passive. Active headphones have a specific speaker setup that senses incoming unwanted sound waves and in turn generates those that level off the outside sound waves. In passive sound waves, there is no electronic speaker system as such. Passive headphones use only exterior factors to prevent the sound for reaching ears. They have sound absorbing foam and the shape is meant to repel outside sound waves. Remember that active headphones also use the ‘passive’ method of sound cancellation.
Top Rated Noise Cancelling Headphones
There are several brands who are reputed in the manufacturing of quality noise cancelling headphones, such as Bose, Sony, JVC, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, and so on.
The Sony MDR-NC40 is presently considered the best noise cancelling headphone under $100. This model is believed to cancel up to 90% of ambient sound, thus being ideal for those who want crystal clear sound quality. And by using a built-in monitor, it even allows the user to listen to surrounding sounds without the need for taking off the headphones. This $100 model is also thought of being one of the most comfortable noise cancelling headphones.
Another good product in the class is the QuietComfort 15 Acoustic headphone. The ear cups have a good fit on ears, with the average battery life being a decent 35 hours. These lightweight headphones are the best bet for listening to music with a deep low bass. You may have to pay about $300 for the QuietComfort 15 Acoustic.
If you are looking for the best sounding headphones, with an affordable price tag, the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC1 QuietPoint is probably the one. This model comes with fold-flat ear cups which sit on the ears comfortably. Specifications show that the ATH-ANC1 QuietPoint can cancel up to 85% of ambient noise. The retail price of this headphone is believed to be around $130.
The above mentioned are just some of the best noise cancelling headphones available in electronic and music stores. There are several good models such as the JVC HA-NC250, JVC HA-NC100, Sennheiser PXC 250, Bose QuietComfort 3 Acoustic, Creative Aurvana X-Fi, and others from different brands. You can refer to the manufacturer’s website for finding out the exact price and more detailed specifications.