Good noise cancellation headphones?

[SilthDraeth]

After reading about the horrible debacle that is Bose, does anyone have experience with a good set of headphones?

I am not an audiophile, and the best headphones I have ever owned, is a headset I use for my computer. It is branded Radio Shack, its plane gray plastic. Has pillows that fit on your ear, and not over them. I use it for Ventrilo, and gaming, and it seems to produce really good sound. Way better than the Creative, and Logitech headphones I have used.

I have recently been thinking about getting a good pair of active noise cancellation headphones, for just enjoying the quiet, as well as using while I play my Nintendo DS.

Any personal recommendations?

 

[Ika]

Passive noise cancelling phones are generally much better (sounding), and reduce almost as much noise.

Unfortunately, they're also usually pretty big. The most valuable one I can recommend is the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro, which is available for around $70 or so. It's very large, so it's not very portable, unfortunately.

 

[SilthDraeth]

Thanks Aflac. I will look up some reviews for them. Active or passive isn't really a concern. I just want to be able to use them with my games as well as alone. I probably would prefer passive, so I do not have to worry about batteries etc.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Philips. And only $30. Typically at Target.com.

I know what Aflac is suggesting, and noise cancelling headphones/earphones aren't the best sounding because of the frequency response, but at 20K feet sitting next to the jet engine for two hours straight...shoving a high quality ear bud in your canal and cranking up the volume just doesn't cut it.

I had Shures. I now have the Phillips. I know the Shures don't sound as good, but I had a guy sit next to me on a flight from LV to O-Town that had Shures in his Ipod and he looked at me and said something about his phones being better. I basically told him he was an idiot. Seriously.

 

[Mrvile]

AKG K81DJ for like $80 or Senn HD280 for $100 are probably your best bet.

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
I had Shures. I now have the Phillips. I know the Shures don't sound as good, but I had a guy sit next to me on a flight from LV to O-Town that had Shures in his Ipod and he looked at me and said something about his phones being better. I basically told him he was an idiot. Seriously.

Haha, you're kidding right? Because I'm actually laughing right now :laugh:

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Philips. And only $30. Typically at Target.com.

I know what Aflac is suggesting, and noise cancelling headphones/earphones aren't the best sounding because of the frequency response, but at 20K feet sitting next to the jet engine for two hours straight...shoving a high quality ear bud in your canal and cranking up the volume just doesn't cut it.

I had Shures. I now have the Phillips. I know the Shures don't sound as good, but I had a guy sit next to me on a flight from LV to O-Town that had Shures in his Ipod and he looked at me and said something about his phones being better. I basically told him he was an idiot. Seriously.

Are you sure yu do not have that the oethr way around? i have never heard Phillips sounding better than Shure...

As for the OP's Q, Bose QC2 or 3 give the best active noise canceling. They are expensive though.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I did mean the other way around. LOL!

The Shures sound better than the Phillips, but at 20K feet for two hours straight with BBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB right outside your window, you really come to love the Philips' noise cancelling properties.

Co-workers had the big ol' Bose, but I refuse to give Bose money, they cost 5 times more than the Philips and I just don't like having big ol' let's pop in another 8-track and go roller skating phones on my head while I'm sitting on a plane.

 

[LegendKiller]

People (including me) love crapping on Bose products. I can't stand their marketing, poor build quality, and general BS. I never advocate buying anything bose.

Except the Quietcomfort 2 or 3.

With my old job I'd go to Vegas from Orlando every 2mo or so. I'd also make frequent trips to MN and other places, so I was flying about once a month, if not more. Since I was able to get some Sharper Image gift certs through Discover, I used those and a sale to drop the price of the QC2 to 80 bucks.

I have *never* regretted that decision. These things are perfect for long flights, they cut out a good 80% of all engine noise (remaining 20% is higher frequency stuff that is harder to cancel). My ears are not sweaty, and they are not sore from the droning of the engine.

People say canalphones are better, IMHO they aren't I tried shure, but I am a bit picky about my canals and couldn't take them.

The older QC2 had headband problems, the plastic cracked after a while. I took them into a Bose store and they swapped them out within 2 min, which I really appreciated.

People shouldn't rag on a product unless they have knowledge of that product. The QC2 are awesome, if a bit pricey, at eliminating noise and making air travel easier on the ears (and mind).

Are they big? Not really. The QC3 is much smaller. Personally, I'll take an over-ear headphone that cuts out more noise and are a bit bigger than over ear that don't cut out as much. Besides, they don't look retro because everybody knows what they are. No chicks are going to knock you for having 300 headphones.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: LegendKiller


With my old job I'd go to Vegas from Orlando every 2mo or so.

Did we work together??!?!

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

People say canalphones are better, IMHO they aren't I tried shure, but I am a bit picky about my canals and couldn't take them.

I agree. But have you tried noise cancelling canals? People that think good canals substitute for noise cancelling just don't know any better. But noise cancelling ear canal phones.... that's good shiznit.

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: LegendKiller


With my old job I'd go to Vegas from Orlando every 2mo or so.

Did we work together??!?!

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

People say canalphones are better, IMHO they aren't I tried shure, but I am a bit picky about my canals and couldn't take them.

I agree. But have you tried noise cancelling canals? People that think good canals substitute for noise cancelling just don't know any better. But noise cancelling ear canal phones.... that's good shiznit.

Yes, I did. I just don't like canal phones. I don't find them as comfortable, thats just me. They were about equal in noise reduction, the canals might have cut out a bit more uppers, but not enough to justify their uncomfortable nature (again, just my preference).

Besides, most docs would wholeheartedly agree that canal phones are bad for you.

 

[SilthDraeth]

I was always skeptical over Bose marketing despite having people tell me their first hand experience with it being good. I was never impressed with any demos of them I had hear etc. It is good that I found actual tests to confirm my suspicions. I still wonder about the QC headphones. But I think I will still pass on anything with the Bose brand...on price and principle.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: LegendKiller


With my old job I'd go to Vegas from Orlando every 2mo or so.

Did we work together??!?!

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

People say canalphones are better, IMHO they aren't I tried shure, but I am a bit picky about my canals and couldn't take them.

I agree. But have you tried noise cancelling canals? People that think good canals substitute for noise cancelling just don't know any better. But noise cancelling ear canal phones.... that's good shiznit.

Yes, I did. I just don't like canal phones. I don't find them as comfortable, thats just me. They were about equal in noise reduction, the canals might have cut out a bit more uppers, but not enough to justify their uncomfortable nature (again, just my preference).

Besides, most docs would wholeheartedly agree that canal phones are bad for you.

Yeah... but I also use Q-tips to clean inside the ear. What can you do?

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: LegendKiller


With my old job I'd go to Vegas from Orlando every 2mo or so.

Did we work together??!?!

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

People say canalphones are better, IMHO they aren't I tried shure, but I am a bit picky about my canals and couldn't take them.

I agree. But have you tried noise cancelling canals? People that think good canals substitute for noise cancelling just don't know any better. But noise cancelling ear canal phones.... that's good shiznit.

Yes, I did. I just don't like canal phones. I don't find them as comfortable, thats just me. They were about equal in noise reduction, the canals might have cut out a bit more uppers, but not enough to justify their uncomfortable nature (again, just my preference).

Besides, most docs would wholeheartedly agree that canal phones are bad for you.

Yeah... but I also use Q-tips to clean inside the ear. What can you do?

It's not just about putting stuff in your ear, most say that they are bad for your hearing.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Philips. And only $30. Typically at Target.com.

I know what Aflac is suggesting, and noise cancelling headphones/earphones aren't the best sounding because of the frequency response, but at 20K feet sitting next to the jet engine for two hours straight...shoving a high quality ear bud in your canal and cranking up the volume just doesn't cut it.

I had Shures. I now have the Phillips. I know the Shures don't sound as good, but I had a guy sit next to me on a flight from LV to O-Town that had Shures in his Ipod and he looked at me and said something about his phones being better. I basically told him he was an idiot. Seriously.

Funny coz I used to bring Bose QC.

Then I started using Philips

But now I only use altec lansing on flights.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: LegendKiller


With my old job I'd go to Vegas from Orlando every 2mo or so.

Did we work together??!?!

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

People say canalphones are better, IMHO they aren't I tried shure, but I am a bit picky about my canals and couldn't take them.

I agree. But have you tried noise cancelling canals? People that think good canals substitute for noise cancelling just don't know any better. But noise cancelling ear canal phones.... that's good shiznit.

i tried Philips noise canceling....man they sucked....ut then again, Phillips none in ear active noise canceling sucked also...

 

[SLU MD]

not sure what you mean about bose, but i've had a pair of the quiet comfort 2 headphones for bout 3 years and never regretted the 300 bux. i honestly dont know how people fly without them, they are the bomb. good luck finding a better noise cancelling set.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
ut then again, Phillips none in ear active noise canceling sucked also...

Now let's do that in English... or sober.

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion

Funny coz I used to bring Bose QC.

Then I started using Philips

But now I only use altec lansing on flights.

Really? I checked the link and obviously they're going to sound better, but are they noise cancelling?

 

[PhoenixOrion]

inherent of the three-flange earbuds that in-flight noise is at a minimum. its comfortable and convenient too.....as long as you're used to having it stuffed inside your canals.

 

[Xyclone]

Senneheiser HD-280 Pro

 

[DaWhim]

I just placed my order for a pair of these. Koss spark plugs

for only $8.88 with no $25+ for free shipping requirement from amazon, I couldn't resist. maybe you should get yourself a pair.

 

[SilthDraeth]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
I just placed my order for a pair of these. Koss spark plugs

for only $8.88 with no $25+ for free shipping requirement from amazon, I couldn't resist. maybe you should get yourself a pair.

Dude, spark plugs are for your car, not ears.

 

[radioouman]

I like my Shure E2Cs... but I get a little dizzy feeling after they've been in my ears for a while. I think that the pressure that they put on my ear canals mess with my sense of balance.

 

[SilthDraeth]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
I just placed my order for a pair of these. Koss spark plugs

for only $8.88 with no $25+ for free shipping requirement from amazon, I couldn't resist. maybe you should get yourself a pair.

Thanks. I just snagged a pair. If anything they will be like any other $10 pair of ear buds.

 

[Nightfall]

I have a nice set of Shure headphones and they work great. I have the e3g and they are nice. Especially on the plane or when I a mowing my lawn and want to hear some tunes. I highly recommend them.