What headphones are good for noise cancellation?

Got a reader question from Bob, who asks what headphones James and I use when we're out traveling or just hitting the local Starbucks. When my original iPhone headset broke, I opted to go with a set of Shure SE210s because they seemed to be a quality set that was within my price range. Shure offers higher-end products in the same line, but the SE210s fit my budget. Since they sit in the ear canal, they isolate the outside sound to a large degree; it's not total noise cancellation and it's not an active method, but they work quite well. I've enjoyed them on several airline flights recently and during the summer they work great when I'm on the tractor cutting the lawn for two or more hours. Hmm... I just realized why I like winter so much.

Anyway, give Bob a hand and tell him what you're using and why. He tried a Bose set, but they didn't cut it on a flight for him. He's also considering this set of Sony 'phones with active noise cancellation, so if you've tried them, give a shout!

Comments

[SoloMalee]

I've had a pair of Shure E2C in ear buds for two years now. They are truly excellent at blocking outside noise. I breifly tried active noise cancellation and was't really impressed.

Only problem with the in ear type are that you hear your foot thuds while you are walking or running.

[luvmyumpc]

I use two sets depending on the situation. The first is my favorite since its wireless.. its the Jabra BT3030 unit and you can plug any headphones you want into it. I use a retractable set for wire management and they rock. This is good for needing to listen to music, but take a call when one comes in.
The second is a set of sennheiser over ear headphones with active noise cancellation. I use this on flights when I need to relax. Nothing can stress you out without even knowing it than 2 or more hours of engine noise. Its absolutely the best bet on a flight, even without being plugged into anything. Its one of those things that you really need to experience to appreciate.

[Randy S]

This may not be what you are alluding to, but I took a pair of hearing protection ear muffs (like you use on a shooting range) and I installed the speaker portion of a pair of headphones that came with an old portable CD player, into each earpiece. I drilled a tiny hole in the left 'muff' and snaked the wire in it using the same strain-relief method that the old headphones used and I drilled a couple of holes to run the wire to the right speaker. I patched the holes with silicone caulk. It was a little tedious, but easy to do.

You wouldn't want to wear it on an airplane (you would get some funny looks), but it works really well. I used existing components that I had lying around the house as a proof-of-concept, but it worked so well, that I will continue to use the headphones until they break.

I always used ear protection when I mow, tractor, chainsaw, blow leaves, etc., so now I can be entertained at the same time.

I just miss listening to OTR on my iPod, now...

[brent]

I'm also using Shure SE210's. Got a pair for Christmas this last year and use them fairly often. I like the passive, in-ear opposed to active over-the-ear.

[Alberto]

You can try the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 pro, that's what I use. noise cancelation is great and the fit is even better I can wear them for hours.

[Jeff]

I have 2 pair of noise canceling phones.
First, a set of Etymotic Research ER6i. I just bought them in Jan. and love them. Make sure you use the foam tips and they are great. I travel often and love to put them in as soon as I can on the plane and then I can hear my movies without issue on my iPod. I like them for the size and the inner ear works great for me.

Second, I have a set of Sony MDR-NC50. I like them and they are active but for long plane rides where I might want to take a nap they are not very comfy to sleep in and you cannot roll your head to either side. They also put a little too much pressure on the out sides of my ears after prolonged use.

[Metatone]

Sennheiser... I forget the model number, but they served me well flying to and from Hong Kong, so they're up to the job IMO.

[Rick Huizinga]

I have two pair of passive noise isolating earphones:

1) Etymotic ER-6i. These are an excellent value for the sound quality and relatively low price. Sells for around $70 on Amazon.

2) Shure SE-310. Expensive at $249, and only has slightly improved bass response over the ER-6i's. I would not recommend paying a near $200 premium (over the 6i's) for these headphones.

[Mark Horgan]

I have the Sony MDR-NC11A which look like a predecessor to the one's you linked to. The active noise cancellation doesn't add much to the in-ear bud passive noise cancellation. I actually listen to a recording of white noise to mask talking in the background.

[Paul]

In my opinion, BOSE stands for Bring Other Sound Equipment. They are a marketing company primarily. For more on that see: http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

But onto what I use - I use Sennheiser CX300's and found them to be great. Comfy and do a good job of isolation.

[Oliver]

When traveling, I carry my BOSE QuietComfort 2 noise canceling headsets. I don't find in-ear headsets comfortable, nor are they very practical when trying to respond to the occasional question from a flight attendant or seat buddy. The QC2 are expensive, but after wasting money on cheaper alternatives that turned out to provide less noise canceling and significantly less comfort, I am very happy with the purchase. Mine have crossed the Atlantic or Pacific about two dozen times.

Given their size, I wouldn't recommend them for a casual visit to the local Starbucks, though.

[Donovan]

I have a set of Westone UM2, they are a great set of earphones, sound great, and have the best bass of any earphones I have tried. They come with foam earbuds that block out the idiots on the train on the way to work, and they work with the Shure ear tips if you prefer the rubber flanged type.

Donovan

[FONMaster]

I don't think there's anything that can beat this combo: the shure e3c or e210's with etymotic tips. Relatively low cost, and great noise reduction. I've been using the combo across several sets of headphones and tips. (I'm pretty tough on headphones, so I break them a couple of times a year regardless of the brand I use.)

I also use Bose QC2 after my ears get tired from in-ear headphones... usually takes 6 hours for me.

I'm not a big fan of foam tips. I don't find them to be very secure for in my ears.

FONMaster

[sonar]

One more for Sennheiser.
A set of eh2270 has served me well, also on many a 12 hour flight - I'd say they're strong enough to handle 2 crying babies and a loud snorer within a 3 seat range..

I have no experience with actively cancelling headphones, but am super annoyed and picky with noise distractions....and givne how worn off mine are - I'll probably buy them again

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/sennheiser/headphones/PRD_126398_2750crx.aspx

Wish there was more choice and quality in bluetooth headphone stereoset availiable already.

[Pepor]

I recently bought a pair of AKG K324P ear-canal headphones and absolutely love them so far. They are very similar to the Sennheiser CX300s that Paul mentioned above, but to me the AKGs sound a bit clearer even. They isolate well from outside noise even at medium volume, and are very comfortable to wear (they come with different-sized covers, and I tried all of them, but quickly came back to the default medium-sized ones).

BTW: The AKG K324P are virtually identical to the AKG IP2, which many singers use on stage.

[Ramin]

Question is if you're looking for headphones for listening to music or for talking on the phone (in other words, with or without microphone). A lot of the ones suggested here are for music listening only.

For talking on the phone, noise-isolation is a bit of an overkill. In fact, you might end up talking really low (or loud) depending on the environment. It turns out most in-ear buds stop us from hearing our own voice while letting us hear the other person very well -- which is the reverse of how we normally communicate. So our brain-to-voice circuitry ends up doing weird things. The headphones that come with the iPhone don't do total isolation, so they end up working reasonably well for most situations.

I ended up with two pairs:

- For talking I got an Ultimate Buds UB3, which is in-ear but not totally isolating. They sound sort of like Sony EX-51s -- with a loud, mushy bass. You can hear the other person pretty well (and more importantly, yourself) and the microphone is discrete. Around $35.

- For listening, I ended up with the Etymotic ER-6. I picked them up on sale at Macworld in January, but Amazon's selling them for half off -- around $70. These are pretty decent for sound isolation. Basically, you're trading the deep booming bass for the clear tinkle of the piano keys. I listened to Etymotics and Shures at Macworld. There were far more expensive models, but I liked the sound of the ER-6 best. It's really pretty subjective and depends on the kind of music one likes.

You'll also need an iPhone adapter with most standard headphones. I ended up going with the iFrog Fitz (around $7). They're nice and thin and the cable isn't too dangly. Problem is the shielding can crack if you wrap the whole thing around the phone and stick it into your pockets too often.

The only thing about the in-ear isolators is that they *really* cut out outside noise. You'll want to warn people around you not to walk up and just start talking (or worse, tapping you on the shoulder). And be extra careful crossing the street. I kid you not.

[Nate]

I've been using a pair of Ultimate Ears UE10s for over a year, now, and I swear by them. Playing music from my Creative Zen while flying the friendly skies, it's easy to forget I'm on an airplane. Well, as long as my eyes are closed.

--woodstock