Desperation

[Con28]

Hi, badly need advice from you wise ones out there. I am a professional novelist and arty type. Here is what I need. A pair of over ear headphones. My case unusual. I need these to cancel out neighbour noise that drives me nuts and is now interfering with day job as I have to work from home. They need to cancel out music and radio, mumbling background TV and barking dog. The noise is loud enough to prevent my work but nothing can be done so I have to soldier on. The headphones should cancel as much noise as poss, be comfortable for long stretch. If I could use the noise cancel without music that would be fab. I don't always want the music on. If I do, for writing it is low, so I need excellent background noise cancellation. Help, I am confused by advice from merchants, need unbiased help. Price does not figure although lower the better. I will pay for these but they must do the job with at least 90% background cancellation. I cannot wear in ear or earplugs due now to severe allergy from trying to block this noise out. Any guidance would be great, I am a novice at this. Thanks so much!

 

[Paul.]

Although many on here criticise them for being "not hifi", Bose are by far the best at noise cancelation. I would go to john lewis and try some on.

 

[CnoEvil]

I recommend you look at these: http://www.whathifi.com/bose/quietcomfort-15/review

 

[dalethorn]

Did you mean "on ear" or "around ear"? i.e. supraaural or circumaural?

 

[ID.]

One thing to keep in mind with noise cancelling headphones is the types of noise they can cancel.

They are generally good at canceling constant noise of a certain type, such as the noise of aircraft engines, or any constant mechanical noise, and they are not as effective at blocking out things like music and radio, barking dogs, people talking, etc. so It might be worthwhile testing them to make sure they meet your expectations. I generally find earplugs to be more effective (or even ear plugs + noise cancelling headphones), but you say you are allergic to ear plugs. Is it a particular material you are allergic to? Maybe you could find earplugs made from a different material.

 

[pauln]

Industrial strength ear defenders may be a better option for you, they will be more efficient than active noise cancelling headphones, as long as you don't want any music. A company called Peltor make a range to suit how noisy your environment is. The most extreme are designed to be worn all day by people working in machinery rooms for instance so reasonably comfortable and lightweight. They are extremely effective.

 

[JoelSim]

The Bose are good headphones and will do the job you want them to certainly.

Can I throw another pair into the ring too at about half of the price of the Bose, the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC70. I've sold a few of these, including to a couple of good friends and they have all been very complimentry about them. One guy in particular flies every week and loved both the noise cancelling feature and the sound quality.

In addition they have memort foam earpieces and feel very light and comfortable over long periods.

 

[dalethorn]

The Bose are good headphones and will do the job you want them to certainly.

Can I throw another pair into the ring too at about half of the price of the Bose, the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC70. I've sold a few of these, including to a couple of good friends and they have all been very complimentry about them. One guy in particular flies every week and loved both the noise cancelling feature and the sound quality.

In addition they have memort foam earpieces and feel very light and comfortable over long periods.

Hi Joel - can you recommend your favorite or most informative review of the ANC7 series?

 

[Con28]

Thanks to everyone for their input. It's much appreciated. I need to digest all the info now. Thanks again.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

And Welcome to the forum!*preved*

hope to see you back to some more advise to buy a full hi-fi system, this time around will be you to give back some quality noise to your neighbours...*diablo**biggrin*