Proper noise cancelling headphones??

[ady_p]

I'm after some solid recommendations based on knowledge, reviews or personal recommendation based on ownership of a pair of noise cancelling headphones that will block out occasional unwanted noise from neighbours - usually random bangs from windows or doors being shut. (I've done the talking to them thing and I'm probably going to move away soon, so I just need something short-term that saves me from, erm, jail).

Some people say that noise cancelling headphones wont work with intermittent sounds - anyone have an experience to counter this? I've already tried studio standard recording headphones - EX29 Extreme Isolation (passive attenuation) and while they offer more insulation than normal headphones, they arent that great.

I'm more interested in the noise cancelling properties than the music quality and I cant wear earphones, so a good pair of comfy, over the ear headphones with a longish cord and somewhere in the region of £150-200. Preferably much less .

I've been looking at the Goldring NS1000 Expedition £69 at Richer Sounds and also Bose Quiet Comfort 15 - they seem expensive and I get the impression they will be a waste of money too.

 

[steve_1979]

I haven't had much experience with noise cancelling over ear headphones so can't help there.

But you may also want to consider some in ear IEM earphones that have the expanding foam tips. Their noise isolation is very effective, I wear mine outside and I swear that sometimes I can't even hear a police car siren as it goes past. Westone and Shure earphones are a very good place to start and come with Comply foam tips.

 

[ady_p]

thanks for the recommendations, I can appreciate why a properly fitted pair of high quality IEM noise cancelling earphones would give the best noise cancelling experience ever.

I've tried in the past on many occasions with different designs of inner ear phones for standard (non-isolating) use and I struggled to find one pair that would actually stay in my ear for longer than 10-15 seconds without falling out. even - the ones that came with 3 different sized interchangeable foam covers! It was frustrating to say the least.. My ear canal is too small for any kind of earphone/earbud to seat properly..

 

[steve_1979]

Shame.

You may be better off re-posting this question in the hifi section as more people look at that.

 

[JoelSim]

You could have a look at the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC1 and ANC70. Both are fantastic value and sound good too, although obviously not quite as good as something for £300. Both will come in useful for flights etc when you move out too.

 

[bigboss]

and also Bose Quiet Comfort 15 - they seem expensive and I get the impression they will be a waste of money too.

I would disagree with that. I haven't found better noise cancelling headphones than the Bose. Definitely worth the money in my books. There's a reason why it has won the best noise cancelling headphones award every year since few years. They're very revealing too. You should demo before dismissing it.

I personally don't like Bose home cinema systems as they lack midrange and dialogue clarity. But their noise cancelling headphones is a different kettle of fish.

 

[gsyx123]

I bought the SOUL by Ludicris SL 300 noise cancelling headphones. They look and feel fantastic, and also do a very good job at sound cancelling. They have a switch on the side that turns the sound isolation on/off. You can even use them when the batteries fail However they dohave a major flaw.

They leak noise badly. Everyone around you will be able to hear what you are listening to. I got mine on offer, so they were about half the price of the Bose. If you have the money, the Bose are fantastic, as mentioned by BigBoss. Otherwise, its a case of 'you pays your money, you takes your chance'

Hope this helps.

 

[JoelSim]

I bought the SOUL by Ludicris SL 300 noise cancelling headphones. They look and feel fantastic, and also do a very good job at sound cancelling. They have a switch on the side that turns the sound isolation on/off. You can even use them when the batteries fail However they dohave a major flaw.

They leak noise badly. Everyone around you will be able to hear what you are listening to. I got mine on offer, so they were about half the price of the Bose. If you have the money, the Bose are fantastic, as mentioned by BigBoss. Otherwise, its a case of 'you pays your money, you takes your chance'

Hope this helps.

Not ideal as you can hardly use them on an aeroplane. The Audio-Technicas at less than half the price of the Bose don't leak sound.

 

[gsyx123]

I bought the SOUL by Ludicris SL 300 noise cancelling headphones. They look and feel fantastic, and also do a very good job at sound cancelling. They have a switch on the side that turns the sound isolation on/off. You can even use them when the batteries fail However they dohave a major flaw.

They leak noise badly. Everyone around you will be able to hear what you are listening to. I got mine on offer, so they were about half the price of the Bose. If you have the money, the Bose are fantastic, as mentioned by BigBoss. Otherwise, its a case of 'you pays your money, you takes your chance'

Hope this helps.

Not ideal as you can hardly use them on an aeroplane. The Audio-Technicas at less than half the price of the Bose don't leak sound.

You can use them on aircraft - if your not bothered what other passengers are listening to! *music2*