06-14-2007, 07:22 AM | #1 |
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Noise-canceling headphones tested in NYTimes
Looking for a great headphone you can use during a flight? The NYTimes’ David Pogue tested ten different noise-canceling headphones and the winners are, unsurprisingly, the Bose Quiet Comfort 2 (~$300) and Quiet Comfort 3 (~$350). If that's too much for your wallet, you may also want to check out the Panasonic ($100) or the Audio-Technica ($140) headphones which both ranked fairly high.
Link to the test: Headphones to Shut Out the World |
06-14-2007, 01:17 PM | #2 | |
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06-14-2007, 01:27 PM | #3 | |
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I still use my iRiver iHP-140, with a 60 Gb HDD in it and using Rockbox with a Koss Porta Pro or my Ultrasone HFI-650 depending on the situation. I love the concept of noise cancelling headphones, but the sound quality wasn't quite as good when I tried one of those. Plus I'm quite lazy, the fact that you need a battery in those headphones is a downside for me |
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06-14-2007, 01:29 PM | #4 |
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I tried some older Bose noise cancelling headphones and was majorly unimpressed. I plan on sometime hitting up a Bose store because I do want to try the new can alond with the inner ear ones they have. Probably won't buy since they are a bit expensive.
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06-14-2007, 01:38 PM | #5 |
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Looks like they only reviewed active noise canceling headphones. What about all the passive models, like earbuds from Shure and Etymonic that work passively by creating a good seal with your ear, blocking outside noise. And Bose is overpriced for the sound quality.
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06-14-2007, 02:08 PM | #6 |
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I agree... passive headphones are often more effective than active noise cancellers, and are cheaper besides. I use a pair of Shure earphones with foam earpieces that block outside noise. I can ride my bike with them on and barely hear the engine.
I'd recommend passives to everybody to try FIRST, before spending money on actives. |
06-14-2007, 02:11 PM | #7 |
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The actives I've tried out over the years seemed to play with my equilibrium unpleasantly.
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06-14-2007, 02:18 PM | #8 |
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I got a pair of the original Bose headphones some years back and they have been excellent when traveling ever since. Not only do they work on jet noise, they also do a good number on the chatty person in the next seat. (Yes, I really do care about what sort of girl your grandson is dating and no, I do not want to see the pictures of your family reunion, again.)
I have found that the in the ear "earbuds" do not work well for me. I get a headache after a few minutes even at low volume settings. |
06-14-2007, 02:19 PM | #9 |
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Hey! I snore so loud they'd have to noise cancel me
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06-14-2007, 03:52 PM | #10 |
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The last Shure I tired where the Ec3 and I hated them with a passion. They sounded horrible. I still don't know how they could be so highly rated. They are not that much better then Apple earbuds.
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06-16-2007, 05:13 PM | #11 |
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Honestly, I think it sounds more like marketing than a serious review. Well, maybe I am biased because to me it is more important the opinion of actual users than that of the so-called experts. For example, before buying my Sony Reader, I carefully read several threads of this forum. Similarly, if I were planning to buy good headphones, I would probably visit this forum and ask there: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/index.php
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06-17-2007, 11:19 PM | #12 | |
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06-18-2007, 03:21 AM | #13 |
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06-18-2007, 05:07 AM | #14 |
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I have the Bose "Quiet Comfort 2" headphones and they are amazing. Excellent sound and the noise cancellation is little short of miraculous. What's more, they run from an "AAA" battery which seems to last forever - I've been using the same one for months and it shows no sign of dieing yet. If you want a recommendation from a "real" customer, I happily give one.
Not cheap but I guess that, like most things, you get what you pay for! If I had to make one minor criticism it's that they will ONLY work when "active" - ie with noise cancellation. It would be nice to be able to use them as "conventional" headphones in environments where the noise cancellation wasn't necessary. I have to say, though, even in a home environment it's astonishing the background noise they get rid of that you weren't even aware of - you flip the power switch and the background that you hadn't even been consciously aware of just "fades away" into complete silence. |
06-18-2007, 05:32 AM | #15 |
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I have a set of Philips SBC-HN110 headphones. I've tested the Bose Quiet Comfort 1 (they wrap the ears as opposite tot the QC2). The bose is amazing, good sound and very good NC. However, too expensive, even for me... I bought the Philips for a fraction of teh Bose's prize. (i think 10x cheaper).
They really helped on my flight back home, especially because it wraps around the airs, it's much more comfortable. |
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