Noise-canceling headphones tested in NYTimes

TadW · 06-14-2007, 07:22 AM

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

JSWolf · 06-14-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TadW

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

We went to Florida last month and sat by the engine. I used my Rio Karma with Koss Porta Pro headphones and I sat in my seat reading from my Sony Reader and listening to music. I was completely able to tune out the engine noise.

Hadrien · 06-14-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

We went to Florida last month and sat by the engine. I used my Rio Karma with Koss Porta Pro headphones and I sat in my seat reading from my Sony Reader and listening to music. I was completely able to tune out the engine noise.

Rio Karma had excellent features and Koss Porta Pro is a great choice too.

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

JSWolf · 06-14-2007, 01:29 PM

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.

Leaping Gnome · 06-14-2007, 01:38 PM

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.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 06-14-2007, 02:08 PM

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.

NatCh · 06-14-2007, 02:11 PM

The actives I've tried out over the years seemed to play with my equilibrium unpleasantly.

RWood · 06-14-2007, 02:18 PM

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.

yvanleterrible · 06-14-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

We went to Florida last month and sat by the engine. I used my Rio Karma with Koss Porta Pro headphones and I sat in my seat reading from my Sony Reader and listening to music. I was completely able to tune out the engine noise.

Hey! I snore so loud they'd have to noise cancel me

JSWolf · 06-14-2007, 03:52 PM

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.

Andanzas · 06-16-2007, 05:13 PM

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

JSWolf · 06-17-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andanzas

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

But remember, the most important opinion is your own.

Andanzas · 06-18-2007, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But remember, the most important opinion is your own.

Sure. I agree. You all should ask me and I'll tell you what to buy.

HarryT · 06-18-2007, 05:07 AM

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.

athlonkmf · 06-18-2007, 05:32 AM

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.

06-14-2007, 07:22 AM	#1
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,583 Karma: 1094606 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	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

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06-14-2007, 01:29 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,866 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	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.

06-14-2007, 01:38 PM	#5
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	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.

06-14-2007, 02:08 PM	#6
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	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
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	The actives I've tried out over the years seemed to play with my equilibrium unpleasantly.

06-14-2007, 02:18 PM	#8
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	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, 03:52 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,866 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	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.

06-16-2007, 05:13 PM	#11
Andanzas Out of print Posts: 484 Karma: 1549538 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Madrid, Spain Device: Sony PRS-500 (recycled), Pocketbook Inkpad X Pro	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

06-18-2007, 05:07 AM	#14
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	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
athlonkmf Guru Posts: 714 Karma: 1014039 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3, Sony PRS350, iPad 64GB	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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