Noise Reduction/Cancelling Headphones

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LennonNZ

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Topic # 95436 4-Jan-2012 11:09

I'm going on a trip soon and I am looking at some Noise Reduction headphones for the plane. Last time I went to AU I got put in 1st class at Emirates and they gave me some noise reduction headphones and they made a huge difference in the expereince (even tho they where cheap noise reduction headsets)

So what do people suggest? I've seen reviews of the Blackbox M14 headset but I see its an old model now and the M16 is the latest one now. I've heard people talk about the Bose headsets and they where expensive but what are the "best" (in whatever terms you want to rate them on) these days. Looking at the Sony MDRNC500D is the price indicative of the quality?

- Craig

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Reply # 564311 4-Jan-2012 12:36

I have the blackbox M14's and have found them to be excellent. I have used them lots for studying to block out background noise (we used to live by a busy road) and also lent them to a friend flying to Malaysia who reported back that they were really good on the plane. I find them very comfortable despite them being over ear ones and I wear glasses.
Cant speak for any comparisons as these are the only ones I have used. They came in a neat carry case too with all the airline adapters.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

alasta

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Reply # 564329 4-Jan-2012 13:19

I highly recommend the Sennheiser PXC-250-II, or any of their other similar models.

I have used the Bose QC15 and whilst the noise cancelling is extremely good the audio quality does not live up to the high price tag.

benmurphy66

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Reply # 564335 4-Jan-2012 13:40

I own a pair of Bose Noise Canceling (older ones so not current model) and Sennheiser PXC 450. I rate the Sennheisers over the Bose as the sound is better and they have some cool features that the bose didn't have (TalkThrough function is surprisely useful when travelling). both are a bit expensive.

scottjpalmer

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Reply # 564490 4-Jan-2012 22:06

I had the $100ish Panasonic ones a few years back - pretty average to be honest but that is proof of you get what you pay for (in this case). I sold them after one flight.

LittleDave

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Reply # 564582 5-Jan-2012 08:13

Hi, I bought a pair of Panasonic RP-HC700E http://www.panasonic.co.nz/at-home/audio/headphones/noise-cancelling/rp-hc700e.html (link was here

) for $160 at Duty free in Auckland. Used them on fights to/from Chile and other shorter flights and am very happy with them. Things I like are the robust detachable cord, included plane audio adapter and compact case. With noise canceling on you can still hear the jet noise but it is reduced to a background hum that I quickly found I could ignore, so I reckon the 92% noise reduction Panasonic cites is probably around right. Audio play back seems very rich with sufficient bass for me although I am not an audiophile.

So all up a cheaper alternative than the

timmmay

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Reply # 564636 5-Jan-2012 09:52

I have Monster Beats ones, I find them quite effective, but they're way overpriced. I've heard good things about blackbox, Bose are often overpriced but effective.

Alternately get a pair of cheap foam earplugs from a pharmacy and wear regular headphones over the top, and turn the volume up. That works almost as well and costs about $2. I do both, foam earplugs and NC headphones.

I may be selling some Fanny Wang NC headphones soon, review models in perfect condition (I run a headphone reviews website). Will just see if my girlfriend wants them before I sell them, will be a week or so. Plus i'm putting about 15 pairs on in ear phones on ebay today, all review samples.

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Dunnersfella

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Reply # 564637 5-Jan-2012 09:56

The Panasonic ones LittleDave has linked to are quite good from my experience. Ive traveled with them a lot and my partner uses them on a regular basis. Bose... well, I couldn't bring myself to buy another Bose product ever, ever, again.

kiwi_64

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Reply # 564682 5-Jan-2012 10:52

I use a pair of AKG K480 NC's which I'm really happy with. I must confess that the Sony MDRN500D's do offer the best noise cancelling of all of the units I've tried, but a: they're expensive, and b: I'm not a fan of their aesthetics (look very plasticy/cheap to me)

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 564699 5-Jan-2012 11:09

I have the AKG's too, and they just live in a drawer now. Fiddly, painful headband and an annoying battery pack. I'd rather own Beats - and that's saying something!

mckenndk

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Reply # 564709 5-Jan-2012 11:32

I would recommend the sennheiser PXC-450 they were good on my flight to Hong Kong recently, first time I have ever slept on a plane, they can be used if you have no battery as well with out the noise canceling of course.

I got mine via Amazon via a friend in the USA (they probably shop to nz) which was good a it came with a receipt and have a world wide warranty which I have used once.
You can also get them off Ebay for cheaper but don't know if they give you a receipt.

I did have some Philips ones before these they are like the Panasonic ones but not to hot on a plane but good for sound the office and on the train.

Both these models also came with carry cases.

Dion

scottr

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Reply # 565032 5-Jan-2012 21:48

mckenndk: I would recommend the sennheiser PXC-450 they were good on my flight to Hong Kong recently, first time I have ever slept on a plane, they can be used if you have no battery as well with out the noise canceling of course.

I got mine via Amazon via a friend in the USA (they probably shop to nz) which was good a it came with a receipt and have a world wide warranty which I have used once.
You can also get them off Ebay for cheaper but don't know if they give you a receipt.

I did have some Philips ones before these they are like the Panasonic ones but not to hot on a plane but good for sound the office and on the train.

Both these models also came with carry cases.

Dion

Amazon.com won't ship the headphones to nz, but amazon.co.uk will. They seem to have a special on some headphones at the moment, bought my dad a pair of Sennheiser PXC 310 for xmas at near half-price. (?209.99 down to ?139.73). Added bonus was that when buying from outside the uk vat is removed as well, so they really cost ~?109 + shipping.

tigercorp

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Reply # 565046 5-Jan-2012 22:03

I still love my Nokia BH-905.

The noise cancellation is great for an over the ear set, although they're not as quiet as the Bose QCs I've tried. But the audio quality is excellent in that they faithfully reproduce the source which is a big thing for me. I'm not a fan of hi-fi sounding cans.

Bluetooth or cable, great battery life, can still be used once the battery has run down, and very very comfortable.

BrentR

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Reply # 565047 5-Jan-2012 22:06

Another vote for the Nokia 905's here :) Have done me well over the past couple of years :)

pryannz

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Reply # 565230 6-Jan-2012 10:00

I had the Blackbox M14 headphones which I purchased primarily for long haul travel to block out the engine noise during flights. They work really well plane / train / bus etc.

After about 3 years of constant use some of the plastic on the head strap had broken away so sent it in to Phitek to get this head strap replaced and they upgraded me to the new M16's for free despite it being well out of warranty. I was pretty stoked with this.

Phitek's customer support is pretty impressive. And an advantage of buying NZ made should you need replacement parts quickly. I would definitely shop around though as $299 USD is on the high side. I see them as a middle of the road noise cancelling headphone not high end so they shouldn't price themselves as such.

I find the new M16's to be slightly larger and more clunky than the M14's but work just as well. If it is noise reduction / cancellation you are after then these are a safe bet. No doubt there are non noise reduction / cancellation headphones out there that do a better job with audio.

I have also heard Shure do really nice isolation / cancellation earphones. http://www.shureasia.com/

I would go with over-ear rather than in-ear any day for noise reduction... but in saying that the in-ear technology may have caught up.

FYI - It's also hard to get shut eye on long haul flights with big cans on your ears if you don't want to sleep facing directly forward! ... but it's worth it.

gcorgnet

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Reply # 565239 6-Jan-2012 10:10

pryannz: I had the Blackbox M14 headphones which I purchased primarily for long haul travel to block out the engine noise during flights. They work really well plane / train / bus etc.

After about 3 years of constant use some of the plastic on the head strap had broken away so sent it in to Phitek to get this head strap replaced and they upgraded me to the new M16's for free despite it being well out of warranty. I was pretty stoked with this.

Phitek's customer support is pretty impressive. And an advantage of buying NZ made should you need replacement parts quickly. I would definitely shop around though as $299 USD is on the high side. I see them as a middle of the road noise cancelling headphone not high end so they shouldn't price themselves as such.

I find the new M16's to be slightly larger and more clunky than the M14's but work just as well. If it is noise reduction / cancellation you are after then these are a safe bet. No doubt there are non noise reduction / cancellation headphones out there that do a better job with audio.

I have also heard Shure do really nice isolation / cancellation earphones. http://www.shureasia.com/

I would go with over-ear rather than in-ear any day for noise reduction... but in saying that the in-ear technology may have caught up.

FYI - It's also hard to get shut eye on long haul flights with big cans on your ears if you don't want to sleep facing directly forward! ... but it's worth it.

Hi,

I am interested in your story as my pair of M14 just broke . The head strap had broken ages ago but wasn't too bothered as they were still usable. Now one of the ear is actually broken and is only tied to the rest of the headphones by the wire. => Not usable.
I had bought them through Ascent so contacted them and they told me that their supplier (I am guessing Phitek/Blackbox) said they were out of warranty but were I could still send them in to see if they could do anything.

Were did you buy yours? Is there anything you could tell me that would help?

Thanks,

Guillaume

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