Noise-canceling headphones.

In My Humble Opinion
1

I use my iPod only for traveling; it’s a great thing to have especially on long flights. But on most planes I’ve taken, the ambient noise all but drowns out the music . . . especially quieter passages of classical music.

So I’m considering buying a set of noise-canceling headphones. Do any of you have experience with these? How well do they deal with noisy airplane sounds?

2

I have a cheaper pair (Panasonic?) that went for ~$80 last year. They’re killer on airplanes; the aircraft white noise is considerably lessened. Its still there, but barely audible. And I agree - earbuds or even in-ear buds are almost useless on airplanes.

3

I got a set as a conference gift. I’m wearing them all the time now, but for walks they’re not too useful. But I agree that on airplanes they’re great - the airplane noise gets handled very well.

4

I have a pair of Bose ($299) that I got for Christmas about four years ago. (They may be cheaper now, I don’t know.) Ambient noise is almost entirely eliminated even when you’re not listening to music or movies. They also come with several different plugs so they fit almost any airplane and my ipod. Unfortunately, they do absolutely nothing to block out screaming children or annoying chattering seatmates unless you turn your music up loud. I travel often on long international flights and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. They’re worth every penny my parents paid for them. :slight_smile: The only drawback is that they’re a little bulky - the model I have cups your entire ear - but they come with a nice carrying case.

5

This question was just asked the other day; though, granted, there wasn’t much in the way of responses. xash suggested these .

6

Believe or not, the first noise canceling headphone devices were actually made SPECIFICALLY for drowning out the hum of an airplane if I’m not mistaken.

I like these. You can find them for a lot cheaper somewhere but I lost the site. They’re great headphones.

7

I bought a set of panasonics for walking to work with along a busy road. They appeared to work on the principle of counter-acting the traffic noise by amplifying the lightest breath of a summer breeze to a raging hurricane, thereby drowning out the noise of the engines.

But maybe on the regular drone of aero engines they’d have been fine but my close-fitting in ears work great on the train.

8

I use these in lieu of noise-cancelling cans ( for example on airplanes ). I think the sound is better and the isolation about as good.