A year and a half ago, I had an argument with a colleague from another site. We discussed rumors that the iPhone 7 will not have a headphone jack, and my argument was this: they say, Apple will revive the entire acoustics industry and motivate manufacturers to develop better wireless headphones.
I already thought I had lost. Apart from Apple itself, represented by Beats, almost no one really tried to do a good product: not just wireless headphones with bells and whistles, but cool, comfortable and functional. And most importantly - better than they were before.
The surprise came from where I was not expecting. Sony took and made as many as 3 models of wireless headphones that are a must, without any “buts” you need to try it for yourself. Put it on, listen, be surprised.
Why was I surprised by the very idea of testing?
Posted by site (@site) Oct 26, 2017 at 2:49 PDT
A couple of weeks ago Sony invited journalists to an unusual event. No, just to make a presentation of new headphones in the office, like everyone else.
We were invited get on a helicopter and test not only the flagship model of the new headphones - Sony WH-1000XM2, but also their noise reduction.
Here it is worth making an important digression.
I tried a dozen different noise canceling headphones, from earbuds to full-size ones. And they all had one of two disadvantages:
- or they played mediocre or ok but not good.
- or their noise cancellation didn't work well.
There is nothing unusual about this. Herself noise reduction technology - a highly complex system, which includes so many factors that making a universally excellent headphone model that is not inferior to just wireless analogues for the same price has been almost impossible for a long time.
It is necessary to ensure that the following are ideal: design, passive noise reduction, speakers, microphones, ear pad materials, air vents. The “brains” of the headphones – the processor that corrects the sound – should work at 5 points and adapt to the surrounding conditions very quickly and accurately.
Therefore, I went to test Sony's new products without any special expectations, except perhaps with surprise. How much should a company be sure in such a complex gadget to allow a hundred people to test them in a helicopter - probably the noisiest form of transport, even worse than an airliner?
How it went and what was presented
We were taken to Helipark Podushkino– for a formal presentation, then an acquaintance with the models and the helicopter flight itself.
AirPods could be thrown into the trash upon arrival. The noise from the helicopters on the site was such that even maximum volume the music could not be heard.
In this contrast I felt excitement. Well, it can't be that the noise reduction in these new Sony headphones so cool. In extreme cases, there must be something wrong with the sound. Miracles don't happen.
This is what was announced at the official part.
New line of Sony W headphones – and all smart
Posted by site (@site) Oct 26, 2017 at 2:21 PDT
A fan of the brand in the past, so deep down I wanted the W in the model indices to stand for “Walkman”. In fact, these are Wireless, that is, “wireless”.
At the presentation, 3 new models of Bluetooth headphones with active noise cancellation were shown at once - and all of them are on sale today.
The general feature of this line is interesting technology Smart Listening.
It changes the noise reduction algorithm based on what you're doing. Depending on the specific situation, headphones can either drown out all noise, or, on the contrary, reproduce all surrounding sounds - to help better navigate in space.
The latter is really important in the city. Walking with headphones on busy streets can be dangerous, which is why many of you (myself included) use AirPods or EarPods with their lack of noise cancellation.
So it’s very cool that in the W series you can choose whether to hear noise or not.
Here are a few smart operating scenarios that the headphones detect and activate independently in Smart Listening mode:
- Journey: 100% noise reduction, 0% ambient sounds.
- Expectation: 50% noise reduction, 50% ambient sounds
- Walk: 70% noise reduction, 30% ambient sound reduction
At any time, you can change the amount of ambient noise playback and the amount of noise reduction, as well as change other settings through the proprietary Headphones Connect application.
And also these headphones recognize the level of atmospheric pressure– a factor influencing the perception of sound. If you are high above sea level (on an airplane, for example), the headphones will change the acoustic picture to achieve best quality sound and mitigate the effect of height on the library experience.
It turns out that the W series is initially adapted to all situations in which you may need noise reduction - train, flight, street, subway, office.
And at the same time, it allows you to do the opposite - to hear MORE ambient noise, so as not to miss your name in line, the voice of a colleague, an approaching car or a metro station announcement. Noise reduction and noise enhancement, all in one.
Sony WI-1000X. Headband-plugs, always with you
Necklace headphones. All electronics are hidden under the collar and hang around the neck, and the “plugs” are on short wire are inserted into the ears.
Control buttons, charging port and indicators are on the necklace. The fit is comfortable, the weight is light - 70 grams.
The headphones themselves are dual-driver: there are 9 mm dynamic and balanced armature drivers. My impressions are that there is a good rich sound with moderate bass (the impact is felt), but at the same time bright high frequencies. The mids are at an average level, in this range you can feel digital amplification and the work of the “improver”, putting emphasis on some signals instead of others.
Operating time – 10 hours with continuous music playback and 17 hours just in standby mode.
Other interesting features: NFC, support aptX HD(alas, iPhones are on the way out), wired mode - via an audio cable, the 3.5 mm cable included in the kit. Headphone range in wireless mode standard, 10 meters.
Headphone Necklaces – mainstream wireless world, because it’s convenient to use: you won’t lose it anywhere, you don’t have to look for it, it’s easy to remove the “plugs” themselves and put them back on. Sony, however, managed to add excellent noise reduction to them. Against this background, the BeatsX, which are similar in design, look rather pitiful.
Sony WF-1000X
Where would we be today without truly independent wireless headphones? Sony has finally entered this market segment, and their first model hit the mark.
Firstly These are really comfortable headphones. The biggest problem with independent wireless ears is how crooked they fit and how poorly they stay in place. In the case of the WF-1000X, 5 seconds were enough for me to poke both and get full sound insulation and a “vacuum” effect that is not lost when walking (another popular problem with such models).
I walked in them for 15 minutes and did not feel any discomfort.
Secondly, super sound quality! After AirPods, this is simply an incomparable upgrade. Good mids. The bass is powerful and sharp. The highs are slightly muffled against the background of the rest. But how great is all this combined with noise reduction! You don't have to turn up the volume to hear something. And there are no wires hanging.
Playback control is through taps and swipes on the earphone, a simple system.
Third, they look good. Again, unlike other models in its class, the WF-1000X doesn't stick out too far to the sides, as if you were an android robot. And they don’t hang down, as if they had inserted a toothbrush into the ear. Personally, I liked the beige model better, it looks great on everyone.
The operating time is a little weak after AirPods. 3 hours on a single charge with continuous music playback. And 8 hours of standby time with noise reduction (35 hours without). The headphones are charged in a portable case (weighs 70 grams), it takes about an hour and a half to do everything.
The case is enough for 3 full charges. There is a Fast Charging function - 15 minutes of charge is enough for 75 minutes of listening.
I would recommend listening to this model for those who have not yet purchased AirPods. And if you don't like the fit or sound of Apple's wireless headphones, the WF-1000X is the place to start your search. The sound is too good to miss. Well, there is noise reduction!
Sony WH-1000XM2
Here she is, the star of the day. Full-size wireless headphones with Sony's top-end noise-canceling technology. A whole heap of top-class bells and whistles, after which the price of the model no longer seems high.
I don’t even know where to start, there’s a sea of emotions. Here I’ll tell you about technology.
These are headphones closed type with dynamic dome emitters on neodymium magnets. The 40mm drivers reproduce a very high frequency range: from 4 to 40,000 Hz.
Serious iron. Wireless audio is processed using technology DSEE HX– an ideological successor to aptX, which improves the quality of compressed music files and restores lost data due to the peculiarities of the Bluetooth connection.
The result is that these headphones sound even cooler in wireless mode than in wired mode. There is a small digital “mark” on the sound: unusually sharp, bright detail of different frequencies that the system considers important at a particular moment in the track.
I can't describe the sound quality for a long time. For example, the bass here is multifaceted, strong, but not booming. He is equally good in both instrumental tracks and heavy metal cuts - thanks to the work of electronics. And how good the tall ones are here, with the effect of presence!
Overall conclusion – the WH-1000XM2 sound cooler than anything with noise cancellation that I've ever heard.
There is support for the LDAC codec - it allows you to improve sound quality when playing uncompressed audio files.
Working hours - 30 hours! That is, one charge is enough for a week of daily use on the road or for an entire round-trip flight. Well, you can always connect a cable, although you will lose the excellent Sony software bells and whistles available wirelessly.
Ear pads from skin, plastic case with a matte finish and metal inserts. Management is carried out through touchpad on one of the headphones: familiar swipes and taps. The scheme requires some getting used to, as for me this is the only (small) drawback of the model. The buttons have ruled and will continue to rule.
There is an awesome feature instant mute music and reproduction of surrounding sounds: you put your hand to the right earphone - and you suddenly hear everything that is happening around. This will allow you to answer a question from others or listen to an announcement without removing your headphones. Works flawlessly.
This is an awesome thing, but it costs 27,990 rubles.
Well, how is noise reduction in a helicopter?
🚁 We flew on a helicopter with Sony headphones WH-1000Xm2 and tested active noise cancellation. Briefly: 🔥! You sit in almost complete silence, but in fact there is noise and whistling in the cabin 😌 respect #sony for proving the coolness of these “ears” instead of a bullshield 👍 @ngoryainov still impressed 😳 #1000x #headphones
Today, almost half of the assortment in the audio department of any store is equipped with an active noise reduction system. Some say that this is the best invention since the advent of headsets, while others are sure that this is just another ploy to pump out money.
Let's figure out together whether you need to pay attention to such a feature when choosing headphones.
What is it and how does it work
Active Noise Cancellation is a way to eliminate unwanted noise by overlaying specially generated sound.
Active noise reduction works as follows. The system captures the noise you want to cancel through an external microphone and emits a sound wave with the same amplitude but a mirror image of the original sound's phase. The noise wave and the generated sound mix and cancel each other out.
This method of dealing with noise when listening to music allows you to abandon complete sound insulation or excessively increase the volume. These two methods were previously actively used to suppress unnecessary sounds.
The first patents in this area began to appear back in the 30s of the twentieth century, but it came to real application only half a century later. Active noise cancellation technology was originally used in the aviation and defense industries. Only a few years ago it entered the consumer market.
Is it effective
Many people mistakenly consider the active noise reduction system a marketing ploy. Yes, the system will not protect you from all noise, but it performs its direct function properly.
It is generally accepted that a person is able to perceive sounds in the range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Most modern noise cancelers cope well with noise from 100 Hz to 1 KHz. This is quite enough to save the listener from conversations of other people, traffic noise and wind.
We perceive fluctuations in the range below 100 Hz not only with the ear, but also with the body; here, no noise reduction in headphones will help. As for the upper range, the system is capable of turning high-frequency squeaks or whistles into a calm hiss.
With good noise-canceling headphones, you can feel like you are in a quiet room, even if you are on a noisy street.
Useful features of active noise cancellation
Manufacturers thought, since the headphones are equipped with an external microphone, why not provide the ability to use it for its intended purpose.
Some models allow you to temporarily disable noise reduction and broadcast sound “outside” to your headphones. This way you can communicate with your interlocutor, move safely, or simply perceive information from the outside world without removing your headphones.
Another advantage of models with active noise reduction is the presence of a built-in amplifier. It is with its help that “anti-noise” is generated for the operation of the system, but in addition to this, the amplifier is capable of producing higher quality sound.
Is everything really that smooth?
The active noise reduction system also has its drawbacks. The main one is that these headphones are not suitable for everyone. Don’t worry, the percentage of those for whom the technology is contraindicated is quite low. About 3% of users, when using active noise reduction for a long time, begin to complain of headaches.
Their cause is active noise suppression system intolerance syndrome. It is similar to seasickness, when our brain thinks that the body is at rest, but the vestibular system sends opposite signals.
Likewise, when suppressing noise, it seems to the brain that we are in a quiet place, and the senses send signals that are unusual for this.
Another negative factor is increased pressure on the eardrums, because in addition to music and noise, “anti-noise” enters our ears. This can cause disruptions in the nervous system and lead to headaches.
What are the alternatives?
On this moment active noise cancellation is the most technologically advanced solution. This chip cuts off up to 95% extraneous sounds when listening to music. In this case, a whole chain of additional elements is used and this affects the cost of headphones and headsets with active noise suppression.
As a counterbalance to this technology, you can use passive noise reduction. It is achieved by sealing the human ear from external noise through massive ear pads in over-ear headphone models or flexible ear pads that can take any shape in vacuum models.
All other things being equal, such headphones are cheaper and simpler in design, which means they are more reliable in operation.
What to choose in the end
First, you need to go to the nearest electronics store with exhibition samples and visually verify the operation of the active noise reduction system. A simple comparison of headphones with and without such a system will immediately give results.
To avoid falling into the so-called “risk zone,” it is better to ask a friend or acquaintance to test the model.
This is how yet another technology, previously in service with the military, is deeply penetrating our lives.
- 1. Rating of in-ear headphones
- 2.QCY QY7 Black-Green
- 3. Xiaomi Mi ANC Type-C In-Ear Earphones
- 4. Plantronics BackBeat GO
- 5. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC40BT
- 6. Sennheiser CXC 700
- 7. Rating of full-size headphones
- 8. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC50IS
- 9. JBL E65BT
- 10. Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 SE
- 11. Sony WH-1000XM2
- 12. Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) PX
No music lover can imagine his life without good headphones. And if you often listen to music on the street or on public transport, then such a headphone criterion as active noise reduction becomes one of the most important. And today, noise-canceling headphones are in the spotlight.
Rating of in-ear headphones
This will be the traditional top 10 best noise-canceling headphones, which includes both full-size headphones and miniature in-ear headphones.
QCY QY7 Black-Green
Price: 1274 rubles. 
QCY QY7 Black-Green are good budget headphones with a nice design. The accessory is classified as wireless and works via Bluetooth. At the same time, the headphones can boast of a good degree of autonomy - a full charge lasts for 6.5 hours of listening to music. The sound is reproduced in the range of 20-20000 Hz. Of course, the sound of the QCY QY7 Black-Green is far from top-end, but for its price category it is very decent. But this model, alas, does not differ in outstanding noise-canceling properties.
Xiaomi Mi ANC Type-C In-Ear Earphones
Price: 2890 rubles. 
Unlike the model above, Xiaomi Mi ANC have a wider frequency range of 20 - 40000 Hz, as well as clearer and cleaner sound. They are connected via a connector USB Type-C. Active noise cancellation dampens almost all low and mid frequencies, so you can enjoy music even in the subway. Overall good headphones for reasonable price, which will delight you with a pleasant sound. But there are some drawbacks - not a single equalizer works with these headphones.
Plantronics BackBeat GO
Price: 4000 rubles. 
Plantronics BackBeat GO features a miniature design and light weight, making these headphones almost invisible on your ears. At the same time, the accessory provides excellent sound quality, as well as the level of noise reduction, even in comparison with more expensive models. However, the compactness and wireless type played a cruel joke on the headphones - when actively listening to music, a full charge lasts only 4 hours. If low autonomy does not bother you, then Plantronics BackBeat GO will give you many pleasant moments.
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC40BT
Price: 9200 rubles. 
In second place are another wireless headphones Audio-Technica ATH-ANC40BT. The headset provides high sound quality and even produces quite noticeable bass, especially if you play with the equalizer. The active noise cancellation system does a good job of muffling low and mid frequencies. I am pleased with the autonomy - the charge is enough for 8 hours of active listening to music. One more distinctive feature This model also has the ability to connect via cable, however, in this case the noise suppression system will not work.
Sennheiser CXC 700
Price: 10,490 rubles. 
And finally, the best-in-class Sennheiser CXC 700 in-ear headphones. Their advantages include clear sound with high-quality lows and the most pronounced bass among similar accessories. Digital active noise cancellation also performs better than its closest competitors. Among other things, the Sennheiser CXC 700 is one of the most ergonomic and comfortable models. As a minus, we can note that they are not the most expressive high frequencies, however, against the backdrop of the overall sound quality this is not so critical.
Rating of full-size headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC50IS
Price: 6990 rubles. 
Inexpensive wireless headphones Audio-Technica ATH-ANC50IS provide sound at frequencies of 20 - 20,000 Hz. The gadget is of the wireless type and has a high degree of autonomy - up to 40 hours of operation. The model features both good passive noise insulation and a decent active noise reduction system. True, high noise is blocked an order of magnitude worse. But the main disadvantage of the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC50IS is not the most reliable design; these headphones are quite easy to break.
JBL E65BT
Price: 7000 rubles. 
JBL E65BT is a wireless model that will appeal to fans of large headphones that sit comfortably on the head and ears. As for the sound, the range of 20 - 20,000 Hz is more conducive to high-quality lows, although the final result does not cause any particular complaints. Noise reduction is on point. Pleasantly pleases high degree autonomy - with noise reduction turned on, a full charge of the device lasts for 15 hours of continuous operation. Fast charging in stock.
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 SE
Price: 14990 rubles. 
Another headphone from Plantronics, but this time a full-size type. BackBeat Pro 2 SE demonstrate good surround sound, which is facilitated by deep lows and pronounced highs. Noise cancellation is not perfect, but good level and is in no way inferior to other models in this price category. It is worth noting good autonomy, the headphone charge lasts for 24 hours, and the automatic pause function also allows you to save it.
Sony WH-1000XM2
Price: 27999 rubles. 
The Sony WH-1000XM2 has everything a quality headphone should have. This is excellent sound in the range of 4 - 40000 Hz with a special wire for listening to audio high resolution. This is one of best systems active “smart” noise reduction with individual settings, allowing you to enjoy excellent sound even at high altitudes. This is a minimalist design with high autonomy. But the model is priced accordingly.
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) PX
Price: 29990 rubles. 
The Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) PX headphones have virtually no competitors. The gadget provides best-in-class sound with an almost perfect frequency balance, which is complemented by an intelligent noise reduction system that adapts to various environmental conditions. With these headphones, nothing can distract you from listening to music either in a subway car or on an airplane. In addition, the device boasts an ergonomic design and good battery life. The only drawback that can be noted is their considerable cost. This concludes the 2019 rating, which included only best headphones with active noise cancellation, finished. We hope that it helped you resolve the difficult issue of choosing a headset, and that the headphones themselves will please you both with their sound and their ability to protect you from the noise of the world outside the ear pads.
Listening to music on headphones outside the home is always a struggle between chaotic external noise and that beautiful sound, organized by pitch and time, which we call music. Whether you will hear more of the rumble of a railway carriage or the sound of your favorite composition directly depends on the degree and quality of noise reduction of your headphones. How can you get rid of external noise and, most importantly, is it worth doing? Let's figure it out.
Where and when do you need noise reduction?
Noise-cancelling headphones are usually recommended for use on long trips. A typical advertising poster shows a well-dressed middle-aged man in business class on an airplane. I haven’t been in business very often, but I can say for sure that in economy class on international flights, you always come across a couple of people putting noise canceling headphones on their heads immediately after takeoff. And in those moments when I forgot mine, I always sincerely envied such people. If you think about it, a plane or, say, a train is far from the only reason Use noise canceling headphones. The subway can be no less noisy, and just being on a busy city street, it’s difficult to listen to music while ignoring the noise of cars passing by. Even more interesting story- use of such headphones indoors. For what? Well, let's say, you can listen to music at home and not hear the TV running. And in an office that buzzes like a beehive during the day, you can work calmly and concentratedly in silence and comfort. And let your colleagues envy your peace of mind!
Essence of the question: Noise-cancelling headphones are useful in a lot more situations than you might think.
Lifehack: Do you want to remain in silence and solitude when there is noise and chaos around? Get yourself good headphones with noise reduction. There is no better way to “turn off the sound” for a while.
PROTECT YOUR EARS
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Rating of the top 3 best noise-cancelling headphones
Noise Canceling vs. Sound Isolation – Is Noise Canceling Better?
There are misconceptions about noise cancellation and soundproofing. Below we will try to explain the difference.
Noise reduction
Noise cancellation is an active system that uses a microphone and external power. The microphone captures ambient noise, and the control chip creates sound with similar characteristics, but opposite in wave phase, and sends this sound to the headphones. The same sound with opposite phases cancels itself out, and all you can do is listen to the music and enjoy the silence.
Such a system performs well in suppressing low-frequency noise, such as the constant hum of an engine.
When Active Noise Cancellation is on, you'll feel transported to a quieter place, but this technology Doesn't remove all ambient noise.
The echoes of the human voice, loud music and any other noise with inconsistent frequencies cannot be isolated, so you will hear them constantly. Typically, a combination of active noise reduction and passive noise isolation provides the best results.
Noise insulation
Passive noise insulation does not require complex systems - it muffles noise, isolating it. Thus, the tight-fitting ear pads of full-size headphones play a significant role in blocking out all external noise. In-ear headphones seal the ear canal with their shape, so sound waves are transmitted through an air column isolated from the environment.
Highly noise-isolating headphones can block up to 37 dB of noise, providing complete blocking of low-volume human voices.
Passive noise insulation blocks all external sounds - from stomping neighbors to screaming children. This makes them useful when you crave privacy.
On the other hand, complete sound insulation can be dangerous in public places, because when walking on the street it can be important to know what is happening around you.
What can you expect from noise-canceling headphones?
Noise-cancelling headphones eliminate most background noise without canceling out high-frequency sounds like human voices and traffic.
As soon as you press the noise canceling button, some background sounds will simply disappear, creating the illusion of a quieter environment.
This makes noise-cancelling headphones ideal for trips when you want to get rid of the engine rumble, while still allowing you to hear sounds that alert you to important things. For example, about a flight delay at the airport or about a car approaching on the street.
What does 95% noise reduction mean?
Typically, noise cancellation performance is measured in specific, low-frequency, low-noise environments, as these are the conditions in which active noise cancellation technology achieves its best performance.
This does not mean that active noise cancellation with 95% efficiency will remove 95% of background noise. They will only suppress frequencies at different levels. As such, active noise cancellation ratings should be taken with a grain of salt, as they don't demonstrate the technology's true effectiveness.
Review of the top 7 best in-ear headphones with noise canceling technology
The best earbuds Bose QuietComfort 20
The Bose QuietComfort 20 are undoubtedly the best over-ear headphones with active noise-canceling technology available today.
Not everyone loves Bose products, but it is worth recognizing that they have achieved impressive results in the field of sound suppression and are today leaders in this area in the audio market.
Noise suppression
If you want to magically get rid of background noise and immerse yourself in the world of music, but still hear high-frequency sounds, you won't find anything better than the Bose QuietComfort 20.
It seems like the noise cancellation in earbuds works even better for high-frequency noise compared to competing headphones (with this technology). They are so good that they will save you from the hum of aircraft turbines, and from some of the noise of automobile traffic, and muffle the shrill human voices and the loud chirping of birds.
They can't completely rid you of these sounds, but they do it better than all the other models on this list.
In addition, the QC 20 has a special mode called Attention, which reduces the amount of noise cancellation for times when you need to hear other people around you.
The battery, which is needed for noise reduction, is unfortunately not removable, but it lasts for 16 hours, after which it can be charged with via USB. Li-ion battery can withstand up to 500 charging cycles, after which its capacity begins to decrease. Thus, if you use the noise reduction mode for about 10 hours on average, then trouble-free battery operation will last you for a year and a half.
Reliability of the design
The construction quality is good, despite the plastic “plugs”. The silicone ear pads are pleasant to the touch and fit tightly. The cables are protected by a sufficient layer of rubber and are hardly the weak link in this design.
Comfort
With its lightweight design and quality silicone ear pads, the Bose QuietComfort 20 are extremely comfortable.
Included with the headphones you are provided with three different sizes of ear pads, which will allow you to comfortably place the “plugs” in the ears of almost any person. And while the ear pads are comfortable, they look a little short, which reduces their passive noise isolation and fit stability. However, once you select the best level of fit, the sound insulation will hardly disappoint you.
Peculiarities
The microphone is located on the cable and works as expected, allowing you to easily answer calls without interrupting the noise canceling mode.
No less ergonomically located are the controls for compositions and the noise reduction operating mode. Please note that Attention mode is guaranteed to work only with the required OS type - iOS or Android.
Sound
As for headphones with active noise cancellation, the sound is not bad, but it cannot be compared with ordinary audiophile models.
The sound seems to be better when the noise canceling is activated than when it is turned off. In the latter case, the mids are less pronounced, so it makes sense to activate active noise cancellation as often as possible.
Overall, the sound can be described as typical Bose - with accentuated bass and slightly shaded highs. However, the sound turned out to be more balanced than in previous models, where the midrange was even worse.
Bottom line, if you value noise cancellation over sound quality (typical of people who are constantly on the move), the Bose QuietComfort 20 will be to your liking. After all, if you're looking for the very best example of noise-canceling technology packed into a small, comfortable pair of headphones
Bose QuietComfort 20 is waiting for you.
Advantages:
- best noise reduction in its class;
- sufficient comfort with a stable fit;
- strong build;
- ideal “plugs” for travelers;
- Sound quality that is on par with the best active noise canceling headphones.
Flaws:
- price;
- Sound quality deteriorates when noise reduction is turned off.
AKG K391 NC Active Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones
Noise suppression
Compared to the Bose model above, the AKG K391 still has room for improvement, but overall the device provides a decent level of noise reduction.
They perform well on board airliners and on the seats of public transport, successfully drowning out low rumbles, white noise and other background interference, while they are not able to cope with voices.
The battery is even longer lasting than the Bose's, lasting about 40 hours on a single charge.
Reliability of the design
The structure is made of aluminum and the build quality is excellent. Aluminum ear pad housings, thick rubber-coated wires securely attached to the battery and noise-canceling device - you will have to try to find flaws in the design.
Convenience
The AKG K391 NC has a design closer to vacuum headphones, while the Bose QuietComfort 20 is more similar to on-ear headphones. Therefore, they stay in your ears exactly until you begin to actively move, which makes them not best choice For sports training. The ear pads can be replaced with foam ones to improve comfort, although the original silicone ones are very good.
Peculiarities
The microphone works great when taking calls and you can easily connect to any iOS and Android devices. Don't expect the recording quality of a recording studio, but it's fine for a conversation with a friend.
Sound
Any audiophile will probably agree that the AKG K391 NC sounds better than the Bose SoundQuiet 20, as the sound is more balanced.
While the Bose has pronounced bass and treble, the AKG has a more balanced sound profile. It also can't be compared to typical audiophile devices, although the sound quality is closer to them than Bose.
With the noise reduction mode turned off, the sound sharply loses detail, but as soon as you turn it on, the sound picture changes dramatically for the better: the highs become clear and pronounced, acquire a warm tint, the mids are not darkened, and the bass becomes elastic and clear.
Bottom line, if you don't want to spend a ton of money on the Bose QuietComfort 20, but want similar noise-canceling performance to high quality assembly and improved sound profile - feel free to take the AKG K391.
Advantages:
- noise cancellation is better than average;
- high build quality;
- balanced sound.
Flaws:
- a little bulky due to the battery;
- The sound is still not up to par with regular headphones.
The best wireless headset with microphone and active noise cancellation Phiaton BT 220 NC
Noise suppression
According to the developers, the noise reduction efficiency is 95%. Despite the beautiful numbers, the Bose QuietComfort 20 still outperforms the Phiaton, especially when suppressing high-frequency sounds.
Headphones with active noise cancellation connected via Blutooth - the battery lasts 16 hours, depending on the nature of use. Bluetooth 4.0 works no worse than older versions, and can receive a signal within a radius of 10 meters. Wireless headphones have built-in AptX technology for better quality, just make sure your device supports it (iPhone does not).
Phiaton BT 220 NC can be used in different ways - both with Bluetooth and active noise reduction, and as regular wired headphones using micro cable USB.
Reliability of the design
There is nothing special about the design. They don't look flimsy, but they don't tolerate moisture well and are made mostly of plastic, which, however, makes them very light.
Convenience
Their lightweight nature makes them very comfortable. Once you choose the right size of ear pads, you will forget that you are wearing them.
Peculiarities
Opportunity wired connection, Bluetooth 4.0 and AptX technology, a microphone (working only in Bluetooth mode), as well as a multipoint connection that allows you to connect up to two devices simultaneously.
Sound
The sound is excellent, perhaps even better than the Bose QuietComfort 20, but only if you gravitate toward balanced sound. The highs are very crisp and detailed, the mids are not darkened, and the bass is firm but not overtly emphasized.
Ultimately, if you're looking for comfortable, lightweight, affordable, good-sounding wireless headphones, check out the Phiaton BT 220 NC.
Advantages:
- 95% noise reduction;
- convenience due to lightness;
- 16-hour battery life;
- Bluetooth 4.0 with AptX;
- possibility of wired connection;
- balanced clear sound.
Flaws:
- Strong winds spoil the sound when the noise canceling mode is on.
Sony MDRNC13 – Sony's latest in-ear headphones with active noise cancellation
Noise suppression
This technology is less effective here compared to products from Bose or Phiation, but it works well. They work well when noise canceling is needed but you still want to hear ambient sounds. Sony claims they have 87% noise reduction.
But what surprised Sony MDRNC13 was its battery capacity, which lasts for 100 hours! It uses regular AAA batteries. No noise-cancelling earbuds can last that long on a single charge.
Reliability of the design
The design of the product is made of high-quality plastic. You shouldn't take the Sony MDRNC13 to the gym or expect them to last for years, but they won't fall apart if you use them daily.
Convenience
The headphones are quite large, but since they are made of plastic, they do not weigh much and provide a comfortable fit even on long flights.
Peculiarities
Sony MDRNC13 are not equipped with a microphone for telephone communication, but can work with any tablet or smartphone.
Sound
The sound quality is typical for Sony - weakly present bass and clear highs. In general, the sound is not bad, but does not stand up to comparison with its more advanced brothers.
Bottom line, if you want quality on-ear headphones from Sony with impressive battery capacity, then the Sony MDRNC13 is a great choice.
Advantages:
- 87% effective noise reduction;
- Sony brand quality;
- light and comfortable;
- impressive battery capacity;
- good balanced sound.
Flaws:
- Bose and Phiaton have better noise cancellation
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 – the most popular noise-cancelling headphones
In our opinion, this model offers the best cost solution among all active noise-canceling headphones at the moment.
For under $100, you get sturdy in-ear headphones with high-quality sound that's better than many $200 models in this segment.
Noise suppression
According to Audio-Technica, these headphones cancel up to 90% of noise, which is true, putting them on par with the Bose QuietComfort 20 and Phiaton earbuds in terms of noise-canceling performance.
The battery life on a single charge is 60 hours, thanks to high-capacity AAA batteries.
Reliability of the design
Products under the Audio-Technica brand can hardly be of poor quality, even despite the plastic. In any case, there is no need to worry that the headphones will break after a few weeks.
Convenience
ATH-ANC23 is lightweight, but has a voluminous design. But that doesn't make them uncomfortable. On the contrary, once you choose the right size of ear pads, they will seem more comfortable to you than many vacuum “plugs”.
Peculiarities
The headphones do not have a separate microphone, as the microphones are already built into the ear pads.
Sound
This is what Audio-Technica are good at, especially when you consider the cost. These are definitely the best sound quality active noise canceling in-ear headphones out there. It feels like the sound profile is concentrated around the middle. The tops are generally clean, but can become rough at times. The lows have clear and punchy bass.
Thus, if you want to get the best headphones with active noise reduction technology, then you should definitely choose the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23.
Advantages:
- excellent 95% noise reduction;
- good assembly;
- affordable;
- high quality sound;
- 60-hour operation on one battery.
Flaws:
- for that kind of money it's hard to find something better.
Active Noise Canceling Headphones for Sony Xperia MDR NC31EM
Before reading the review, please note that the Sony MDR NC31E is only compatible with Sony gadgets that support noise reduction - these are Xperia series smartphones and tablets (Z2, Z3, Z4, etc.)
Noise suppression
According to the manufacturer, this value reaches an impressive 98%, however, in our opinion, the Bose QuietComfort 20 has better noise reduction. On the other hand, the NC31E has different noise canceling modes: air travel, public transport and office. In addition, there is no need to worry about the battery, since the headphones do not have one, and the active noise cancellation is powered by the connected device.
Reliability of the design
The active noise canceling headphones for the Sony Xperia are made of plastic with rubber-coated wires that are prone to tangling because the cable on the left side is shorter than the right. The build quality is consistent with the Sony brand, but it doesn't boast anything special.
Convenience
Replacing the supplied ear pads with Comply foam ear pads will allow you to achieve a new level of comfort, since the standard ones cannot be compared with most models of this type.
Peculiarities
The noise reduction mode works because the microphones are built into the headphones, and the waves are generated by the connected Xperia series device.
Sound
The sound quality is very good. The sound profile is balanced and there is clearly no heavy bass here. Overall, it's exactly the sound you'd expect from regular $50 headphones.
Bottom line, if you're looking for affordable noise-cancelling headphones for your Sony Xperia, the MDR NC31E will come in handy.
Advantages:
- above-average noise reduction;
- there is no bulky “box” with a battery and a noise reduction device;
- available;
- unique design;
- good sound.
Flaws:
- Works fully only with Sony Xperia series devices.
The most budget wireless noise-canceling headphones TaoTronics TT-BH06
Noise suppression
After evaluating previous examples of active noise-canceling headphones, we think the TT-BH06 has the worst performance. Yes, noise reduction works, but it’s much worse than that of more expensive analogues, which, in principle, is quite expected for headphones costing $20.
The built-in battery allows you to enjoy the available noise canceling mode for 5 hours.
Reliability of the design
Of course, the strength of these headphones is not the highest. The manufacturer claims that the device is waterproof, but you definitely shouldn’t hope for a long service life. On the other hand, TaoTronics support department is ready to replace any product that suddenly stops working for unknown reasons.
Convenience
Finding the right fit takes some getting used to, as the headphones have a built-in battery, which makes them heavier. In general, you can wear them for about an hour before you get tired of them. If you are lucky with the shape of your ear canal, then you will probably find these headphones comfortable, but if not, then get ready for the “plugs” to constantly fall out during any active activity.
Peculiarities
Bluetooth 4.1 allows you to connect to any wireless device, and the communication range reaches up to 10 meters. In addition, TaoTronics can use AptX audio enhancement technology. A built-in microphone is also available, which is convenient for phone calls.
Sound
The sound quality, oddly enough, is surprising. Of course, it is far from its dear colleagues, but the fairly balanced sound with a minimum of bass is quite suitable for those who want to enjoy music on a long journey.
So, for $20, you can't find a better wireless headset than the TaoTronics TT-BH06.
Advantages:
- very low price tag;
- definitely worth the money;
- quite sophisticated;
- responsive support service.
Flaws:
- noise reduction technology is worse than all the above models;
- nothing special stands out.