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 more high 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 feature cuts out up to 95% of 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.
Noise for residents of megacities is everywhere. Conversations, the hum of cars, construction tools and equipment, the ringing of mobile phones, the sounds of animals - all this not only pollutes the general background, but sometimes puts psychological pressure on a person.
For example, you are going on a trip or a business trip, but in the transport a baby is crying angrily, a dog is barking, or someone, not really considering those around him, allows himself to speak out about everything that comes to his mind, and even in a raised voice.
If you want to drown out the whining of a crying child and “turn off” other unwanted sounds from your perception, then good headphones will come in handy. "Good" in this context means that they will have maximum level noise reduction.
The first thing you need to remember about noise-canceling headphones is the basic way they work: they first block noise and then allow you to enjoy high-quality sound.
With that said, here is a list of active noise canceling headphones that deserve your attention and are worth buying. Make your world more harmonious and control background noise with these great headphones.
Best of the best: Bose QuietComfort 35
Acoustic noise-canceling headphones from Bose. Famous brand is synonymous with high-quality sound and superior quality. It is not surprising that it was this world-famous company that introduced the world to unique noise-canceling headphones.
Bose's QuietComfort 35 headphones may be too expensive for most people, but they are by far the most comfortable and effective noise-canceling headphones available. They come in classic black or white, but there are other color combinations available.
The headphones fold into a convenient bag for storage or transportation. Sure, they're not cheap, but the noise-canceling technology developed by Bose has been refined over the decades. It remains the pinnacle in this segment of modern technology.
Best Sound: Monoprice Hi-Fi Active Noise-Canceling Headphone
These aren't the cheapest noise-canceling headphones on the market, but they offer the best combination of performance and price. You can find noise-reducing headphones for as little as 300 rubles, but they are unlikely to work as advertised.
The Monoprice Hi-Fi headphones promise excellent noise-canceling performance. Active noise-canceling technology blocks up to 22dB of ambient noise and runs on AAA batteries, promising up to 50 hours of use.
It is equipped with a three-pin remote control remote control, which allows you to use them with mobile device or applications. The design itself is pretty boring. There is no Bluetooth compatibility, but when it comes to their main function, in the noise canceling category, these headphones are flawless.
Extend the fun: Bose QuietControl 30
As mentioned, when it comes to noise-canceling technology, Bose is the unrivaled leader. Simply because the company has been working with sound since the 1980s, has vast experience and a lot of proven and new technologies. The company was separately engaged in the development of special equipment for noise reduction.
It is thanks to Bose that we can use the best headphones with optimal noise-canceling properties. But the QuietControl 30 headphones offer more than just performance, reliability and style.
These in-ear headphones provide a high level of comfort. Some people find in-ear headphones generally uncomfortable to use for long periods of time, so for those users, we recommend the QuietComfort 35. They're so comfortable that you won't even feel them. In any case, there will be no discomfort. Even if you will be using them for a long period of time.
Best Comfort: Sennheiser PXC 480
When it comes to comfort, the most comfortable headphone design is an over-ear design. These headphones cover the entire ear, extending slightly beyond the shell area, which prevents the pressure that those who wear headphones directly on or inside their ears may experience.
These ear devices are equipped with soft materials that provide additional comfort while reducing noise levels. Durable, durable materials give active noise-cancelling headphones durability and reliability. They also have a unique TalkThrough feature that allows users to communicate without removing the headphones.
Stylish: wireless BOHM Bluetooth
These are fairly small headphones that are affordable for almost everyone. Unlike many other noise-canceling headphones, BOHMs include a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that allows you to enjoy up to 18 hours of sound.
From two high-quality stereo speakers, you can expect high-quality sound with strong bass. As an added bonus, the headphones are Bluetooth compatible, meaning you don't need any wires. The active headphones come in two equally stylish color tones, but we recommend the brown or gold option for maximum wow factor.
In addition to great features, BOHM headphones offer you amazing comfort. They are equipped with lightweight leather ear cups and a soft headband. There's even an in-line remote control and microphone that allows you to make hassle-free calls on the go. Stress-free listening to music is guaranteed.
Best Sound: V-MODA Crossfade Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones V-MODA Crossfade looks like something out of science fiction. The two-tone industrial style will make you look like a DJ from the future. But they're not just stylish.
They sound great. These headphones have a dual diaphragm 50mm driver that delivers crystal clear sound that separates the bass from the mids and high frequencies melodies.
These headphones will allow you to connect to wired or wireless network depending on your circumstances. Let's say you have a smartphone without a jack and need wireless headphones, but you use wired headphones with your work laptop. V-MODA Crossfade can handle both devices, and you'll be able to sync the headphones to two devices at once if you're using your phone and tablet at the same time.
These headphones can stream music wirelessly for about 12 hours on a single charge. But you can still use them wired if the battery dies. The headphones are available in black, chrome, red, and white colors.
Boost Sound: Paww WaveSound 3 Bluetooth
WaveSound 3 headphones are designed primarily for travel. They are equipped with a travel case and special structural elements designed for airplane flights or train travel.
They include an aircraft adapter designed to connect to certain in-flight surveillance systems. They block out cabin noise, eliminating up to 23 dB of unwanted outside noise. In addition to clear audio reproduction and noise cancellation, WaveSound 3 has a built-in microphone for calls (please don't do this on a plane!).
The lightweight and durable metal design will fit comfortably on your head. Sound connoisseurs say the WaveSound 3 headphones do a great job of canceling out noise, delivering great sound to their favorite songs, especially when traveling by train.
Best Design: AKG N60 Headphones
Portable, lightweight and attractive, the AKG N60 headphones are ideal for those on the go. Thanks to 30 hours battery life And USB charging This device will appeal to those who do not sit still.
The AKG N60 is made of plastic wrapped in high-quality leather that extends to the ears. Active noise cancellation is present, but the real appeal of these headphones is the sophisticated design. The audio highs have very clear mids, and the lows have great depth and detailed bass.
Bottom line
All of these models offer varying degrees of noise reduction, but always perfect sound and user friendliness. Choose your type of headphones, download great songs, and fill your world with your sound.
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 better develop 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 similar 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 muting 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 WH-1000Xm2 headphones and tested active noise reduction. 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
In our testing of the latest and most expensive noise-canceling headphones, we examined four of the best Bluetooth models available today in terms of noise cancellation, sound quality, battery life, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Bluetooth headphones with noise canceling function: Testing the noise canceling function
Bose caused a stir in 2016 with its first wireless headphones with active noise cancellation: the Quiet Comfort 35 model guarantees not only great sound, but also high-quality noise cancellation. Now the successor to the Quiet Comfort 35 II has entered the market, which in our test will compete for first place with new Sony WH-1000XM2, Beats Studio 3 Wireless, as well as Sennheiser PXC 550. Headphones currently cost 20-25 thousand rubles.
The models tested have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): they are equipped with microphones that absorb ambient noise and create out-of-phase sound waves that best cancel out external sounds for the listener. Their advantage over regular headphones: you don't have to turn on music to block out external noise. Accordingly, such headphones promise real silence in the workplace or on the go. Of course, construction headphones also do a good job of this task and are cheaper, but NC headphones allow you to enjoy music with very low levels of external noise, since the noise reduction adapts the music signal accordingly. And since we are talking about rather expensive models, users can, of course, count on highest quality sound.
From left to right: Beats Studio 3 Wireless, Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, Sennheiser PXC 550
Noise reduction: this is how it works for all tested models.
To test active noise cancellation in conditions similar to a natural urban environment, we played typical external sounds, such as a moving train, a supermarket, and a playground, through the speakers in the test lab to test how the noise canceling of the headphones works without music.
Our test shows that they cope with this task best Sony headphones WH-1000XM2, followed by Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. The Beats Studio 3 Wireless came in last place for this indicator, with the Sennheiser PXC 550 in the middle of the list. But not a single model could achieve complete silence. Bass and deeper mids are barely noticeable, but voices (albeit much quieter) still come through the headphones. It follows that over-ear headphones are particularly well suited for use in cars and airplanes, as they cope well with monotonous low-frequency noise. Some people, however, react negatively to such unnatural silence, some perceive it as pressure on the ears, others think they hear a slight noise. Wind, which creates noticeable noise when blowing into the microphones, has a bad effect on sound transmission in such headphones. The tested models did not perform the best in cases where a person wore a hood over them, or was in a noisy bus. In these situations, the sound constantly changes and begins to twitch, which does not happen with regular headphones. Fortunately, in such situations, noise cancellation can be turned off on all four models.
Noise-Cancelling headphones suppress street noise not perfectly, but quite well (Headphones in the photo: Sony WH-1000XM2) Noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones reduce battery life
If you turn off noise cancellation, battery life is extended, but the headphones start to sound worse. This is especially noticeable with the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II: the bass and mids become unclear and washed out. Unfortunately, the batteries of all four models are built-in, and you won’t be able to replace them yourself. We asked the manufacturers how much it costs to replace the battery, but we were only able to get a satisfactory answer from Beats. According to the information on their home page The cost of replacing the battery will be a little less than 6,000 rubles. Bose says the battery is not replaceable, and Sennheiser and Sony are willing to provide cost estimates on a case-by-case basis. It is very unpleasant that headphones costing 20,000 rubles because of this threaten to become somewhat of a disposable product.
| Name | Sony WH-1000XM2 | Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II | Sennheiser PXC550 | Beats Studio 3 Wireless |
| Sound | Rich, pronounced bass, generally warm, lacks a bit of definition | Clear and crisp but cold at times, good bass | More subdued bass, natural midrange, highs dominate | Not very wide range and not very high detail, but warm and pleasant |
| Battery life with ANC enabled | 33:50 h | 18:01 h | 19:49 h | 23:45 h |
| Battery life with ANC disabled | 45:11 h | 20:37 h | 23:09 h | 42:47 h |
| Battery charge time | 169 minutes | 96 minutes | 165 minutes | 76 minutes |
| Bluetooth connection stability | Very good | Satisfactorily | Very good | Great |
| Wearing comfort | Great | Great | Fine | Very good |
| Noise reduction | Great | Great | Fine | Satisfactorily |
| Voice signal quality when talking on the phone | Fine | Fine | Very good | Fine |
| Cable connection without Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Work through cable connection with a low battery | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| You can change the battery yourself | No | No | No | No |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Travel case | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Control | Touch | Mechanical buttons | Touch | Mechanical buttons |
| Connection via NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audio codecs | SBC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC | SBC, aptX | SBC, AAC |
| Construction type | Full size | Full size | Full size | Full size |
| Weight | 275 grams | 310 grams | 227 grams | 260 grams |
| Price | 24,000 rub. | 21,000 rub. | RUB 20,200 | RUB 19,900 |
In general, the Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones performed best, the successor to the very similar Sony MDR-1000X model: except good sound They feature top-notch noise cancellation, stable Bluetooth connectivity, excellent battery life, and a very comfortable fit. With noise cancellation turned on and music constantly playing, they lasted almost 34 hours - the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II lasted only 18 hours in similar conditions.
We liked the sound overall, but it does have a bit of a bass bias, so we found it a little lacking in clarity and definition. The headphones are not very suitable for listening to high-quality sound, but when working in the office or on the go, they will definitely please you with good meaty sound. Those who are not satisfied with “bass” headphones should pay attention to the Sennheiser PXC 550. The bass forms an excellent basis for the sound, which adds zest to electro, pop, and hip-hop tracks, as well as movie soundtracks (for example, Running Man by blade 2049), but still the sound in the headphones is a little blurry, and tends to go into the mid-range. In the high-frequency range, the 1000XM2 headphones could use a little more clarity. For example, guitars, cymbals and tambourines are heard more openly and clearly in the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, while the Sony's are a bit muted by comparison.
The Sony WH-1000XM2 has a mechanical button to change the strength of the noise reduction. Otherwise, you can control them using taps and swipes on the right earbud. The Sony WH-1000XM2 fit very well, with soft, pleasant-to-touch ear pads that fit well on your head. The hidden touch controls on the right earbud take some getting used to: swiping back or forward lets you change tracks, and up and down to increase or decrease the volume. It seems that everything is simple, but in practice it’s a different matter; more than once, trying to simply change the volume, we switched to another track. In general, after a short period of getting used to, the controls no longer seem so difficult. The Bluetooth connection is quite stable and does not drop when the user moves to another room.
The WH-1000XM2 sits very comfortably on the head. However, from time to time the plastic creaks a little. Testing the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II
Compared to the Sony WH1000XM2, the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II has two significant disadvantages. Problem #1: Bose headphones had the most unstable Bluetooth connection in our test. Already at a distance of three meters, the music began to go astray during testing if between mobile phone and the earphone was on the wall. Even with a line-of-sight connection, we were able to cause short disconnects simply by placing our hands on the headphones. When listening to music in these headphones, you will no longer be able to move freely around the apartment (of course, a lot depends on the thickness of the walls). Even with the Galaxy S7 and headphones close together, sudden interruptions occurred while on the go.
Problem #2: Battery life with active noise cancellation enabled. And here the Quiet Comfort 35 II showed the worst result, lasting only 18 hours in our test.
But the noise cancellation itself works just fine and fights external noise very effectively. Voices can be heard through the headphones, but very quietly, without disturbing at all. But in our test, Sony headphones performed better in this regard. Both of them can be considered almost a standard option in terms of this indicator. The disadvantage of Bose is that people standing nearby can hear quite well what music is playing in the headphones, starting at medium volume.
The sound of the headphones is very pleasing: compared to the model from Sony, the sound of the Quiet Comfort 35 II is clearer and crisper, but at the same time colder and harsher. Listen to jazz with them and classical music we really liked it, but the metal wasn't so much, we didn't have enough volume of sound, which prompted us to lower the volume. The dynamic range of the sound is excellent, and the low frequencies are well defined, without blurring.
The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II does not fit very tightly to the head, but it sits very comfortably. Quiet Comfort 35 II sits very comfortably on the head, not quite tightly, but this does not interfere. However, when you turn your head quickly, they slide off. The fact that Bose still relies on mechanical buttons may seem a little outdated, but we liked it. True, some people are already unaccustomed to the fact that to switch a track you have to press the button two or three times, but you definitely can’t go wrong when pressing pause or changing the volume. By the way, Quiet Comfort 35 II allows you to work directly with Google Assistant, which makes it possible to control your phone using voice commands. This is a nice bonus, but it is unlikely to be a reason for many to buy these headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM2 will have this feature with an update.
What's quite annoying is that the Bose app shares user data and information about your music preferences by default. Those who do not want this should disable this feature.
We found it quite convenient to work with the control buttons on the earphone. The big button on the left controls Google Assistant or adjusts the noise reduction intensity. Sennheiser PXC 550
The Sennheiser PXC 550 is an excellent purchase for fans of clear and rich sound, but compared to other models we tested, these headphones are too dominant in the heights for us, and the sound sounds somewhat dry. Bass sounds okay, but models from Bose and Sony deliver it better. Depending on the track, we were either impressed by the Sennheiser basses, because they sounded less intrusive, or not so much, since they sometimes lacked materiality and conviction. The headphones convey mid-tones and voice quite pleasantly and naturally. But when listening to quieter passages, we noticed a slight background noise that was missing from other headphones. The noise reduction system of the Sennheiser PXC 550 works, in general, quite well, but still worse than that of the Sony WH-1000XM2 and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. In the office, voices are heard through these headphones more clearly than with other models. Overall, we rate the noise cancellation system's performance as Good. When testing the battery, the headphones lasted 20 hours on a single charge. good result. When measuring the charging time, the headphones showed themselves differently: when using only power supplies, they charged very slowly, a full charge took more than 20 hours, we replaced the power supply, everything was the same. When we managed to select a more suitable device for power supply, the entire process of 100% charging took only 165 minutes, this is a completely acceptable result.
The Sennheiser PXC 550 look very serious, but they are not very comfortable to wear due to their somewhat awkwardness and rather narrow ear pads. In the Wearing Comfort category, we would give preference to other models, although the PXC 550 fits the head quite well. But there is relatively little foam material on the ear pads, and therefore the headphones do not fit perfectly, for our taste. Sennheiser PXC 550 as well as Sony WH-1000XM2 are controlled using hidden touch buttons. The problem is that to activate Play/Pause here you only need to press once on the back of the right earbud (twice for Sony), which leads to common mistakes when controlled by touch. In addition, two editors accidentally typed the last one typed telephone numbers, because they accidentally activated the corresponding function (swipe and hold) when putting on headphones. Our conclusion is that the controls of these headphones still take some getting used to. Additionally, this Sennheiser model has a proximity sensor, so the headphones automatically pause music when you take them off and start playing when you put them on.
Unfortunately, this feature didn't work very well when we put the hood on top, even though the headphones were on the whole time, they would occasionally stop playing a track when the wearer turned their head.
Plus: Like other headphones, the Sennheiser PXC 550 can be folded for travel. Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones
Sound Beats headphones The Studio 3 Wireless is decent enough, but compared to the other three models it feels rather unremarkable, a little flat and not particularly wide range. Unlike BOSE's QC35 II, these headphones sound equally good with music of any genre, their warm sound conveys music in a slightly less detailed and more restrained manner, but it never irritated us with any track of any genre, even with high level volume. The Studio 3 Wireless may sound a little closed, but they can be called excellent universal headphones for travel and work.
The Beats Studio 3 Wireless has the worst noise cancellation performance of any model we tested, but it still gets a "Fair" rating from us for this feature. In our testing, the difference was especially noticeable compared to models from Sony and Bose, which handle external noise much better. But when listening to music at the lowest volume, the difference ceases to be so noticeable. Like the other models tested, these headphones should not be worn in windy conditions, because the microphones transmit the wind as a rather pronounced rustling sound.
The Beats Studio 3 Wireless sounded warm, with a slight tendency to emphasize bass, but I wanted more range and clarity in the sound. We really liked the way the Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones fit, they are very comfortable and comfortable on the head. But the ear pads themselves could be a little larger, the inner fabric padding touches the ears, and after a while they get hot. People with long hair should also be careful when wearing these headphones; the narrow connection between the headband and ear pads in testing showed that it can tear out hair quite well. Beats is controlled using mechanical buttons on the outside of the left earpiece. We quickly got used to their control and didn’t make any mistakes.
The Beats ANC headset relies on button controls instead of touch controls. Management works well. In testing, Studio 3 Wireless showed the best stability of the Bluetooth connection, and took second place in terms of battery life: they worked for almost 24 hours on one charge. In addition, the developers equipped Beats headphones with a special Bluetooth chip optimized for connecting to Apple devices: W1.
When you might be disturbed extraneous sounds? In public transport - for example, in the subway. This is the most common case when there is an irresistible desire to get headphones. We recommend paying attention to those that have an active noise reduction system. They create so-called “white noise”, which drowns out all surrounding sounds. ABOUT best models read this kind below.
The best reinforcement headphones with noise reduction system
Sony XBA-NC85D: no noise, perfect sound
Now Sony is not the only, but the most famous manufacturer of reinforcement headphones. Even musicians performing at concerts use its products. Last but not least, their choice falls on such devices due to great system noise reduction - the sound of a raging crowd is practically inaudible to the musician. Good headphones This kind is Sony XBA-NC85D.
They look good, and each driver in them is responsible strictly for a certain frequency range. Due to this, the headphones sound great - you will definitely like the sound picture. The entire structure weighs only 6 grams. Separately, it should be noted that the wires here are made of oxygen-free copper, and the connector is gold-plated.
Advantages:
- Great sound;
- The kit includes a case;
- The headphones are very light;
- The noise reduction system works flawlessly;
- Gold plated connector;
- Airplane adapter available.
Flaws:
- Astronomical price tag;
- There are only three pairs of replaceable ear pads included.
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DACOM Armor: the jogger's choice
Most often, in-ear headphones either tear or fail due to water getting inside them. No such problems can happen with DACOM Armor. This is a headset that has some protection against water. Of course, you shouldn’t swim in it, but the accessory is not afraid of rain or sweat. The headphones are held on the head by a tiny cord painted in a bright color.
Connection to a smartphone is carried out via Bluetooth 4.1. As expected, the user can manage calls - the corresponding buttons are used for this. As for the active noise reduction system, which is the subject of our selection, it copes with its task, if not perfectly, then quite well.
Advantages:
- Cute design;
- There is moisture protection;
- Used Bluetooth standard 4.1;
- Decent battery life;
- Implemented call management;
- Stays well in the ears;
- Adequate price tag.
Flaws:
- The weight may seem heavy and the design may not be flexible enough;
- The sound cannot be called ideal.
Meizu EP51: optimal Bluetooth headphones
This is the best wireless headset that the Chinese company Meizu could create. It has a fairly long cord that can be painted in one of six colors. On the cord there is a decent-sized remote control, inside of which there is a tiny battery. The entire structure weighs 15.3 g - this is a very insignificant parameter.
Charging the battery takes two hours. As for battery life, it all depends on the method of using the headset. After all, you can just listen to music or talk with your interlocutor. well and main feature The product is supported by the aptX profile, thanks to which sound is transmitted over the air in CD quality.
Advantages:
- You can manage calls;
- aptX profile supported;
- Minimum weight;
- Bluetooth 4.0 is used;
- Relatively low price tag;
- Several color options.
Flaws:
- The buttons on the remote control are pressed too hard;
- The shape of the ear pads is not suitable for some people.
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Philips SHB5850: when the weight is close to the minimum
How much weight can you reduce on a wireless headset? The Philips SHB5850 example shows that 12 grams can be achieved. At the same time, the quality of the headphones cannot be called insufficient at all. The device can be painted in different colors - there are at least five options in total.
Active noise reduction here does a very good job of blocking sounds in the subway. It should also be noted that with such a small weight, the headset has a good lithium-polymer battery - you can listen to music continuously for ten hours! Some complaints can only be caused by the Bluetooth module - when driving, signal dropouts occur from time to time.
Advantages:
- Good sound with noticeable low frequencies;
- The weight is practically not felt;
- Almost record-breaking battery life;
- Not too high a price tag.
Flaws:
- There are no fastenings;
- Unstable Bluetooth signal;
- The upper frequencies are felt rather weakly.
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Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS: solid hard workers
Many of the headphones reviewed today come in a variety of colors. The first exception to the rule is the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS headset. You can only purchase it in black. But it sounds great - the creators tried to squeeze out all the possibilities from the dynamic type.
However, some people may find the headphones to be quiet. This is due to the high impedance (it is 32 Ohms) - many smartphones simply cannot pump up such headphones. That is why the creators added a special system here that runs on an AAA battery - it independently amplifies the sound, at the same time improving the performance of the noise reduction system.
Advantages:
- The noise reduction system dampens up to 20 dB of external sounds;
- Built-in amplification system;
- The kit includes a case;
- Wonderful sound.
Flaws:
- The price tag turned out to be quite high;
- The rubber pads may seem too short;
- Bulky battery pack.
Sennheiser CXC 700: high and undeniable quality
These are one of the most expensive in-ear headphones, which are made of a dynamic type. Inside them are traditional membranes. But they sound no worse than drivers built into reinforcement models. This is explained by a special cable and an amplifying unit (it works using an AAA battery).
The manufacturer assures that the harmonic coefficient here does not exceed 0.5%. This means that you won’t notice much distortion even if you work in the field of music and feel like a professional. Although you can find contrary reviews online, which claim that the product sounds lousy.
In terms of design, these headphones are nothing ordinary - they look like ordinary earplugs that are sold in any Chinese electronics store. The manufacturer himself offers to connect his creation to professional equipment - for this he even included an adapter for a 6.3 mm jack in the kit.
Advantages:
- The headphones operate using their own amplifier;
- Low harmonic distortion and high sensitivity;
- The kit includes a 6.3 mm adapter;
- Airplane adapter included;
- Long cable (1.4 m).
Flaws:
- Having a battery pack can be annoying;
- Not everyone can afford it;
- Noise reduction does not work well.
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Bose QuietComfort 20i: Elegant headphones for iPhone
All the headphones reviewed today work well with any smartphone. But none of them are optimized for iPhone - on Apple technology they offer only basic functionality. The exception to the rule is the Bose QuietComfort 20i headset. Using the buttons on her remote control, you can call Siri, manage calls and solve other tasks.
These headphones are not wireless. However, they still contain lithium ion battery. How so? And everything is very simple. It is this battery that powers the active noise cancellation system. We recommend that you have no doubt about its quality. Also, the battery pack acts like an amplifier. The cable length here is 1.32 m, which is often quite sufficient. But there are few replaceable ear pads in the kit - only three pairs.
Advantages:
- Nice appearance;
- Very good sound;
- Noise reduction works using a built-in battery;
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