Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones block background noise

Noise-canceling headphones are great for planes and trains because they are good at blocking out the drone of engines and the general background noise of public places. Some users even report improved sleep with them during plane travel.

Full-size noise-canceling headphones primarily use an active (electronic) technology to eliminate ambient noise. To do this, most noise-canceling headsets require extra batteries, and some cannot function at all without batteries. Others have a switch, allowing listeners to turn the noise-canceling function on or off, and still use the headphones when the batteries die. Closed, over-the-ear headphones, unlike open models, are also effective at passive noise canceling -- they physically block sound waves. In-ear earphones, covered in our earphones report, can also passively block out sound.

Bose was one of the pioneers in active noise-canceling technology, and most reviews agree that the Bose QuietComfort 2 (*Est. $300) and QuietComfort 3 (*Est. $350) set the standard in blocking out low-pitched noise like jet-engine drone, though they're less successful with shrill sounds such as screaming children or the squeal of train tracks. According to Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge, "Bose [has a] tradition of intentionally skewing warm and soft rather than delivering neutral or especially clear audio." Since these Bose noise-canceling headphones target frequent travelers who are looking for relaxation rather than audio nirvana, this may make some sense.

Most reviewers compare the QuietComfort 2 (QC2) with the QuietComfort 3 (QC3) and find passive noise cancelation better on the QC2 headphones, which have a closed-back style versus the QC3's open-air design. The QuietComfort 3 headphones are smaller and lighter, though, which is a big plus for travel, and come with rechargeable batteries and a charger, helping to offset the rather high cost. New Zealand's Consumer magazine finds that the QuietComfort 3 headphones can block 19.5 decibels, well above the competition (and about the level of rustling leaves). Sound quality is similar in both models, though most reviewers agree that bass is stronger on the QC3. Both headphones are comfortable but expensive.

Creative's Aurvana X-Fi (*Est. $230) are a viable alternative to Bose's QuietComfort 2. Tim Gideon at PCMag.com finds that these large headphones aren't as comfortable as the older Bose headphones, but he likes their better-defined sound and more powerful output. However, Gideon is less impressed with Creative's X-Fi Crystalizer and its X-Fi CMSS-3D sound enhancer, meant to compensate for "lossy" sound formats, such as MP3 files. He finds these to be little more than equalizer gimmicks. CNET's Jasmine France adds that using the sound enhancements may actually aggravate some problems, such as background hissing on audio files, and that the Aurvana X-Fis tend to bleed sound as well.

Reviewers suggest that the lightweight, travel-friendly Sennheiser PXC 300 (*Est. $150), while an older model, is a good choice for midrange noise-canceling headphones. In Consumer magazine's roundup of nine noise-canceling headphones, they finish a solid third to the QuietComfort 2 and 3. CNET's Steven Guttenberg says that these headphones are not quite up to the standard of full-size noise-cancelers but are definitely "in the ballpark." He also finds the PXC 300 headphones quite comfortable. However, Guttenberg does observe that sound volume is generally low, and that bass is also lacking.

Sony's noise-canceling headphones get some good, though not wholehearted, recommendations. According to Jasmine France at CNET, Sony's MDR NC500D (*Est. $400) headphones have very good active noise cancelation, as well as useful extras like a battery pack and hard-shell carrying case. However, France notes that the fit is not ideal and that the sound quality is a bit lacking, as she finds the bass "mushy," or not well-defined. What Hi-Fi? concurs that while the noise canceling is good, deep bass is soft and treble is "harsh" on these expensive headphones. Also, the Sony MDR NC500D cannot be used without the noise-cancelation activated.

Sony makes cheaper noise-canceling sets, such as the Sony MDR NC7 (*Est. $45), but reviewers agree that with the budget Sony headphones, you get what you pay for. Australia's Consumer magazine finds that noise canceling is negligible in the earlier (and still available) Sony MDR NC6 (*Est. $40), and CNET finds that there is little improvement in the newer MDR NC7 set, which also have unimpressive sound quality and a flimsy, uncomfortable build.

A more stylish noise-canceling option are Monster Beats by Dr. Dre (*Est. $300). Tom Gideon at PCMag.com is pleasantly surprised that despite the celebrity endorsement and high price, these headphones look good and have "intense low end," sure to please lovers of bass-heavy music. Curiously, Jasmine France at CNET finds that the bass isn't as heavy as she expected, but notes that the Beats are warm and balanced in the midrange and crisp in the high end. She would recommend these headphones for listening to electronic, hard rock and mid-tempo hip-hop. Both CNET and What Hi-Fi? also notice that they leak sound. France doesn't have much to say about the effectiveness of these headphones' noise canceling, but Gideon notes that the implementation of this technology by Monster -- best known for its high-end audio/video cables -- can't compete with that of Bose or Creative.