Noise Cancelling Headphones

[Guest]

For some parents, their refulgent offsprings are mellifluent. Your anecdote was certainly no more barbarous than parental ineptitude in stifling their brats. Keep writing!

 

[warpete]

What kind of a review is this without Bose?

 

[originalgadgetguy]

Good comments all! In no particular order:

I didn't review the Sennheiser PXC-450 for two reasons: they were out of my price range, and I couldn't get them in time. These phones seem to be one of the best, but also most expensive.

As far as the in-ear buds are concerned: Much of the effectiveness is based on ear anatomy, fit, and tight seal. I elected not to include these, as the really good ones were out of my price range, and from everything I've read, different brands differ enormously in frequency response.

As far as completely objective test measures for headphones go, no, a microphone embedded in a simple mock head doesn't properly measure response, sensitivity, or otherwise reflect what you hear. Over time, various reviewers have tried to measure headphone response. Unlike speaker measurements, no standard has emerged. (Partly because ear anatomy is more influential in headphone testing.) The real question of these tests is: does it reflect what you hear? Can any of these tests be used to fairly categorize the unit under test? Very interesting question on objective testing. This would take a huge amount of work to execute, never mind money for the microphones and response meters.

I thought I did compare the sound quality of both phones to the Bose QC-2s. I couldn't get the first generation of Bose for comparison. At CES, I listened to the AT phones. I wasn't impressed, but listening at CES isn't a fair test! AT is supposed to send a pair for comparison purposes. No luck so far, but if they do, I will post an addendum.

Mea culpa re the kids. Actually, I am in good shape, and like kids. Really. I was a good camp counselor for years...What I should have said was: "parents who won't take care or responsibility of their children." I find most kids are usually pretty good to exceptionally well-behaved on a plane. But why should some absolutely screaming kid be allowed to disrupt everyone within ear shot, esp. when his/her parents seem not to care? How much is that different from some drunk or malcontent the airline boots off (depending on kid's age)? If you travel with kids, my bet is that if you are posted here, you pay attention to and take responsibility for your kids.

Thanks for the comments, and I promise to leave the kids out of it!

 

[Guest]

Can anybody say what they think about the Jawbone blue tooth head set
for cell phones?

 

[Guest]

I don't think you meant that the JVC's have a noise reduction of 16.5dB at 150KILO hertz!!! So that's 150Hz, which is some specific point of reference where their devices look best on the analyzer. Airplane noise/hum sits closer to 40-50Hz, I wonder how these do at this range?

 

[Guest]

Has anyone tried Passive Noise Canceling Headphones like the ones at http/www.quietheadphones.com sells? They seem reasonably priced and if they actually work as well as the website says, that might be a really good option. Has anyone tried them?

 

[Guest]

Any suggestions for blocking out people talking. Need to find a way to muffle (eliminate) the noise while i compose and type while multiple conversations are occurring at adjacent desks. Office was designed to promote team dialogue but not process recording.