Want noise reduction for subway...

I have a love-hate relationship with isolating IEM in the NY subways. Don't want them too isolating (else miss on important announcements, like "this train will go express from the next stop, so unless you want to end up in the Bronx, get off now!") but the subway is so damn loud you need something truly isolating.

I've been okay with my E4c, but it's too isolating and you said you don't want canals. Sennheiser HD25-1 and PX250 or PX300 come to mind as possible options.

Best,

-Jason

Senn folders for a noisy world.

I have the PXC250s and they isolate pretty well in trains, jets, and on midtown Manhattan streets ... far from 100%, but enough so that you can hear the music. When you switch off the noise-reduction circuit (looks like a Boosteroo!) the background noise rushes in with a roar (rumble?).

They do not appreciably attenuate transients -- they mainly reduce steady sounds like Manhattan's background traffic noise, cruising jet roar, trains, fans/air conditioners, general low-level office chatter, etc.

I'll be upgrading to the PXC300 soon, but surprisingly Senn said they are currently out of stock! My 250s have a couple of external flaws and they're willing to replace with an upgrade (not free, unfortunately...tho' they really should, given the design flaws), so I'll wait for the upgrade to the 300s.

Don't try to analyze them in a quiet environment. The NR circuit imposes an audible hiss -- but their purpose is use in noisy environments, so why bother to compare them to high-end phones anyway? Their sound is enjoyable in portable situations, and unlike some who comment on their lack of bass, I find them quite satisfactory in that regard (see my notes on fit, below).

The ear pads are small, and anyone with large ears may not get an adequate seal, and so they'll get less isolation and a lot less bass energy. They work well for me, but I often have to shift them around a bit for optimum sound quality -- and I have somewhat small ears.

The 250s saved me from a major headache on a recent flight on which the pilot really gunned the engines for about 1.5 hours to get past a nasty storm --- the loudest commercial airline jet roar I'd ever experienced. Of course I still heard it, but without the noise reduction (and music cranked up) the roar was actually painful (people were shouting to be heard).

The one caveat for these phones is build quality. Although the headband and earpieces are surprisingly comfortable and durable enough, the belt clip is made of an unfortunately soft steel, rather than a superior spring steel as it should have been -- so that with frequent on-belt use the clip spreads open. I've found it necessary -- too often -- to use a big screwdriver as a fulcrum and hefty pliers to bend it back into usable shape. Also, the hinged plastic battery cover has an extremely flimsy plastic clasp which broke fairly quickly, despite using ultra-alkaline batteries, very rarely opening the cover, and generally handling it with respect. I related these issues to Senn Customer Service in writing and via phone ... very cheesy quality for a supposedly audiophile product.

They generally sell for about $149 at J&R in Manhattan, though I caught it on sale (in-store) for $99. Sometimes they're available on the Web for around $70 refurbished. I recommended this to a co-worker, and when he got them they looked new and in perfect condition. The PXC300 is about $50 more. (I have not yet heard the 300s.)

Those complaints aside, I like them a lot -- and I'm not a big Senn fan, except for the Orpheus system (...sighhhhhhh!).

BTW - not only am I also very reluctant to wear IEMs, but my ear canals are very narrow and twisty and so I find them very uncomfortable and irritating (at best). Even the smallest foamies don't fit adequately into my ears ... so to date the PXC250s (and soon the PXC300s) are the best bet for me, for portable noise reduction.

you can just turn the music super loud which will override all that subway noise. it works pretty well. you should try it sometime. =)

Say Wha?

Huhh! Whaaa? Whadyasay? Can't hear much anymore ... dB overdose.

I ride the NYC subways everyday, and let me tell you, the noise is disgusting! If you have the money to spend, you can look at all those stock iPod buds with a smile on your face. The E5C's, for me, with the right tips, will put that nasty taste out of your ears. They totaly crank without an amp, and sound very musical. Using any of the foam tips will block out most of the sound. I use the Westone comply tips, and I don't here anything.

The one thing about IEMs that can screw you over is the extreme isolation...it spoils you! You won't be able to stand using anything with less dB blockage afterwards.

For a person with EAD (extreme attention disorder) I cannot live without it anymore.

Both of those cans (HD-280 and DT 250) will provide decent passive isolation with good sound. I have the DT 250/250 and they are my current favorite closed can. IEMs tned to have a little bit better isolation especially in the voice range (i.e. blocking out other peoples conversations). Active nosie reduction headphones will provide better low frequency isolation, but poor isolation in the vocal range. IMO IEMs would be the best, but either the HD-280 or DT 250 would be pretty good, and much better than open cans. My recommendation would be the DT250 (the 250 ohm model does work fairly well right out of my iPod, but the 80 ohm might be a little better sans amp). Consider a protable amp in the $100-$200 range to go with the DT 250/250s. Then they will really shine.

I vote for the Beyers, too. I love mine. Decent isolation and slightly smaller form factor.

Also, you might consider the sf5pro. I know you are a bit squeamish about IEMs, but the sf5pro sits at the entrance of the ear canal rather than deep inside. Plus, its bassiness and musicality are big plusses when competing with subway noise.

I also ride the nyc subways every day. I used to use the Sennheiser HD-25, but then switched to the e5/e4. I prefer the IEM but may go back to the sennheiser for outdoor cold weather ear protection during the winter months. I dunno. I don't find that I miss out on key sounds with the iem's; if they make an announcement, I hear something, and then quickly pull out one side, and listen, and then right back in. All in all, I prefer using my e4/headamp ae-1 on the subways.

- walk

Be warned, if you decide to get the A900, they are REALLY HUGE. Each earcup is like a CD-player, and I'm not exaggerating. But on the other hand, they isolate pretty well and are very comfortable. They might be very convenient if you walk around a lot because of their size and the leather padding will get hot if you are very active. But if you are just sitting down and you don't care about how they look, then they are pretty good.

No, the impedance on the A900 are very low, so they are easy to drive with a portable.