Thanks man.
Surprised you say the Momentum Wireless. For me they produced less white noise but had worse ANC than the Samsung Level Over when I had both.
And this review on Amazon.com says the ANC is notably better with the Def Techs than the Level Overs:
http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Technology-Executive-Bluetooth-Cancellation/dp/B00S8K7ER6/
2) Noise Isolation/Active Noise Cancellation (ANC):
+ (Roughly) 20-30% better passive noise isolation than the Sonys or Samsungs
+ (Roughly) 20-30% better ANC than the Samsungs
+ Yes, switching between the Symphony 1s and Level Overs with ANC on, the difference is dramatically better (50+% better, and I thought the Level Overs were really good when I first tried them).
+ ANC can be turned on and off
+ I can't perceive *ANY* of that typical active noise cancellation hiss (that you can hear with the Level Overs); the only indication that ANC is on is the subtle veil of silence.
And the wirecutter says the Level Overs have better ANC than the PSBs:
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/
So I thought it was more like Symphony 1 > Level Over > PSB and Momentum Wireless for ANC.
Perhaps it is the ANC performance difference for different scenarios/frequencies.
The wirecutter use proper test equipment rather than personal perception, but the key there is so far Symphony 1 ANC performance reports are all based on personal experience (like the Amazon review).
Yeah I never really knew what people meant by the pressure thing until I tried the M2s and the Level Overs. They both had it, made my ears really hurt at first, but then after a few days/a week I got used it it and it no longer bothered me. Much like ear plugs really.
I do wonder what that does to your eardrums though. I mean, what DB/volume is the ANC phase shifted sound being pushed out at? Could be equivalent to listening to very loud music. Most tend to be dynamic. So if there's a lot of noise they'll push out a lot of inverse phase mic pickup to counteract it.