In ear travel question

[bicemd]

I have a pretty limited budget, I am looking for in ear headphones for travel.  I would like something to block or cancel airplane noise.  My budget is around $100, which eliminates any of the Bose noise cancelling options.  I mostly use to watch movies or listen to various music types.
 
First set of questions I am looking at cheap noise cancelling like Monoprice 10799 (when they become available again) or Audio Technica ANC-23/33 or good noise isolating with something like Shure SE215.  Will the inexpensive noise cancelling be as effective as the noise isolating?  Which of these are better options? 
 
Second question (set of questions):  What are better options in my price range?
 
Thanks for your help
 
Links to articles are good too.

 

[smy1]

The shure 215 is good option and maybe the elymotic headphones are good to

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicemd /img/forum/go_quote.gif

First set of questions I am looking at cheap noise cancelling like Monoprice 10799 (when they become available again) or Audio Technica ANC-23/33 or good noise isolating with something like Shure SE215.  Will the inexpensive noise cancelling be as effective as the noise isolating?  Which of these are better options? 

 

First off, understand they aren't even the same kind of noise cancelling. The Monoprice and AT are active NC, meaning they use active electronics to play a signal to cancel out the ambient noise. The Shure only has passive NC, meaning it just seals off your ear canal.

 

ANC generally can screw up the actual output, but when you compare the actively screwed sound vs a passive NC system hampered by ambient noise, then the latter will tend to suck more if there actually is enough noise getting through. However, as a general guide, if you're spending the same amount of money, and in this case it's not between an ANC closed back headphone vs a regular closed back headphone but ANC earphones vis IEMs, noise is a let less of an issue so long as you get eartips that can have a good fit. On top of that, with the same amount of money, you either get just the IEM, or a cheaper IEM with cheap ANC. ANC also adds one more point of failure whereas typically with the IEM you just break and replace the cable.

 

Basically if I'm going to have to buy deaf (ie not get to compare them much less back to back) I'd consider the Shure the safer choice, but spend a bit more on eartips. At minimum, see what fits best, which are usually the Olives (not sure if the 215 comes with those), so just get more of those in the size that fit you.

 

[thatonenoob]

A good, well fitting earphone like the Etymotics will provide enough isolation that you'll never have to go back to ANC.  Just saying!  

 

[bicemd]

Thanks for the replies.  ProtegeManiac I am totally looking for that apples to oranges comparison between inexpensive noise cancelling vs. noise isolating.  From the responses its seems like noise isolating is better in this price range.
 
For noise isolating Etymonicswhich models fit in my price range?  It seems like the fit of the tips provide all the isolation, is there something specific with Etymonics them better?  What are the "olives", I've used the foam tips previously and like them are they generally better or worse then either of those options?
 
Thanks again.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
What are the "olives", I've used the foam tips previously and like them are they generally better or worse then either of those options?

 
Olives are the black foam tips from Shure (which look like olives, hence the colloquial term). They're the best among Shure's eartips but of course there are those who might not like them. I personally prefer them over Complys as the texture is fairly smoother (I think the olives have some sort of wax coating).
 

 

[thatonenoob]

Thanks for the replies.  ProtegeManiac I am totally looking for that apples to oranges comparison between inexpensive noise cancelling vs. noise isolating.  From the responses its seems like noise isolating is better in this price range.

For noise isolating Etymonicswhich models fit in my price range?  It seems like the fit of the tips provide all the isolation, is there something specific with Etymonics them better?  What are the "olives", I've used the foam tips previously and like them are they generally better or worse then either of those options?

Thanks again.

Triple flanges do deep insertion into the ear and effectivrly seal off a lot of sound. You could consider the HF5...oh i forgot to mention. If you want to spend a little extra thr IM02 is excellent.