Need Noise Cancelling Headphones

[cys19]

Are there noise cancellation headphones that don't output music? I already have a nice pair of studio Sony headphones, so I'm now just looking for something to wear to sleep/read in complete silence and comfort since my home is always filled with acoustic noise from downstairs. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[devin_mm]

Earmuffs? Ear plugs?

 

[cys19]

They don't work well.

 

[devin_mm]

The ones I've used worked great, granted they were for industrial use.

 

[kwkarth]

You sound like you need earplugs.

http://www.earplugsonline.com/

 

[P.F. Jo]

o.0 I suppose you could just buy any noise cancelling headphones and activate the noise cancelling device in then while not playing any music.

wouldn't that be a bit of an overpriced earmuffs though? I also think all you need is industrial-use intended earmuffs... would cost you less than most NC Headphones too.

 

[cys19]

I use earplugs and they don't block out bass and piano music at all.

 

[funkadelic]

Noise-cancelling earphones only work well on constant background noise like on an aircraft. They don't really work for drowning out stuff like conversations, bangs and crashes, people who buy them for this purpose end up disappointed.

I think it is worth finding a set of earplugs that does work for you because noise-cancelling phones will not do what you want.

Simon

 

[kwkarth]

THere are a couple active noise cancelling headphones that will work for your purpose, but for your stated purpose they're a complete waste of money because you said all you want is quiet, and not music at the same time.

The Bose QC2 and the new Sennheiser PXC-350/450. If you want to drop over 300$$ instead of 10 bux, go for it.

The Bose sux at music, so all it's good for is quiet. The New Senns, I haven't heard, but the folks over at HeadRoom say they sound pretty good. These three headphones are all designed to actively cancel noise below 1kHz and passively attenuate noise above 1kHz.

Pretty much all other active noise cancellation cans are designed to effectively cancel ambient noise up to about 1kHz. Above that frequency, they are designed to let the sound in so you don't get hit by a bus without hearing it coming first.

So for 10 bux you can get 34db noise attenuation with the ear plugs I recommended or for 300 to 400 bux, you can get the active noise cancelers I mentioned. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[Aevum]

or you can drop 15-20 bucks on a pair of etymotic research trifalange ear plugs,

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aevum /img/forum/go_quote.gif or you can drop 15-20 bucks on a pair of etymotic research trifalange ear plugs,

Yes, and they'll give you 20db of attenuation across the spectrum. If I were going to a live concert, that is what I would use.

Good suggestion as long as 20db is enough attenuation.

 

[jesselussier]

Why not just earplugs? But if you really want I have a pair of sony noise cancelling plugs you can buy for $20. But to be honest I think earplugs would be better.