Noise-Cancelling Headphones Drawback(?)

[Bluntfipple]

So I recently bought myself a pair of HeadRush HRF-599 noise-cancelling headphones because they were on sale and seemed decent. They can run with or without being powered or using the noise-cancelling feature which I like. However, without the noise-cancellation being active, the sound seems to be somewhat muffled? When they are powered though, the sound is much more clear and defined.
 
I thought people generally complained about the noise-cancellation feature decreasing the sound quality, not increasing it? Does this have more to do with the drivers being powered versus unpowered?

 

[Eatapeach]

Hi
What do you mean " being powered"?

 

[hamlyn]

When powered, the signal is sent through a built in processor/amp, whereas when powered off, the signal is simply passed through.

 

[GREQ]

Sounds like either bad engineering or a faulty unit.
Considering the obscurity of this brand, I don't know which is more likely.

 

[Bluntfipple]

Hi
What do you mean " being powered"?

By that I mean that the noise-cancellation is turned on. The feature is powered by 2 AAA batteries.

 

[Eatapeach]

When powered, the signal is sent through a built in processor/amp, whereas when powered off, the signal is simply passed through.

But in a nc situation the phones are active regardless of an input signal

 

[HiFiChris]

  Sounds like either bad engineering or a faulty unit.
Considering the obscurity of this brand, I don't know which is more likely.

 
 
Or, which appears more likely to me, an equalisation curve is applied when the ANC is activated, which wouldn't be the first time for this kind of headphone (iIrc, at least of the Logitech/UE headphones also had a different sound in active mode).

 

[GREQ]

 

  Sounds like either bad engineering or a faulty unit.
Considering the obscurity of this brand, I don't know which is more likely.

 
 
Or, which appears more likely to me, an equalisation curve is applied when the ANC is activated, which wouldn't be the first time for this kind of headphone (iIrc, at least of the Logitech/UE headphones also had a different sound in active mode).

Lol, so it could simply be a case of:
• Passive - sound is 'neutral' and boring = muffled
• Active - sound is exaggerated and exciting = clear and defined

 

[Bluntfipple]

  Lol, so it could simply be a case of:
• Passive - sound is 'neutral' and boring = muffled
• Active - sound is exaggerated and exciting = clear and defined

Lol, no. They are bass-heavy headphones.
 
They don't sound flat whether passive or active.

 

[GREQ]

 

  Lol, so it could simply be a case of:
• Passive - sound is 'neutral' and boring = muffled
• Active - sound is exaggerated and exciting = clear and defined

Lol, no. They are bass-heavy headphones.
 
They don't sound flat whether passive or active.

Then I'm leaning toward my original two ideas.

 

[Bluntfipple]

Okay, so it looks like it might simply be poor engineering then. I don't think it's a faulty unit though I could be wrong.
 

  When powered, the signal is sent through a built in processor/amp, whereas when powered off, the signal is simply passed through.

 
That seems about right. Kinda forces me to use the NC in order to get the best sound. :/

 

[Rhydonia]

I tried out a pair of Bose NC headphones a few months back and my experience was similar, so I think the problem might be related to NC headphones in general and not just this specific one. I haven't listened to the HRF-599 specifically though, so I can't say for sure. 

 

[HiFiChris]

  I tried out a pair of Bose NC headphones a few months back and my experience was similar, so I think the problem might be related to NC headphones in general and not just this specific one. I haven't listened to the HRF-599 specifically though, so I can't say for sure. 

 
I wouldn't say so - there are ANC headphones that output the same frequency response in active and passive mode.

 

[GREQ]

 

  I tried out a pair of Bose NC headphones a few months back and my experience was similar, so I think the problem might be related to NC headphones in general and not just this specific one. I haven't listened to the HRF-599 specifically though, so I can't say for sure. 

 
I wouldn't say so - there are ANC headphones that output the dame frequency response in active and passive mode.

and some which sound better in passive mode.

 

[Bluntfipple]

Apparently HeadRush headphones (which are a store brand of The Source like Nexxtech) are made by Skullcandy. The Source contracted Skullcandy (or at least the parent company of Skullcandy) to make their headphones. Unfortunately I cannot confirm that as it was just told to me by an employee there and I saw a post online mentioning it but I wouldn't be surprised if it was true.
 
(Here's the post in case anyone is wondering: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/headrush-bluetooth-wireless-headphones-27-99-f-s-1354047/#p17044743)