[p0z3rph0l1f3]

I contemplated purchasing the QC2's and about 6 months ago I posted a thread that got some peoples intrest in which some people said no way or that I could get a better set for cheaper than the 300 that the bose's run for. Anyone have any input? I'm looking for a set of over-ears and I'm not too fond of the look of the sennheisers which just seem to rest on the outside of the ears.

Thanks again for all the help people,
p0z

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Good luck.

 

[Netminder]

If you are more concerned about the way they look then you should just go for the bose. Please be warned that you get WAY more for your money if you take "the way they look" out of the picture. If you want to spend less than 300 then you need to specify you musical taste and your source and the people here will be able to help you more

 

[Father Schu]

Audio Technica ANC7's. Good sound, circumaural design, runs 40+ hours on one AAA battery, folds to fit in portable storage case (included), comes with two-prong airline adapter and 1/4" jack.

They list for $220. Got mine shipped from Amazon for $140. I have never heard the Bose but the review I read in Wired magazine had these listed at a 9/10 compared with an 8/10 for the Bose QC2's and 7/10 for the new Sennheiser 450's. Had some people at work listen to them and they were impressed by both the noise canceling (up to 20dB, 85% ambient noise) and the sound quality. I personally think they are a steal for the price if you want an active noise canceling headphone.

 

[grndslm]

MDR-V6 is $75, but isn't noise-canceling. They're closed cans which is good enough for me in the library, in my room with a loud A/C unit, on a Boeing 747... Isolation is more important than noise-canceling, IMO.

The V6s look good, too!

 

[holland]

I think you'll be hard pressed to beat the QC2 for noise cancelling. It's the best, IMO. I don't know of any other circumaural active noise cancelling phones other than the Sony.

 

[nibiyabi]

The Sennheisers will blow the Bose away, but if looks are more important than sound/functionality/value, it's Bose all the way (though not in my opinion -- I think the Sennheisers look better

).

 

[holland]

For sound quality, sure, but not for just noise cancellation. The Bose QC2 is absolutely incredible there.

 

[grndslm]

Sheesh... I'd love to get an idea of the situations people are in that they need noise cancelling cans...

I can hear music perfectly fine on airplanes with the plain ol' closed V6. Where are you guys listening to your music????

 

[holland]

It's not used just for music. If I really need to think, on goes the NC headphones or closed headphones with no source. Cone of silence. It's extremely helpful in an office environment with high white noise levels. The reason why it's used instead of earplugs is because it's easier to take on and off as people do come by to ask questions, and phone calls for business purposes, etc.

You have to experience a QC2 on an airplane. It's astounding. I actually took 12 hour flights and I stepped off for the first time, not exhausted due to the high white noise level of an airplane. Even my K81DJ doesn't allow me to do that because of the physical pain involved with those and it's significantly noiser than a QC2 with the noise cancelling circuit engaged.

 

[3X0]

The ANC7 sounds better and looks better than the QC2 (let alone the QC3) and PXC450.

 

[holland]

The ANC7 is definitely sexy. I just wish they were circumarual. I have no doubt they sound better than the QC2 as the Bose sound is horrid.

 

[grndslm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by holland /img/forum/go_quote.gif The reason why it's used instead of earplugs is because it's easier to take on and off as people do come by to ask questions, and phone calls for business purposes, etc.

I think the real question is... How do you know the phone's ringing if these Bose cancel out external noises so well?!?

 

[holland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grndslm /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think the real question is... How do you know the phone's ringing if these Bose cancel out external noises so well?!?

Noise cancellation works well with white noise. In other words, the constant average background noise, or the "hum" you hear in an office environment. When the phone rings, it's transient and peaky. Noise cancellation can't block that out. It's definitely harder to hear if the white noise is high and broad spectrum (like on a plane) as the headphones would pump out it's max cancellation across it's spectrum, added with closed circumaural effects and you can't even hear the person next to you talking. In a loud office environment, it's not that bad. You can still hear people talking, loud bangs, fire alarms, etc.

 

[grndslm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by holland /img/forum/go_quote.gif Noise cancellation works well with white noise. In other words, the constant average background noise, or the "hum" you hear in an office environment. When the phone rings, it's transient and peaky. Noise cancellation can't block that out. It's definitely harder to hear if the white noise is high and broad spectrum (like on a plane) as the headphones would pump out it's max cancellation across it's spectrum, added with closed circumaural effects and you can't even hear the person next to you talking. In a loud office environment, it's not that bad. You can still hear people talking, loud bangs, fire alarms, etc.

Well, heck... my V6s can block out white noise, esp. if it's pumping out the tunes!

I'm still not a believer in noise-cancellation unless it's something that happens INSIDE your head.

Sorry, but I think I'd just feel like a sissy if I couldn't bear the inevitable noises around me. Airplanes are a whole 'nother story, but at least I can bear that background noise once the tunes are playin'. Circumaural cans are good enough for a plane, as is, I just doubt active noise-cancellation could really be worth it.

Oh well, I'm done with this topic...