Pin It

What are Noise Cancelling Headphones Revealed

Noise cancelling headphones are that take active powered measures to reduce ambient sounds.

They usually also take extra measures with design of the earcups.  Some of the best include insulation and extra padding to both keep the unwanted sound out and the music in.   Keeping the sound from leaking to your surroundings can be important if you want to use them in a place that might disturb others.   You know, the co-worker next to your cubicle that just loves to complain about you to her manager.

Noise cancellation headphones got their start in the 1950s to be used in helicopters.  In the late 70′s the founder of Bose Labs went to work on them during an international flight.  He got the idea after he was handed a set of earphones that were highly lacking in sound quality.

Some noise cancelling headphones will not work at all when the battery expires.  Others will allow you to use them in passive mode.

The noise cancelling almost always filters out some of the music.  Some of the better headsets though are much better at this.

Some noise cancelling headphones are great to use at work, with or without music.   They are used to block out office noise that can take a toll on your energy even though you may not be aware of it.

Many report the noise cancelling headphones allow them to take long flights feeling much more refreshed than you would without them.  Headphones in this genre generally work best reducing constant noise like the sound of a jet engine.  They are not as effective in damping out changing sounds such as a human voice.

The battery will always add weight to them but some can be powered by a USB port on your computer.

Most of them run in price from $100 to $500 with several of the best in the $300 to $350 price range.

The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

The Bose QC 15 and Beats by Dr Dre Studio are two strong Noise Cancelling Headphones contenders worthy of your consideration.