Noise-Cancelling Headphones

[jtfields]

I posted about some noise-cancelling headphones at the Sharper Image that are $35 during the month of August. I didn't get much of a response so I'm guessing no one is using them or has an opinoin. However, I wanted to pose a more general question regarding noise-cancelling headphones.

The reason I'm considering these, other than price, is that I like to listen to my iPod whiile mowing the yard. Usually I have to crank the iPod full blast while mowing to hear the music well and even then it can be hard if listening to softer music. Not to mention it probably isn't good for my ears. Will noise-cancelling headphones help much in this situation? I'm also concerned about getting hot and sweaty with big headphones but these aren't the kind that fit all the way around your ears like some models so I'm hoping they won't be too bad.

[jtfields]

I love replying to my own messages since I like to talk to myself. :)

I just looked at the headphones again at the website and they are a bigger than I was thinking. Now I am a little concerned that they might be a little uncomfortable mowing the grass in 100 degree Texas heat. I guess I need to go to Sharper Image and try them on.

[Ioman]

haha I am here! Can you link me to them? I wonder who makes them for Sharper image? I know they use Fischer Electronics for a lot of their things.

[jtfields]

haha I am here! Can you link me to them? I wonder who makes them for Sharper image? I know they use Fischer Electronics for a lot of their things.

Here was my original thread. I link to them there:

http://forums.digitaltrends.com/showthread.php?t=10860

I don't have a clue as to who makes them.

[neuroking]

Hrm... I wouldn't expect too much from those. I would go with the Senn pxc300s
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=500370

In theory it should work for mowing the lawn, but there is a possability that the mower sound is a high enough frequency that it will not be caught. I would probably go for canalphones, like Shure and Etymotic make, if you can stand jamming them in your ears.

[jtfields]

Hrm... I wouldn't expect too much from those. I would go with the Senn pxc300s


Dude, I ain't looking to spend that kind of jack for such limited use. omg: If I were someone who flew in airplanes all the time or something I might be willing to invest in something like those. I don't want to sink my money into something that sounds terrible but they don't have to sound prestine either for mowing the yard.

I was just trying to decide if these were worth taking a shot at while they were half price. I don't have any experience with noise-cancelling headphones (much less the Sharper Image ones) so I was curious if they would even help in the situations I'll be using them in. I guess the majority of the people seem to use them to fly which is what they seem to be optimized for.

I wonder what the return policy is. I guess I could try them out and take them back if I they don't work well. I'm sure they'd love to get back some sweaty headphones. :)

The canal phones might be a viable option as well. While jamming them in my ear doesn't sound real pleasant it actually might be better than wearing foam padding over my ears in 100 degree heat.

[Ioman]

How about these? They seem pretty affordable: http://designtechnica.shopping.com/xPO-Philips_Philips_HN050_Noise_Reduction_headphones

I did a search for noise canceling and found a bunch here: http://designtechnica.shopping.com/xPP-headphones-noise_canceling~LO-1~CR-2~CLT-HSNLF

[jtfields]

How about these? They seem pretty affordable: http://designtechnica.shopping.com/xPO-Philips_Philips_HN050_Noise_Reduction_headphones

The Philips are pretty much in the same price range as the Sharper Image (when you factor in the Sharper Image's half off during August.) Are they better? Most of the user reviews of the Philips are not very good.

[jtfields]

I did a search for noise canceling and found a bunch here: http://designtechnica.shopping.com/xPP-headphones-noise_canceling~LO-1~CR-2~CLT-HSNLF

The only ones in the same price range that jumped out at me were the Maxells and I'm not sure I'd be crazy about the external control box.

I guess I'm starting to think that either I'll take advantage of the half off at Sharper Image by the end of August or I just won't get any noise-canceling headphones at all. I may consider Neuroking's canal headphone suggestion though.

[neuroking]

The Senns may be a little pricey, but you'll probably use them instead of whatever you're using now. It would be both a noise cancelling AND quality upgrade. You can also look at the PXC200 and 250. I would stay clear of Maxell headphones. I can't think of worse quality all around. Philips at elast has decent build quality and design, but the sound is generally really sub par. No idea on how either would do at noise cancelling, but if they have a tough time with the primary point of headphones - making sound - I find it a little dubnious that they would do a good job at blocking it.

As for the canalphones, if you want to go ultra cheap, there are rubberized sleeves you can fit on earbuds to make them faux-canalphones. Otherwise, the CX300s are decent for $50:
http://designtechnica.shopping.com/xFS?KW=sennheiser+cx300&FN=Headphones&FD=0
The Shure E2c for $100
http://designtechnica.shopping.com/xFS?KW=shure+e2c&FN=Headphones&FD=0
and if just goes up from there.

[Ioman]

Well you can try the SI ones, just makes sure they have a good return policy in case you don't like them. Give em a try!

[jtfields]

The Senns may be a little pricey, but you'll probably use them instead of whatever you're using now.

I currently use some Koss headphones that you recommended and am happy with them. I'm sure the Senns would be nicer but I don't use headphones in any sort of critical listening situations to ever spend over $200. I mostly use them while jogging and mowing the lawn. Neither scenario allows for much appreciation of great sounding headphones.

. I would stay clear of Maxell headphones. I can't think of worse quality all around. Philips at elast has decent build quality and design, but the sound is generally really sub par.

Thanks for the heads up. Will cross those off the list.

As for the canalphones, if you want to go ultra cheap, there are rubberized sleeves you can fit on earbuds to make them faux-canalphones.

If sticking in the $35 range is ultra-cheap then, yeah, that's what I want to do. I had thought about some noise-canceling headphones awhile back for mowing because, as I said, I have to crank the volume all the way as it is and it can leave your ears ringing. But I blew it off becuase of the size and price of decent ones. When I saw the $70 Sharper Image ones for $35 that got me back to considering the idea if $35 is indeed a bargain for what you get and they would work in my situation.

I might just skip it and try some cheap canal-type ones. I don't want them to sound terrible but at the same time how good can they sound when you're mowing the lawn? At this point the main goal is to get rid of some of the noise while still having something worth listening to.

Any suggestions for lower cost canal-types that I can just walk into a Best Buy or Circuit City and buy in the price range I'm looking for? Keep in mind I'm perfectly happy with the $20 Koss over-the-ears that you recommended so that kind of quality is fine except with a little more ability to block out some outside/ambient noise.

Thanks for the input.

[Ioman]

Just buy the Sharper Image and return them if you need too IMO.

[neuroking]

Hey, sorry about the lag time on the response. I'm away at a conference.

You can get the Sennheiser CX300 (canalphones) from here for $40 (free shipping, too):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E1DSAE/ref=nosim/002-4837000-6134447?n=172282

I haven't listened to them personally, but the same sources that have recommended other headphones I've loved, including those Koss ones, said they were good, especially considering the price.

Other than that, it's pretty touch to find canalphones for under $50. You can also try Koss's The Plug, which I think can find at Best Buy or CC. I know I've seen them at Circuit City. They run around $20-25 and are supposed to be decent (for the price).

Anything else and I think you'll be disappointed. Avoid Philips, Maxell, JVC, and any no-name brands. Chances are they won't fit well, and sound remarkably poor. You might find a diamond in the rough, but I doubt it.

Hope that helps.

[jtfields]

You can get the Sennheiser CX300 (canalphones) from here for $40 (free shipping, too):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E1DSAE/ref=nosim/002-4837000-6134447?n=172282


That is a good deal. What to do!?! (pulls hair out)

Seriously, do these things really yank out ear wax when you remove them? I've seen a couple of people mention something about that.

[jtfields]

Well, I was at the mall last night so I stopped into the Sharper Image and tried out the headphones. They didn't have any music connected to them but they did have batteries in them so that you could hear their noise canceling abilities. They did a decent job of canceling out most of the ambient noises that were in the store. However, I'm not sure they'd make much of a difference with something really loud, such as a lawn mower. They also were bulkier on my ears than I thought they'd be. They don't completely enclose the ears but they still are somewhat bulky. I don't think I'd be comfortable in them in the summer heat.

Most likely I'm going to pass on them. The sale ends in a few days.