In a recent meeting, the gauntlet was tossed to us. I want to get a set of noise canceling headphones for Christmas, what should I ask Santa for? As a leader in helping make things quiet we eagerly took up this challenge.
Some general things that you should be aware of if you are looking for noise canceling headphones: The technology is based on active noise control – the headphones work by using a microphone that listens to the surrounding noise. A circuit inside the mechanism creates a sound wave that is equal and opposite in every way (volume and phase) to the unwanted source sound. When the two sounds meet, the unwanted source sound is cancelled out resulting in a significant reduction of perceived noise. This technology was first developed to control mechanical noise in large ducts and exhaust stacks. Bose took this concept and began developing headsets for the military, allowing pilots and others using the headphones for hearing protection to better communicate with each other. This early research is what gives Bose the lead in developing consumer headset products.
If you are getting the headphones to reduce the cranky baby or yakking Andy next to you on an airplane, you will be disappointed. The computer that is in the headsets is not quick enough to guess what the next sound will be from the baby or your seatmate, so that sound will only be reduced by the actual ear muff system. If you want to cut out what we call transient or sporadic sounds then look for a head seat with a full earmuff or one that fully covers the ear. Remember, the technology was developed to reduce the constant background noise associated with mechanical systems, engine noise or wind noise on the exterior of the vehicle.
Like a recent review at SeatGuru.com, we also got our hands on a number of different noise canceling headphones. Here is what we found.
| Headphone | Noise Canceling | Comfort | Cost | By Quality | By Cost |
| Panasonic RP-HC300 | ** | ***** | $199 |
6 |
5 |
| Panasonic RP-HC 100 | ** | **** | $45 | ||
| Sony MDR –NC-50 | ***1/2 | ***** | $199 |
3 |
3 |
| Sony MDR-NC-6 | * | *** | $50 | ||
| AKG K 28 NC | **** | **1/2 | $160 |
5 |
2 |
| Logitech | *1/2 | * | $139 | ||
| Bose QC2 | ***** | ***** | $299 |
1 |
4 |
| Bose QC3 | **** | **** | $349 |
4 |
6 |
| Sennheiser PXC 300 | *** | ***** | $199 |
2 |
1 |
When we compared the common results between our research and SeatGuru.com results, the quality ratings were consistent. So, if you are asking Santa for headsets, the Bose QC2 would be the way to go, but if the money is coming out of your pocket try the Sennheiser PXC300– and if you are happy with the feel and performance, then stop there!
Our rating is based on a weighting of noise cancellation 60 percent and comfort 40 percent. The pricing is current from the Internet as of November 25, 2006. All names, trademarks, etc., including the rest of the fine print legal stuff is assumed.