Ambient noise is the scourge of music enjoyment. Not ambient music, like the tunes you put on at a low volume while you relax or focus on doing something else. Neither simple noise, like the way many perceive the underground variants of experimental metal. Ambient noise is the sounds around you that may distract and prevent you from enjoying the music you listen to.
Technology has given us a specialized piece of equipment designed precisely for reducing ambient noise, thus enhancing the experience of listening to music without compromising the quality of your tunes. Headphones, specifically noise-canceling headphones, are a boon to today’s audiophile. This article will discuss how noise-canceling headphones work and how they came about, as well as some of the top new headphones in the market.
Amar Bose, of the seminal Bose Corporation, was on a plane to Europe in the year 1978. The droning jet engines drowned out what he was listening to after he put on a pair of headphones supplied by the airline. He wasn’t able to enjoy the music on the flight, and toyed with the idea of coming up with a new product especially designed to allow people to listen to music in noisy surroundings. He wanted to make headphones that supplied high-fidelity sound and suppress any external ambient noise. After ten years, the first headphones with noise-canceling technology were released to the public.
With ANC, or Active Noise Control, modern noise-canceling headphones lessen acoustic noise and other types of ambient sounds. The ANC process is facilitated by a small microphone. This microphone is placed adjacent to the ear, and houses circuitry which electronically produces a sound wave opposite the polarity of the sound wave the microphone, receives. The ‘anti-noise’ effect causes the phenomenon of destructive interference, which works in the confines of the headphones to negate the ambient noise. Essentially, a programmatically generated signal is created that is 180 degrees opposite of the sampled external noise and thus "negates" the effect of outside noise.
Noise-canceling headphones sold for consumer use are built around the ANC technology which cancels low-frequency noise. These products were actually developed from and still utilize more conventional means to prohibit noise at high frequencies from making its way into the ear. The headphone cups themselves, and the materials these are made with, cut out the high-frequency sounds. This technology is still used with today’s headphones due to its many advantages.
However, noise-canceling headphones from different manufacturers also have their drawbacks.
Noise-canceling technology for today’s headphones can help a user listen to music at relatively lower volumes. They can also be used for other purposes, such as simply reducing the amount of external noise. Numerous companies constantly develop and promote new headphones, which may make it difficult for the average Joe to select one for his listening pleasure. The remainder of this article talks about some of today’s best and most popular noise-canceling headphones.
The QuietComfort III by Bose has improved on its successful line of noise-canceling headphones by manufacturing them in a smaller size. The size reduction doesn’t mean a decrease in sound quality. However, this set of headphones might not fit everyone’s budget.
The earlier QuietComfort II incarnation had larger, bulkier headphones in comparison to the current release. Some of the improvements in the QuietComfort III are the aforementioned compact headphone structure, more comfortable earpieces, and a more efficient battery. It also offers better sound, and enhanced noise-canceling technology. For portability, you can fold up the headphones, and protect and store them in a case that comes with the package. The one-month home trial period is another incentive. The Bose QuietComfort III, however, comes at a higher price than its earlier variant.
The digital noise-canceling Sony MDR-NC500D headphones can take a chunk of cash out of your pocket, although the excellent noise cancellation these provide are perfect for the lone commuter or junket junkie.
Sony’s MDR-NC500D also provides superb noise cancellation and excellent sound quality. It also comes with a wide array of features, which includes a battery pack developed for sustained use, full-size headphone cups that swivel, and a foam-padded headband. The ANC works with miniscule microphones atop the left and right earpieces. The construction of the headphones feels secure and sturdy. What might turn some prospective buyers off this gem is its price, which isn’t that remote from the QuietComfort III’s.
These noise-canceling headphones from JVC are relatively inexpensive compared to the QuietComfort III, yet they deliver high-quality sound comparable to the two previous products. The JVC HA-NC250 also produces strong bass sounds. A ¼" plug, a rugged carrying case, and an adapter for use on airplanes are some of the accessories you can get with it. It’s a decent set of headphones, although the cable it comes with does not have ample length for use with non-portable devices.
