With noise-cancelling headphones you can escape your daily routine. Fade out annoying background noise and dive into your own sound world or just enjoy the silence. Frequent travelers or office workers not only use this type of headphone for more listening pleasure, but also for peacefulness and quietness.
Active and passive noise canceling
Noise-cancelling headphones reduce unwanted low-frequency noise thanks to active electronics (ANC). The ambient noise from the outside is detected by microphones and the headphone’s electronics then generate these (noise) waves but with 180 degrees out of phase. These anti-sound waves and the noise then get mostly extinguished. Good models achieve his acoustic trick without distorting the sound of the original material. The correct ear-cup design (over-ear or on-ear) ensures that unwanted noise in the mid-range and high-range gets absorbed (so called passive noise cancelling). There are also headphone models that only rely on passive noise cancelling, but these are not nearly as powerful as the active models.
Advantages and disadvantages of noise cancelling headphones
Biggest advantage: Mainly audiobooks and film scores, which usually have a much larger dynamic range than music, can be played much quieter, because the ambient noise does not have to be drowned out.
Disadvantage: The active electronics of the noise cancelling headphones require batteries or rechargeable batteries. But with play times of usually 25 to 30 hours per battery it’s enough for a long-haul flight.
Many models can also be used as normal headphones when the noise cancelling electronics are turned off or the battery is empty. With good models, there will be no sound difference to the operation with active noise canceling.
With the London, Swedish manufacturer Urbanista offers cable-free in-ears with a respectable battery life, which have both active noise suppression and an ambient mode for outdoor listening. The headphones come in a slim, handy charging case, which can be powered either via the USB-C connection or wirelessly via Qi.
Sony is well established as a top supplier in the field of portable headphones, especially when it comes to noise cancelling. Of course, this also includes the continuing development of their models. For example, the in-ear Bluetooth neckband headphones WI-1000X receive an update and become the WI-1000XM2.
When we tested them in 2019, we discovered that Beyerdynamic’s Lagoon ANC Traveller were impressive headphones with practical noise cancelling. After a firmware update, their noise reduction performance should now have improved even more.
With the RZ-S500W, Panasonic enters into the market for True Wireless in-ears with noise cancelling, and they make the bold claim that their debut product in this field has market-leading noise cancellation built in. And at a price of under 180 Euros - we are certainly listening very closely.
Behind fledgeling headphone manufacturer Mu6 is a Chinese development team who, by their own account, have years of experience in noise cancelling. You’d be right to be curious, as their new Space 2 model, modern over-ear headphones with Bluetooth 5, offer impressive functionality at an attractive price. They have a clear aim: with these products, Mu6 seek to target a similar market to Sony, Bose and Sennheiser.
The renowned Hamburg manufacturer of pens, leather goods and watches Montblanc has introduced its first branded headphones, the MB 01, which are designed to provide high-quality sound for use when travelling. This portable wireless model supports audio codecs including aptX Adaptive as well as the AAC format, they have built-in device control and Google Assistant is integrated, they also offer functions for the suppression and improved perception of external noise.
Admittedly, the name of these circumaural wireless headphones with active noise cancelling may sound a bit bulky, but that shouldn't prevent anyone from listening to the TT-BH085 more closely, because their features, workmanship and sound are quite remarkable for the price range of "around 50 Euros".
These Club 950NC foldable over-ears from JBL are powerfully tuned, quick-charging, have active noise suppression and, in addition to functional device control, offer a large button for interaction with voice services such as Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa. Sound and system adjustments are also possible via these wireless headphone's app connection, while Ambient Aware and TalkThru technology can be used to enhance external perception or communication if required.
The Miiego Boom ANC is an ear-cup wireless headphone with active external noise cancellation. So far, so good, but the Boom ANC also wants to be athletic! An over-ear headphone for an everyday workout is something I find difficult to imagine, but the Danish company Miiego said: "It works!" So, we took a closer look at the "4-in-1" headphones for "sport, relaxation, travel and the office".
