Noise Cancelling AUDIOPHILE-Worthy headphones under $500

[FrantzM]

Hi

I travel a lot and am looking for a good sounding Noise-Cancelling Headphone. It will be used with a Portable Amp (The fabulous iFi iDSD micro)

Noise cancellation is important but Sound quality is the primary criterion. I am interested in the PSB, just based on their more than decent speakers, haven't heard it .. Which one would you recommend ? Would like to say under $500...

 

[Vincent Kars]

My experience with noise cancelling headphones is a bit limited (Sennheiser)
Can’t say I like the impact on sound quality.

What about a pair of Etymotics? http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones.html
They block the sound pretty good (mechanical, 35 dB) and sounds neutral.
I use them on planes and trains with good results

 

[FrantzM]

I Have a pair of Etymotics research and they are very good.. I no longer can tolerate IEM (In Ears Monitors) ...

 

[Joe Whip]

I have been using Bose noise cancelling headphones for years. While not "audiophile" they have worked beautifully and sound very nice hooked up to my ipad which is full to the gills with some of my favorite albums. I wouldn't travel anywhere let alone across country or internationally without them. They make air travel palatable.

 

[FrantzM]

I have been using Bose noise cancelling headphones for years. While not "audiophile" they have worked beautifully and sound very nice hooked up to my ipad which is full to the gills with some of my favorite albums. I wouldn't travel anywhere let alone across country or internationally without them. They make air travel palatable.

All reviews point toward the Bose QC (?)-25 as being the best in term of noise cancelling and being OK in term of sound quality ... The price is good at <$300.. I mat try them out and compare them to the PSB ... Any other ?

 

[das]

I've been using the PSB M4U 2s for a long, long time. They're great. Bose has better noise cancelling. But PSB has, by far, the best balance of sound and cancelling. Plus, PSB has three modes -- passive, active, active with noise cancelling -- which means you can use them multiple ways, including when the batteries run out. Paul Barton did an outstanding job designing them.

Doug Schneider
www.soundstage.com

 

[Joe Whip]

When it comes to long distance flights, I will sacrifice some fidelity for the better noise cancelling! I will have to look into the PSB headphones to take a listen!

 

[dalethorn]

When it comes to long distance flights, I will sacrifice some fidelity for the better noise cancelling! I will have to look into the PSB headphones to take a listen!

The Bose QC-25 is excellent for flights and good sound. It's not a perfectionist sound for home use, but it's very well balanced for bass-mids-treble and the usual audiophile harmonics and that's more than adequate for flight cabins.

 

[Joe Whip]

My feeling exactly.

 

[FrantzM]

ve the PSB and it is a good headphone but it sucks in term of noise cancelling ... I mean there is no discernable differenvce when ANC is off to my ears ..

I am getting the Bose

 

[patwick]

How about a pair of Sony MDR10RNCIP? http://www.headphonesunboxed.com/best-noise-cancelling-headphones-under-200/

Seem to be well built for the price range, and they work well so far. Present for one of my Daughters who travels a lot via air.

 

[dallasjustice]

I love my Samsung level over set.

 

[Don Hills]

My daughter has a set of the Sony MDR-1RNC phones. They have very good sound quality and excellent noise cancelling. I've used them on a flight and they cancel as effectively as the Bose QC-25. When we tried them in the shop there was a minisystem booming away on the next stand. On turning the NC on, the minisystem completely disappeared. Very convincing.

I currently use a set of blackbox M14 noise-cancelling phones. (Current model is M10.) They use technology from Phitek, who make noise-cancelling headphones that airlines offer in first class. I prefer them because they use a AAA cell instead of a built-in battery. The cell lasts for weeks of daily commuting, and I always have a spare cell in my bag for my cordless mouse anyway.