Noise cancelling headphones
Discussion
Currently travel a fair bit by train and bus and have some long haul flights coming up.
My headphones are just ones you get with a phone and are frankly rubbish in noisy environments.
Considering getting some noise cancelling headphones to improve matters.
I've had a look at options, I'm not willing to spend £100's so thinking of either eBay for second hand or refurbished QC 25's or perhaps a Chinese make pair new, from Amazon. Not fussed on wired or wireless, assume wired will be easier for flight AV system connection.
Couple of questions, do your ears get really hot with enclosed cans?
Are older Bose a safe ish buy second hand?
The Chinese brand pseudo cans actually decent, given they're all about 1/4 the price of the likes from Sony and Bose etc?
My headphones are just ones you get with a phone and are frankly rubbish in noisy environments.
Considering getting some noise cancelling headphones to improve matters.
I've had a look at options, I'm not willing to spend £100's so thinking of either eBay for second hand or refurbished QC 25's or perhaps a Chinese make pair new, from Amazon. Not fussed on wired or wireless, assume wired will be easier for flight AV system connection.
Couple of questions, do your ears get really hot with enclosed cans?
Are older Bose a safe ish buy second hand?
The Chinese brand pseudo cans actually decent, given they're all about 1/4 the price of the likes from Sony and Bose etc?
I have these Sony ones and love them:
Sony ZX770-BN
but I think these are the more up to date model:
Sony WH-CH700N
Sony ZX770-BN
but I think these are the more up to date model:
Sony WH-CH700N
Tycho said:
I have these Sony ones and love them:
Sony ZX770-BN
but I think these are the more up to date model:
Sony WH-CH700N
I have some ancient Sony ones as well - must be at least 10 years old - and they still work perfectly. They really do make a huge difference on a flight - you'll find you have the volume turned right down, as opposed to full volume and still struggling to hear.Sony ZX770-BN
but I think these are the more up to date model:
Sony WH-CH700N
Yeap, another vote for Bose.
I bought a pair of QC15 special edition at Heathrow about 6 years ago, on a whim.
Paid about £225 IIRC and at the time wondered whether I was being rash.
However every time I travel, I thank myself for making the purchase.
They're very comfortable and do a great job of isolating the noise on an aircraft.
I can watch 5 movies on a 13 hour flight in comfort. Sound really good for music too.
They also came in a very nice case, which is so useful to protect them whilst traveling.
The only fault is that the soft brown leatherette ear pads are starting to flake, a little unsightly.
But they have been used a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjKTy3cZbLc
I bought a pair of QC15 special edition at Heathrow about 6 years ago, on a whim.
Paid about £225 IIRC and at the time wondered whether I was being rash.
However every time I travel, I thank myself for making the purchase.
They're very comfortable and do a great job of isolating the noise on an aircraft.
I can watch 5 movies on a 13 hour flight in comfort. Sound really good for music too.
They also came in a very nice case, which is so useful to protect them whilst traveling.
The only fault is that the soft brown leatherette ear pads are starting to flake, a little unsightly.
But they have been used a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjKTy3cZbLc
I really pushed the boat out at the airport before my last flight and got some 'bowers and wilkins' PX headphones. @ £250 in the airport they were pretty damn expensive (they are £320 at john lewis) but so far they have been great.
noise cancelling is very good, love walking to work in the morning in my own wee world listening to music. they also have different levels of sound cancelling incase you use them in the office or somewhere and still need to hear somethings/ people calling your name. but so far so good from me
noise cancelling is very good, love walking to work in the morning in my own wee world listening to music. they also have different levels of sound cancelling incase you use them in the office or somewhere and still need to hear somethings/ people calling your name. but so far so good from me
I've been using a pair of Bose QC20's for the past few years - would not be without them now. Try to use them whenever I leave the house pretty much as I just grew so tired of the seemingly constant sound of (diesel) traffic and other urban noises. Also really beneficial for trains, tubes etc etc. On the occasions when I'm out and about and can't use them I now almost can't believe the general level of noise that people put up with just walking down busy streets or on public transport. Obviously they're a godsend for flights too. Previously had an old pair of Sony noise cancelling in ears which were rubbish in comparision.
I use mine (semi) wirelessly by plugging them into a £10 Bluetooth transmitter.
They also make some jobs around the home more pleasant too - hoovering that kind of thing.
Keep any eye out as it's possible to get Bose sets more affordabley occasionally. Sadly this seems to have passed but other offers will appear:
www.hotukdeals.com/deals/bose-quietcomfort-20i-aco...
I use mine (semi) wirelessly by plugging them into a £10 Bluetooth transmitter.
They also make some jobs around the home more pleasant too - hoovering that kind of thing.
Keep any eye out as it's possible to get Bose sets more affordabley occasionally. Sadly this seems to have passed but other offers will appear:
www.hotukdeals.com/deals/bose-quietcomfort-20i-aco...
Edited by MaxSo on Wednesday 12th September 23:09
Edited by MaxSo on Wednesday 12th September 23:09
Edited by MaxSo on Wednesday 12th September 23:11
Recently got a pair of Sony 1000xm2 and was torn about the cost £250 but thought if I'm going to buy some I may as well get some decent ones. I wouldn't mind trying out some cheaper ones just to hear the difference.
But Im very happy with them and wearing them far more than I thought I would, great for when i'm working in server rooms. Even wear them in the van when on the motorway sometimes. With the way the noise canceling works it means it gets rid of almost all road and engine noise it's like driving a rolls royce
Also the handsfree for phone calls are far better than the built in one in the van.
But Im very happy with them and wearing them far more than I thought I would, great for when i'm working in server rooms. Even wear them in the van when on the motorway sometimes. With the way the noise canceling works it means it gets rid of almost all road and engine noise it's like driving a rolls royce
Also the handsfree for phone calls are far better than the built in one in the van.I've had Bose QC15, 35 ii and QC20s.
I got rid of the over ear ones and kept the QC20s. They have the best noise cancellation for me at least by quite a long way. You can get them on Cex for 70-90 quid in varying configurations.
QC15s are very good for the money too. I got some for £45 on Ebay.
One thing QC20s are awful for is pressure changes. Buses and trains can be a bit of a trial. For flying though they're great.
I got rid of the over ear ones and kept the QC20s. They have the best noise cancellation for me at least by quite a long way. You can get them on Cex for 70-90 quid in varying configurations.
QC15s are very good for the money too. I got some for £45 on Ebay.
One thing QC20s are awful for is pressure changes. Buses and trains can be a bit of a trial. For flying though they're great.
It would depend on how much money you don't want to spend. Just like Not-The-Messiah I have had great experiences with the incredible Sony 1000XM3 headphones for their ability in noise cancelling and sound. The new kid on the block though is the VK-X from Aedle. That uses Feed Forward technology in their ANC and like the Sony also have LDAC built in
Phil
Audio Concierge
Phil
Audio Concierge
GTIAnni said:
It would depend on how much money you don't want to spend. Just like Not-The-Messiah I have had great experiences with the incredible Sony 1000XM3 headphones for their ability in noise cancelling and sound. The new kid on the block though is the VK-X from Aedle. That uses Feed Forward technology in their ANC and like the Sony also have LDAC built in
Phil
Audio Concierge
Them VK-X look interesting.Phil
Audio Concierge
I've recently bought some Sony 1000xm2 (I didn't want to spend that much but IMO they are worth blowing the budget for) from Amazon - I got them for about £240 but they may be cheaper now because Sony have just updated them to the XM3?
My only concern is by listening to them through an Iphone SE I'm not getting to hear them at their best? They do sound bloody good though..
I recently spent far too long looking for new headphones with noise cancelling and tried the 3 usual suspects Bose QC35, Sony WH1000X and B&W PX. I've also got a pair of Sennheiser HD600 at home which are fantastic and probably some of the best headphones under £500, however far from travel and public-friendly and so used exclusively at home. Being compared to the Sennheisers meant any new pair had a tough act to live up to sound wise.
Some other considerations I had were that they were going to be a present from my wife so was keen to keep the costs down if possible, needed to be travel friendly and a bit of a random one, but I really don't like having over ear pads making an imprint in my hair.
After lots of demos I eventually settled on.. these https://www.johnlewis.com/bowers-wilkins-c5-series...
B&W C5 In Ear Noise-Isolating In Ear Headphones.
With their redesigned drive units, the Bowers & Wilkins C5 noise-isolating in-ear headphones deliver enhanced sound quality with amazingly natural acoustics, and a fit so comfortable and secure that you’ll hardly be aware you’re wearing them.
Ingenious engineering
With brilliant design features and subtle improvements in small-scale drive unit technology, the C5 Series 2 takes in-ear sound quality to new heights.
A redesigned 9.2mm dynamic driver provides high definition sound, full-range audio clarity and rich bass that's powerful yet controlled, resulting in more natural, open and detailed acoustics.
A micro porous filter uses microscopic steel balls that act as a sonic diffuser, enhancing clarity and making music feel spacious and detailed.
They sound excellent, isolate noise very well by physically filling the ear and take up literally no space in my bag. Plus they come in at £120 new
Some other considerations I had were that they were going to be a present from my wife so was keen to keep the costs down if possible, needed to be travel friendly and a bit of a random one, but I really don't like having over ear pads making an imprint in my hair.
After lots of demos I eventually settled on.. these https://www.johnlewis.com/bowers-wilkins-c5-series...
B&W C5 In Ear Noise-Isolating In Ear Headphones.
With their redesigned drive units, the Bowers & Wilkins C5 noise-isolating in-ear headphones deliver enhanced sound quality with amazingly natural acoustics, and a fit so comfortable and secure that you’ll hardly be aware you’re wearing them.
Ingenious engineering
With brilliant design features and subtle improvements in small-scale drive unit technology, the C5 Series 2 takes in-ear sound quality to new heights.
A redesigned 9.2mm dynamic driver provides high definition sound, full-range audio clarity and rich bass that's powerful yet controlled, resulting in more natural, open and detailed acoustics.
A micro porous filter uses microscopic steel balls that act as a sonic diffuser, enhancing clarity and making music feel spacious and detailed.
They sound excellent, isolate noise very well by physically filling the ear and take up literally no space in my bag. Plus they come in at £120 new
Edited by T1547 on Sunday 23 September 20:12
Unfortunately you get what you pay for. The Bose QC35 are around £300 for good reason. The cheaper ones will be noticeably worse. Try them out in a noisy shop if you can, you will hear the difference straight away.
I would avoid the Sony, they have well-documented early failure issues (plastic snapping).
And yes, your ears will get hotter in them because of the extra padding - more padding, more noise suppression. Don't use them in the gym, yuck
I would avoid the Sony, they have well-documented early failure issues (plastic snapping).
And yes, your ears will get hotter in them because of the extra padding - more padding, more noise suppression. Don't use them in the gym, yuck
So currently on a visit to Sydney and it appears that cetain electronics are working out a bit cheaper than the UK. SO before i come back want to get some headphones
Stuck between getting these:
Bose QC35 II Over ear ( Approx £215 here vs £329 in the UK)
Sony WH1000MX3 Over ear ( Approx £220 here vs £309 in the UK)
Bose QC30 In ear ( Approx £192 here vs £250 in the UK)
Stuck to which ones i should get
Stuck between getting these:
Bose QC35 II Over ear ( Approx £215 here vs £329 in the UK)
Sony WH1000MX3 Over ear ( Approx £220 here vs £309 in the UK)
Bose QC30 In ear ( Approx £192 here vs £250 in the UK)
Stuck to which ones i should get
fizz47 said:
So currently on a visit to Sydney and it appears that cetain electronics are working out a bit cheaper than the UK. SO before i come back want to get some headphones
Stuck between getting these:
Bose QC35 II Over ear ( Approx £215 here vs £329 in the UK)
Sony WH1000MX3 Over ear ( Approx £220 here vs £309 in the UK)
Bose QC30 In ear ( Approx £192 here vs £250 in the UK)
Stuck to which ones i should get
Have you tried them?Stuck between getting these:
Bose QC35 II Over ear ( Approx £215 here vs £329 in the UK)
Sony WH1000MX3 Over ear ( Approx £220 here vs £309 in the UK)
Bose QC30 In ear ( Approx £192 here vs £250 in the UK)
Stuck to which ones i should get
When I researched a few months back, most of the reviews seemed to favour the Sony - one or two still thought the Bose (QC35s) were top of the list, but most preferred the Sony.
I keep meaning to get to John Lewis to try them myself but haven't managed it yet. I did try the QC35s about 6 months ago when my g/f was looking for some and was pretty underwhelmed considering how good I'd heard they were supposed to be.
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff