Need recommendation for a Noise Cancelling Headphones

videopho

Diamond Member
Apr 8, 2005
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Price range $100-$400.
I demoed Bose QC15 at BB last night came away very impressed wit its NC ability but not sure about the sound quality since BB had the headset tied to Bose demo system.
I do care about sound quality as well as NC ability.
I open to other brands too such as Audio Technica or Sensheiser etc.
I intend to use it with my ipod touch and lots of air travel.
 
Mar 11, 2004
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I don't know too much about noise-canceling headphones, sorry. About the best I've had were custom IEMs, which could potentially be an option on the higher end of your price point. Also, some other IEMs, with the right tips can be good at blocking noise.

Head-Fi might have some good info if you haven't already checked there.
 

xchangx

Golden Member
Mar 23, 2000
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If looking at iem's look at 1964 Ears. Triple driver customs for $350. Quad drivers for $500. I bought the quads and absolutely love them.
 

Chapbass

Diamond Member
May 31, 2004
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You looking at IEM's or over the ear?

Right in the middle of that price range is the Etymotic ER4P. Have a pair myself and love them (only downside is the high amount of cable noise when it hits your shirt when walking. If you have any music going through them though its not too bad).
 

videopho

Diamond Member
Apr 8, 2005
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Over the ear is what I prefer.
I demoed a Bose QC15 at a local BB and walked away very much impressed with its NC ability but not its price tag ($300) plus the hardware seem cheaply made, typical Bose I think.
 

guachi

Senior member
Nov 16, 2010
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I use QC15s at work - 10hrs/day 4 days a week. The QC10s sucked. We had cabinets full of broken headsets that all broke in the same place. The QC15s fixed that.

On the other hand, the NC part isn't very good. You have to have a battery in them or they won't work, but at least the battery lasts a really, really, really long time (weeks). And they don't really block out much sound. Or, rather, what sound they block out is replaced by the white noise sound. They do work GREAT on an airplane. The headphones seemed designed to block out the sound of airplane engines.

I'd sooner spend the money on a quality pair of closed, over-the-ear headphones (I love Sennheiser) before I'd get a pair of NC headphones.
 

videopho

Diamond Member
Apr 8, 2005
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Got a QC15 finally!
Best NC on any other headphones I've tested.
SQ is a bit strong on bass.
Otherwise it sounds good for what I listen to.