Noise-canceling Headphones Review

One of the most annoying things about earphones is how you have to turn them up when you're in a noisy area. Turning up the volume can run down your batteries and, more importantly, damage your hearing. Noise-canceling headphones help block outside audio interference so you can continue to listen to your music at comfortable levels even in a loud environment.

Active noise control (ANC) uses a microphone in the earpiece to measure how much ambient noise is present. The headset then generates an "antinoise" signal that is opposite of the ambient sound. This interfering signal, in addition to the soundproof design of the audio accessory, creates a silent barrier around your ear. This is perfect for blocking out the sound of an airplane engine during a flight, the hum of a noisy air conditioner in your home, or any other place where constant outside noise is a problem.

In this review site, you'll find side-by-side comparisons between the headsets that feature the best active noise-cancellation technology, such as the Sennheiser PXC 450, the Studio Beats and the JVC HA-NC250. In addition, you'll learn more about how they actually cancel noise and how the technology is progressing from our articles on noise-canceling headphones.

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Noise-Canceling Headphones: What to Look For

Many products claim that they are noise-canceling, but they merely muffle outside noise. These kinds of earphones are more accurately called "noise-isolating." Active noise-cancellation requires battery power and physically disrupts outside sound waves. As we analyzed each one of these products, we rated them according to the following criteria:

Performance
This section rates the products based on how they perform when they are being used. We reviewed what frequencies they could play, the sensitivity level and how much they reduced outside noise. We also researched whether they would still work passively when the batteries ran out – the music shouldn't stop just because the battery dies.

Features
We also rated them based on how they are built. A bulky or heavy design will annoy a user no matter how well they block out sound. A good pair needs to be lightweight and should have a long cord and a long battery life. In this section we also investigate whether the products are compatible with various audio sources.

Ease of Use
In this area, we considered how simply they function. Overly complicated audio equipment is tedious to use, yet a user wants to have some control over what they're listening to. The higher-rated products on this site strike a balance between simplicity and functionality.

Help & Support
Even well-made products have the occasional glitch. High-quality earphones need to have high-quality support on the manufacturer's website. A variety of help options will put the user's mind at ease, even if they don't have any issues with the product.

By using these rating criteria, we discovered that several of our top ten picks were exemplary in design and performance. Using any of these noise-canceling headphones will enable you to enjoy a pure audio experience or simple peace and quiet.