Noise Cancelling Headphones

[stevemcm]

I was loaned a pair of NCT Noisebuster Extreme noise cancelling headphones to use on a recent flight, the owner bought them 2 years ago in the USA. These headphones were excellent and at 40 USD good value, unfortunately they are no longer made. A search of the internet gave several hits including Bose, Magellan Plane Quiet and Sony models. The Sonys are out because they are of the in ear type, which I don't like. Of the others the Bose are too expensive at 299 USD but the Plane Quiets got good reviews and at 79.99 USD I thought I'd buy a pair. Logged onto the Magellan website and sure enough there they were at the above price but they do not sell to the UK you have to got to the UK website, the price? 79.99 GBP!!! Robbers Dogs! Nearly 80% higher! Out of interest I checked the UK price of the Bose headphones Yes 299.99 GBP. I'll wait till I go to the USA or more likely Canada to buy them.

 

This complaint apart I can heartily recommend the use of these gadgets on aircraft. Most come with adapters to use with the IFE system in addition to CD/Minidisc/MP3 players. I believe some airlines provide them in First Class.

 

Stevoh.

[vegaheart]

I got a pair from unbeatable.co.uk for about 25 quid I think. I used them on my last trip and were pretty effective. I just arrived in BKK yesterday from LHR, got on the plane yesterday to discover I had remembered my portable dvd player, batteries, dvd's... everything..... except my blasted headphones! Had to resort to cannabalising the pair Thai Airways gave me. Otherwise I could look at them and tell you exactly what make they are. But check out the website and you may be able to find them there. Hope this is of some help.

[galt67]

I use Sennheiser 250's which are EXCELLENT!! Got them on Ebay for around $100US.

 

Might also consider Bose--they two different models but pang

[drpaul854]

I have used the Bose on 3 long flights and now I have own a pair of the Plane Quiet NC-5 for 5 months and have used them on 3 long flights and I am satisfied they are almost as good as the Bose at a much lower price. Though you don't get the great Bose carrying case.

 

You do not have to order through Magellan - you can order direct from the manufacturer at: http://www.protravelgear.com They ship internationally. I just visited their site and see that they have released a new and improved model Plane Quiet the NC-6. Looks quite different and they have lowered the price to $69.00 (Magellan stills sells the old NC-5 for $79.00). Worth a look.

 

Also, if you only travel occasionally, you may want to consider something I did with the Bose the 3 times I used them. I only travel 2-3 times a year so before a long trip I would buy from ebay a new pair of the Bose for $20 - 30 off list price. Use them for a couple of weeks of travel. Then sell them as "lightly used" on ebay usually for the same price (on one occasion, near Christmas I sold the used pair for more than I had paid for them new a month earlier) You get to use a great headset for next to nothing - except the risk of loss or damage. That is what prompted me to buy the Planequiets. Wouldn't travel without them now you can listen to the movie or music without blasting to overcome the engine noise.

[Niall]

Sennheiser PXC 250's are £66 + postage on UK Ebay.

[redwood13]

I also like the Sennheiser PXC 250. Here's a review:

 

http://www.mymac.com/robertson/pxc250_9.11.03.shtml

 

-redwood

[jfg]

Had been thinking of getting something like this, noticed Dixon sell them vat free in shop , dont recognise the ones mentioned they had ones from Sony and Panasonic sorry not sure of price around 50quid

[OnMyWay]

The real test to seeing how excellent the "Noise Cancelling" headphones really are is to wear them into the FLB and see if they can elimiate the sounds from the Ugly Brothers.

 

Now those would be priceless!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[cowboy]

I've got a pair of the sony MD-5. Sony makes something like 7 or 8 models of noise canceling headphones. I got them at a office max that was closing for $30. they work really well and are not nearly as heavy as the Bose. the bose are probably the best, ... but an over the ear phone like the bose gets kinda heavy on an 11 hour flight.

[ttk]

I have the Bose (second version) and would not travel without them. The current version has a detachable (easily lost :crying :crying ) cord that makes it very easy to use if you do not want to watch the movies.