Noise-cancelling headphones on flights

[Obsession 571]

I read a review of them and they said they only cancel lower frequencies and have a high frequency hiss. That sounds more annoying than the drone of the engines!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise-cancelling_headphones

 

Has anyone tried them on flights?

[The Mook 105]

I have a pair of Bose QC3's and they work very well.

I use them regardless the length of the flights I take.

[Mescalito 19]

I read a review of them and they said they only cancel lower frequencies and have a high frequency hiss. That sounds more annoying than the drone of the engines!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise-cancelling_headphones

 

Has anyone tried them on flights?

 

 

I use a cheaper solution that seems to work well. I put in a couple of foam earlplugs that I get at the drug store, then put on the audio headphones that come with the flights, but unplug them from the socket. Cheap, easy, and pretty effective.

[bastax33 28]

Use them all the time and love them. I always fly economy and I'm usually sitting somewhere behind the engines. On a 12 hour flight the drone of the engines use to get to me. Not anymore, highly recommend getting a pair for any long flight. I do not notice any hiss when I have them on.

[jacko 8,822]

Some airlines issue them free in Business Class, but likely they are not the best ones.

I notice that they cancel out somewhat the background drone of the engines, but other noises seem to get through.

Like the yapping women behind or the baby at the front.

[Saddic 31]

I can't live without them... on flights all the time...

 

They do a great job of screening out a lot (but not all)of the low vibration noise too... as well as screaming kids...

 

I find that some of the cheaper (eg $20) noise canceling headsets work just as well as the midrange ($100)... (I haven't tried Bo$e ($300) yet)...

 

... and DAMNIT, I broke my headset on the way over... and can't find a reasonable replacement in PTY...

[sinbinjack 252]

Try being a truck driver for 30 years ,you won't hear a plane engine again.

[MC_Ldop 40]

Bose Quiet Comfort headphones are one of the biggest rip-offs out there. The sound quality is mediocre for the price. I highly recommend using in-ear buds with foam tips. The foam blocks out external noise without sacrificing sound quality. Etymotic, Shure, and Ultimate Ears are a few good brands to look into. Each company offers models at various price ranges. Generally speaking Etymotic offers the purest sound quality, but some people dislike the flat response. Shure an Ultimate Ears offer more bass, which is nice if you're into hip-hop, dance, techno, etc.

[voracious 31]

I've used sennheiser and sony's both worked very well and if hearing the engine drone for the entire flight wears you out, then they're definitely worth it. if you don't want to spend the money if you get full ear noise isolating (read: sound proofed) headphones they can work too, but if they don't breathe your ears get pretty hot after a while.

[Obsession 571]

Thanks guys

Is there any way to power them up without sounds? Just so it's cancelling out the engine noise?

[Grandpollo 366]

Thanks guys

Is there any way to power them up without sounds? Just so it's cancelling out the engine noise?

 

If you do not plug them into an audio source but turn on the power switch then they just lower ambient noise levels. A lot of people sleep with them on.

 

I use Bose QC-15's which are very good but on Cathay they provide hard wired ones so I leave them at home. You can turn off the TV and they are still lowering ambient sound.

[dtyolmn 4]

I've got a set of Bose and I use them every time I go on a trip. They're great!

[Obsession 571]

If you do not plug them into an audio source but turn on the power switch then they just lower ambient noise levels. A lot of people sleep with them on.

 

Thanks. That sounds idea.

[Big_Brian 179]

I've a set of Tevion - used for the first time last trip. Not high end, so not high end performance, but not high end price either. I got more sleep than usual, so I'm a convert now. They cut down the low frequency sounds most, which is most of the aircraft noise.

 

I found that best results were got by playing gentle music through them - I used my mobile to play the music, but any source would do.

[Grandpollo 366]

There is a lower cost set from Sony that work OK but if you wear glasses (I used to) they squeeze the arms of the glasses into your head like a vise.

 

I have found those who criticize the Bose usually haven't got them, haven't worn them and probably can't afford them.

 

I have tried many and the QC-15 are the best out there. The problem is they are $350.

[yselmike 397]

I use my sonys combine them with earplugs silence!,I have looked at the Bose but for my yearly return flight to los I need the earphones for a total of 16 hours a year,hard to justify the price.Have read that the very latest Bose cause problems with dizziness and some disorientation.For you frequent flyers Bose is probably the way to go

[harro1 256]

I have a pair of testicles and just tough it out!

 

 

 

 

Seriously though I just listen to music on my iPhone with supplied earphones.

[The Mook 105]

yselmike:

 

I use my Bose QC3's all the time at home. They come with a rechargeable battery and charger.

They're quite comfortable and there's no need to restrict yourself if you're not on a plane.

 

Mook