Active Noise Cancellation headphones (Not for gaming)

tlrBeta · 16 Nov 2015 at 14:29

Hi All,

Though OCUK don’t stock them, I’m considering buying some active noise cancellation headphones. These will be primarily used for some long haul flights coming up and potentially when at home.

Does anyone have any experience / recommendations?

Of course, I’ve done some research with the Bose QC25 scoring highly and the Audio-Technica-ATH-ANC9. Both have pros and cons, Bose being the price point. Any other recommendations / thoughts are welcome.

Thanks

rids57 · 16 Nov 2015 at 14:50

For noise cancellation nothing beats the Bose QC25

Uriel · 16 Nov 2015 at 17:23

I have Goldring NS1000 and AudioTechnica ANC7b. Similar form factor and both very good for the money.

Both sound much better with noise cancellation on. They are slightly dull and muffled with it off but. This improves with a headphone amp (about which they are picky but I've had good results from cheap battery powered amps like CMOYs and a FiiO e5) but both are great from portable sources with just the noise cancellation and no amp.

There is a slight 'white noise' hiss to both with noise cancellation on. It's only really noticeable in quiet period in whatever you're listening to.

I used to recommend the NS1000s unhesitatingly but a lot of people on this and other forums have reported problems with the plastic, leading to cracking of the headband. It seems that materials quality has been variable and there have been some bad batches over the years.

After about 9 years (and I got them 2nd hand) the pleather headband and earpads on mine have started to deteriorate, giving me 'black dandruff' but otherwise they are still going fine. There was a time you could get NS1000s for £50 but the price is more typically £70 these days.

Edit: What Hi-Fi's 2015 NC Headphone roundup: http://www.whathifi.com/news/best-noise-cancelling-headphones-to-buy-in-2015. They still put the NS1000s best under £100.

Also - it's worth metioning that the AT ANC7, ANC7b, Goldring NS1000s and Blackbox M10 and M14 are all made by the same OEM (which is Phitek, who own the patent on their particular NC circuitry). Audio-technica and Goldring just have the relevant logo thrown on.

tlrBeta · 18 Nov 2015 at 13:32

Thank you for this post

Uriel · 18 Nov 2015 at 14:43

One other flaw to mention with the audio-tecnica and Godlring NC headphones. The passive isolation isn't great and they leak sound out, although NC does tend to mean lower volume listening is acceptable. Something to bear in mind if you'll be using them on a long haul flight next to someone.

daz · 18 Nov 2015 at 18:32

Sony MDR-1 NC are worth a look.

Terminal_Boy · 18 Nov 2015 at 18:46

rids57 said:
For noise cancellation nothing beats the Bose QC25

Seconded. Replaced my very well travelled QC2s with a set of QC25s about 9 months ago and haven't regretted doing so for an instant. Used daily on the tube and regularly for long haul flights.

More compact, less sweaty, better NQ and you can still listen to music etc. when the battery dies.

tlrBeta · 23 Nov 2015 at 11:15

Morning All,

Thanks for the comments above.

As it happens, I've managed to find the old Bose QC-15's for sale (new) at Costco for £80. For the money, they seem a good buy and meet my requirements and very hard to justify the QC25 over these (money factor).

Has anyone use the old QC-15's?

Many Thanks