Noise Cancelling Headphones

[Sprucegoose]

They get a good review on what hifi.

Klipsch Mode M40 review from the experts at whathifi.com

Ordered some, will try with interest and report back

 

[quokka77]

Aldi have a40 dollar offer on a generic brand this morning

 

[wafliron]

Couldn't get them to sit in my ear properly. I tried every single size that each pair came with... just when I thought I'd have it done, too, they'd start to fall out quickly. I have a somewhat party-trick ability to wiggle my ears so it could even be that happening without me realising moving them out of place

Now that is strange... I don't think I've ever heard of someone having problems with them falling out, only complaints about them being uncomfortable. You really must have weird ears

I certainly don't have an issue with in-earplugs worn for hearing protection - I use disposables for lawn mowing, etc - anything noisy.

I reckon you'll like them then.

I notice some brands supply a range of in-ear pads in different sizes which would be essential for a good fit.

Yep, all the good ones come with a range of sizes for the outer "plug" section. It is important, too - my first set only came with one size, and while they kinda fit my ears they weren't 100% comfortable (or noise isolating). I've been much happier with later sets that offered a couple of different options.

What brand/model do you use?

I'm currently using a set of Etymotic Research MC5's, bought from Amazon (Amazon.com: Etymotic Research MC5 Noise Isolating In-Ear Earphones (Black): Electronics) late last year. Looks like they've gotten a bit cheaper since them (I paid about $60 USD + shipping), although I guess the currency has gone in the opposite direction since then as well. I'm very happy with them - sound is very good (noting I'm no audiophile, however), as is noise isolation and comfort. Much better than some previous Philips and Sony models I had which cost the same / more respectively.

 

[jetlagger]

Aldi have a40 dollar offer on a generic brand this morning

I managed to purchase the last ones left in my local store.
Tried them out earlier today.
They look appealing, though bulky & IMO the sound quality is less than desirable.
Worth $40 at max value.

 

[cgichard]

IMO the sound is less than desirable.

Isn't less sound desirable for this type of product?

 

[jetlagger]

Isn't less sound desirable for this type of product?

Refined post..
Sure is.. for a $40 spend, what can one expect?
I personally prefer sound replicated at the optimum quality though.. Bose will IMO always win..
Sufficient for headphone quality though.

 

[quokka77]

I didn't cough up the forty dollars. Instead I use Restavit.

Doxylamine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[jetlagger]

I didn't cough up the forty dollars. Instead I use Restavit.

Doxylamine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Back on topic please..:shock:

 

[TheEmu]

Now that is strange... I don't think I've ever heard of someone having problems with them falling out, only complaints about them being uncomfortable. You really must have weird ears
...
I reckon you'll like them then.
...
Yep, all the good ones come with a range of sizes for the outer "plug" section. It is important, too - my first set only came with one size, and while they kinda fit my ears they weren't 100% comfortable (or noise isolating). I've been much happier with later sets that offered a couple of different options.
...
I'm currently using a set of Etymotic Research MC5's, bought from Amazon (Amazon.com: Etymotic Research MC5 Noise Isolating In-Ear Earphones (Black): Electronics) late last year. Looks like they've gotten a bit cheaper since them (I paid about $60 USD + shipping), although I guess the currency has gone in the opposite direction since then as well. I'm very happy with them - sound is very good (noting I'm no audiophile, however), as is noise isolation and comfort. Much better than some previous Philips and Sony models I had which cost the same / more respectively.

Thanks for the comprehensive reply, wafliron - much appreciated! I'll look into them further in the near future. I'm particularly interested in sound quality as I listen to quite a broad range of music and with classical music in particular, soft lows and highs can completely disappear with poor quality and/or non-NC headphones. My tinnitus doesn't help.

 

[simongr]

To throw a little bit of a spanner in the works... have you all tried, or at least considered, a set of in-ear headphones (i.e. the ones which go right inside your ear canal, like an earplug) as an alternative to "regular" noise cancelling headphones?

Some people find them uncomfortable, but if you don't they're a much better option IMHO. Due to their ear-plug-like design, to my (admittedly not that great) ears they do at least as good a job of cutting out ambient noise, plus they're cheaper (for equivalent sound quality), smaller, don't need batteries and also allow you to sleep on your side with them on.

I switched a few years ago, and personally have never looked back...

I have tried both Shure and Ultimate ears - I was never able to achieve the reported level of noise blocking - I didnt get the top end Shure ($200). The issue for me now is the bluetooth element. In fact my current plantronics are in-ear and provide limited noise blocking.

 

[significance]

Couldn't get them to sit in my ear properly. I tried every single size that each pair came with... just when I thought I'd have it done, too, they'd start to fall out quickly. I have a somewhat party-trick ability to wiggle my ears so it could even be that happening without me realising moving them out of place

One trick to help then stay in better if you are moving around a lot is to loop the cord over your ears (front to back), which reduces the drag on the earbuds. I do that when I go jogging in mine, and it makes a big difference.

You could also try the new Bose noise-cancelling in-ear headphones. They have the "stay hear" ear pieces, which work well, as well as an in-ear plug and noise cancelling technology. I'm tempted to get some myself, but I already have about 7 different pairs of earphones and headphones, so I can't justify it

 

[simongr]

You could also try the new Bose noise-cancelling in-ear headphones. They have the "stay hear" ear pieces, which work well, as well as an in-ear plug and noise cancelling technology. I'm tempted to get some myself, but I already have about 7 different pairs of earphones and headphones, so I can't justify it

Those look great - just no bluetooth - too much to ask?

 

[NM]

To throw a little bit of a spanner in the works... have you all tried, or at least considered, a set of in-ear headphones (i.e. the ones which go right inside your ear canal, like an earplug) as an alternative to "regular" noise cancelling headphones?

Some people find them uncomfortable, but if you don't they're a much better option IMHO. Due to their ear-plug-like design, to my (admittedly not that great) ears they do at least as good a job of cutting out ambient noise, plus they're cheaper (for equivalent sound quality), smaller, don't need batteries and also allow you to sleep on your side with them on.

I switched a few years ago, and personally have never looked back...

I have both Bose QF15 and Shure SE535. I love them both and use them for different things. The Shure SE535 provide better reduction of ambient noise through isolation, especially in the higher frequency ranges where active noise cancelling is less effective. But the in-ear devices take a little bit of effort to insert and seal correctly, so they are not suitable when you need to be putting them in and out regularly.

So for a long-haul flight, I will generally use the Shure earphones, especially if carry-on space/weight is a concern. For a short flight or when mixing live sound and using them for channel solo/monitor operations, the Bose a great.

 

[wafliron]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply, wafliron - much appreciated! I'll look into them further in the near future. I'm particularly interested in sound quality as I listen to quite a broad range of music and with classical music in particular, soft lows and highs can completely disappear with poor quality and/or non-NC headphones. My tinnitus doesn't help.

No worries - good luck. I'm led to believe that in-ear headphones as a general rule provide better sound quality than other styles of headphones for the same dollars, but my ears are nowhere near good enough to verify this

I have tried both Shure and Ultimate ears - I was never able to achieve the reported level of noise blocking - I didnt get the top end Shure ($200).

Interested to hear that, because again it's not a complaint I've ever heard about in-ear headphones before - as I've mentioned previously just about the only complaint I've heard (fairly regularly) is discomfort (and I guess now falling out, courtesy of Flashware and his weird ears ).

Actually, a question here, for both you and and Flashware: when trying in-ear headphones, are you sure that you inserted them properly (far enough)? For the inexperienced user it is easy to just "sit" them at the entry of your ear canal, whereas the proper way of wearing them is to shove them right in there, just like ear plugs. The combination of appropriate "bud" size and proper insertion should mean you can give the cord a good yank and the headphone won't come out of your ear (or really move, at all).

 

[Flashback]

No worries - good luck. I'm led to believe that in-ear headphones as a general rule provide better sound quality than other styles of headphones for the same dollars, but my ears are nowhere near good enough to verify this

Interested to hear that, because again it's not a complaint I've ever heard about in-ear headphones before - as I've mentioned previously just about the only complaint I've heard (fairly regularly) is discomfort (and I guess now falling out, courtesy of Flashware and his weird ears ).

Actually, a question here, for both you and and Flashware: when trying in-ear headphones, are you sure that you inserted them properly (far enough)? For the inexperienced user it is easy to just "sit" them at the entry of your ear canal, whereas the proper way of wearing them is to shove them right in there, just like ear plugs. The combination of appropriate "bud" size and proper insertion should mean you can give the cord a good yank and the headphone won't come out of your ear (or really move, at all).

I tried shoving them in as far as I could.... with every single plug size they came with :mrgreen: Sometimes they'd sit for a little while, but within 10 minutes they'd be no good.

BTW on bud size... do you tend to go for something larger or something smaller?

 

[Mal]

I have a somewhat party-trick ability to wiggle my ears so it could even be that happening without me realising moving them out of place

Could be the reason... Next AFF drinks night, we will discuss ear plugs and I want a visual demonstration

 

[TheEmu]

Could be the reason... Next AFF drinks night, we will discuss ear plugs and I want a visual demonstration

Video, please Mal!

 

[Flashback]

Could be the reason... Next AFF drinks night, we will discuss ear plugs and I want a visual demonstration

Video, please Mal!

Enough, you two! Although it does make the ladies chuckle :mrgreen:

 

[Mal]

Enough, you two! Although it does make the ladies chuckle :mrgreen:

OK, we will YouTube it and see what comments come back!

 

[NM]

Interested to hear that, because again it's not a complaint I've ever heard about in-ear headphones before - as I've mentioned previously just about the only complaint I've heard (fairly regularly) is discomfort (and I guess now falling out, courtesy of Flashware and his weird ears ).

Actually, a question here, for both you and and Flashware: when trying in-ear headphones, are you sure that you inserted them properly (far enough)? For the inexperienced user it is easy to just "sit" them at the entry of your ear canal, whereas the proper way of wearing them is to shove them right in there, just like ear plugs. The combination of appropriate "bud" size and proper insertion should mean you can give the cord a good yank and the headphone won't come out of your ear (or really move, at all).

Another option for people with ear canal shapes that don't fit one of the three sleeve sizes is to use the compressible foam type. They are available from Shure and listed here: Shure Americas | Earphones & Headphone Sleeves. Also generally available on ebay such as EAORF2 10M Medium Orange Foam EAR Tips Shure E2 E2C E2G I2C EAR BUD EAR TIP Seal | eBay. We often use these for one-off performers using Shure earphones as in-ear monitors as they are inexpensive, can be washed if you want to re-use, or just treat them as disposable if you like. They are similar compressible foam as used on ear-plugs and as are inserted the same as if inserting ear plugs (squeeze to compress, insert and allow to expand.