Noise Cancelling Headphones

[significance]

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).

With some brands, though they get good reviews from others, I find the speaker tips are too big, so it doesn't matter what bud size I use, they won't sit in my ear canals properly. For me, the Klipsch in-ear earbuds are very comfortable and almost always stay in place.

 

[wafliron]

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.

Perhaps true super-glue :mrgreen:

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

I've always just started with the smallest and kept going larger until I find a size that is both comfortable and secure. For me that tends to be the "medium" size (the couple of sets of in-ear headphones I've owned have come with three sizes). No idea if there's any sort of general recommendation as to how to approach this, though.

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.

Good tip. This reminded me of another option too: some companies - including Etymotics, I believe - will actually manufacture "sleeves" specifically customised to the wearer's ears, similar to how you can get custom-made ear plugs. An expensive option I'd assume, though.

 

[markis10]

Generally the comply tips do the job for those with tricky ears, and help with sealing for any ear.

http://www.complyfoam.com/

Custom tips are not to expensive: http://www.pacificears.com.au/index...n-ear-monitors/custom-sleeves-detail?Itemid=0

 

[SeatBackForward]

Has anyone come across these?
AKG K 490 NC

review up here: AKG K 490 NC Review & Rating | PCMag.com

I like the price, and that you recharge via USB.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Ended up getting myself the Sony MDR-1RNC headphones.

They are apparently top of the range for Sony. Quite big and fully enclose the ears. I thought they were quite good, particularly for watching movies in-flight and being able to hear the dialogue. Most headphones I've tried in the past fail in this department. In fact at one point after getting out of my seat, I was watching the movie for about 30mins thinking how good these were, before realising I hadn't turned the NC back on!

The primary reason I bought these over any other type, was the ability to re-charge the batteries using a micro-USB cable. Fits with all my other travel gadgets that only need a USB port to re-charge and minimizes the number of cables to be carried around.

These will be my day-flight headphones, and I'll keep using the ATH-BT04NC for night flights so I can sleep with them on.

 

[OzEire]

Very informative thread, tks all for the comments. I have owned a range of NC headphones over the years, always seeking the perfect balance of sound quality/silence and comfort for those long flights Aus - Europe. Sony and Panasonic "on ear" models served me well.


But now that i do much more short hop domestic flights, usually just with carry-on, things like bulk and battery life have become more important. After much shopping around I bought the reasonably priced TDK Active NR earbud model. They work ok (but cant compete with the top model brands), and fit in my pocket, but the battery pack is half-way along the cord and weighs/hangs off my left ear - very poor design. Just a heads up for anyone tempted by the $50 price tag for ANR earbuds.


Slightly off topic, did anyone else reading this thread conjure up memories of the old 1980/90s non-electronic IFE ear tubes that plugged into the armrest to carry the sound (very badly) to your ears, kinda like a doctor's stethoscope (sp?)...

 

[SeatBackForward]

Slightly off topic, did anyone else reading this thread conjure up memories of the old 1980/90s non-electronic IFE ear tubes that plugged into the armrest to carry the sound (very badly) to your ears, kinda like a doctor's stethoscope (sp?)...

There was a very recent thread all about them: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....on/who-remembers-acoustic-headsets-52792.html

 

[OzEire]

There was a very recent thread all about them: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....on/who-remembers-acoustic-headsets-52792.html

Ha ha ha Missed that one, what a blast from the past. I hadn't thought about those for probably 10 years before today. Thanks for the link SBF !

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Has anyone tried, tested or owns the Parrot Zik headphones?

I'm hearing (well reading) some good reports on them and they seem to be just what I want. Bluetooth, controlable easily, noise cancelling etc. Bloody expensive (well I think they're bloody expensive) at $500, but if they do what I want to do, then great.

 

[OzEire]

Bluetooth, controlable easily, noise cancelling etc.

Would you be allowed to use the BT function in the air (this being AFF I'm assuming you intend to use them mostly in flight rather than mostly at home.)

 

[Flashback]

Has anyone tried, tested or owns the Parrot Zik headphones?

I'm hearing (well reading) some good reports on them and they seem to be just what I want. Bluetooth, controlable easily, noise cancelling etc. Bloody expensive (well I think they're bloody expensive) at $500, but if they do what I want to do, then great.

There's some good reviews here: Amazon.com: Parrot Zik - Wireless Headphones with Touch Control and Noise Cancellation: MP3 Players & Accessories

 

[Sprucegoose]

Has anyone tried, tested or owns the Parrot Zik headphones?

I'm hearing (well reading) some good reports on them and they seem to be just what I want. Bluetooth, controlable easily, noise cancelling etc. Bloody expensive (well I think they're bloody expensive) at $500, but if they do what I want to do, then great.

I agree with you bloody expensive but they do look good

 

[JessicaTam]

Speaking of trying things, has anyone tried/bought the Bose in-ear NC headphones?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Speaking of trying things, has anyone tried/bought the Bose in-ear NC headphones?

No, but I'd love to
I'm going to buy a pair when I'm over in the LOTFAP in Dec, can't wait !

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Would you be allowed to use the BT function in the air (this being AFF I'm assuming you intend to use them mostly in flight rather than mostly at home.)

They do have "wired" backup, but why not bluetooth in the air? I do also want them for home. Funny thing is, when I was a teen, my parents kept telling me to turn the music down........now I'm a parent and my teens keep telling me to turn the music down. I can't win!

 

[jetlagger]

Speaking of trying things, has anyone tried/bought the Bose in-ear NC headphones?

I have tried the new NC QC 20 at the Bose store in BNE recently. They are very good.. to say the least.

 

[JessicaTam]

I have tried the new NC QC 20 at the Bose store in BNE recently. They are very good.. to say the least.

Thanks jetlagger. Have you previously had Bose NCs?

 

[jetlagger]

Thanks jetlagger. Have you previously had Bose NCs?

Sure.. I have a pair of QC15 they go everywhere with me.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Sure.. I have a pair of QC15 they go everywhere with me.

I too have QC15s and love them, only issue is I can't fall asleep wearing them #firstworldproblem

 

[jetlagger]

I too have QC15s and love them, only issue is I can't fall asleep wearing them #firstworldproblem

Slight problem with the sleep style.. I've learned to adapt.
I am not willing to compromise, except for the new QC20 though.