Noise Cancelling Headphones

[ozmerish]

QF uses the third pin type on J INT and it is very comfy.

IIRC, the third pin is for power.

I've been using the QC2's for a while now - just after they were introduced. I find them comfortable and they work well. Bose customer support is excellent - I had a crack develop in the plastic case on the slide part of the headband and Bose replaced the entire set with no questions asked.

I haven't looked at the in ear units, but I think I might consider the Shure units when it's time to change.

 

[rosesplus]

An article in todays New York times on NC headphone study concludes that overear headphones offer a considerable benefit in reducing background noise compared to in ear sets. I don't know if it's available online.

I just tried the sets QF offers in J to the US and they are no where near as good as the Bose QC2's.

 

[browski]

I use the Bose QC2 and find I sleep so much better with them on. I fly long haul frequently, and only need to let my ears breathe after about 6 hours or so of usage.

I baulked at the price but purchased them anyway. Could not believe it when my work would not allow me to expense them. However, I have successfully had them reduced off my income tax as a workplace health and safety issue!

Anyway, my colleague bought the Targus Noise Cancellation for a fraction of the cost and whilst not as quiet as the Bose, they are at a bargain price http://www.targus.com/AU/product_details.asp?sku=AWM02US

- if you are looking for a cost compromise.

By the way, Member "Aussie Disney Fan" wrote: "Only on our last domestic route did we have problems with the airline stewards. We we asked to remove them for takeoff, and when my husband questioned this the steward got a bit narky."

You should have replied that you will take your off, if the pilot takes their ones off - they use the same ones (although a little more industrial) - made by Bose incidently.

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

they use the same ones (although a little more industrial) - made by Bose incidently.

Commercial airliner pilots don't use these - they couldn't hear each other well if they did! More importantly though, I would like them to be listening to the engines!

The coughpit is so quiet, they really don't need them. Most crew fly with one earphone on and the other off so they can chat.

You're right though in that Bose make a version for light aircraft use - the "Headset X". Near a grand USD.

I've used my QC2s as a passenger in a Cessna 210 and they're fantastic. Watched a DVD on my laptop and had my own AVOD! Great for anyone on Dash8s or similar commuter lines.

 

[marvel]

On the question of headphone, do you need a special jack to insert or do all the headphones fit? we are flying AirNz. Thanks

 

[browski]

Commercial airliner pilots don't use these - they couldn't hear each other well if they did! More importantly though, I would like them to be listening to the engines!commuter lines.

My brother flies Boeing 717s and he showed me the ones that he uses when he flies. Of course they can hear eachother! They plug in (using) a 6.5mm adapter into the plane console to hear both control tower and eachother.

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

Can only speak for the Bose QC2...they come with:

- Standard stereo plug that's DiscMan / MP3 standard size (2.5mm???)
- Adapter for the larger socket (5mm)
- Airline adapter (2 x 2.5 mm pins)
- Extension cord
- Case
- Battery (AAA and lasts ages.)

I had to buy an adapter for my O2 Mini phone/MP3 combined machine as the socket is much smaller, but only a couple of $.

 

[NM]

There seems to be a misunderstanding of how noise cancelling headphone work and what they actually cancel. No active NC headphones, no matter how much money you spend, will cancel dynamic sounds such as speech. So they are never going to block out a conversation.

Active noise cancellation/reduction is only affective in reducing constant sounds in the lower frequency spectrum. So on aircraft, that is the constant sound of the cabin air conditioning and some engine noise. Most of the noise in the cabin of modern airliners is from the air conditioning.

But they will not be affective to block out the screaming baby next to you, a chatty seat mate, or the FA coming to take your drink order. Any reduction of those sounds is purely from the isolation affect of wearing the headphones over your ears.

In-ear sound isolating earphones (such as the Shure and Etymotic earphones, not ear buds that you get with most I-Pod or MP3 players) work by sealing the ear canal in the same way as ear plug work. If you get a seal between the earphone and your ear canal, you can experience full-frequency noise reduction in the order of 20-30dB. Wearing these will affect your ability to hear and participate in a conversation.

Without reading the NYT article mentioned previously, I can only assume they were comparing so call in-ear noise cancelling earphones like the Sony NC11/NC12 with over-the-ear headphones. Any true comparison of in-ear sound isolating earphones (such as Shure E3, E4, E5) with Active NC headphones will show the in-ears to be significantly more affective at full-frequency and dynamic sound isolation.

 

[neil_gardner]

I recently bought some RP-HC 300 NC headphones from Panasonic for US$199.....the guy in the store said they were the "Bose Killers". I tend to agree.

 

[browski]

OK, so finally left on a trip where I've accidently left the Bose QC2s at home!
What to Do?
Asked the Hostess for a pair of earplugs. Put the standard issue headphones over them - great result - literally as good (maybe even better) as the QC2s. Disturbing really.

Please no-one mention that it reminds them of the handsfree kit advertisement with a picture of a guy with a mobile phone gaffa taped to his head!

 

[cabbage74]

Don't worry Browski. I have done the same thing, using earplugs and just turning the headphones up full.

Before I opted for Shure E3c, I was considering getting QC2's and trying the earplugs at the same time. Would be interested to know what people find if they try that.

Malcolm.

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

I have done the same thing, using earplugs and just turning the headphones up full.

That's what I used to do before I bought the noise cancellers. Problem is that you need to have your headphones turned up louder to get over the cabin noise and a touch more for the ear plugs... This will make your potential ear damage worse :cry:

I did want to buy them for the enjoyment, :wink: sure. But the main reason was that my ears would ring for several hours after arrival; just like I'd been to a live concert. Doing at least 6 "medium haul" flights through Asia each month last year when I was based in Singapore, I bought them for safety reasons.

:?: Any accountants out there with advice on the deductability of such a purchase :?:

 

[bigjobs]

get your accountant to put them in your 'low value items' pool for depreciation and you can depreciate them in the year you purchased them. it;s really easy and above board to do it.

 

[NM]

Next time try the ear plug under the QC2s and see how much you like it . That is the downside of in-ear earphones like my Shure E3s - can't supplement with earplugs as well :wink: .

 

[Maca44]

AFter reading the thread on headphones I have decided on the Shure E3c (in ear) type. The majority of places I have contacted retail them for between AUD$275 and AUD$279.

Can anyone direct me in the right direction for better prices.

NM. You indicated that you got a pair sent to a US address for US$135, are you able to post where you got them from so I can arrange a similar purchase as that's nearly a AUD$100 saving.

 

[aus_flyer]

I recently bought a pair of JVC NC-headphones. Absolutely fantastic.

 

[meloz]

AFter reading the thread on headphones I have decided on the Shure E3c (in ear) type. The majority of places I have contacted retail them for between AUD$275 and AUD$279.

Can anyone direct me in the right direction for better prices.

EBAY have them for $180 AUD at the moment. That's where I got mine and I now rate them better than NC.

Meloz

 

[NM]

EBAY have them for $180 AUD at the moment. That's where I got mine and I now rate them better than NC.

Meloz

I have bought about 8 sets of E3s over the last few years (use them for in-ear monitors for musicians). I find that Australian retailers are very expensive for them, normally quoting well over $200. There is one regular EBay seller who sells a log of Shure products, and we have bought many microphones from him but his E3 prices are still higher than I can get elsewhere.

This reminds me that I have a gig coming up in 2 weeks where I need 7 sets of them, better start tracking them all down, as well as getting a stock of batteries for the drivers.

The last few sets I have purchased from US on-line retailers (not EBay) and had them deliver to a US colleague, and I collect from him when I travel through the USA. They work out at less than A$180 including delivery to a US address. I think I paid about US$135 each last time.

I email of call the retailer first to ensure they will accept my Australian CC (Amex usually, either direct or through PayPal) for delivery to a US address. Never been a problem.

Just got to make sure you stay below the A$900 duty-free limit or they may become an expensive purchase.

 

[Maca44]

NM..Could you post the details of the on-line seller or the ebay seller you mentioned. Alternatively, could you PM them to me. Thanks

 

[NM]

NM..Could you post the details of the on-line seller or the ebay seller you mentioned. Alternatively, could you PM them to me. Thanks

I had most of the contact details filed away in my email, which had been a good place for it until an upgrade of the software last weekend did not go as planned! Now I have lost all my archived email - grrr.

Looking back through hard-copy paperwork shows I have purchased 4 sets from Big Time Audio in Wisconsin.

Note that under the terms and conditions set by Shure for the authorised dealers, they are not supposed to advertise below the RRP. Obviously some do. But many will advertise that they will not be beaten on price and to ask for a deal. Make sure you do ask them! A few emails can save you a lot of money.

Some EBay sellers in the USA are also authorised dealers, so they will often be willing to do a deal independent of the regular channels, and are especially interested if you you are buying more than one set at a time.