Qantas Business Class Headphones

[MelbFlyer]

I've got 2 x upcoming QF flights in business, one during the day (no issue with noise) and the other will be an overnight one.

I was also about to ask the same question - if the headphones Qantas provide are noise cancelling.

Reason being, I was on SQ last year returning home and I was in seat 20K on an A350 (their regional product, which was average at best), and in 19K, there was a baby crying literally all night.

Silly me, I didn't even think to use the headphones provided to see if it could drown out some of the engine noise and crying.

It was a terrible flight for that reason - I got no sleep whatsoever. I honestly think that there should be no children under the age of 5 allowed in business - but that's a different conversation.

I think this time round, I'll just put the headphones on when sleeping even if not listening to anything (some headphones provide immediate noise cancelling when you put them on - not sure about Qantas' one though).

I have a pair of Samsung Buds 2 Pro, but they're not secure at the best of times (ie. requires constant adjustment even after having tried different earpiece sizes) and each charge only lasts for 5hrs.

Maybe I'll just have to fork out a few hundred for a pair of Sony or Bose noise cancelling headphones?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Having flown business class on a number of airlines now, I am of the opinion that having your own set of Bose nose cancelling headphones will be leagues better than what the airlines offer as the noise cancellation is more comfortable, and the ear cups aren't made from recycled Vegemite.

-RooFlyer88

 

[GlennWL]

A thread about NC headphones wouldn't be complete with a reference to using Bluetooth adapters instead of wired headphones. This is is the adapter (link to US Amazon) I've been using lately. Has worked well, and being able to re-charge while it's plugged in and being used has been good on the long hauls:

Great idea !

 

[GlennWL]

I've got 2 x upcoming QF flights in business, one during the day (no issue with noise) and the other will be an overnight one.

I was also about to ask the same question - if the headphones Qantas provide are noise cancelling.

Reason being, I was on SQ last year returning home and I was in seat 20K on an A350 (their regional product, which was average at best), and in 19K, there was a baby crying literally all night.

Silly me, I didn't even think to use the headphones provided to see if it could drown out some of the engine noise and crying.

It was a terrible flight for that reason - I got no sleep whatsoever. I honestly think that there should be no children under the age of 5 allowed in business - but that's a different conversation.

I think this time round, I'll just put the headphones on when sleeping even if not listening to anything (some headphones provide immediate noise cancelling when you put them on - not sure about Qantas' one though).

I have a pair of Samsung Buds 2 Pro, but they're not secure at the best of times (ie. requires constant adjustment even after having tried different earpiece sizes) and each charge only lasts for 5hrs.

Maybe I'll just have to fork out a few hundred for a pair of Sony or Bose noise cancelling headphones?

Totally agree - no children in business

 

[Beano]

I used to carry a proper noise cancelling but now I can’t be bothered taking up that room. I’ve done multiple Asian routes and it’s fine using QF provided including red eyes. I carry AirPods for phone in case entertainment isn’t working and they’re equally as good.

Me too. totally agree. The bought headphones have bulky bags and add weight to the HLO experience. A good pair of NC earbuds works for me and remember with engines behind you, the noise is lessened. (unless top deck of As 380 but then they are below you)

 

[NM]

Me too. totally agree. The bought headphones have bulky bags and add weight to the HLO experience. A good pair of NC earbuds works for me and remember with engines behind you, the noise is lessened. (unless top deck of As 380 but then they are below you)

And even better option for some people is sound isolating earphones that fit properly in the ear canal and block external noise. No need for batteries/recharging. Generally better isolation across the full frequency spectrum than active noise cancellation, especially with ear bud type noise cancellation earphones.

However, some people find the in-ear types to be uncomfortable for long duration use. Serious users will have an audiologist take an ear mould and make a customised set of in-ear devices that are both comfortable and maximise sound isolation - the type that a stage performer would use for in-ear monitors.

I have a set of Shure se535 earphones that I find comfortable for long duration use, but use the regular grommets.

Custom moulds and good in-ear drivers range from under $500 to over $3000.

A basic example of custom mould in-ear earphones.


If people are really keen to spend money, 64 Audio have 18-driver versions: A18t. A bit rich for my wallet, but probably a reasonable investment for a professional musician, and would be amazing for long-haul travel. Claimed isolation is up t 20dB.

10 years ago I helped my daughter with a physicals experiment where we measured the noise cancellation of my Bose QC15 headphones, and under optimal conditions in the frequency sweet-spot for active noise cancellation (100Hz), we measured the cancellation as -22.9dB. But across the entire audible frequency range ANC is never going to get close to the -20dB of good isolation earphones.

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Those that have the QC20's 1. Did you haggle in Dj's or were they on sale? 2. how do you find the battery pack size and location when 1. attached to laptop\tablet, 2. When attached to phone? 1. DJ offers price match. Just find somewhere else (Australian) advertising at a price, and they will...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

So, where does leave us? Common over/on-ear NC headphones (Bose, Sony etc.) work well and can be good value for money but can be difficult to wear while sleeping especially for side-sleepers. NC ear buds are generally not as good at NC functions but are smaller, lighter and generally comfortable for most people, but can be problematic for side-sleeping. In-ear isolation earphone, when properly fitted, can provide best reduction of external noise, are generally the lightest option, but can be uncomfortable for long usage unless you spend lots of money on custom moulds.

 

[xetrok]

Silly question, but can you take the Qantas provided business class headphones with you when you leave?

 

[eminere]

Silly question, but can you take the Qantas provided business class headphones with you when you leave?

No.

 

[NM]

Silly question, but can you take the Qantas provided business class headphones with you when you leave?

Not much point unless you find a way to replace the connector and add a means to provide power to operate the NC function. They use a 3-pin connector to provide stereo audio and power through a separate pin on the connector.

 

[xetrok]

No.

Not much point unless you find a way to replace the connector and add a means to provide power to operate the NC function. They use a 3-pin connector to provide stereo audio and power through a separate pin on the connector.

Makes sense! Thanks both!

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I wouldn’t say no…back in the day when I actually flew Y I’d get J headphones and I took them home but yes the utility is limited as per above.

 

[auscal]

As a pricing guie, I paid $284.05 for Bose QC45 about 2 weeks ago (Amazon AU).

Wish I had seen that - they are $395 now. Buying as a gift.

 

[rigram]

I found international J class headphones "average".
What type of headphones does First Class get...?

 

[SYD]

I've got 2 x upcoming QF flights in business, one during the day (no issue with noise) and the other will be an overnight one.

I was also about to ask the same question - if the headphones Qantas provide are noise cancelling.

Reason being, I was on SQ last year returning home and I was in seat 20K on an A350 (their regional product, which was average at best), and in 19K, there was a baby crying literally all night.

Silly me, I didn't even think to use the headphones provided to see if it could drown out some of the engine noise and crying.

It was a terrible flight for that reason - I got no sleep whatsoever. I honestly think that there should be no children under the age of 5 allowed in business - but that's a different conversation.

I think this time round, I'll just put the headphones on when sleeping even if not listening to anything (some headphones provide immediate noise cancelling when you put them on - not sure about Qantas' one though).

I have a pair of Samsung Buds 2 Pro, but they're not secure at the best of times (ie. requires constant adjustment even after having tried different earpiece sizes) and each charge only lasts for 5hrs.

Maybe I'll just have to fork out a few hundred for a pair of Sony or Bose noise cancelling headphones?

Earplugs for sleeping! Disconcertingly, some airlines have stopped including them in their onboard amenities kits (SQ I’m looking at you), so I make sure I have spares. They were essential on 747 (upper deck) but still just make sense on any flight when trying to sleep.

I did resort to using my Bose QC20s on a flight devoid of earplugs….

 

[encryptededdy]

I used wired ANC earbuds whilst sleeping for this reason, as I can't trust any wireless ones to not fall out under the seat, and headphones are too bulky/uncomfortable whilst sleeping.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I used wired ANC earbuds whilst sleeping for this reason, as I can't trust any wireless ones to not fall out under the seat, and headphones are too bulky/uncomfortable whilst sleeping.

Jabra Evolve 75e have been my choice for this (sleeping) for the past 5+yrs. The Noise Cancelling isn't as good as over ear headphones obviously, but these are have a pretty decent NC, wireless, Bluetooth to two devices and have a reasonably good battery life. As they can stay around my neck they don't take up valuable carry-on bag space:

It's marked as discontinued by Jabra, but still pretty easy to find