QFi J headphones are no longer Noise Cancelling?

[MEL_Traveller]

Didn’t want to start a new thread on this… but QFi J headphones are now of a cheap plastic variety that are made to *look* like noise cancelling, but aren’t? Everyone on the cabin had the same ones… so it wasn’t just me getting some weird pair.

Anyone know what happened? I was sure QF had NC pre covid?

 

[serfty]

Are they like the Black ones without N/C that have been issued for Trans Tasman Business for over a decade?

 

[justinbrett]

They were never any good anyway. I always used my own.

 

[am0985]

I use the AirFly bluetooth adapter and my own earphones (Sennheiser Momentum II in ear). Much better than anything offered by the airlines!

 

[SJF211]

The international ones I’m pretty sure are 3 pins and sort of silver in finish.

I don’t use them so can’t comment on the quality.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The international ones I’m pretty sure are 3 pins and sort of silver in finish.
View attachment 274221
I don’t use them so can’t comment on the quality.

Yes! That’s them! They are all plastic, three pin, but there doesn’t seem to be any ‘noice cancelling’ indicator such as a light. And putting them on doesn’t reduce any background noise

 

[offshore171]

BYO is the go if you travel a bit

 

[justinbrett]

BYO is the go if you travel a bit

Yep - if you can afford to fly business, you can afford to buy a set of headphones. Much nicer to have your own I think.

 

[downgraded]

I don't think they have ever been of the active noise cancelling variety, just a soft over the ear design that reduces a little background noise. Made worse now that planes such as the 787 are noisier than the A380. Some Airlines are offering better NC headsets, but BYO is the only real answer!

 

[SeatBackForward]

The third pin supplies the power for the Active Noise Cancelling. The QF J ANC capabilities is questionable, but definitely does do some NC.

I've loved my Bose QC20s for almost a decade now, but it's starting to show some signs of failing. Also use a set of Jabra Evolve 75e for my PC/Phone headset when travelling, and these are reasonable, but not as good as the QC20's, and pair it with a Bluetooth adapter when I want to use the IFE.

 

[encryptededdy]

The international ones I’m pretty sure are 3 pins and sort of silver in finish.
View attachment 274221
I don’t use them so can’t comment on the quality.

I tried these out of curiosity on my last flight and they definitely did do noise cancelling, albeit quite weak noise cancelling.

Perhaps the power output on the 3rd pin at your seat was broken?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I tried these out of curiosity on my last flight and they definitely did do noise cancelling, albeit quite weak noise cancelling.

Perhaps the power output on the 3rd pin at your seat was broken?

Maybe! In any event QF should be providing ones of better quality.

 

[encryptededdy]

Maybe! In any event QF should be providing ones of better quality.

I agree. I suppose at least they don't collect them back 30 mins before landing like some US airlines

 

[eminere]

I agree. I suppose at least they don't collect them back 30 mins before landing like some US airlines

Maybe because they know they're not worth stealing.

 

[therudies86]

Travelled A330 on QF55 BNE-LAX yesterday in J, two pin non-noise cancelling headphones provided