Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs?

[uomouse]

Hi all. I fly between 50-100 flights a year for work a year and have always been able to sleep well. However, lately a friend has mentioned that the noise cancelling headphones he bought worked so well that I am considering trying one out.

Are noise cancelling headphones really that good or will I be better off with just earplugs?

I am primarily going to use it for when I fly and doesn't matter if I don't use it for music. I normally just sleep.

Anyone able to recommend some good models for headphones or earplugs for this particular use?

[BigTim]

For sleeping, earplugs are definitely better.
If you're listening to music/movies, a good set of noise cancelling headphones are awesome. They cut out lots of noise, but aren't as good for sleeping as earplugs.

Good headphones- Audio Technica from Headphonics in Leederville. Just as good as the Bose QC headphones, but about 1/3 of the price.
Earplugs- whatever you can steal from work

[agrid]

Senheisser folding noise canceling headphones are good, the larger ones work better but are awkward too carry around.

[Hazelnutty]

i swear by my Bose QC15... they are $500 (cheaper from the US), but far out they're good... i put them on without even connecting to anything (as in listening to music)... just blocks out most of the plane noise, and people snoring, kids crying etc

[Brougham]

Bose QC3. Took them all over Europe by plane and train. Best purchase I ever made.

[jules_1972]

Bose QC3. Took them all over Europe by plane and train. Best purchase I ever made.

Agree 100%.

The outer layer of cushion on my set has high level of deterioration.

[Brougham]

Really? Not with mine.

[jules_1972]

Really? Not with mine.

Yes kind of surprised me one day, all this small black flakey stuff.
Think it was more due to the high humidity environment when they lived in Indonesia with me...

[Palms]

The Bose are the go, not so much for sleeping as I tend to dislodge them when turning of the head. If you go to the Bose shop you can try before you buy

[P.J]

I have bose qc, excellent gear, had them for 4 years, I also have the black bits coming off the spongy bit that sits against the head, as does a mate that also has a pair, other than that they're brilliant on a plane

[McGoo]

I've used the Bose ones (not sure of model), they were great and very comfy, I just wish I had known you could change the loudness settings by swapping around the input plug.

I have a Phillips headset I bought in Hong Kong a few years ago, and wouldnt travel without it. They suck for sleeping, but are awesome at removing a lot of engine and cabin noise. I think I paid $100 Aus for them, well worth it.

Havent tried the noise cancelling earbuds, but I do have some Sony earbuds that inherently block out a lot of noise due to their design. A cheaper option perhaps?

[burlyoaf]

bose qc3's are awesome, mine are starting to wear a bit on the pads, but theyre also 5ish years old and get used a fair bit, great for zoning out in the office

[Neil-51]

I bought the Audio Technica based on a review of noise cancelling headphones and find them excellent. The Bose could be better, but are three times the price.

[agrid]

Look into whether or not they will still work when the battery goes flat.

[P.J]

My Bose don't work without a charged battery, zip, nada, I keep a spare in the case for when it goes flat

[DaveR6]

BigTim pretty much nailed it. When flying I use my Audio Technica for mustic/tv and ear plugs for sleeping. If all you want them for is sleeping, why spend several hundred dollars when ear plugs are the better options.

BOSE = buy other sound equipment. They are expensive to cover all their advertising costs. Audio Technica ones are awesome. Will still play music if the battery dies. Having said that, Id look at something the folds up smaller (if possible) for my next purchase. The AT ones are a little bulky (I admit I like travelling light though).

The reason noise cancelling headphones are great on flights is that you dont have to turn the sound stupidly loud to hear the movie track. Save your hearing

[DTee]

Investigate the difference between Isolation and Cancellation.

Noise cancelling headphones are a very clever gimmick, but they can only block out ambient noise. Anything that is not part of the predictable droning background (like babies crying) is being blocked with isolation.

I like these, but I used to be a bit of a hifi wanker in my younger days. Bose gear is for corksniffers.

[uomouse]

Thanks for the comments guys. Just got a refurbished unit (QC3) for AUD100.00 and it worked great on the flight today.

Is a cool piece of kit and should work well in the office too. I will head to the workshop and try some earplugs too. It may work better and I don't need to take it off for take off and landing.

[Munted73]

I had a pair of Sennheiser PXC250's, the battery compartment will drive you nuts, they get tangled around it and generally suck, sound quality ok though, Ive tried heaps as I travel long haul OS twice a month, the big over ear jobs get hot and uncomfortable, the best thing that I keep coming back to are my bose ear plugs, theyre compact and the quailty of sound isnt bad at all, and they dont hurt after 11 hours. Ear plugs and Gin for sleeping.

[Deej]

Dont rate Bose anything....apart from their noise canceling headphones. Have had mine at least five years, work perfectly, good battery life.