Choosing noise canceling headphones

Noise canceling headphones are a great find for those who work in noisy environments or travel frequently. They are comfortable, lightweight and completely safe to use. There are many defensive models now. But, before choosing one of them, you need to figure out what they are, and what you need to pay attention to when buying.

Modern noise canceling headphones differ from conventional ones in that they are able to protect a person from noise coming from the outside.

They are practically indispensable when working in noisy conditions, where the volume of sounds exceeds 80 dB. If you work in such a room for several hours every day, it will lead to hearing loss. High-quality anti-noise headphones help to avoid this.

At home, headphones are also useful. Especially if a person lives with a large family. In this case, neither a working TV nor neighbors doing repairs will interfere with it.

However, they also have some disadvantages.

1. It is possible to completely drown out extraneous noise only by using high-tech headphones, which are quite expensive. Cheap models are not capable of this. Therefore, some sounds from the outside will still interfere.
2. The sound quality changes when listening to music or watching a movie. Many may not like this. Especially for those who value good sound very much or work with it professionally.
3. Many noise canceling headphones run either on batteries or on a rechargeable battery. Therefore, sometimes difficulties arise with their charging. Especially when it comes to a long flight or trip.

There is also an opinion that active noise canceling headphones are harmful to health. But this is not at all the case. Indeed, using such a model, it is not necessary to turn on the sound at full power when listening to music. It is enough to activate the noise cancellation system and listen to the melody at an average volume.

There are a large number of noise canceling headphones on the market today. That's why it is important to figure out which of them are more suitable for whom.

Noise canceling headphones are divided into several types by design. First of all, they are wired and wireless. The former connect to the device with a cord, and the latter connect to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.

Also, headphones are plug-in or on-ear. The former are also known as in-ear. They work on the same principle as earplugs. The noise protection is pretty good here. Its level depends on the material from which the replaceable nozzles are made and their shape. The more tightly they "sit" in the ear, and the denser material was used to create them, the better they will absorb extraneous sounds.

Silicone pads work best with this task. The form must be chosen individually, focusing on your feelings. There are many options, from the classic round or slightly elongated, to the "Christmas trees". Customized headphones of this type look interesting and unusual. They are made according to a cast of the customer's ear and therefore do not bring any discomfort to the person who wears them. True, such a pleasure is not cheap.

The second type of headphones is on-ear. They also do a good job of attenuating noise.Its level depends largely on what material was used in the decoration of the ear cushions. The best are natural leather and synthetic fabric. The advantage of headphones with this finish is that they are very comfortable. The worst material is cheap artificial leather, which very quickly begins to crack and fray.

There are two types of noise insulation - active and passive. The first is more common. Ear muffs with passive noise isolation can reduce noise by 20-30 dB.

Models with active noise isolation allow you to avoid this disadvantage. They only reduce the level of harmful noise. At the same time, a person can hear harsh sounds and signals.

According to the class of noise isolation, headphones are divided into three more types.

1. First grade. This category includes models that are able to reduce the noise level by 27 dB. They are suitable for work in places with noise levels in the range of 87-98 dB.
2. Second class. Suitable for rooms with a sound pressure level of 95-105 dB.
3. Third class. Used in rooms where the volume reaches 95-110 dB.

If the noise level is higher, then in addition to noise canceling headphones, you should also use earplugs.

Many people use noise canceling headphones. Therefore, there are models that are suitable for a certain type of work or leisure.

• Industrial. These headphones are used in noisy environments such as manufacturing. They protect well against loud sounds. They can even be worn for construction work. The headphones are designed for long-term use and are resistant to mechanical damage. There are also insulated models that allow you to work comfortably even outdoors.

• Ballistic. These noise canceling headphones are used by shooters. They muffle the sounds of firearms and thus protect hearing.

• Sleep models. Suitable for both aircraft and home. This is a real salvation for people who wake up from the slightest noise. "Pajamas for the ears" is made in the form of a bandage with built-in small speakers. In good, expensive headphones, these earbuds are very lightweight, flat and do not interfere with sleep.

• Headphones for the big city. This category includes models that are used in everyday life. They are designed for listening to music, lectures, watching movies and other everyday things. Such headphones are not designed to protect against very loud sounds, but they do an excellent job of suppressing household noise.

Having dealt with the preferred type of headphones, you can proceed to choosing a specific model. A small rating of noise canceling headphones, which is based on the opinions of ordinary users, will help to simplify this process.

Sony 1000 XM3 WH. These are high quality wireless headphones that connect to any device via Bluetooth. They are very modern. The model is supplemented with a sensor, it charges quickly. The sound is clear and hardly distorted. Externally, the headphones also look attractive. The only drawback of the model is the high price.

3M Peltor Optime II. These ear muffs have a high noise canceling performance. Therefore, they can be used at a noise level of 80 dB. The model can be safely called universal. The headphones can be used both for work on a construction site and for traveling in a noisy subway car.

They look attractive and are very comfortable to wear. The rollers on the cups of this model are filled with a special gel. Therefore, the earbuds fit well to the ears. But at the same time they do not press and do not cause any discomfort.

Bowers Wilkins BW PX also gets a lot of positive reviews.

You can use them in different conditions, because the headphones have three noise canceling modes:

• "Office" - the weakest mode, which suppresses only background noise, but allows you to hear voices;
• “City” - differs in that it lowers the noise level, but at the same time leaves a person the opportunity to control the situation, that is, to hear sound signals and quiet voices of passers-by;
• "Flight" - in this mode, sounds are completely blocked.

For headphones, there is a special application that is installed on a smartphone. The plus is that they are very compact. The design folds easily and fits into a backpack or bag. Of the minuses, only the high cost can be distinguished.

Huawei CM-Q3 Black 55030114. Compact in-ear headphones made by the Japanese are a great option for those looking for budget noise-canceling headphones. Their noise absorption level is not very high, but they are quite suitable for home or walking. A bonus is the presence of a "smart mode". If you turn it on, the headphones will block only background noise, while skipping speech.

JBL 600 BTNC Tune. This model also belongs to the category of inexpensive. The headphones are wireless and perfect for sports. They are very well fixed on the head, and therefore there is no need to worry that the accessory will fly off at the most inopportune moment. These headphones are presented in two colors: pink and black. They look quite stylish and are liked by both girls and guys. The level of noise absorption is average.

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless M2 AEBT. These headphones will definitely appeal to those who spend a lot of time playing games. The model for gamers looks laconic and stylish. The design is foldable, yet durable. The ear cushions are finished with natural sheepskin. But not only they are responsible for good noise reduction. When creating them, the NoiseGuard system was used. The headphones have four microphones at once that pick up noise. Therefore, no extraneous sounds can interfere with your favorite game, listening to music or watching a movie.

Bang & Olufsen H9i. These headphones are noteworthy for their combination of stylish looks and quality. They can be found in several colors. The ear cushions are trimmed with natural leather to match. The model copes with the absorption of extraneous sounds perfectly. There is an additional mode that allows you to hear only human speech and cut off the background.

Wireless headphones can be connected to any device using the included cable. They also have a replaceable battery, which is very convenient for long trips. Headphones are suitable for those who like to surround themselves with beautiful things and appreciate comfort.

The choice of headphones must be treated responsibly. Especially when it comes to an expensive model.

The first step is to pay attention to where the headphones will be used.

1. At work. When buying headphones for working in noisy environments, you should pay attention to models with a high level of noise cancellation. There are good headphones with extra protection or with a helmet clip. For heavy-duty work, it is better to buy durable shockproof models. It is recommended to pay attention exclusively to certified equipment, since only in this case you can be sure of its safety.
2. Traveling. Such models should be light and compact so as not to take up a lot of space in your carry-on luggage or backpack. The level of noise absorption should be high enough so that extraneous sounds do not interfere with relaxation during the trip.
3. Houses. For the home, noise-insulating models are usually chosen that are able to drown out household noise. Buyers often choose large gaming headphones or models with a microphone.

Since good noise canceling models are usually expensive, sometimes you have to give up some additional features. You need to save on those of them that are least often used in life.

When measuring them, you need to make sure that they do not slip, do not press and do not interfere with prolonged wear.

Ear muffs are used in the same way as conventional earmuffs. If the model is selected correctly and has no defects, then there should be no discomfort during its use.

If the headphones are wireless, they need to be recharged regularly to function properly. In order not to shorten the life of the product, it is necessary to handle them with care. In this case, headphones with a noise canceling function will last a long time and "work out" every penny spent on their purchase.