Noise canceling headphones

[m chops]

I have been doing enough flying that I am looking for a good set of noise canceling headphones.

Criteria are:

Effective in the noise canceling department

Sturdy

Light & Comfortable

Easily packable

Decent sound

Compatible with a CPAP mask when I'm trying to sleep in flight - strictly noise canceling at that point.

After years of abuse, and perhaps some genetics, my hearing isn't all that great. I clearly do not have Johnny B's dog ears. I'm just looking for something that works and sounds okay.

What does the hive suggest?

Thanks.

[m chops]

Presently, I'm leaning towards Audio Technica - if nothing else, their US unit is based in Ohio

[ghamerinfrance]

I had the chance to test a Bose system this year for the first year and have been very much impressed.

[tbabinec]

I picked up the Bose QuietComfort 3 headphones. In the Bose line, there are several from which to choose. These sit ON the ear, not OVER the ear. I chose them because they are smaller than others in the line. Airplanes have a lot of ambient noise. These do the trick. Music sounds great in them, either on or off the airplane.

[JohnnyB]

I have no direct experience with noise-canceling headphones. I've read the favorable comments and some professional reviews about the Bose Quiet Comfort models. For alternatives, especially if you're hoping to not pay $350, check out the offerings from headroom.com. They've been specializing in headphones and headphone amps for a long time, and you can also call them for their opinions and advice. Example: They seem to like the Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B a lot, and it's only $159.

[stratacus]

I've been using the Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones on my weekly flights for the past 20 months with good results.

[3of5]

I bought the Bose QuietComfort 15s. I use them at work to blot out the various fan and mechanical noises from the office next door. I am very noise sensitive and they are invaluable to me. They are evidence that there is a god and he wants me to be happy.

[m chops]

For those of you with QuietComfort 15s, how's the durability?

Have you had to deal with customer service?

Thank you.

[JohnnyB]

For those of you with QuietComfort 15s, how's the durability?

Have you had to deal with customer service?

Thank you.

If you go to Amazon's list of Quiet Comfort Noise-canceling headphones, you'll see that each listing for Model 3 or 15 has dozens or hundreds of customer reviews. Within those are almost certainly some reviews that speak to durability and/or Bose's warranty and customer service. Sifting through that many reviews could be a PITA, but it's a large data sample and after you read a few dozen you come away with a pretty complete picture of the strengths, weaknesses, and level of QA for a product.

While we're at it, there are over 700 Amazon reviews for the half-the-price Audio Technica 'phones mentioned earlier.

In the Audio Technica group of reviews you'll find some hands-on comparisons of the Bose vs. the Audio Technica and the Sennheisers. What I gathered from a couple of the reviews is that the Bose is a bit bass-heavy, the Sennheisers and Audio Technicas have better sound quality, but the Bose has the best noise cancellation.

[Teh]

Another Bose QC15 user here. Very comfortable, solid noise cancellation, audio quality for MP3 player is fine. Bonus is if you are using with an iPhone or similar, it has a mic built into the cord to allow for phone conversations without having to unplug or use alternative earpiece. Not normally an issue on flights, but I also use them while sitting in my hotel room and its nice to be able to answer a call easily.

As for durability, no problems to date. Customer service-wise, I've been a Bose L1 PA user for almost 8 years now and the customer service for that product has been absolutely top shelf. I have no reason to doubt that it wouldn't be the same for the headphones...

[m chops]

I've spent a lot of time looking at the customer reviews on Amazon, for both the Bose & the ATs. But I thought I'd ask here, because I trust the HFC!

Thanks.

If you go to Amazon's list of Quiet Comfort Noise-canceling headphones, you'll see that each listing for Model 3 or 15 has dozens or hundreds of customer reviews. Within those are almost certainly some reviews that speak to durability and/or Bose's warranty and customer service. Sifting through that many reviews could be a PITA, but it's a large data sample and after you read a few dozen you come away with a pretty complete picture of the strengths, weaknesses, and level of QA for a product.

[Jakeboy]

I fly a couple times per month on business so my wife bought me pair of the Bose Quiet Comfort 3s for my 50th birthday. Expensive, but they do what they claim, are comfy, and sound wonderful. I dig 'em!

[stratacus]

For those of you with QuietComfort 15s, how's the durability?

Have you had to deal with customer service?

Thank you.

I've never had a problem with the QuietComfort 15s, so have no experience with Bose customer service.

[Armitage]

I couldn't imagine using over-ear headphones on a plane... Especially for a long flight, like 14+ hours. I travel a lot and always use in-ear electronic noise cancelling ear buds. While I wouldn't use electronic noise cancelling for critical listening, they do a great job for plane noise IMHO. They're so small and can quickly be pulled out, or stuffed into, a shirt pocket (I use a zip lock bag when I put them in a back pack). They're comfortable if you fall asleep, (I actually leave them in and on, on purpose when I want to fall asleep), they don't press on the side of your glasses, and don't mess up your hair so much if you have to meet people when you get off the plane after a long flight... and don't leave "brain lines" or sweat lines on bald heads.

I can pop them in and out (or even one out) while standing in line at customs or the coffee shop, on a tour bus or cab etc. I realize it seems fashionable to have a set of "look at me I've got expensive headphones around my neck" jewellery... but the last thing I want to do, is to set myself up as a guy with money and cool gear in many airports or countries. Too each their own...

I have a set of Phiaton PS 20 NC that were under a hundred bucks... if I lose them, no big deal, and they sound great on a plane.

[3of5]

I am just the opposite. I cannot imagine having ear buds in my ear for 1 hour much less 14 hours. Every in-ear device I have tried hurts my ears, a lot, and quickly. I've read about some ear buds that are custom made from an audiologists impression of your ear canal. Maybe I could deal with those.

The QC 15s are very comfortable over my ears all day long. Music sounds good through them although mostly I just enjoy the quiete. I first tried some less expensive noise canceling headphones but found them to be uncomfortable, poor to fair for music and only moderately effective at reducing noise. Wasted money, lesson learned.

[JohnnyB]

I am just the opposite. I cannot imagine having ear buds in my ear for 1 hour much less 14 hours. Every in-ear device I have tried hurts my ears, a lot, and quickly.

That's me too. I even tried some expensive buds that came with 3 different sized ear canal plugs, but even the smallest irritated my ear canal and once that happens to me it can quickly turn into a stubborn infection. Fortunately I don't fly enough for this to be a big deal--maybe one round trip per year, so I'm fine with my Grado SR60s.

I've read about some ear buds that are custom made from an audiologists impression of your ear canal. Maybe I could deal with those.

That would be the Custom Fit division of Etymotic Research. For a look at their general website and product line, go here. For a look at the ER-4, their flagship over-the-counter model with multiple ear isolator gaskets, go here.