Do noise cancelling headphones work even without listening to music?

Hey folks,

I'm curious if anyone knows how effective noise-cancelling headphones are, even if the user is wearing them and not listening to music? If the answer is yes, then I'll invest in some. I've got some freelance work to do and my roommate watches a lot of TV. I would prefer to block out the noise of that while I write, and hope that I don't have to listen to music to do so (I'm a musician, and music might prove distracting).

It's TV background noise that I'm specifically looking to combat.

Any suggestions for good models? The new Bose gets high marks.
http://www.cnet.com/products/bose-quietcomfort-25/

Thanks!

Most models do support the noice-cancelling feature without having any input in my experience. You'd want to check with the specific model. They don't block out all the noise, more just tones down the volume a bit. You'd probably be better off with a set of ear protection for things like guns than expensive noise cancelling headphones. Unless someone else has tried those Bose and can speak differently.

I've tried Bose noise canceling headphones and they work extremely well even without music. I don't remember which model it was.

The Bose are the best in noise canceling in my experience. They work the best on steady noises such as engine sound or air conditioning humming. Music and attacking sounds penetrate through them, although much suppressed.

The large on-ear models (QC25) are the most effective.

I have owned a pair of Bose QC-15 headphones for the past 2 years, and I do have a couple of items to keep in mind if you are considering Bose noise-cancelling headphones:

• These are really good at cancelling out low frequency sound, like engine noise from a plane or bus. In fact, it took my ears awhile to adjust to the lack of low frequency being passed through (I felt I had to pop my ears on multiple occasions).
• It will muffle, but not cancel, higher frequency sound, like people talking next to you. This is a non-issue for me, but may be for other people who expect nearby higher frequency sound to be cancelled.

If you are expecting total noise cancelling silence when sitting near a TV, you might have better luck (and save a lot of money) by using hearing protection as charold mentions above. If you don't mind higher frequency sound that is attenuated, then perhaps the QC-25 headphones will work for you.

I would highly recommend demoing a pair of Bose QC-25's at Best Buy while playing TV dialogue through a smartphone speaker to see if the Bose product is a good fit for you.

Good luck.

Depends on whether they're active or passive; either they take in existing noise and cancel it out by producing filler noise to even out the ambience or they just act as a pure block to noise.

How Noise-canceling Headphones Work

I`m looking for a pair as well and the general consensus is the BOSE are the best in class. As noted they dont cancel out voice, but do reduce voice to an extent. You can also choose to turn on or off the noise feature. In addition you have a single double aa battery. However at the price point it not wireless and must be device specific (ios vs droid version have different cable). Not bass heavy if you need it

The other ones I`m looking at are sensheiuser Momentum 2.0 wireless Parrot Zik 2-3.0 and Planatronics Backbeat pro. The pro is the most value orieneted but Noise cancellation is not amazing. Momentum is too pricey but materials are higher quality then even the bose. So is price $499. And Active noise is not able to turned off unless u use them passively. However ANC even cancels voice apparently

The zik are crippled without the use of the app.

peppergomez said:

Hey folks,

I'm curious if anyone knows how effective noise-cancelling headphones are, even if the user is wearing them and not listening to music? If the answer is yes, then I'll invest in some. I've got some freelance work to do and my roommate watches a lot of TV. I would prefer to block out the noise of that while I write, and hope that I don't have to listen to music to do so (I'm a musician, and music might prove distracting).

It's TV background noise that I'm specifically looking to combat.

Any suggestions for good models? The new Bose gets high marks.
Bose QuietComfort 25 review: The best noise-canceling headphones get better

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Finally went impulse and purchased a qc. Noise cancellation is good with loud noises. Voice and tv are reduced but not completely removed. The headphone cable seems a bit loose (even a slight tug removes the cable). Dont know if this is item specific or just the way its designed. The ear cushions are nice, and I felt it was comfy. Tends to get hot after wearing for a while. A friend of mine tried em on, and for some reason her glasses interefere with a good seal on the headphones. So im guessing if your wearing glasses try em out before ya buy.

Noise quality was weird. Dare I say, I compared my apple earbuds (inferior buds) to these, and astonishingly the headphones dont seem any different without active cancellation to the earbuds. With noise cancellation the sound quality is amazing. It seems as the noise cancellation must be on to have a good sound. Base is goood. However its not forr those who want a sub in their ears vibrating. Without music the noise cancellation is amazing. But again reduction rather then complete isolation

Overall the qc is more of an investment in noise cancelling then sound reproduction

Thanks, folks.

My roommate is amendable to the idea of watching TV using wireless headphones, which is a relief. So he's in the market for a $50 or below pair of wireless headphones for that purpose. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I think there were some Beo or something snazy like that a day or so on A4C for $39. Bluetooh noise cancelling