Listening to music without being disturbed by ambient noise is possible, wearing a pair of noise-canceling headphones which, thanks to a particular active system, are precisely able to cancel the sounds coming from outside.
In the suggestions that follow, you will find a guide to know all the useful information on this special type of headphones and choose the ones that are most suitable for you.
Here we had listed out the best models of noise-canceling headphones that are listed below.
Buyer Guide to Choose the Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
The noise-canceling headphones are equipped with a special active noise cancellation technology and thus allow you to hear only what is reproduced inside the headphones, without allowing interference from the sounds diffused in the environment in which you are located.
Very effective on constant noises and on continuous low frequencies (coming, for example, from means of transport) , the new generations of noise-canceling headphones, thanks to digital technology, are also able to perfectly filter non-regular sounds, eliminating any external sound interference.
How Do They Work?
The mechanism behind the system is quite simple: a sound wave is produced to be superimposed on that of the unwanted sound, in order to reduce or cancel it completely.
This technology, called the ” active noise canceling system “, often abbreviated as the acronym ANC, uses an electronic circuit and a microphone that picks up the sound wave of ambient noise and, generating a destructive interference, prevent hearing any sound other than that played on the headphones.
The versatility of this type of headphones also consists of the opportunity to manage noise cancellation autonomously, which means that you can use the headphones by activating the function when needed or by deactivating it in environments where it is superfluous.
How to Choose the Best Noise-Canceling Headphones?
The market offers a wide variety of headphones with noise reduction and for this reason, it is not easy to find your way around and therefore choose the ideal product for your everyday needs.
Here we have shared a video that includes 5 tips that you should keep in mind while choosing the noise canceling headphoens.
By continuing to read, you will discover some essential insights that are essential for those who have to buy a new model and need useful information.
Noise Reduction Performance
The noise-canceling headphones exist in different formats, with different characteristics that affect and, indeed, focus on the ability to neutralize environmental noises.
A first distinction is that between ” open ” and ” closed ” headphones: the first, lighter, and more comfortable to wear, offer a clearer internal sound reproduction.
The “closed” ones, on the other hand, are more insulating, but also heavier; also, in sound reproduction, bass tones tend to be more pronounced.
A second classification distinguishes on-ear headphones from over-ear headphones. The former rest directly on the ear is less insulating but more manageable.
The “over-ear” (or “around-ear”) format is more widespread, which completely envelops the ear and offers excellent insulation, almost completely canceling external sounds, even the loudest ones.
It also notes the year of production : the technology of the most modern devices is different from the older ones, which simply neutralized the lower tones and were inefficient in erasing the higher and more acute ones.
The evolution of the active cancellation system has meant that the most recent models are able to eliminate all the noises, constant or not, present in the environment.
Technical Features
In a completely intuitive way, the most effective system you have to evaluate the sound quality and performance of the noise-canceling headphones you would like to buy is trying them. And this is mainly because the sounds are perceived by each of us in a different way.
However, there are some objective parameters that will allow you to evaluate their accuracy in acoustic performance.
The Frequency Response
The frequency response is the range of frequencies that the headphones are able to reproduce. Keep in mind that the human ear perceives on average from 20 to 20 thousand Hertz, but this measurement varies according to personal sensitivity and age.
Most of the headphones on the market are able to reproduce these measures but, if you want a higher acoustic performance, you can decide to try a pair with a wider response: the more sophisticated models can also cover a frequency spectrum that goes from 5 to 40 thousand Hertz.
The expansion of the frequency response is also conditioned by the presence or absence of the power cable; conversely, Bluetooth transmission usually involves a reduction, which limits the acoustic performance.
Driver
The “driver” is the loudspeaker contained within each pavilion and consists of a metal resistor and a cone that allows the diffusion of sound waves, the diameter of which is particularly important.
In fact, a larger propagation surface sound waves increase the quality of the sound and this is especially true for low tones, which, having a longer sound wave, need a larger surface to spread.
For example, headphones equipped with a 50 mm driver offer better bass reproduction than a model with a 35 mm driver: keep this in mind when choosing, because the sensitivity of the headphones in relation to low tones affects the overall quality of the sound being played.
The standard models of noise-canceling headphones mount drivers with an average diameter of 40 mm, while the 50 mm ones can only be found in high-end products.
Another data provided in connection with the speaker is that which measures the sensitivity of the headphones, expressed in decibels and indicates the maximum volume reproduced.
On average, noise-canceling headphones have a sensitivity of 90-110 dB and if you consider that a vacuum cleaner has a noise level of 80 dB, you can get an idea of the performance that an integrated noise-canceling system can offer, to listening level.
Impedance
Finally, the impedance concerns the “cleanliness” and clarity of the sound: it is a value expressed in Ohm and represents the resistance that the sound encounters when it passes through the “driver” and, in practice, is “filtered” and spread by the speaker with the right frequencies.
The higher the resistance that the sound encounters, the better its quality will be. The average impedance of the most common noise-canceling headphones on the market is 32 Ohm and provides good clarity.
I advise you never to go below this parameter in order not to risk a mediocre acoustic performance: consider that the professional models and those of the higher range have impedance levels that can even exceed 150 Ohm.
On the other hand, it must be said that the higher the impedance, the lower the playback volume because the resistance, filtering the sound, also affects the overall volume, reducing it. To overcome this drawback, some models are integrated with an additional amplifier.
With Cable, Bluetooth or Radio Transmission
Practically all the models of noise-canceling headphones on the market are wireless and are powered by a battery; almost all of them use the Bluetooth protocol to connect to the “source” device, be it a smartphone, PC, tablet or TV.
The same applies to the presence of the microphone, necessary to enable the active cancellation system and indispensable in a type of headset designed for mobility.
In some models you will find that this function is called “Ambient Sound” and represents an increase in the sounds that allows you to have a greater personal perception.
Even if most noise-canceling headphones do not require the use of power cables, it is possible to find some models that are supplied, particularly suitable for use on the road (for example, on an airplane, to connect to connectors).
For connecting with a particular device, such as a player or stereo. In almost all cases, however, the cable is detachable, also providing for wireless use. The factor concerning the controls is also relative to the absence of cable.
Generally, the physical buttons on the noise-canceling headphones are positioned on the pavilions, also to facilitate playback management; especially in the more technologically advanced models, the controls are often in the “touch” version.
A rarer and less widespread type of noise-canceling headphones that works in radio transmission, that is, connecting wirelessly to a transmitting base.
Designed especially for home use, if you want to connect, for example, to a stereo or TV, normally this headset does not have telephone functionality, but only for reproduction.
Battery Life
The newly developed batteries guarantee considerable autonomy and rather a quick recharge time, which however varies in the different types of connectivity.
That is, in the models that provide the double option of use with/without cable. Normally, the batteries of the models with cable, in the face of greater autonomy, have longer charging times.
Design and Materials
As for the structural aspects, noise-canceling headphones are mostly designed to meet the need for comfort combined with versatility.
The over-ear models, completely enclosing the ear in the pavilion, are quite bulky and their average weight, which stands at 200/250 g, makes them uncomfortable, especially in prolonged use.
For this reason, both the pavilions and the arch are almost always carefully covered and padded, with the dual purpose of promoting comfort in use and increasing its functionality in sound insulation.
It is also important to evaluate the adaptability of the headphones, then check that the headband is adjustable, that the pavilions are tilting or rotating, so as to assume an inclination that naturally adapts to the face and head of the user.
The function of the integrated controls is useful: the more numerous the options are, the higher the performance of the headphones will be, because in addition to that of the noise cancellation, which gives them connotation, other additional functions that raise the level can also be managed optimally quality of the product.
Accessories and Extra Features
Designed and created for mobility, the noise-canceling headphones can be supplied with useful accessories for transport and storage: more or less rigid cases that will allow you to carry them around or store them in your suitcase without fear of finding them damaged.
They can have a foldable shape on themselves, making them more practical and less cluttered: as an alternative to headphones, Bluetooth headsets with integrated active noise cancellation function are also available.
This can significantly facilitate use on the move and which they have a high autonomy thanks to the rechargeable battery contained in the special case.
It is understood that the various Bluetooth and wireless connections remain those that offer a higher functionality, even the different types of the cable must be carefully evaluated.
The anti-entanglement ones, with a predominantly spiral shape, are particularly practical and will greatly simplify your life every once you want to take your headphones back to use them.
Finally, accessories such as an adapter to be used for airplane connectivity and cables of different lengths, both for power supply and for recharging the battery, are very useful and allow more rational and versatile use of your noise-canceling headphones.
