Chaps,

I spend so much time on planes now that I am thinking about getting some noise cancelling headphones - the one time I used them they seemed pretty good - but the Boise ones I like are $300 - does anyone use these type of headphones or have any experience?

cheers

Philip

I have the bose triports, which don't have the noise cancelling technology, but other than that are perfect headphones. Highly recommended.

If you've got the extra $100 for the noise cancellation technology go for it.

I have the Bose QC-2s and swear by them. You don't realize how noisy the jet roar is until you've had these on for awhile then take them off. Some people like the ear bud type headphones, but I can't stand things inside my ears, even earplugs. The Bose are super comfortable.

Instead of noise cancelling headphones, I have earplug-style earphones made by Shure. They do a wonderful job of blocking out ambient noise while not needing the extra expense of noise cancelling electronics. One thing I don't like about noise cancelling technology is that sound fidelity tends to suffer because the headphones are busy generating the noise cancelling frequencies.

These are the ones I have. http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Earphones/E...es/us_pa_E3c_content

Although the MSRP is $199, they can be purchase for much less at online stores. I think I paid about $130 for them.

I have the Bose. I like them, except they give me a headache after having them on for a long time (as do any over my head headphones).

I had the earplug type, and hated them. They hurt my ears (physically).

I got mine using my Amex points. It was well worth it.

i've been using the shure ones similar to pete's, here. they work pretty well.. don't have a problem with them.

Nearly every site that sells the Bose models lets you try them out for around 30 days or so. If you've got a few flights coming up during a certain month, make that your "trial" month.

I have some cheap ear bud type noise reduction ear phones and I much prefer them to nothing. Or to standard ear phones in the same style. Plus, I actually get to hear to movie with decent sound instead of the crappy sound quality I've experienced using airplane earphones.

would this work:

1. stick in wax ear plugs (4$ for 4 sets)
2. place cheap headphones over ears

viola-
the result is cancellatoin of most sound but the sound you do get is that which you have selected.

I have a friend who works on the flightline here in phoenix and his noice-cancelling headphones pick up the cockpit frequency so he can hear all the conversations going on in there when he travels... kind of a fluke and maybe something to make sure and check before dropping the insane amount of cash for a pair.

quote:

Originally posted by Zopa:
would this work:

1. stick in wax ear plugs (4$ for 4 sets)
2. place cheap headphones over ears

viola-
the result is cancellatoin of most sound but the sound you do get is that which you have selected.

I think it'd work.

I use a similar setup running chop saws, disposable foam shooting range plugs and a 30 db set of muffs. Can't hear someones voice with that...

So perhaps cheapo ear buds and muffs on top?

I use etymotic ER-6 in-ear buds, similar to the Shure, just a different brand. Sound quality is brilliant, especially compared to noise-cancelling headphones. It took me a week or two to get used to the feel of them, but after that they were fine.

Wouldn't fly without them.

Noise canceling headphones are worth every penny you spend and you will sleep like a baby wile wearing them. I have a pair that cost 20 bucks I got in Bangkok that work fine, I’m sure that the Bose ones are nice but the technology is pretty simple to manufacture so I would suggest buying a cheap pair not the expensive ones. Also most first and business class seats come with complementary noise canceling headphones another reason to upgrade if you can

I own a pair of Sony MDR-NC6 Noise-Canceling Headphones -- got 'em at Amazon.com for $30 (with free super saver shipping). Supposedly the Aiwa HP-CN6 phones are EXACTLY the same (pay extra for Sony branding) and cost less than $20. Not sure if Amazon has those in stock now, though.

These phones are great for blocking out sound on longhaul flights when you need to sleep. The headphones are a bit large, and probably a tad less comfy than Sennheisers or Bose, but then they cost 10x less!

If money is no object at all, go with the Bose or a high end Sennheisers. But there is really only a small difference in quality between those and the Sony MDR-NC6s, I think.