Hi

I'm wondering if I should buy a noise canceling headset that I can use when I'm traveling. Do you guys have this? Which brands do you recommend? Is it worth the money?

They're usually pretty bulky and expensive, so I've opted for earplugs. Much smaller and cheaper. Learning how to sleep with earplugs in was a challenge, though.

Mike

I don't have any and haven't ever tried them. I kinda freak out when I can percieve that there is noise going on around me but can't hear anything.
Though my experience isn't of value to this thread, I did find another thread that may be of use to you.

I had the Bose original QuietComfort headsets from 2001 til last fall, I wore them out. I then bought a set of the new Quiet Comfort 2's -- they are even better. very comfortable and the sound is excellent. I can't compare them to other brands, because I haven't tried any others. The Bose are pricey ($299) but tend to be rated the highest.

Now whether it's worth it, that's another question. They are awesome to have for airline trips. They quiet out the wind and engine noise, and cancels loudmouths and babies. I sleep pretty well with them on. Sometimes I do earplugs, but after a while they get uncomfortable stuffed in my ear holes. The headset wins out on that account.

They don't block out all exterior noise, but quite a bit - they are excellent for blocking out constant noise, such as airplane noise, or a noisy air conditioner in your hotel/hostel room. But if someone talks to you in a moderate or louder voice, you can hear what they are saying.

They are nice to have when you want to tune out from the noise of the passing world and listen to music, a book, or whatever you want. The ones I have fold flat and go in a durable case, about the size and weight of a medium paperback book.

They don't have noise cancellation, but the Bose Triport headphones (~$175) I have are friggin' unbelievable. Highly recommended.

I use earplugs too. They're cheap, small, and you can sleep with them in. If I was just doing weekend trips, then I might opt for noise cancelling head phones, but I can't imagine packing them and trying to keep up with them on the road.

They were the best $299 that I spent countless flights are more peaceful Just think of turning down the volume on the crying baby and loud talking people I took a train from Munich to Berlin last March and loud drunk germans became slighly loud and not as anoying germans

oh yes - and they plug into the German ICE trains as well - they have great audio systems built-in.

a reccomendation- mix the two, earplugs and headphones. they are called in ear monitors, or IEMs, and are what musicians use on stage (to block out the noise but to be able to hear what is being played). the quality on the better ones is also higher than those of bose, and costs less. cheap pairs (not at that quality) can be found extremely inexpensively, which is an advantage when travelling- look at Koss The Plug... for higher end, look around www.head-fi.com (actually, for any head phone issues look there), the ones I have are Westone UM1s....

I just don't get you people.

i have the Bose QC3 headphones...they are remarkable...on a noisy plane you can't hear a thing...they are small, comfortable but extremely expensive. I was lucky enough to get them for hanukah and my birthday combined from my uncle...

They come with a two prong adapter for planes (when they have two holes (right and left)...they come with a lithium ion battery and a 5 foot adapter if you need to sit away...

keep in mind they'll run you about 350...

I use Etymotic 6i noise reducing earbuds.

On my iPod, I have a sleep playlist that has mellow songs and ambient sounds to help me fall asleep. On the plane, these things keep me in my own little world. Its not complete noise cancellation but its almost there.

I figure if someone's screaming intently at me I would want to know. These buds allow for that. Anything else though and its all filtered out.

I have a noise cancelling aviation headset (Lightspeed) that I use for recreational flying. They are great and I sometimes use them with my mobile phone and to listen to music. I don't know if they make non-aviation headsets that are lower profile, but I cannot imagine wearing them on my head while trying to sleep. I would not be able to rest my head on anything.
I just stick to good earplugs. I have conditioned myself to using them for long periods of time on planes, trains, hostels, etc. If you get used to them they are the way to go. I also can't imagine hauling around a headset while travelling.