What kind of NC headphones?

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We are looking into noise cancelling (NC) headphones to allow a little quiet time while others in the house can still have a life... we've got a set of Bose, but are there better headphones for blocking all noise, including voices?

I'm especially interested in MP3 compatible with detachable cord, like the Bose. But just noise blocking (NRR 30) would be useful too.

Thanks

If you aren't opposed to earbuds, check out Etymotic. They're best know as makers of high-tech hearing aids, but they also do a range of excellent isolating earphones.

I have Bose NR headphones and am pleased with them, up to a point. They handle low-frequency noise quite well, but only don't do much with higher frequencies. Even across the range of the human voice, they are limited, to my occasional disappointment and frustration.

I've tried several other makers of NR headphones, including Sony (which also worked well). I prefer the kind that completely enclose the ear. The sensation of earbuds in my ear is something I never quite managed to become comfortable with.

what are NNRR bose headphones? im, getting these soon http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/sho ... /index.jsp right now jus have ordinary NC bose headphones which are ok, but not as good at those, so saving up for them...

You've combined two lines... NRR 30 hearing protectors are supposed to reduce sound by 30 decibels. Airplane ground crew wear them. People who work in metal fabrication wear them. And Aspies in cubicles are beginning to wear them so they can think and not get overwhelmed by all the extraneous chatter around them. I'm wondering which fit comfortably--especially on women's heads--and which get heavy after a couple of hours.

The Bose QC2 (which I have) are very nice, but they have a reputation for the frame breaking and I'm nervous carrying something worth $300 around with me... Not often, but every now and then I've been known to just forget to pick my stuff up when I walk off. A set of Bose would get stolen in a heartbeat. Audio-technica has a pair that have been well reviewed and they're $100 cheaper.

I think you'll really like the Bose, just treat them gently.

In doing all this research, I got to wondering what other's experiences were with various headsets.

I got those last spring: they're great!
For silence, for music.
And they're light!

Are you talking about "noise cancelling" or "sound isolating"? Big difference.

I have personally found that noise cancelling headphones do not help a bit in any situation, but sound isolating earbuds with white noise going through them can be a big help.

Just my $.02.

I'm talking about both. I know there's a difference, but I'm not sure what it is or how to choose between the two. Your comments are helpful. Could you flush them out a bit more?

Noise cancelling headphones somehow "react" to sound and put in another sound that cancels it out. This is great when you're on an airplane; the noise-cancelling feature can eliminate much of the jet engine noise so you can listen to music or whatever. They take a battery, and the ones I've used add a bit of "hiss" to the mix. Also, they didn't work at all to cancel random noise, only steady-state sounds (like jet engines).

Sound-isolating earphones go in the ear canal and actually form a tight enough seal that they block out ambient noise. Of course, there are downsides to this -- you may not find them comfortable, and you have to pay pretty close attention if you wear them like I do at work... don't want to step out into the path of any forklifts or anything.

Hope that helps.

Thanks blastoff...
so sound-isolating block all sound. Good to know.

Actually, I've found sound-isolating over-the-ear headphones, used by musicians. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have detachable cords, which is annoying.

Indeed, one of us can't stand the in-the-ear thing, so over the ear is our way to go. High dork factor, unfortunately.