Noise Canceling Headphones

stjames

stjames

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Oct 26, 1998
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I am looking to get my wife a pair of Noise Canceling Headphones for use in bed listening to relaxation tapes. The noise she needs to cancel is my snoring, very akin to a jet engine. Looking for something light, comforable and effective in the $80 range. Thanks in advance, audiophiles!
 
I tried all the affordable ones I could find from Sony, KLH, Aiwa, etc. I also tried a set of Sennheisers that were a couple hundred bucks. I ended up buying a set of Panasonic RP-HC100s. They're comfortable and sound pretty good. The only problem I have with them is that I bought them to use on airplane rides and they're too bulky to fit in my over stuffed laptop case so they've only been used two or three times!

If you're interested in them, send me an email. I'd probably sell them cheap. I've already decided that I need something small like the Shure in the ear type.

John
 
I have a pair of Bose II's. I can highly recommend them if you ever decide to up your budget.
 
I got a pair of in-ear ones. There is a small plastic tube running from the speaker bud (thingies) and is surrounded by material made of the same stuff as earplugs.

It sounds really really good, but only if you can get it in your ear correctly, and that takes some fiddleing around with the different included tips, and figureing out how the inside of your ear is shaped inorder to put them in right.

This can be hard. Like me. Apparently, my ears are differnt shapes, so both side have different tips and go in differently. the left side has the stock tips on backwards and the wire points down. My right side also has the stock, but on regular and the wire points to the side. :confused: Im screwed up.

Its called THE PLUG, aptly named, on the KOSS website, under portable.


One more thing, it gets bassy. ;) When I play some loud music, I can feel my brain rattleing. :D
 
I tried a set of $40 ones once (I think they were Panasonic) and hated them. Wanted a set of Bose ever since I tried a pair on in their outlet store. Those things are the real deal, and worth every penny. I really feel that in this case you're better off spending the cash for the good ones than buying the cheapies and regretting it later.
 
That's so unfair. You're the one with the snoring problem and she has to wear the earphones. Why don't you go to the doctors to fit one of those things in your mouth when you sleep to reduce the snoring?
:)

OTOH Bose headphones are supposed to be good but they're quite expensive.

My wife also tells me that my snoring has increased since i gained weight. So maybe that could reduce it as well.
 
tonyccw said:
I have a pair of Bose QC II's. I can highly recommend them if you ever decide to up your budget.
Click to expand...

Yeah, when I put these on the plane goes away. They're awesome, but as you said, it'd be a budget upgrade.
 
stjames said:
The noise she needs to cancel is my snoring, very akin to a jet engine.
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1. Lose weight
2. Separate bedrooms
3. Foam earplugs; a few pence from any chemists.

;)

maximus otter
 
Also, Gabe is right about sleep apnea. My wife finally insisted that I ask my doctor about it; she threatened to either divorce me or kill me. I got tested and had a pretty severe case of OSA. I'm now on a CPAP machine and it's changed my life. No more falling asleep at work and being dead tired all day long. I wouldn't even take a nap without it. :yawn:
 
Thanks for starting this thread stjames. I had the same question and can't seem to find a decent online review or test.

To those with Bose: Can they only be purchased direct from Bose?

--SAK
 
James,
I can't help you in your specified price range.
I have the first generation Bose 'phones. They cancel some noise. The new version is supposed to be much better. If you want a really nice kicka$$ 'phone for less money, the Bose Tri-Port is awesome, but not noise cancelling. Sorry I can't be of more help.

SAK,
I've seen Bose Tri-Ports at the big chain electronics stores, and Bose speakers at several locations. Cabela's sells the Bose Wave.

Paul
 
SAK said:
To those with Bose: Can they only be purchased direct from Bose?

--SAK
Click to expand...

No, I've seen them in other catalogs and in malls. Basically anywhere you find the Bose sound system.... But the price doesn't change. Bose won't let anyone sell for cheaper. Quiet Comfort II
 
i would get a pair or shure earphones(the bottom of the line, there are only 3 models) i have them they are EXCELLENT! you wont be able to hear a tank rolling down the street outside. and they offer the best sound i ever heard. crisp clear vocals and solid bass. they dont look like they are comfortable, since they get stuck right in your ear, but they are. once you get them in it is like they arent there. the only thing is i have heard that they tend to fall out of some people's ears. never happened to mine.

if you want headphones i would go with a middle of the road pair of senneisers. i had a cheap pair and they were good so i'd excpect the better ones to be great.
 
Senator said:
James - I've got a pair of the Sony MDR-EX71SL Fontopia Headphones. I love 'em. Very small, good sound quality, with more than enough power. Inexpensive too. I use them in bed to listen to music and books while my wife is sleeping.
Click to expand...
HIGHLY reccomend these as well. There are about 3 or 4 in this family that you could find. The 51s, 71s and 81s are very similar. There are a few differences to be aware of. The SP or LP denotes the length of the cable from unit to earphone. The SP is a short cable with an extension you can add to it. The short one is nice if you wear the unit (iPod for instance) on your arm for working out. The LPs are much harder to find though. If you want some really good reviews for earphones and headphones, check out ipodlounge.com and read their reviews. They have phones on there that are OBNOXIOUSLY expensive. The phones would cost more than some of my knives... :eek: Everything is relative when you talk cost...but $500 for earphones! YIKES!

Good luck-
David
 
Thanks for the input so far, earbuds are out as my wife hates putting them in her ears so I am looking at headphones only. The Bose are a consideration, I'll try and check them out in person before I decide.

I had a sleep study at Stanford three years ago because narcolepsy and cataplexy run in my family, and didn't suffer from significant sleep apnea at the time. I have put on some weight since then and have another done, perhaps look into somnoplasty as well.
 
i would go with the sennheisers then i dont think you will be disapointed with them but to be on the safe side you should also shop around a little and read the reveiws. :) ipods go good with headphones :)
 
I have a set of JVC (HA-NC100) headphones which have been tested to capacity as a passenger on military aircraft (C-130), and found to be excellent.

They are a little bulky, being 'over the ear' type, but fold neatly into a 5" x 5" soft bag for travel.

They will cancel about 80% (estimated) of jet engine noise, airconditioners, industrial machinery and similar, but are not particularly effective on sudden or erratic noise sources.

They seem to work best with a constant input of ambient sound, like aircraft engine noise.

Runs on a single AAA battery for about 24 hours use, cost around $US100, come with aircraft twin point adaptor plugs, and a standard iPod/walkman type plug as well. Music sound quality is excellent from the speakers.

Highly recommended for airline or train travellers, might not work for snorer's partners too well. ;)
 
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