Noice Cancelling Headphones Recommendation

Etymotic Research makes an excellent ear bud that serves as a passive noise cancellation system as well. Which means as soon as you step on the plane you can put them in a go to sleep. They have no batteries to replace and also do not make your ears sweat, which is my biggest complaint against Bose and other brands.

They came out with some new models which pick up bass a lot better than previous versions. This is pair that I have owned for 2 years. Love 'em.

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx

Audio-Technica quietpoint ATH-ANC1 are both quality and price effective running around $75.
Sennheiser pxc-300 are also a good choice if you're looking for something a little more lightweight. They usually cost around $150.

I bought a Panasonic set for my BF two or three years ago. $100 ish, via Amazon. They work well to cancel white noise in his work environment, where he's surrounded by the hum of 100 PCs running in a small space. He can't take music into that space, so I don't know how that part works.

I would personally go with Sony but they're over $200.

'Creative Aurvana X-Fi'
would be good for You.

There are a few different categories of noise cancelling headphones to choose from, and I will discuss them, and why only one is worthwhile..

First, there are in ear noise cancelling headphones. These create a seal in your ear, so that outside noise is blocked, and you don't have to turn up the volume to block out noise. These are extremely convenient because of size, but won't block out noise quite as well as "cans" or headphones that encapsulate your ears. Also, sound quality will never match that of cans, but it's not a bad way to go if you favor convenience over audio quality. I bought the V-moda Vibes back when they were $80, and found that they sounded better than $180 Sennheiser ear buds, and the v-modas only cost $24 on amazon! But I would check out this forum to do some research if you are interested in this option:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/list/103

The second option, popularized by stores like Sharper Image and Brookstone, are "active" noise cancelling headphones. These are full sized on or over ear headphones that "listen" to their environment, and generate frequencies that will cancel out the noises around you. This seems like a nifty idea, and is even a "feature" of some of the Bose headphones, but it does horrible things to the sound of the music. I would stay away from this option, at all costs, unless you don't mind a muddy, ugly sound from overpriced headphones. Bose may have a trademark on that description, even for their headphones that aren't active noice cancelling. Definitely stay away from Bose.

The last option, which is my favorite, is to get a regular set of cans, that surround your ear (and don't sit on top of them). You are getting better sound quality for your money, and there is more to choose from. These are split into yet three more categories, which are open, semi-open, and closed. Open and semi open have their advantages, such as a better sound stage, but don't block out outside noise, and also "leak" noise to your surroundings. Closed headphones don't leave any open surfaces on the back of the headphone for outside noise to enter, so this sounds like the best option for you.

When I was shopping for headphones, I spent a few weeks researching the Head-Fi.org forums, and decided to go with the Shure SRH-840s. Someone on the forums that owns a $1000 pair of Grado headphones said he normally prefers his Shures, which is pretty impressive, considering any $500+ Grado headphone is comparable to a $15,000 speaker system. To top it off, I got them for $140. Another popular choice is the Sennheiser 555s, but these aren't closed cans. I've also tried the Dr. Dre headphones that you see at BestBuy, and on top of being extremely overpriced, the treble is absolutely horrid on them. If you don't plan on getting an amp, you might not hear a difference between the Shure SRH-440s and the SRH-840s, so you might as well go for the cheaper one. Still, check out those forums, there is a lot of great info on them. Also, when I am listening to music at a moderate level on the Shures, I've had roomates yelling as loud as they can from ouside my room and never knew they were even there, so they definitely do a good job of blocking out noise.

One thing to remember when getting full sized headphones, they require a burn in period. If you read those forums, you will see a lot of people mention this. Basically, when you get a full sized headphone in the mail, plug them in to your computer and let them sit there playing your library for a week straight, at the least. At the end of the week, the drivers will have loosened up, and they will sound like a completely different headphone than when they first came in the mail. Other than that, good luck choosing and enjoy the music!

The Creative Aurvana X-Fi is the best under $200.It offers advanced sound enhancement features not found in other headphones and those features work as advertised. These headphones also offer great sound quality and noise cancellation, and they come with some handy extras.

My husband and myself are big time gamers logging over 80 hours a week combined. We use the closed-ear GameCom 367 headset. You can find it on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/9vgaPg for under $30 brand new. We have had great experience with this headset and mic. The mic also tucks away in the head band when not in use. Here is Amazons description it does better justice than I can. I just know it is kick ass.

"It delivers an immersive audio experience with 50 mm stereo speakers and specially designed earpods that redistribute pressure for maximum comfort. When you're ready to fire off orders, unveil the hidden, noise-canceling mic boom to strategize clearly with team members. Responses coming in? Adjust audio levels using in-line volume and mic-mute controls. When you're done, rotate, and tuck the mic boom inside the headset--then let your score do the talking. As with any Plantronics headset, rugged, military-like design and extra-strength cables keep your hardware hardcore--game after game after game."

We paid over $150 for my husband's other gaming headset and the mic broke after 2 weeks of constant use and so did the volume control and then finally the speakers in the left ear went out. I can't remember the brand but it was at Bestbuy and We won't spend that much on a noise cancelling headset again.

http://www.amazon.com/JVC-HANC250-High-Grade-Noise-Cancelling-Headphones/dp/B000U07C1U/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1285345507&sr;=8-1

free shipping!! :D

I am using the Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling - Headphones ( ear-cup ).they are my best buy until now.I use them on the plane or for my personal lessons I do to learn the French Language.