Noise cancellation is a feature many headphones integrate to minimize or get rid of undesirable ambient sounds. This could be an active or passive form of noise cancellation. Headphone users seek this feature to prevent external noises from drowning the audio produced by the headphones and to avoid having to crank up volumes to their maximum levels. Generally, the best noise cancelling headphones are those that feature closed-back designs and those that are used in-ear. The list below features the 5 best noise cancelling headphones available in the market. They are ranked solely according to their noise suppression effectiveness and overall sound quality, disregarding other factors such as price, type, and design.
5. Soul by Ludacris SL300
This pair of headphones features advanced driver and circuitry design to produce precision audio balance, excellent bass, and clarity in the midrange and high-range sounds. It claims to offer superior over-ear fit through its specially designed ear cups. However, all the effort of delivering better audio performance can be offset by unwanted ambient noise—something that the SL300 tries to address with its excellent active noise cancelling technology. The manufacturer’s claims of excellent audio quality could be arguable but the noise cancellation result offered by this pair of headphones is definitely great, especially as it incorporates boosted sound equalization. For an average price of $108, the Soul by Ludacris SL300 is a good buy for those who are looking for headphones with good design and an effective active noise cancellation mechanism.
Other features of the Soul by Ludacris SL300 are its replaceable flat tangle-free audio cable, folding design, dynamic drivers that use neodymium magnets, a gold-plated 3.5mm connector, and compatibility with most smartphones and multimedia devices.
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4. Bose QuietComfort 3
The Bose QuietComfort 3 pair of headphones is a successor to the QuietComfort 2 that comes in a smaller and more compact body. Although more expensive (around $310), this unit remarkably delivers great audio quality while maintaining the impressive noise cancelling results associated with its predecessor. Its package comes with 2 audio cables and a travel case.
This high-performing pair of headphones from Bose offers rich and detailed audio highlights made more enjoyable by its effective noise reduction technology and excellent ear cup design. The ear cups provide great passive noise reduction without compromising comfort. Other headphones have the tendency to exert excessive pressure on the ears to maintain adequate passive noise reduction. With the QuietComfort 3, the soft leather pads used do a great job without becoming uncomfortable although some heating in the ears can be eventually observed over long periods of use. In terms of active noise cancelling, the QuietComfort 3 features a proprietary noise cancelling circuitry built into the headphones, not something attached to the cord. Overall, this pair of headphones delivers what it promises to deliver, albeit at a quite off-putting price.
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3. Bose QuietComfort 15
Listing another pair of Bose headphones on this list is not a matter of favoritism but an acknowledgment of performance. The Bose QuietComfort 15 acoustic noise cancelling headphones definitely deserves a spot here for a number of reasons. First, it is less expensive than the Bose QuietComfort 3. Second, its noise cancelling results are even better than that of the more expensive QuietComfort 3. Even with just passive noise cancellation, the QuietComfort 15 already does a great job eliminating ambient noise. Things get better with the active noise cancellation mechanisms engaged. The QuietComfort 15 makes use of noise-cancelling microphones located inside and outside of the ear cups, for enhanced effectiveness.
This pair of headphones definitely excels in delivering noise-free music listening. However, some may find the active noise reduction method too aggressive. It is possible to sense the pressure exerted by the headphones on the eardrums. With the QuietComfort 15’s active noise cancellation kicking in, some users may not find using this pair of headphones that comfortable anymore. The noise-cancelling sound frequencies emitted by the headphones can be distracting to some users with very sensitive ears. Nevertheless, it certainly delivers the kind of noise isolation it claims to offer.
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2. PSB M4U 2
The PSB M4U 2 is a rather pricey pair of noise-cancelling headphones. It is a closed-back type with an adjustable headband that may be a little thick for some users. This product features an in-line push-to-hear monitor control that can temporarily stop the active noise-cancelling feature so a user can determine whether it helps using noise cancellation or the listening situation does not necessitate it. The PSB M4U 2 comes with a tri-mode operation: active listening, passive listening, and active listening with noise cancellation. The active listening mode uses a built-in amplifier to produce more powerful and precise sounds. The passive listening mode does not make use of the amplifier and solely relies on the signals delivered by the audio source. The active listening with noise cancellation mode, on the other hand, engages the noise cancelling circuitry without using the integrated amplifier and batteries of the headphones.
The results of the noise-cancelling circuitry of the PSB M4U 2 are excellent. Together with the passive noise reduction offered by the design of the ear cups, this pair of headphones effectively gets rid of air conditioner noises, loud traffic sounds, and occasional thumps and roars in the environment, among various other ambient noises. Of course, the PSB M4U 2 cannot completely mute away louder noises but it can effectively tone them down to tolerable levels.
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1. Harman Kardon NC
Although quite pricey, this quirky-looking pair of headphones delivers one of the best noise cancellation results. It offers a slightly better audio performance compared to the Bose QuietComfort 15. It comes with a long-lasting built-in rechargeable battery that supplies the power needed to run the noise-cancellation circuitry. The Harman Kardon NC uses the proprietary Harman closed-loop active digital noise cancellation technology particularly designed for acoustic installations in luxury cars. This pair of headphones delivers active noise cancelling that does not sound like active noise cancelling. Most users are unlikely to detect loss of clarity in the music or audio played. It is quite common for noise-cancelling headphones to have issues with sound clarity as active noise cancellation sets to work. With the Harman Kardon NC, though, listening to music can really feel enjoyable as the noise-cancelling frequencies released by the headphones seem to be precisely configured.
At a $300 price tag, the Harman Kardon NC is certainly not a cheap product. However, it is significantly cheaper than the equally performing PSB M4U 2. Those who are looking for excellent noise-cancelling headphones are bound to be impressed. The overall audio performance from this product is somewhat subdued but in exchange, it delivers consistent clarity and impressive noise isolation.
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