I've had it!! Noise cancelling headphones?

Question

My office is far too loud to get anything done and I can't take it anymore. Ipod earbuds aren't cutting it anymore. Is silence too much to ask for?

I read CNet's reviews on noise-cancelling headphones, but I want real-world views.

Does anyone use noise-cancelling headphones? How well do they work day to day? Silence is GOLDEN.

Thanks for the suggestions. Isn't 10db the sound of a pin dropping?

I need a TV, 5+ people on the phone, munching, and doors slamming to be reduced in volume. :-X

Sound isolation.. thanks, I might have to try that instead. Or, telecommute. ;)

Answer 1

Noise cancelling does not block outside sounds like conversations, crashing sounds, or other distractions. Noise cancelling blocks out noise like the roar of air on the fuselage of a jet or the sound of computer fans.

The decrease in noise may be 10dB. This doesn't mean that noise and outside sounds drop to 10db. It means that if they were at 80db before, now they'll be about 70db, thus making them less noticible.

One pair I had several years ago worked, but I always had the sensation of added air pressure on my ears.

I bought a pair of Jensen noise canceling headphones because they were cheap. And they were effectively useless. The noise cancelation was barely noticible.

A good article on the plusses and minusses is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise-cancelling_headphone

What you may want instead is in-ear "sound isolation" headphones that essentially use ear plugs to block noise.
http://www.shurestore.com/earphones/eseries_e4c.html
CNet Video Review: http://reviews.cnet.com/Shure_E4c/4505-6468_7-31429517-2.html

Answer 2

The highest cancellation you will get out of any noise-cancelling headphones is 10db. The earplug noise cancellation are excellent, but so are the full earcup ones like Bose. I have them both. Until the abilitiy to cancel out more than 10db comes, whatever fits and sounds the best is my opinion.

Answer 3

once you're keen to blow the money, i ought to bypass with the Bose. a good better (yet better expensive) decision ought to be Monster's headphones powered with suggestions from Dr. Dre. i take advantage of SkullCandy's because i don't have the money to pay a lot of money each and every time my headphones screw up. wish this helps

Answer 4

They work great. I used to use them doing Professional hard wood flooring sanding. Them machines are LOUD! Noise cancelling headphones worked great.

Answer 5

if you are going to buy noise cancelation with circuit type noise canceling model sound will degrade instead try in ear type headphone they use to block outside sound IN EAR MODEL creative ep630(app 30) sony ex 71/81 (app 45) shure e2c (app 85) plus this in ear type models use to give terrific sound

Answer 6

http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=439&product=4938