Noise-cancelling headphones don’t work well on music (no matter how much you think it’s “noise”). They work very well on repetitive sounds; such as traffic noise, or airplane engine noise. They work by producing sound waves that are 180* out of phase with the noise. -If you want to reduce all sounds — including music, and voices, you need “sound isolating” headphones. These work by passively (no electronics) dampening all sounds. -Noise-cancelling headphones have gotten a bit of a bum rap; because people have been led to believe they’re supposed to work like Betty’s. They don’t — but, that’s a feature, not a fault. They make airplane travel much less unpleasant, by cutting out most of the engine noise — while still allowing you to hear your seat-mates, or the flight attendant. -I have noise-cancelling headphones, and noise-cancelling ear-buds. I would recommend either of them highly for air travel — but, they don’t do what Betty’s are doing.
sbchamp over 10 years ago
Spock unavailable for comment
Ink blot Premium Member over 10 years ago
Noise-cancelling headphones don’t work well on music (no matter how much you think it’s “noise”). They work very well on repetitive sounds; such as traffic noise, or airplane engine noise. They work by producing sound waves that are 180* out of phase with the noise. -If you want to reduce all sounds — including music, and voices, you need “sound isolating” headphones. These work by passively (no electronics) dampening all sounds. -Noise-cancelling headphones have gotten a bit of a bum rap; because people have been led to believe they’re supposed to work like Betty’s. They don’t — but, that’s a feature, not a fault. They make airplane travel much less unpleasant, by cutting out most of the engine noise — while still allowing you to hear your seat-mates, or the flight attendant. -I have noise-cancelling headphones, and noise-cancelling ear-buds. I would recommend either of them highly for air travel — but, they don’t do what Betty’s are doing.