The mobile life is a good life, but it’s a noisy life thanks to airplanes, shuttle buses, taxis, trolleys, trams, and the constant buzz your fellow travelers generate. If you need a break from the ruckus, the manufacturers of headphones that cancel or isolate outside noise just may be playing your song.
Although tuning out your snoring business partner in the next seat is tempting, there are a few things to know about these specialty headphones before buying a pair. First, depending on your preferred volume level, these headphones really do eliminate nearly all of the ambient noise around you. This takes some getting used to, and if your headphones don’t have a built-in volume dial, you’ll find yourself constantly taking your headphones off initially to check if the phone really did just ring.
Additionally, the technologies manufacturers use to reduce ambient noise levels differ. For example, Jabra says its active noise-cancelling technology lets its C820s headphones eliminate 92% of background noise. Jabra’s technology uses an integrated microphone, which measures ambient noise, and a speaker. These combine to help onboard noise-cancelling circuitry measure present existing ambient noise to generate an “antinoise” response, or an inverted copy of the original ambient noise. All this combined essentially tricks the ear into hearing ambient noise at a lower, less noticeable level.
Obviously, noise-reducing headphones aren’t ideal for bike riding in downtown Manhattan, but they’re wonderful when you must read, write, program, troubleshoot, research, or just relax without outside noise distractions. I’ve worn the C820s on a plane, for example, and even in passive mode (without an audio source plugged in) they dimmed much of the surrounding din. In active mode at my workplace desk, the C820s can mute nearly all the clacking keyboards, voices, phones’ rings, and other surrounding noises.
To offer an idea of the noise-reducing headphones now available, I looked at six sets. The Jabra C820s ($199.99), AblePlanet Clear Harmony ($299.99), and Targus Travel-Ease Active Noise Cancellation ($69.99) are all earcup models, meaning they completely cover the ear. The E500PTH ($499.99), E2c ($109), and E3c ($199.99) sets I used are earbuds from Shure that use sound-isolating technology.
I used the headphones consistently for about six weeks while listening to and watching CDs, MP3s, and DVDs on Creative, iPod (nano and video), and iriver MP3 players; two desktop PCs with integrated stereo sound and 5.1 Altec Lansing speakers; an IBM ThinkPad; and a 5.1 Pioneer home theater system. Buying headphones, however, really means trying as many pairs as possible. Generally, the more clarity, crispness, and distinction you can hear in individual instruments, the better. The deeper explosions from “Casino Royale” thump you in the chest, the better. The less muddy and lifeless midtones resonate from CDs and MP3s, the better. Midtones are where digital music generally suffers in quality vs. analog audio. To compensate, some headphone makers use built-in speakers, tweeters, drivers, and other techniques to enhance audio quality, but you’ll pay more and usually need batteries to power such abilities. (Although, it’s worth it.)
Earbuds
Shure E500PTHA concert in your ears. That’s the best way to describe Shure’s ultra-pricey but ultra-mind-blowing E500PTH. The E500PTH is that good, and I used a preproduction model. Instruments soared with such clarity and stunning crispness that it wasn’t too difficult imagining I was sitting 10 rows deep listening to Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in real time. Whether listening to Dire Straits, Coltrane, or Bach, midtones had incredible range, and rhythm sections were deep and full. To obtain this quality, the E500PTH uses triple hi-def drivers, or one tweeter and two woofers. (Shure advises to rip/transfer your music files to a lossless format for best results with the E500PTH.)
The E500PTH are among the most comfortable earbuds I’ve used, and Shure bundles three sizes of “sleeves,” or cushions, to get a good fit. With some experimenting, I achieved a tight seal in the ear canal, which you’ll want in order for the sleeves to better isolate sound. Using sleeves to isolate sound means Shure’s earbuds don’t need batteries and don’t generate a related hiss as some noise-cancelling sets do. I was less enthusiastic about the E500PTH’s Push-To-Hear Control VoicePort microphone, which lets you hear external sounds without removing the earbuds. The VoicePort mic is effective enough, but the construction is a little clumsy compared to other manufacturers’ approaches here.
Shure claims pro musicians have road-tested the E500PTH; it’s hard to believe they disliked what they heard. Shure also packages the earbuds with the extras you’d expect for nearly $500, including multiple adapters and handsome cases for mobile and long-term storage. If you covet outstanding audio in earbuds that also effectively isolate noise, the E500PTH is a fantastic starting place.
Shure E2c & E3c Sound-Isolating Headphones The E2c and E3c are part of Shure’s E series, which also includes the E500PTH, E4c ($319), and E5c ($549). The E2c and E3c use slightly different earbud designs and bundle similar sleeve-cushion accessories for isolating sound, but as midrange-priced headphones, both are excellent choices, particularly for MP3, smartphone, portable video player, and similar mobile-related uses.
Both sets have gray cords with white earbuds. I prefer the E3c's style for comfort, but both sets weigh next to nothing, have good cable management, and wear comfortably over the long haul. The E3c’s detachable cord is especially handy for easily connecting and disconnecting audio sources. Shure includes a mobile hard-shelled case and two-year warranty with both headphones.
Audio-wise, neither model matches the E500PTH’s quality, but they’re not meant to at this price. The E2c uses Dynamic MicroDrivers to deliver audio, while the E3c uses Wideband MicroDrivers. Overall, the E3c’s sound was slightly richer and broader, and it didn’t seem to buckle under heavy bass as soon as the E2c. If you’re on a budget but want earbuds that still deliver way above-average audio, the E2c or E3c are fine options.
Earcups
AblePlanet’s Clear Harmony
You’ll notice the quality of Able-Planet’s headphones before you even take them out of its hard-shelled traveling case. Colored in attractive black, gray, and silver metal, these noise-cancelling headphones practically beg you to slip them on. For nearly $300, you should also expect mucho quality, and the Clear Harmony earcups don’t disappoint.
The headphones acquire their audio quality via AblePlanet’s patent-pending Linx Audio technology, which, besides bolstering audio quality, aims to also clarify speech. (You’ll need two AAAs to power the enhancements.) For my purposes, the Clear Harmony produced audio that seemed to achieve a larger overall presence than normal—without having to crank up volume levels. Additionally, I picked up only slight amounts of distortion in loud, bass-heavy audio.
The Clear Harmony does wear a bit heavy after long wearing sessions, although the earcups and headset are comfortably lined with generous amounts of cushion. The earcups swivel 90 degrees, and AblePlanet bundles adapters for planes and stereos and includes a limited lifetime warranty. Like Jabra’s C820s, the Clear Harmony cord detaches, which is good if you move around your desk a lot but bad if you lose it. Additionally, accessing the headphone’s battery compartment could be easier, but the slick volume controller that’s built into the cord is unobtrusively excellent.
With consistently crisp volume levels, distinctive, deep basses, and midtones that sail instead of fall flat, the Clear Harmony shouldn’t disappoint those willing to step up the price ladder.
Jabra C820s
I first saw the Jabra C820s in January, and I’ve been using them consistently since. The C820s are sturdy but lightweight, giving them that somewhat rare comfortable-but-dependable combination. They’re also attractively decked out in dark gray, black, and silver. The ear-cups wear comfortably over long periods, and they spin 90 degrees to fit in the hard-cover case Jabra includes, along with multiple adapters and an extra cord.
As mentioned, Jabra uses proprietary technology to eliminate noise, and you’ll notice the difference moving from passive noise-cancelling to active cancelling. By reducing the volume level of ambient noises, the C820s’ audio is clearer at lower volumes than otherwise normal. Although the C820s’ audio quality is slightly below that of the AblePlanet model, it still rates as way above average.
Powering the C820s’ integrated Hi-Fi Stereo-enhanced audio requires dropping a AAA battery into the left earcup. The Hi-Fi Stereo function essentially shoots (compensated) hi-fi sound through two small stereo speakers in the C820s. Unfortunately the C820s don’t have an integrated volume controller. Still, this is an excellent all-purpose unit.
Targus Travel-Ease Active Noise Cancellation
At $69.99, the most obvious quality-related hit you’ll notice with Targus’ Travel-Ease is the drop-off in overallaudio quality. Otherwise, the Travel-Ease stows away in an included blue, cloth sack-like case, which alsoholds two included adapters for stereo and airline use. | 
Travel-Ease Active Noise Cancellation
$69.99 • Targus
(714) 765-5555
www.targus.com |
That said, the sack case more than gets the job done (although not as protectively as the other models I reviewed), and audio quality isn’t out of line for what you’d expect from headphones in this price range. (The Travel-Ease model I tested was a preproduction model.)
Shaped similarly to the Clear Harmony and C820s, the Travel-Ease has a duller brownish-gray color. The earcups do swivel 90 degrees, and the cord, which doesn’t detach, includes an integrated, patent-pending “talk-through” feature (requires one AA battery) that lets you control the volume level and hear ambient noise around you by pushing a button that shuts off the headphones’ noise-cancelling feature. The talk-through function is effective, but the battery compartment/controller is largish and a bit heavy.
Targus says the headphones use integrated microphones to reduce ambient noise levels, resulting in audio that’s clearer and crisper. In my tests, the headphones’ audio quality was more vibrant than I expected. Although midtones didn’t pop out as consistently rich as higher-priced models, the over-all sound was definitely serviceable for multiple applications. For the asking price, and considering the Travel-Ease is built to take some bumps and bruises along the way, these headphones are a dependable choice at the low end of the price scale. 
by Blaine A. Flamig
The Pair For You?
It doesn't pay to skimp on audio quality, so be choosy when you are buying noise-cancelling headphones. Your ears will thank you. |
The Sound Of Noise-Cancelling Silence
I looked at six sets of noise-cancelling or sound-isolating headphones in earbud and earcup styles. The following chart details key characteristics about each pair.
| Headphones | Technologies | What To Know | Price | For More Information | | EARBUDS | | Shure E500PTH | Sound isolating; triple hi-def driver-enhanced sound | Stellar audio quality; comfortable earbud fit; clumsy cord attachment/volume controller; excellent volume stability | $499 | www.shure.com | | Shure E2c | Sound isolating; Dynamic MicroDrivers-enhanced sound | Above-average audio; comfortable design; sturdy carrying case; great for mobile use | $109 | www.shure.com | | Shure E3c | Sound isolating; Wideband MicroDrivers enhanced sound | Extremely good audio quality; nice bundled package; very comfortable; great for everyday use | $199 | www.shure.com | | EARCUPS | | AblePlanet Clear Harmony | Noise-cancelling technology; patent-pending Linx Audio enhanced sound | Wears a bit heavy over long use; excellent construction and audio quality; nice bundled package; detachable cord | $299.99 | www.ableplanet.com | | Jabra C820s | Hi-Fi Stereo enhanced audio; microphone-speaker-circuitry noise-cancellation | Extremely comfortable, attractive design; detachable cord; nicely packaged; great midrange audio quality | $199.99 | www.jabra.com | | Targus Travel-Ease Noise Cancellation | Microphone-circuitry noise-cancellation technology; talk-through feature | Good audio quality for the price; bulky volume controller/battery compartment; sturdy construction; talk-through feature | $69.99 | www.targus.com | |
|
Email This
Print This
