 Quite useful for any traveler. |
| Review Date: August 20, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Theseus, Louisiana |
Pros:
-Excellent noise cancelling capability
-Extremely comfortable for extended periods of time
-Great battery life
-Good audio quality (see qualification below)
-Fold up into a relatively compact space
Cons:
-Like all noise cancelling headphones, only works on lower frequencies
-Like all noise cancelling headphones, adds a low-level hiss of white noise to the background when on
-The electronics unit on the cord gets in the way
-Will not cut out as much noise as in-ear units
-Origami-like folding requires some patience
IF you are one of the lucky few who can tolerate in-ear buds (the headphones that stick into your ear canal like earplugs) AND find buds that seal off your ear canals adequately, you'll get much better noise reduction than noise cancelling headphones provide. Earbuds also provide noise reduction over a wider spectrum and do passively in the same way those little foam earplugs do. This is also, obviously, the most portable option, as these units often fit in small cases a little larger than a silver dollar in diameter.
For the rest of us, there's the noise cancelling option. So about 2 years ago I decided to go this route. I was doing a lot of traveling by plane and found the general cabin noise and engine drone to be distracting when listening to music. I went by an in-airport electronics store and tried out all of the noise cancelling headphones they had (including the highest end Bose units). I found the Sennheiser PXC 250 provided significantly higher quality audio than any of the others (including the Bose Quiet Comfort series), with a smaller package, with better noise cancelling ability, and at a lower cost. I was able to test all headsets in a side-by-side comparison with and without music in a busy airport terminal (Atlanta) and with and without noise cancelling. Let's just say the difference is impressive.
I just purchased the PXC 300 model and have found them to be even better, just as you would expect. This review applies equally to the PXC 250 model except where noted. A comparison of the two is at the bottom.
That said, all noise cancelling headphones have limitations.
First, they all are better at low-frequency noise reduction. I've heard several explanations for this ranging from technological limitations to safety reasons. Suffice it to say that they all reduce engine noise, repetitive noise (such as fans), and most ambient noise significantly. They will reduce the volume of surrounding conversations less (though still some). So this means, though you will not be put on an island of tranquility, you will have a noticeable reduction in ambient noise. The easiest way to prove this to yourself is to turn the noise cancelling circuit off and notice how much louder you tend to listen to your music in the same environment.
Second, in a quiet environment with no music playing through the headphones, you will notice a faint hiss added when noise cancelling is turned on. Most people won't notice this if they are listening to music (although some can). The amount of this noise varies from headphone to headphone and has no relationship to the quality of noise cancelling. In good quality headphones, the hiss is several orders of magnitude quieter than ambient noise in even moderately noisy environments.
Third, the noise cancelling requires circuitry and batteries to be placed somewhere. In the larger headphones (like most Bose Quiet Comfort series), they have enough room to put it in the headphones themselves. In smaller ones, like the Sennheiser units, they have a separate "wand" with the electronics in it. Neither of these is an ideal solution.
Considering all of the above, I have found the Sennheiser PXC 250 & 300 models to be the best compromise. The amount of hiss added in the background is minimal and is easily ignored in most situations. If you are an audiophile, you'll probably notice it, so you are better off in quiet places using a more traditional headset. If you are traveling, though, the hiss is such a small sacrafice compared to the ambient noise you're losing, that it's an easy trade. Of all the models I tried, the Sennheiser units were among the quietest.
When compared to the Bose Quiet Comfort 2, I find the sound quality to be superior in the Sennheiser units. The Sennheisers don't muddy the sound as much as the Bose units and the instruments on the soundstage are more distinct. Don't get me wrong. None of these units are studio reference-quality headphones. Considering the price, though, the Sennheiser units sound about as good as comparably priced non-noise cancelling headphones, if not a little better (the PXC 250 being cheaper). Besides, if you're so picky about sound quality, why aren't you listening to your music at home instead of on a plane?
I found the PXC 250's level of noise cancellation to be better than the Bose units'. The PXC 300 is even better. This may surprise some people due to the fact that the Bose QC2 unit covers the whole outside of the ear, pressing firmly against the side of the skull with the leather covered foam pads whereas the Sennheisers only press up against the ear itself. Thus, there are a lot more gaps for sound to creep into your ear canal with the smaller Sennheisers. So, as counterintuitive as it may seem, the Sennheisers still do a significantly better job of cancelling noise than do the Bose units. This may be due, in part, to the whole nature of noise cancelling and the fact that the headphones are actively cancelling out noise rather than relying on passive measures.
PXC 250 vs. PXC 300
So, comparing the PXC 250 to the 300 is the final task. Both units have the same form factor, the same "wand" containing two AAA batteries, and essentially the same look. Both are extremely comfortable for long periods of time (both are traditional over-the-head designs), though can get warm from body heat against the leather headphone cushions. Also, both fold into a smaller area in exactly the same way. The headphones have extra hinges that essentially allow the units to fold into about half the space and loosely lock in place. It's a little challenging, though, for some people to get the hang of it in the same way that a lot of people have trouble folding up car maps.
According to the company, the PXC 300 is supposed to be superior in regards to noise cancelling. This is probably provable in a laboratory setting, but is much less noticeable in the real world. Thus, in this regard, the PXC 250 is the better deal.
Sound quality is also very similar between the two. Bearing in mind that you're listening to these in noisy environments, the PXC 300 probably doesn't warrant the extra money.
Finally, and somewhat strangely, the two units come with two different carrying cases. The PXC 300 comes with a semi-hard ballistic nylon type case that opens like a clamshell with a zipper. It provides a reasonable amount of protection to the headphones. Unfortunately, I like the PXC 250 case better. It is a soft case made of ballistic nylon. However, it has a belt loop and an extra zippered pocket on the outside. Thus, you can separate your spare batteries and plug adapters from your headphones. In addition, the soft case is perfect for also carrying around an iPod in. The PXC 300 hard case has no belt loops, no extra pocket, and is a little more of a chore to carry around along with all your luggage. I'm actually swapping it out for the PXC 250 case.
In summation, the PXC 250 and 300 are both noticeably superior to their noise cancelling competitors in their intended purpose, both in sound quality and in noise reduction. They will not compete against high end non-noise cancelling units in a quiet environment, nor will they compete with in-ear buds with a comfortable fit and a complete ear canal seal (which I find uncomfortable). They will, however, provide a marked increase in comfort and quiet on those long plane, bus, and car trips, and will likely become a faithful traveling companion.
Of the two, the PXC 250 is probably the better deal. The differences in noise cancelling and sound quality between the models are minimal, especially when considering the intended environment, but the price difference is not. |
Great travel companion
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| Review Date: April 2, 2005 |
| Reviewer: VSOP, Pelotas, Brazil |
This is my first noise-canceling headphone. So I was very curious to see how it worked. And how good its sound was. I must say I'm very satisfied - the phones are well worth the price.
The phones are very light, and very soft to wear. They fit tight and their very good cushioning provide already an excellent sound insulation from the ambient. It is possible to wear the phones for hours without getting tired or your ears sore.
Without noise-canceling, the phones present a clear sound, with crisp treble e strong bass. Being closed, there is some problem with building a "natural" sound image, specially with pop music where stereo separation is artificially increased. Otherwise, sound quality is hi-fi class.
Turning noise-canceling on has in fact two effects. There is some amplification of the signal. In my case, that's great given my laptop has a somewhat low output. The amplification is coupled with a sort of "loudness" effect. There is a clear reinforcement of bass and treble. What might disturb purists actually works great for noisy environments. What about the noise-canceling effect itself? Well, it's quite amazing given you don't expect miracles. Basically, the "oooossshhh" sound generated by air conditioning, plane engines, or the bus rolling on the road disappears, or is greatly reduced. This is enough for a much greater enjoyment of your music.
My only disappointment was that the noise-canceling unit is not detachable as I expected. So, even if you don't intend to use noise reduction you have to carry the unit, that is a little larger than a fountain pen. Alas.
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Simply Amazing
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| Review Date: June 11, 2005 |
| Reviewer: S. Lindvall, |
For the price, you simply won't find a better set of noise-cancelling headphones. Believe me, I've looked and compared. I have read reviews stating that these are not as comfortable on long flights as the Bose QuietComfort 2 (which, by the way, cost over $100 more), but I find that hard to believe. I have worn these for several hours without the slightest bit of discomfort. The sound is amazing, as well. I have a rather good home theater system, and these sound better than it. The noise-cancelling works wonders at eliminating low-frequency droning noises, such as airplane engines, air conditioning and the like, with virtually no coloring of the music.
At prices ranging from $150 to more than $200 for a set (Amazon's is the best price of the major online retailers), these are not for everyone. However, if you want a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that actually work, and you demand excellent audio reproduction, you won't find any better than these. Included when you buy a set are two adapters (one for airplane audio jacks and one for larger stereo systems), batteries (for powering the noise-cancelling feature), and a very nice case that the headphones fold down into for compact storage and travelling. All-in-all, a terrific package. |
Noise Reduction at its best
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| Review Date: November 10, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Sumir Sekhri, |
| My choice of headphones depended largely on the reviews available at Amazon.com and I had shortlisted 2 products, the Bose and the Sennheiser. I had a chance to visit the Bose Showroom and they gave me a demo of the noise reduction headphones. Quality of sound was definately very good but they were bulky, real bulky and it would be a pain carrying them in your hand luggage. I took a chance and opted for the Sennheiser. They are smart, come with a compact carrying case, excellent sound and the noise reduction is really good. I would say maybe the Bose are about 20% as far as NOISE REDUCTION is concerned, mainly because thier ear pads cup the whole year, so automatically some external sound is blocked. However considering that the quality of sound is the same and that these are much sleeker and cheaper, nearly 1/2 the price, I think it is a great buy. In fact even if the Bose were the same price, I would opt for the Sennheiser since in my case price was NOT a criteria; Convenience while travelling was and of course the quality of sound. |
The Best Of Both Worlds--Adequate Noise Cancelling & Excellent Sound Quality
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| Review Date: February 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Danielle, Peabody MA USA |
I've been in the market for a good pair of noise cancelling headphones for a while, and after trying out a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones, decided not to buy them, mostly because of the outrageous price. I wanted to try out a pair of Sennheiser's but couldn't find a store that would sell them so based on the excellent reviews, I put them on my X-mas list. My dh bought them on Amazon for a very good price for me. Also, someone else accidently bought me a pair of Sony Noise Cancelling headphones for Christmas, so I got to try those out too. Well, my final verdict is that the Sennheiser's are the best noise cancelling headphones out of the three. They have some drawbacks, but I think the sound quality more than makes up for those. Here's how they stack up.
1. Noise cancelling: I wanted a pair of noise cancelling headphones because the gym I work out at is very noisy and also plays loud annoying music over an antiquated speaker system. I had to turn up my regular headphones almost to the maximum volume to hear my own music. It also didn't help that along with the music I had to listen to clinking, grunting, yapping, and the endless loud droning of the HVAC system. As far as noise cancelling goes, these headphones are not the best, but they are very adequate. They probably cancel out about 75 percent of the noise, which is a big help. Without the music, the sound of the HVAC is gone, so is the grunting. The yapping sounds like barely audible whispers. You can hear the clinking and the gym's music still, but the volume is somewhat reduced. With the music on, you really can't hear anything, unless you're in between songs or listening to the music really low, then you can hear the gym's music. They're not as good as the Bose headphones, which block out about 90 percent of the outside sounds, even with no music on, but they are adequate--for half the price, too. Now, if you want noise cancelling headphones mostly to block sounds and NOT listen to music, I'd recommend the Bose over these guys. But, if you're getting them to listen to music and sound quality is important, then I would recommend these wholeheartedly. Now, how to they compare to the even cheaper Sony's as far as noise cancelling goes? Truth to tell, there's no comparison, really. I wasn't expecting much from the Sony's because I think overall, that brand of headphones has really poor sound quality, but my expectations fell even lower when I tried on these noise cancelling ones. The noise cancelling is very poor. They blocked out MAYBE 25 percent of the noise. With the Sony's on, I couldn't hear the HVAC system, but that was about it. I could still hear the gym's music, the yapping, grunting and clicking clear as day. So, if you're in the market for noise cancelling headphones, don't bother with the Sony's. Even for the low price, they aren't worth it at all.
2. Sound Quality: As for sound quality, I was very impressed with these headphones. The sound is clear, with the bass being strong but not overwhelming. As far as sound goes, they are far superior to the Bose headphones. The Bose had good bass, but it was overpowering and the music sounded muddy. That, along with the price tag, made me decide not to buy them. How do the Sennheiser's compare with the Sony's as far as sound goes? Again, not even in the same category. The Sony's were even lousier sounding than I expected. The sound was muddy AND there was no bass. Basically, every song sounded like you were listening to it on a static filled AM radio station. It was extremely poor. The Sennheiser's definitely won this category, hands down.
3. Other features: As far as comfort goes, I believe the Sennheiser's are the most comfortable headphones of the three. The Bose's were very comfortable, even though they didn't look it, but I noticed if I wore them long enough, my ears would get a little sweaty. The Sennheiser's are very light, with soft padding along the edge of earpieces and even along the top of the headband. I haven't had a problem with sweaty ears with these, and they were much more comfortable than the Sony's which had thin scratchy pads that made my ears sore after a while.
The only category the Sennheiser's lose out on is ease of storage. They come with a hard carrying case about the same shape and a little bit bigger than a sunglass case, but good luck getting them in there. Maybe if you're good at origami you could do it. I followed the instructions to a tee and I still couldn't figure out how to fold them properly, so now I just don't bother and throw them in the gym bag. The Bose on the other hand, comes with a very nice hard case about the size of a small handbag and it's very easy to store. Even the Sony's are easier to store too, though the cheesy vinyl drawstring bag offers little, if any, protection.
As far as the battery pack goes, it takes second place. It looks very heavy and bulky in the picture, but in real life, it's not that bad. It's fairly lightweight, and it comes with a metal clip so it doesn't have to dangle in midair. Though I must admit, if you wear a fanny pack to carry your CD player (like I do) having the battery pack clipped on the side with it's red light glowing makes you looking like you're in training to be a suicide bomber and you may get a couple of curious glances. The Bose comes with it's own type of rechargable battery that fits into the earpiece, but you only get one and getting an extra one from Bose is tres expensive. At least the Sony's got this part right--the battery pack is built into the earphones and virtually unnoticable, and takes regular AAA batteries. Another plus of the Sennheiser's over the Bose's is that you can listen to the music without the noise cancelling on, whereas with the Bose you have no choice.
I must admit that the Sennheiser's have some minor drawbacks, but overall I'm very satisfied with this pair of headphones and highly recommend them. |
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