Noise-Cancelling Earphones

[doodab]

Sound studio double wall: Rehearsal room, Soundproofing, Studio sound

[Bunk]

Working in a noisy environment drives me mad.

I've tried various active noise cancelling headphones but none of them worked that well. In the end I bought a pair of Sennheisser HD280 headphones that are designed to block out noise, and they do about as good a job as a decent pair of earplugs.

The only solution I have found that comes close to completely eliminating background noise is to use a combination of high attenuation earplugs with the headphones over the top. It works a treat, but you will look slightly eccentric, and if you want to actually listen to stuff you'll need to crank it up.

In an office environment earplugs (these are about the best I've found) or some passive noise attenuating earbuds are probably a better bet (e.g. Shure SE215). If you really want to push the boat out you can get some custom moulded ones of the types some musicians wear on stage. They aren't cheap though. You could try the "comply" foam earbud tips as well, they improve the isolation slightly although TBH not that much.

I'd back up any suggestions for Shure earphones. I use SE535s which are probably a bit over the top for your needs but I can't hear a thing when I've got them in. They're probably a bit too good because if someone wants to get my attention they need to come over and poke me before I'm even slightly aware of them. Those SE215s look similar in terms of the foam buds and style so they're probably just cheaper speakers/internals.

[Scrag Meister]

Yes I know they are headphones, but I couldn't hear my wife and she was stood next to me, was un-canny. :-)

Get a crew cut and get these.

Bose QC 15

[Gentile]

Thanks chaps for the suggestions.

I had a look at noise-isolating (as opposed to -cancelling) earphones, but I think they only work if you're actually listening to music. Most of the time I'm just looking for peace and quiet to concentrate. Ideally library-like silence, though I don't mind a bit of work noise getting through.

[Bunk]

Thanks chaps for the suggestions.

I had a look at noise-isolating (as opposed to -cancelling) earphones, but I think they only work if you're actually listening to music. Most of the time I'm just looking for peace and quiet to concentrate. Ideally library-like silence, though I don't mind a bit of work noise getting through.

Then don't bother with earphones and just get a decent pair of ear plugs. They'll be much better at keeping the noise out and cheaper too.

[Jaws]

Besides from increasing my estimates to account for the distractions, in the past I've used a white noise app for my phone which has drowned out all external noise and it has been easy enough to concentrate on coding whilst it is playing.

[Gentile]

Then don't bother with earphones and just get a decent pair of ear plugs. They'll be much better at keeping the noise out and cheaper too.

I think you're probably right, Bunk. It's just the statement that would send.

@Jaws: ta for that suggestion. I'll give that a go before forking out for a decent set of noise-cancelling headphones or earphones if it doesn't do the trick.

[northernladuk]

I think you're probably right, Bunk. It's just the statement that would send.

@Jaws: ta for that suggestion. I'll give that a go before forking out for a decent set of noise-cancelling headphones or earphones if it doesn't do the trick.

These should do the trick and match your top to boot....

[Gentile]

Thanks, NLUK. Those would have been just the ticket, and would have matched my Android Tablet cover beautifully:

In the end, though, I went for these. They're quite cheap, and have mixed reviews, so I'm not expecting all that much from them. They should however give me an idea how well noise cancelling works. And, unlike all of the others I considered, have re-chargeable batteries.

That was a Top Tip about the white noise option, Jaws. I downloaded a free Android app that has a mixture of sounds, including heavy rain, which works very well at cutting down the distraction that exterior music represents. Very relaxing too when you're trying to get to sleep at night.

[captainham]

That was a Top Tip about the white noise option, Jaws. I downloaded a free Android app that has a mixture of sounds, including heavy rain, which works very well at cutting down the distraction that exterior music represents. Very relaxing too when you're trying to get to sleep at night.

Just put your foot down, commandeer the office stereo and crank this beauty out, bound to be a winner:

Sounds & Songs of the Humpback: Amazon.co.uk: Music