Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Silence Commutes
For commuters and travelers faced with noisy planes, trains, and buses, noise cancelling headphones are more than a luxury: they’re a necessity, blocking extraneous background noise so you can enjoy your music in peace.
A side benefit of noise cancelling headphones is the ability to hear better without cranking up the volume of your media player, cutting down on the risk of hearing damage down the road.
Noise cancelling headphones employ two chief methods of ambient noise reduction: passive and active.
Passive noise cancelling headphones use earcups or in-ear speakers to block noise.
Active noise cancelling headphones block sounds such as plane engines and train vibrations by creating electronic interference patterns.
A wide variety of noise cancelling headphones are available that fit the needs and budgets of everyone from the casual listener to the serious audiophile.
Choosing the noise cancelling headphones that are right for you is simple once you understand how they work and what they offer!
How Do Noise Cancelling Headphones Work?
Active noise cancelling headphones use electronics to identify and block steady environmental sounds. They do this by picking up ambient sounds with tiny microphones built into the outside of the headphones, and creating sound waves that mimic the unwanted noise.
Here’s the tricky part: the mimicked sound waves are 180 degrees out of phase with the original sound, creating an “anti-noise” signal or interference pattern that cancels them out. The result is fuller sound at lower volumes.
Active noise cancelling headphones work best on steady frequencies in the lower register. They are ideal for cutting down on noises such as refrigerators, car engines, or the constant background hum of an airplane.
One downside of active noise-cancelling technology (particularly in low-end headphones) is background hiss, although this tends to be less of a problem when audio is playing.
Additionally, high frequencies and intermittent sounds are more difficult to capture and cancel. Thus, active noise cancelling headphones won’t do much to cut out conversations.
Another downside of active noise cancelling headphones is battery drain. While some models allow headphone use when the battery is dead, others won’t pass any signal at all.
A power switch that allows headphone use without the electronics engaged is an often overlooked but crucial feature that allows listeners to prolong battery life.
Pick the Noise Cancelling Headphones that Are Right For You
Noise cancelling headphones are available with a range of prices and features to satisfy nearly everyone, whether you’re a discriminating audiophile or a commuter on a tight budget.
AudioLinks offers a variety of noise cancelling headphones to fit a variety of needs and budgets. Get expert advice from our staff of technicians at 407-757-3326 or send us an email!
