Is it harmful to my ear to wear noise canceling headphones for a long time only to cancel the outside noise?
Don't worry about using them just for noise cancelation, I've been doing just that for years on flights and my hearing is still excellent. They DO create an inverse sound wave that mostly cancels the outside sounds, but it's almost always a very low level audio signal well below any OSHA exposure restrictions. The only danger from headphones, noise canceling or not, is when you play them at too loud a level for long periods. Good headphones have such low distortion levels that one can be very tempted to turn the volume up to levels more harmful to your hearing than would commonly be possible with everyday loudspeakers and amplifiers (at least without your family or neighbors complaining)! This would never be the case with just the noise canceling circuits active. As you've probably discovered, however, the active canceling is most effective with low level repetitive low frequency sounds, and loses much of its usefulness blocking voices or higher frequency noises. This is why they're ideal for plane flights with the low drone of the engines being dramatically reduced, but unfortunately not your seatmate's conversation or the crying baby in front of you!I should mention, if you really need to block out higher frequencies like voices, you should instead look at inexpensive passive foam earplugs, which reduce a much wider range of frequencies than the BOSE or any other headphone. These are equalled only by some professional over-ear passive hearing protectors, as used by helicopter pilots and industrial workers and gun or artillery-manning soldiers.
Is it OK to wear Bose QC15 headphones whilst exercising?
Is it OK to wear Bose QC15 headphones whilst exercising just want to make sure I am not damaging the electronics within the ear cup with excess moisture from sweating. Also does the earcup leather thingy gonna deteriorate from sweat even after I wipe sweat afterwards? Any help much appreciated so thank you in advance.
Monster vs. Sony vs. Bose noise-cancelling headphones?
I am going to buy new headphones, probably a noise-cancelling since I was impressed when I listened to my friends (not in ear or anything else)! I am a avid music listener, price does not matter much, and I care a lot about the sound quality. I want honest real-world user opinions! I looked closely at CNET and stuff, just want to use Yahoo! Answers as a reference too. Pros and cons would be helpful, but you do not have to. I see countless people with Beats by Dr. Dre, but it looks like they are not that good. Bose and Sony are famous names and it looks like the reviews are pretty good. If there are other good brands I am missing out on, please tell me (I also know about Skullcandy, Sennheiser, and Grado). I do not want any "BEATS BY DR. DRE!!! XD" or "Bose, no questions". Thanks a lot in advance!
Do you prefer in-ear headphones or the bigger ones that go over your ears?
I would respond that both have their advantages and inconveniences, depending on the situation and location where you use them.At the gym, or during health walks, which involve some degree of sweating and heat, in-ear monitors are definitely the choice.When relaxing at home doing critical music listening, over the ear cans tend to be more comfortable for long sessions, and fantastic sound quality can be achieved at a lower price point than with in-ear monitors.I use a SONY’s wireless WH-1000XM2 during plane travel - great sound, very comfortable, AND, excellent noise canceling for countering the plane’s inherent noise.At the gym/walking for health, I use BOSE sound sport wireless in-ear monitors. My first in-ear wireless headphones, so I can’t really compare… But the sound is quite good, although the BOSE sound signature (accent on bass and highs, less performant in mids…) is a matter of taste. They are fine for me, as when I exercise, my focus is not on sound quality per se…At home, relaxing, I use a fairly cheap Audio Technica ATH-M50X that is much touted for its great, uncolored sound signature. Meaning, no excess in any particular area (bass, mids, highs), and very “clean” sound.To make a long story short, you need to determine your needs, budget, and start reading reviews and forums…Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.orgHeadphone.com - Read Expert Reviews And Shop For Premium HeadphonesHeadphones - AVS ForumEtc… do your homework before spending your hard earned $$$Good luck and happy listening
What are the best headphones to plug into a guitar amp? What headphones best reproduce the sound created by your amp?
As others have noted, with a few exceptions, the headphone out jacks on guitar amps don't emulate the sound of your speaker, so what you get in your headphones is pretty clinical, at best. There are some amps these days that include speaker emulation in their headphone outs. I think most of the Roland Cube series have this feature. Another option is to use a guitar/computer digital interface. I have an old Line6 TonePort UX2 (they rebranded it POD Studio, at some point) with an excellent headphone out and lots of amp/cab/mic models that is perfect for practice and, even, near-silent recording. I used to practice and record a lot in the dead of the night with this thing, while my wife and infant son slept. But this requires a computer and a free USB port, so it might not be what you're looking for. As another offbeat option, my Digitech JamMan Studio has, in addition to its looping abilities, a dedicated headphone out, along with volume controls for the instrument and loop. And it's perfectly good for practicing (and you can run the rest of your pedals into it, to shape your sound). It's not as versital as the Line6, but it's still pretty solid, and it keeps you from having to get a laptop involved (which I prefer to avoid).Guitar Center has a category for headphone amps:http://m.guitarcenter.com/Catego...
Do noise cancelling headphone cause headaches?
I would like to say if your having headaches try an experiment.Stop wearing headphones for a few weeks and see how many headaches you recieve.Yes you can receive headaches if you have good hearing. Certain tones may affect you. But try the experiment.Just remember everyone is different, everyone.
What are the best headphones for design-conscious daily commuters?
I am personally not a fan of closed headphones for use on a bike (unless it's a stationary bike)--I want to hear what's going on around me when I'm that vulnerable. I like the Sennheiser PMX 680i, for its combination of durability through exercise (moisture/sweat/rain resistant), sound quality, and that it doesn't completely block ambient noise during times I'd probably want to still be able to hear what's going on around me. (It also comes with an in-line three-button mic/remote.) Designed in conjunction with adidas, the PMX 680i is definitely stylish.With $300 to spend, you'll still have plenty left over for something else that would serve the bus role better. On a bus (assuming you don't need to hear the stops being announced), I'm more comfortable with a lot of isolation from ambient noise (than when I'm on a bike). A good in-ear would work well to block ambient noise (start by looking at in-ears from Shure, Westone, Ultimate Ears, and Etymotic) . If you're the type who can't get comfortable with in-ear headphones, then an obvious pick for an over-ear commuter headphone is the Bose QC15, which sounds pretty good, and has active noise canceling that (in my experience) clearly surpasses any of its competitors. It is certainly not stylish, though.If the "stylish" part is really important to you, look at headphones by V-MODA (the M-80 if you're good with an on-ear, the larger Crossfade LP2 if you need around-the-ear), Moshi (I really like the Clarus), and Bowers & Wilkins (all of their headphones are stylish), none of which have active noise cancellation, but all of which do a good job of passively blocking noise, and all come with in-line controls with volume. (Not all come with fabric-covered cables, but I haven't had tangling problems with any of the ones I mentioned.)Long story short, since one of your use cases (biking) is one in which I prefer a more open headphone, and the other use case (bus) is one in which I prefer a closed headphone, I suggest two different headphones.
What's the best set of active noise canceling headphones for use on airplanes?
I'm very happy with my Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones. I use them on the train, mostly, and pretty much all of the ambient noise is filtered out. Conversations and specific sounds come through though, but muffled. The atmosphere can be described as sitting in a library with a few other people: quiet, but not completely silent.They come with a protective case that's quite useful and handy, I use it all the time. They are fairly small, yet comfortable and provide very high sound quality.You do need one AAA-battery for power, but it lasts a very long time. I carry around a set of batteries, and I use about one every four months.They're not cheap, about $ 200, but well worth the money. A lot better for your hearing than earbuds too, I'd never go back to those.
What low-budget active noise cancelling headphones should I buy?
I have been loving noise canceling headphones, for almost 10 years. I love those because I do international flight lot. Let me explain my preference.I started from over-ear noise canceling headphones. Those are major type of the noise canceling headphone now. But after once I tried inner ear type, I found those are good for my purpose. Inner ear headphone itself has good insulation from outside noise. What noise canceling circuit should do is just small further push to reduce remaining noise. This is far simpler and efficient.Therefore, most of inner ear noise canceling headphones are relatively less expensive. But it no necessary mean they are poorer sound. In my answer, I often suggest audio-technica but I trust this company very well. So my suggestion is,ATH-ANC33iS - QuietPoint® Active Noise-Cancelling In-Ear Headphones | Audio-Technica (ATH-ANC33iS - QuietPoint® Active Noise-Cancelling In-Ear Headphones | Audio-Technica)Which is less than $100 and I have three of blue tooth version of them.By the way, all noise canceling headphone’s sound get worse time by time. I think it is because loss of precise adjustment. So you should replace them roughly every two years to maintain best performance.