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Are noise-canceling headphones frivolous or necessary?
Until recently, I'd always silently scoffed at the travelers who boarded planes with a pair of those obnoxious noise-canceling headphones pulled over their ears or wrapped around their necks. I didn't think there was anything wrong with my (free) iPod earbuds, and the over-the-ear noise-canceling versions always seemed too bulky, too expensive, too obtrusive, and too frivolous. But now after testing out Phiaton's PS 300 NC noise-canceling headphones, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I can see the appeal and am now trying to justify the cost.Here are four reasons why noise-canceling headphones no longer seem as unnecessary as I (foolishly) once believed.
More compact than it looks
What I like about this Phiaton set, which debuted in April 2009, is that the collapsible design eradicates one of my previous complaints about being too bulky for travel. The ability to rotate the earmuffs for flat storage makes this pair a worthy rival for earbud headphones.
More affordable than you'd think
As for being too expensive, well, noise-canceling headphones will still cost more than the earbuds that come with your iPod. Bose seems to have cornered the market, and it's not uncommon for a high-end pair to run you more than $300. It's a little painful to realize that these high-end versions can cost as much as a plane ticket: PCMag.com favorably compares Phiaton's PS 300 NC ($299.99) to Bose's QuietComfort 3, which retails for $349.95. Not exactly budget travel.
Some good news: though Phiaton's PS 300 NC retails for about $300, since it has been out for about a year now, Amazon.com is currently selling it for $189 with free shipping. (Bose's QuietComfort 3, on the other hand, still shows up on Amazon.com for about $350).
UPDATE 5/3: Amazon.com seems to have increased its Phiaton price from yesterday's $189 to $279. There are also apparently only five left in stock. Someone has been buying the headphones! The lesson? Sale prices do end, so act fast.
More inconspicuous than it seems
For those who just can't stand the feel of over-the-ear headphones, noise-canceling earbud designs are available and at more affordable prices: JVC makes a solid pair for about $80.
More versatile than you'd assume
Are noise-canceling headphones too frivolous? Well, I still don't think they'll ever be necessary. Then again, not much travel gear is actually essential. I'd always assumed that people who owned noise-canceling headphones dusted them off a few times a year whenever they wanted to make plane rides a little more bearable. But as I've discovered, the right set can also soften the deafening drone of the New York City subway. Being able to hear my music or podcast? That alone could justify a purchase.
Gallery: Phiaton noise-canceling headphones
Filed under: Gear, North America, Budget Travel, Gadling Gear Review
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BrianM May 2nd 2010 9:49PM
I am a big fan of http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015BYKGI?ie=UTF8&tag=islbeastapar-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015BYKGI the Audio-Technica
Much more compact earbud style vs headset, if you turn your head to the side to sleep not an issue and they go on sale every now and again for $50 or slightly less. They do nto sound as good as the bose but they sound good and they remove a lot of the noise of a plane.
Rock K. May 3rd 2010 3:07AM
I bought my Bose noise-cancelling headphones after a short, miserable 45 minute flight with a fussy baby on board. I've flown with them several times since, not always wearing them as I enjoyed the company of the neighboring passengers. They are especially great on the longer flights drowning out the babies, loud engines and passengers. Now if we can only tie those munkins up that constantly kick the back of your seat! Thank you Bose!
alice May 3rd 2010 9:37AM
a range of headphones are arriving in the market so it is not necessary for all fashionable people 2 carry all those out-dated phones around their ears
alma May 3rd 2010 11:41AM
not only the listener profits from using noise-canceling headphones - also the people around him do! good headphones not only keep surrounding noises away fro the listener's ears, but also keep the listener's music away from people around him. we surely all agree that there's nothing more annoying than having someone sit beside you with glaring headphones, making you listen to the tunes as well...
Nancy May 3rd 2010 12:00PM
We wouldn't need noise-cancelling items if we could just turn off the noise once in a while. The constant screeching, wailing, pounding music heard overhead in every single store one goes into is monotonous, boring and extremely irritating to my ears. I carry ear plugs so I can think and concentrate on what I'm doing. Who decreed we need to be entertained 24/7? Can't we go about our business with as little noise as possible. I don't push my choice of music on everyone around me. Why do I have to listen to others' choices? Traffic noise, mall noise inside and out - it's endless.
Debby Clark May 3rd 2010 1:29PM
I have used noise-cancelling headphones for years. I use Sennheiser's lightweight version that folds to a small carrying case. It's amazing what a difference in sound there is when the noise cancelling is turned on. AFter I read an article that the noise level in a jet aircraft is higher than the ears should sustain, I use the headphones or even just ear plugs while flying anyway. I highly recommend them. I use the http://www.headphone.com website to look at reviews and their very comprehensive information on the various headphones, then shop around for the best price. They last for a while with careful use, so putting out the money is worth it.
Debby May 3rd 2010 1:34PM
The article states that the Phiaton headphones can be purchased from Amazon for $189 and free shipping. I clicked that link and it shows $279, and free shipping if you have Amazon Prime (which is priceless to me, no pun intended!). Amazon Marketplace shows a set for $219.
Amy Chen May 3rd 2010 2:28PM
hi Debby, Thanks for pointing out that Amazon.com's sale price has already changed since this story was posted yesterday afternoon. I've updated the post to reflect those changes. It's hard to believe that there are currently five left in stock (with more to come).
Pat May 4th 2010 11:10PM
Noise-cancelling headphones make longhaul flights (8 hours or more) much less tiring and help me sleep
lesturgill May 3rd 2010 8:57PM
Amy....so you were embarrassed when you realized that NC earphones actually worked. Well, you should be more embarrassed by your writing skills. If any of my English teachers had seen this sentence - "I didn't think there was nothing wrong with my free iPod earbuds." - I would still be in high school.
KFranklin May 3rd 2010 9:15PM
I use $50 noise cancelling headphones to cut the grass and they work very well. I can hear the music just fine even though the music is quieter than the engine.
brad May 3rd 2010 9:36PM
What I always thought, that the headphones lessen your stress of airline travel. I dont know where I read that because of the pitch/ noise of airlines that it raises your blood pressure, therefore one of the reasons flying is so exhausting. Well it is for me! If anyone knows if that is true I'd love to have a set. If using for flying why care how fancy they look??? As long as they work well..
Paul May 3rd 2010 9:55PM
What about noise-canceling earphones make them "obnoxious"? Just seems to make good sense to me.
CAW May 3rd 2010 10:11PM
Why on earth would you get annoyed by someone using noise-cancelling headphones? I find your characterization of them as "obnoxious" to be ridiculous. You come off as a complainer who has to comment on something that someone else has whose use doesn't involve you. I find your comments to be obnoxious. I don't own a pair of these headphones but the fact that others do does not bother me in the least. It's their money - let them spend it the way they see fit (and I'll be they'll let you do the same with however you choose to spend your money). To put it simply: get over yourself!
Tracy May 4th 2010 12:32AM
Affordable $350 headphones? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. That would pay the insurance on my truck for almost 6 months. I think I'll save my money for something a little more useful
HsouixZ May 4th 2010 12:33AM
Can someone please explain the notion of these headphones being "obnoxious"?
Do they impede on a non-wearers sensibilities in some un-known way?
Do they cause you discomfort by seeing a person wearing them, or do they intrude in another persons "personal space"/
What the hell is this author referring to when he / she says the headphones are obnoxious?
Amy Chen (author), you should be embarrassed that you are so petty.
Thank you,
Susie H.
Jason May 4th 2010 1:34AM
For seven years I flew almost everyday. I found that I could barely hear my mp3s & movies w/ normal earbuds. Being cheap, I couldn't believe that I dropped $100 for a set of Shure earbuds, which aren't truly noise cancelling but worked very well. But the wires split and broke after only a year. Pleasing my frugal heart, I found a set of Philips noise cancelling earbuds at Walmart for $29! Did they sound like a set of Bose? Of course not! But they lasted more than 3 years, being used everyday for flights, lawn mowing & snow blowing!
Laura Byrne Paquet May 4th 2010 12:53PM
I'm far from a gearhead, but I never travel without my noise-cancelling headphones (a Sony pair that cost me about $100 Canadian, which I thought was a splurge!). For the first time, I've been able to hear the in-flight movie! And I wear them all the time on my local city bus, too.