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Ask HN: Best noise cancelling headphones for developers

9 points by rjammala 9y ago

Do you use noise cancelling headphones? If so, which are the best ones? I am mainly interested in the noise cancelling feature.

thecrumb 9y ago
An office :)
mtmail 9y ago
Similar previous discussion, where most recommended the Bose QC35 Ask HN: What are the best noise cancelling headphones? 3 months ago, 11 comments https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14226574 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14226574 while here there are other options named Ask HN: Which headphones do you use while working? 4 months ago, 36 comments https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13978072 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13978072
conikeec 9y ago
My rating is based on 1) Noise Cancellation quality 2) Price 3) Battery Life Been using it for 3 years now, no complaints (one for office and other for home) https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-PRO-Special-Cancelling/dp/B01MCRVPO6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502052107&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=plantronics&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-PRO-Special-Canc... https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Wireless-Canceling-Headphones/dp/B00MBWIL0G/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1502052229&sr=8-11&keywords=plantronics+backbeat https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Wireless-Canceli...
- pmulv 9y ago
  I have the second pair you listed, and find them terribly uncomfortable to wear for more than a half an hour or so. I've tried stretching them on a medium-sized cardboard box but didn't notice much improvement. They make my head feel like it is being crushed, and give me a terrible headache rather quickly. They crush my ears into my skull too. The noise canceling and battery life on them are great, but if you considering purchasing these and have a slightly larger-than-average sized head, this is something you should consider.
warsharks 9y ago
noise cancelling is one thing but im assuming youre looking for something to cut you off while you work, which also means long periods wearing them. in my opinion the best option is actually isolation and to that end a pair of earbuds with a set of custom fit tips could be a good option, i have some myself on a pair of etymotic er4 and theyre spectacular, complete isolation from outside sound and comfortable enough to wear for 8 straight hours
- Spoom 9y ago
  If you're going the IEM route, try out some tips from Comply (http://www.complyfoam.com/ http://www.complyfoam.com/), I find they get really good isolation. As far as the actual headphones, I currently have UE 900s IEMs which are serving me well but I would probably compare other brands nowadays were I to buy again.
  - bradknowles 9y ago
    I tried the Comply tips. I hated, loathed, and despised them. I found the triple-flange silicone tips worked much better for me. YMMV, etc.....
drakonka 9y ago
I recently got the Bose QuietComfort 35 based on recommendation in a recent thread and am in love. I have no other noise cancelling headphones to compare to, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing, but these have been excellent for me so far. Usually my main issue with headphones is that they press too hard against my ears, which protrude slightly. These go perfectly right around my ears and don't actually touch them at all. I've worn them for hours at a time in the office with no discomfort. When I take them off it sounds like I'm suddenly in an airplane cabin.
- Andrenid 9y ago
  Another QC35 addict here. I can't live without them anymore. I rate them up with the Kindle and smart phone as my favourite tech gadgets ever.
tjt 9y ago
I really love the IEM from Etymotic Research: https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones.html https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones.html I've been using them for over ten years and only had to replace a pair once. I use the mc5's which are there lower tier option. If you have ear comfort issues you can also get custom made ear molds. They really block out so much sound it's amazing. I prefer IEM's to headphones because of the weight and heat from headphones (my ears get hot when covered).
- bradknowles 9y ago
  I loved the sound and light weight of the Etymotics, but found they were very fragile. Then I found the Shure m315, and never looked back. Well, that is until I got an iPhone 7+, which doesn't have a headphone jack. I hate, loathe, and despise Bluetooth audio, but I can't live without my battery case, and headphones don't work over micro USB. So, Bose QC35s it is. At least they've got the best ANC I've ever had, and the Bluetooth audio is slightly less horrible than anything else I've tried. Sigh.....
jotjotzzz 9y ago
The three best noise cancelling headphones right now are: 1. Sony MDR-1000x 2. Bose QC35(or Bose QC25) 3. Senheiser PXC-550 Apparently, the Sony MDR-1000X has now beaten the Bose on noise cancellation. It has a lot of cool features, such us letting you turn off the noise canceling by touching the right earphone (I believe) and touch controls. In addition, it beats the Bose with amazing sound quality. Caveat: Expensive, if bought new. There is a build/quality issue at the moment -- where the plastic in the earphone is developing cracks. So buyer beware. The Bose QC35 is/was the standard noise cancellation. I personally think this may be the best recommendation since it has been proven to be a quality product, very comfortable to wear. I personally chose the QC25 over the wireless version (to save money) and also because the QC35 battery is non-replaceable, after certain years if it dies, you cannot replace it and you are out of luck. Whereas, the QC25 batteries are AAA that you can get anywhere. It is wired version, but I am happy with it. Caveat: I own the ATH M50X, and let's just say Bose sound quality is a couple of notches below. But, if you don't know any better, you probably won't notice. The Senheiser PXC-550 has also been getting really great reviews and has pretty comparable noise cancellation as Bose (a notch below). Great sound quality. Lots of cool features like the Sony. Caveat: More expensive than Bose if bought new. I don't like that you have to position the headphones a certain way to turn it off. Could be problematic if you are thinking of just putting the headphone in your book bag without putting it in its case
rjammala 9y ago
Thanks for all the replies. I went with the QC35.
- rjammala 9y ago
  The QC35 is awesome!
chrisked 9y ago
PXC-550 from Sennheiser.
e_py 9y ago
I recently bought a pair of Sony MDR-1000x and they really work well. Some people say QC35 are a little bit better some say MDR-100x are better. I can only talk about the seconds and I highly recommend them. In addition, they have some cool touchable control on the right side. I didn't like it at the beginning but now when I use other headphones I find myself trying to touch them to pass the song or lower the volume..
- riku_iki 9y ago
  There is also significantly cheaper SONY model with similar specs: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Wireless-Cancelling-Headphone-MDR100ABN/dp/B01CQXGM5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502225535&sr=8-1&keywords=100abn https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Wireless-Cancelling-Headphone-MD... For those who is not ready to pay $350 for headphones.
michalpt 9y ago
I bought Bose QC35 2 weeks ago and I am absolutely thrilled about them. The noise cancelling is almost perfect and when I have them on and somebody speaks to me I really don’t hear anything. Unlike many other headphones I have tried they are also very comfortable. I tried Sony MDR-1000x and to be frank their noise canceling is maybe even better than the Boses, however they are so tight on my head I know I wouldn’t be able to wear them for more than an hour.
rman4040 9y ago
For inside or outside I recommend the tiny device, Flare Audio for complete isolation.

9 points by rjammala 9y ago

Do you use noise cancelling headphones? If so, which are the best ones? I am mainly interested in the noise cancelling feature.

thecrumb 9y ago

An office :)

mtmail 9y ago

Similar previous discussion, where most recommended the Bose QC35 Ask HN: What are the best noise cancelling headphones? 3 months ago, 11 comments https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14226574 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14226574 while here there are other options named Ask HN: Which headphones do you use while working? 4 months ago, 36 comments https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13978072 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13978072

conikeec 9y ago

My rating is based on 1) Noise Cancellation quality 2) Price 3) Battery Life Been using it for 3 years now, no complaints (one for office and other for home) https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-PRO-Special-Cancelling/dp/B01MCRVPO6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502052107&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=plantronics&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-PRO-Special-Canc... https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Wireless-Canceling-Headphones/dp/B00MBWIL0G/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1502052229&sr=8-11&keywords=plantronics+backbeat https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Wireless-Canceli...

pmulv 9y ago
I have the second pair you listed, and find them terribly uncomfortable to wear for more than a half an hour or so. I've tried stretching them on a medium-sized cardboard box but didn't notice much improvement. They make my head feel like it is being crushed, and give me a terrible headache rather quickly. They crush my ears into my skull too. The noise canceling and battery life on them are great, but if you considering purchasing these and have a slightly larger-than-average sized head, this is something you should consider.

warsharks 9y ago

noise cancelling is one thing but im assuming youre looking for something to cut you off while you work, which also means long periods wearing them. in my opinion the best option is actually isolation and to that end a pair of earbuds with a set of custom fit tips could be a good option, i have some myself on a pair of etymotic er4 and theyre spectacular, complete isolation from outside sound and comfortable enough to wear for 8 straight hours

Spoom 9y ago
If you're going the IEM route, try out some tips from Comply (http://www.complyfoam.com/ http://www.complyfoam.com/), I find they get really good isolation. As far as the actual headphones, I currently have UE 900s IEMs which are serving me well but I would probably compare other brands nowadays were I to buy again.
- bradknowles 9y ago
  I tried the Comply tips. I hated, loathed, and despised them. I found the triple-flange silicone tips worked much better for me. YMMV, etc.....

drakonka 9y ago

I recently got the Bose QuietComfort 35 based on recommendation in a recent thread and am in love. I have no other noise cancelling headphones to compare to, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing, but these have been excellent for me so far. Usually my main issue with headphones is that they press too hard against my ears, which protrude slightly. These go perfectly right around my ears and don't actually touch them at all. I've worn them for hours at a time in the office with no discomfort. When I take them off it sounds like I'm suddenly in an airplane cabin.

Andrenid 9y ago
Another QC35 addict here. I can't live without them anymore. I rate them up with the Kindle and smart phone as my favourite tech gadgets ever.

tjt 9y ago

I really love the IEM from Etymotic Research: https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones.html https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones.html I've been using them for over ten years and only had to replace a pair once. I use the mc5's which are there lower tier option. If you have ear comfort issues you can also get custom made ear molds. They really block out so much sound it's amazing. I prefer IEM's to headphones because of the weight and heat from headphones (my ears get hot when covered).

bradknowles 9y ago
I loved the sound and light weight of the Etymotics, but found they were very fragile. Then I found the Shure m315, and never looked back. Well, that is until I got an iPhone 7+, which doesn't have a headphone jack. I hate, loathe, and despise Bluetooth audio, but I can't live without my battery case, and headphones don't work over micro USB. So, Bose QC35s it is. At least they've got the best ANC I've ever had, and the Bluetooth audio is slightly less horrible than anything else I've tried. Sigh.....

jotjotzzz 9y ago

The three best noise cancelling headphones right now are: 1. Sony MDR-1000x 2. Bose QC35(or Bose QC25) 3. Senheiser PXC-550 Apparently, the Sony MDR-1000X has now beaten the Bose on noise cancellation. It has a lot of cool features, such us letting you turn off the noise canceling by touching the right earphone (I believe) and touch controls. In addition, it beats the Bose with amazing sound quality. Caveat: Expensive, if bought new. There is a build/quality issue at the moment -- where the plastic in the earphone is developing cracks. So buyer beware. The Bose QC35 is/was the standard noise cancellation. I personally think this may be the best recommendation since it has been proven to be a quality product, very comfortable to wear. I personally chose the QC25 over the wireless version (to save money) and also because the QC35 battery is non-replaceable, after certain years if it dies, you cannot replace it and you are out of luck. Whereas, the QC25 batteries are AAA that you can get anywhere. It is wired version, but I am happy with it. Caveat: I own the ATH M50X, and let's just say Bose sound quality is a couple of notches below. But, if you don't know any better, you probably won't notice. The Senheiser PXC-550 has also been getting really great reviews and has pretty comparable noise cancellation as Bose (a notch below). Great sound quality. Lots of cool features like the Sony. Caveat: More expensive than Bose if bought new. I don't like that you have to position the headphones a certain way to turn it off. Could be problematic if you are thinking of just putting the headphone in your book bag without putting it in its case

rjammala 9y ago

Thanks for all the replies. I went with the QC35.

rjammala 9y ago
The QC35 is awesome!

chrisked 9y ago

PXC-550 from Sennheiser.

e_py 9y ago

I recently bought a pair of Sony MDR-1000x and they really work well. Some people say QC35 are a little bit better some say MDR-100x are better. I can only talk about the seconds and I highly recommend them. In addition, they have some cool touchable control on the right side. I didn't like it at the beginning but now when I use other headphones I find myself trying to touch them to pass the song or lower the volume..

riku_iki 9y ago
There is also significantly cheaper SONY model with similar specs: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Wireless-Cancelling-Headphone-MDR100ABN/dp/B01CQXGM5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502225535&sr=8-1&keywords=100abn https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Wireless-Cancelling-Headphone-MD... For those who is not ready to pay $350 for headphones.

michalpt 9y ago

I bought Bose QC35 2 weeks ago and I am absolutely thrilled about them. The noise cancelling is almost perfect and when I have them on and somebody speaks to me I really don’t hear anything. Unlike many other headphones I have tried they are also very comfortable. I tried Sony MDR-1000x and to be frank their noise canceling is maybe even better than the Boses, however they are so tight on my head I know I wouldn’t be able to wear them for more than an hour.

rman4040 9y ago

For inside or outside I recommend the tiny device, Flare Audio for complete isolation.