If you want to listen to music while in an otherwise noisy environment, headphones that feature active noise cancellation (ANC) technology are essential. This feature removes ambient noise such as whirring fans or office chatter from affecting the listening experience.
Bowers & Wilkins’ PX8s are an updated version of their more acclaimed predecessor, the PX7 S2. Boasting luxurious design and outstanding sound quality with physical buttons instead of tap/swipe ear cup gestures, these headphones boast outstanding value.
Comfort
No matter where your day finds you – transit, office or home work – noise cancelling headphones offer an ideal way to focus on music while blocking out distractions. They’re particularly beneficial when travelling by public transit or flying; additionally they can block out background sounds like computer fans or lawnmowers from disturbing your concentration.
Noise-canceling technology (ANC) uses microphones to monitor ambient sounds that might disturb you and then emitting soundwaves to cancel them out. While it’s not perfect – lower frequency sounds such as engine rumble or footsteps may still come through – high-rated models have improved since previous models.
The JBL Px8s offer outstanding noise cancellation at an excellent value. These fold flat headphones feature a carrying case, making portability simple, while their 30 hours of battery life make these an impressive value for such an inexpensive pair of headphones. Furthermore, their support of aptX and HD audio protocols allows users to use these with higher-quality sources of music or podcasts.
Sound
A quality pair of noise canceling headphones will allow you to listen to music uninterrupted. While our list contains models which will block out some ambient sounds – like those produced by airplane or train engines, your seatmate’s animated chatter and even air conditioning units in your own home – they won’t completely eliminate all sound.
Depending on your model, ANC settings may allow for fine-tuning to reduce low-frequency sounds while keeping higher audio frequencies intact. Certain units even come equipped with dedicated settings specifically for this function.
Focal, the French audio company, is well known for producing premium headphones at an equally premium price point. Their PX wireless noise-canceling headphones are no different – boasting superior build quality and noise cancelling abilities that rival Bose and Sony. Their deep bass response, crisp highs, and rich trebles make these an exceptional choice for air travel or commutes by bus, train or car as well as listening at home to hi-fi audio or digital streams on your phone or computer.
Design
Nearly every pair of headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC) offers various customization options to let you customize the sound profile and block ambient noise as desired. Some even support smart voice assistants and boast long battery lives with fast charge capabilities.
No matter if it’s Foo Fighters or Miles Davis that’s getting your juices flowing, these headphones offer a full and rich sound profile with excellent anti-noise cancellation (ANC), customizable via an app for maximum effectiveness.
Focal’s wired headphones have earned them an outstanding reputation at competitive prices, but its first venture into wireless noise cancelling – Focal ANC headphones – are an impressive effort in terms of sound quality and noise reduction capabilities. An app allows users to customize it according to personal hearing and musical taste while they also look fantastic thanks to a sleek matte finish design that’s sure to win fans over.
