Noise Headphones

If you are thinking about a good pair of sound proof headphones, you are probably thinking about a set of headphones that block out outside or ambient. Ambient noise is just a fancy term for the normal noise in your everyday environment. Examples are computer fans, noise from heating and cooling vents. It also can be from your kids, someone watching TV or cars driving by. Whatever the source of ambient noise, you want it eliminated so you can get the best experience possible from listening from the sound from the headphones without any added background noise.

Sound proof headphones fall into two major categories. Either active noise cancellation or passive units. The active noise cancellation headphone use noise cancelling technology which requires its own power supply. Most use one or two AA batteries. This type contains a small microphone outside the headphones which monitors noise. Outside noise is fed to a small amplifier and it creates and exact opposite noise to what is going on outside. This creates a net effect of zero sound. The two opposite sounds void each other out and your ear doesn’t pick up the noise.

The disadvantages of this type of headphone is the price and the requirement of having to use batteries or a power cord to power the headset in order for the noise canceling circuitry to work. Some people say the effects are worth the price and they don’t really work that great. For this type I recommend trying at a store before you make the purchase.

The second type and more popular passive headphones use a sound absorbing technology.  There are many forms of sound dampening materials to isolate your ears from outside noise.  They usually have a ear cup that fit all around your ear and surround it completely. This is a very effective method for blocking out ambient noise.

There are also a few disadvantages to passive headphones. This style is often very large and can be heavy. The rubber cups on the headphones are not a one-size-fits-all style. Pressure often has to be applied to get them to fit properly which may lead to ear fatigue. Others say they sweat around the ear from the rubber being in contact with their skin.

Whatever type you decide on their are advantages and disadvantages to sound proof headphone. Try out a couple of different styles in a store and then buy online for the best price.