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Headphones with active noise reduction system. The best wireless noise-canceling headphones. Well, like noise reduction in a helicopter

Modern types of headphones are designed to best meet user needs. Now you can listen to modern music in the subway, while driving, while jogging in the morning, and even under water. A separate class of sound-reproducing devices are headphones with active noise reduction, which provide complete isolation from the outside world.

The operating principle of these devices is quite simple; their manufacture is based on the simplest theoretical data. The propagation of sound is represented as the movement of waves; only a sound wave can be reproduced in mirror image. This action is called inverting the sound wave.

How it works? Headphones with active noise reduction have a design that is distinctive from other types of devices. On the inner surface of the case there are precision microphones that constantly measure the level of external sound flow. Then the data is transmitted to the speaker through inversion.

Those waves that don't have useful action, I act in antiphase. Through this movement, excess noise is dampened, and the main sound stream remains undistorted.

Device Features

There are no features that prohibit the use of noise-canceling headphones. These devices are very simple and practical even with active everyday use.

You just need to remember that purchasing noise-canceling headphones from an unofficial manufacturer may cause the device to quickly break down. The microphones located inside the headphones must meet modern technical standards, otherwise their service life will be very short. Today, the audio device market is saturated with low-quality fakes, the passive price of which is not too far from the cost of the original headphones.

Advantages and disadvantages

Main positive thing Using a noise-cancelling system means complete isolation from external stimuli. The user can calmly enjoy his favorite music, for example, while going to work, without hearing surrounding sounds. But, as it turned out, such headphones do not work the same for everyone and have a number of disadvantages:

The occurrence of headaches. There is a category of users for whom the isolation of sound flow causes constant headaches.
Constant irritant. Isolated sound becomes irritating when listened to for long periods of time, which is why many noise-cancelling headphones have a function to turn off the isolation from the external sound stream.

Also, such a system crosses the principle of “quiet rooms”, when isolation from external sounds leads to unpleasant sensations, and often to headaches and nausea.

The need to purchase noise-canceling headphones

This type of headphones works flawlessly in crowded places. For example, on a bus, on an airplane, on a subway, where conversations of individual people turn into a general hum that drowns out even the sound of the most powerful headphones. But not all users use these devices exclusively for listening to music. Some play audio lessons or audio books that require constant concentration and focus.

Therefore, noise-canceling headphones are indispensable when you need to focus on the material being received. Of course, no one excludes complete absorption in your favorite music, which is what headphones are usually purchased for.

Best models

The rating of the most reliable devices should start with a full-size model designed for noise suppression. The necessary functionality and wireless connection to the playback device make the Bose QuietComfort 35 II very popular and durable headphones. The high-capacity rechargeable battery allows you to enjoy your favorite music even longer.

Wireless connection via Bluetooth module
Dynamic device
Power-on indication via LED
There is a standard 35 mm mini jack connector and a detachable 12 m cable, making the model look like wired headphones
Device operating time up to 20 hours
Convenient volume control located directly on the headphone body

Noise reduction at a high level.
Ergonomically comfortable design, the headphones are almost not felt when worn.
Larger battery capacity means longer operation.

Errors sometimes occur when pairing with Apple devices.
During prolonged operation, additional noise appears in the background.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II model is recognized by users as high-quality and reliable, and is very popular among all categories of sound fans.

Budget full-size closed-type headphones that provide a good level of noise reduction. A capacitive battery will ensure longer operation of the device. The design of the case is not only convenient, but also attractive in appearance.

Reproduction of frequencies in the range from 4 to 40000 Hz
The operating time of the device is up to 30 hours, for a full charge no more than 4 hours are enough
Sensitivity is 103 dB/mW
Volume control in the form of a touch sensor is located directly on the headphone body

Maximum functionality.
The presence of a convenient Smart Listening function, which automatic mode adjusts the sound without user intervention.
Attractive and convenient design.

The location of the touch panel is not very convenient; you can accidentally touch it with your hand.
Headphones quickly drain the device they are connected to.

Sony WH-1000XM2 is the ideal combination of quality, reliability and modern functionality needed by a practical user.

The best over-ear noise-canceling headphones with lots of extra features. Sound reproduction occurs through a dynamic operating principle. Simple design and long service life.

Wireless connection via Bluetooth module version 40
Additionally installed microphone
The device's standby time is up to 360 hours; a full charge requires no more than 3 hours.
Supports 4 different profiles

Produce high-quality and rich sound. This model is often placed on the same level as wired devices.
Good noise reduction.
Ergonomic design. They are practically not felt on the head.

There is no way to disable the noise reduction function.
The microphone quality is poor, which does not allow the device to be used as a conversational headset.

The Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones (M2 AEBT) are ideal for users who prefer quality over sleek and modern design.

Review of stand-alone in-ear headphones. The design provides active noise suppression. The manufacturer uses only high quality components that have long term operation.

Wireless connection via Bluetooth module version 41
Headphones with microphone
Sensitivity is 101 dB/mW
The operating time of the device is 10 hours
A standard mini jack 35 mm connector is provided
High quality oxygen-free copper is used in the production of wires

Good bass level.
High-quality assembly and reliable components.

Low level of active noise cancellation.
The microphone quality is not good enough.

Sony WI-1000X is durable, lightweight and easy to carry. The headphones are suitable for active users who prefer music with rich bass. Can be used for phone.

Inexpensive over-ear headphones (plugs) with an attractive design and convenient design. Good noise reduction and dynamic operating principle make this model one of the first.

Wireless headphones Connection via Bluetooth module version 40
Additionally installed 2 microphones
The weight of the device is only 213 grams
High quality accumulator battery with large capacity
Dual profile support

The ear pads are of high quality, made entirely of leather.
Sound transmission occurs at a high level.
Comfortable to wear, do not create inconvenience even during active activities.

Low-quality fakes are common. These earbuds should only be purchased from the manufacturer.
Automatic shutdown in too short a time period.

The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Wireless model is the last in the top 5 and is the ideal combination of price and quality, capable of serving the user for a fairly long period of time.


Name
Frequency range	20 - 20000 Hz	4 - 40000 Hz	16 - 22000 Hz	20 - 20000 Hz	10 - 20000 Hz
Sensitivity	118 dB	103 dB	113 dB	101 dB	109 dB
Impedance	32 Ohm	46 Ohm	28 ohm	16 ohm	22 Ohm
Weight	310 g	275 g	258 g	7 g	213 g
Membrane diameter	-	40 mm	-	6 mm	40 mm
Price	from 28,000 rub.	from 24550 rub.	from 16350 rub.	from 20,000 rub.	from 15850 rub.
Where can I buy

Noise canceling headphones are one of those things that every music lover needs. This device will allow you to enjoy music anywhere and not hear what is happening around you. That is why there are a large number of popular models of headphones with active noise cancellation on the market, and many of them receive good feedback thanks to the good price-quality ratio. But we selected only the best devices and combined them into one rating. The result is a Top 10, in which you will definitely find a model that you will like.

No. 10 – Bluedio T4

Price: 4,379 rubles

Bluedio T4 are excellent wireless on-ear headphones with a microphone that can work for 16 hours without recharging. They have a sensitivity of 116 dB, an impedance of 16 Ohms and are equipped with a 3.5 mm audio jack.

This model is made of very high quality and from good materials, a solid design increases reliability. Ear pads that are pleasant to the ear and convenient controls are installed. The sound quality does not disappoint, for such a price, Bluetooth can be heard at a considerable distance.

The headphones are made from heavy cast metal. In terms of design, this is undoubtedly a plus, but metal greatly increases the weight of the device.

No. 9 – Tronsmart Encore S6

Price: 4,641 rubles

These are headphones with a wireless connection that can work on a single charge around the clock without recharging. Connection to iPhone is supported.

This device offers excellent capabilities for such a price, because most devices that can compete with it cost several times more. The design of the headphones is made in a pleasant minimalist style, the battery lasts quite a long time. Thanks to the foldable design, it is convenient to put it in your pocket. The sound is excellent, and the noise cancellation works correctly.

In terms of sound, the model cannot compete with most wired devices. The ear pads are far from universal, so not everyone will be comfortable wearing these headphones.

Tronsmart Encore S6

No. 8 – Bluedio T5

Price: 3,466 rubles

Bluedio T5 is on-ear wireless headphones with active noise reduction, which is connected via a connector USB Type-C. The device can operate up to 25 hours, has a sensitivity of 116 dB and an impedance of 16 Ohms.

This is an excellent gadget, the body of which is made of titanium and aluminum. The overlays have comfortable ear pads that keep your ears comfortable. The built-in battery lasts for a really long time. I'm glad that the USB Type-C cable is included. The main advantage is the sound insulation, which actually allows you to isolate yourself from external sounds. There is not much difference between the quality of playback via Bluetooth and via wire.

Noise reduction, of course, works, but the sound quality may decrease because of it. You can use the device as a headset for your phone only in quiet places, because the microphone does not pick up sound well outdoors.

No. 7 – JBL Tune 600BTNC

Price: 3,990 rubles

JBL Tune 600BTNC are headphones with a microphone from the popular JBL company, which have a sensitivity of 100 dB and an impedance of 32 Ohms. The foldable device weighs 173 grams, and the battery provides autonomous operation for up to 22 hours.

The device provides high-quality sound with excellent bass and good ergonomics. The headphones are durable and fit well on the head. There is a soft insert on top for convenience. The control buttons are quite convenient, noise reduction works perfectly, it is noticeable even when the music is not turned on. They work perfectly as a headset.

The design looks very flimsy, and the included cables are not the most convenient.

JBL Tune 600BTNC

No. 6 – JBL Live 650BTNC

Price: 7,160 rubles

Another headphone from JBL has a sensitivity of 100 dB and an impedance of 32 Ohms. These are full-size headphones that weigh 260 grams and can work up to 30 hours without recharging.

The device is very comfortable and feels good on the ears. The folding design is made of very high quality, there are no noticeable gaps that could lead to breakage in the future. Noise insulation is performed at the highest level, even in the subway you can’t hear any extraneous sounds. When used as a headset, both incoming and outgoing sound can be heard perfectly.

There is no charging indicator on the headphones themselves, only in a special smartphone application.

JBL Live 650BTNC

No. 5 – Sony WH-CH700N

Price: 8,800 rubles

The Sony company has released a model called Sony WH-CH700N, which is a full-size closed headphone capable of operating for 35 hours, having a sensitivity of 97 dB, an impedance of 22 Ohms, weight 240 grams, NFC support, as well as AptX, AptX HD and AAC codecs. The device can work with iPhone.

Sony spared no effort to create a truly quality headphones with excellent lows. They weigh a little and have a good comfortable design. The noise insulation is quite good, the buttons are conveniently located, which increases the ease of operation. The device is assembled with high quality.

One of the disadvantages is that wearing headphones around the neck is not very comfortable.

No. 4 – Marshall Mid A.N.C.

Price: 12,344 rubles

This model can work up to 20 hours without recharging, has a sensitivity of 99.3 dB, an impedance of 32 Ohms, a weight of 208 grams and a folding design. AptX codec is supported.

The device sits very comfortably on the head and does not create discomfort even with prolonged use. Excellent sound insulation is implemented, which allows you to save a lot of sounds that are lost due to external noise. A carrying case is included, and the folding design makes it easy to carry the device. The volume reserve is excellent, and the controls are convenient.

Headphones are quite expensive, there are worthy competitors cheaper.

Marshall Mid A.N.C.

#3 – Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless

Price: 16,839 rubles

This gadget is a full-size headphone weighing 258 grams that supports the AptX and NFC codec. There is a voice dialing function.

This model provides a very smooth sound, which is almost in no way inferior to wired analogues in quality. Noise reduction is excellent, and the sound does not deteriorate somewhat because of it. The design allows the headphones to sit very comfortably on your head. The design is implemented extremely well, the thing looks really stylish. Management is thought out to the smallest detail.

With a wired connection, noise isolation cannot be turned on. The ear pads are not suitable for people with large ears.

Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless

#2 – Beats Studio 3 Wireless

Price: 15,150 rubles

Beats Studio 3 Wireless are popular over-ear headphones with a 22-hour battery life battery life. The device has a foldable design and weighs only 260 grams. It is possible to connect the device to an iPhone.

The headphones provide clear, high-quality sound without any distortions or errors. The bass is excellent for wireless headphones. The device comes with quite a rich set of equipment. The design of the device is very stylish and looks good on the head. Soundproofing, of course, cannot drown out everything around you, but it is enough to fully enjoy the music.

Unfortunately, there is not enough volume reserve. Additionally, the ear pads are quite small for full-size headphones, but they will fit well for most users.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless

No. 1 – Sony WH-1000XM3

Price: 26,490 rubles

Sony WH-1000XM3 are premium headphones from a well-known company. They are full-size, closed, have a sensitivity of 104 dB and can operate for up to 38 hours. There is support for AptX, AptX HD and AAC codecs, as well as NFC technology.

Perhaps the best sound insulation among all the listed models is implemented here. There is a proprietary application specifically for headphones with a large number of settings.

In terms of appearance, the device looks simply gorgeous, and it weighs very little, and you can hardly feel it on your head. NFC technology has been successfully implemented, making it easier to pair with a smartphone.

Due to the specifics of the control, one of the headphones may turn off spontaneously in cold weather. In addition, the sensor may respond to non-existent touches after cold weather. The smartphone application is very demanding on resources, in particular, on battery charge.

Listed here are ten best headphones with noise reduction, which we managed to find on the modern market. Our rating includes both inexpensive and premium headphones, so anyone can find good device, which will not only satisfy all needs, but also will not empty your pocket.

When might extraneous sounds bother you? In public transport - for example, in the subway. This is the most common case when there is an irresistible desire to get headphones. We recommend paying attention to those that have an active noise reduction system. They create so-called “white noise”, which drowns out all surrounding sounds. ABOUT best models read this kind below.

The best reinforcement headphones with noise reduction system

Sony XBA-NC85D: no noise, perfect sound

Now Sony is not the only, but the most famous manufacturer of reinforcement headphones. Even musicians performing at concerts use its products. Last but not least, their choice falls on such devices due to great system noise reduction - the sound of a raging crowd is practically inaudible to the musician. Good headphones This kind is Sony XBA-NC85D.

They look good, and each driver in them is responsible strictly for a certain frequency range. Due to this, the headphones sound great - you will definitely like the sound picture. The entire structure weighs only 6 grams. Separately, it should be noted that the wires here are made of oxygen-free copper, and the connector is gold-plated.

Advantages:

Great sound;
The kit includes a case;
The headphones are very light;
The noise reduction system works flawlessly;
Gold plated connector;
Airplane adapter available.

Flaws:

Astronomical price tag;
There are only three pairs of replaceable ear pads included.

Recommendations: 5 best active headphones
5 Best Bone Conduction Headphones
6 Best Bass Enhanced In-Ear Headphones

The best wireless dynamic earbuds

DACOM Armor: the jogger's choice

Most often, in-ear headphones either tear or fail due to water getting inside them. No such problems can happen with DACOM Armor. This is a headset that has some protection against water. Of course, you shouldn’t swim in it, but the accessory is not afraid of rain or sweat. The headphones are held on the head by a tiny cord painted in a bright color.

Connection to a smartphone is carried out via Bluetooth 4.1. As expected, the user can manage calls - the corresponding buttons are used for this. As for the active noise reduction system, which is the subject of our selection, it copes with its task, if not perfectly, then quite well.

Advantages:

Cute design;
There is moisture protection;
Used Bluetooth standard 4.1;
Decent battery life;
Implemented call management;
Stays well in the ears;
Adequate price tag.

Flaws:

The weight may seem heavy and the design may not be flexible enough;
The sound cannot be called ideal.

Meizu EP51: optimal Bluetooth headphones

This is the best wireless headset that the Chinese company Meizu could create. It has a fairly long cord that can be painted in one of six colors. On the cord there is a decent-sized remote control, inside of which there is a tiny battery. The entire structure weighs 15.3 g - this is a very insignificant parameter.

Charging the battery takes two hours. As for battery life, it all depends on the method of using the headset. After all, you can just listen to music or talk with your interlocutor. well and main feature The product is supported by the aptX profile, thanks to which sound is transmitted over the air in CD quality.

Advantages:

You can manage calls;
aptX profile supported;
Minimum weight;
Bluetooth 4.0 is used;
Relatively low price tag;
Several color options.

Flaws:

The buttons on the remote control are pressed too hard;
The shape of the ear pads is not suitable for some people.

7 Best Bose Headphones

Philips SHB5850: when the weight is close to the minimum

How much can you reduce the weight of a wireless headset? The Philips SHB5850 example shows that you can keep it to 12 grams. At the same time, the quality of the headphones cannot be called insufficient at all. The device can be painted in different colors - there are at least five options in total.

Active noise reduction here does a very good job of blocking sounds in the subway. It should also be noted that with such a small weight, the headset has a good lithium-polymer battery - you can listen to music continuously for ten hours! Some complaints can only be caused by the Bluetooth module - when driving, signal dropouts occur from time to time.

Advantages:

Good sound with noticeable low frequencies;
The weight is practically not felt;
Almost record-breaking battery life;
Not too high a price tag.

Flaws:

There are no fastenings;
Unstable Bluetooth signal;
The upper frequencies are felt rather weakly.

5 Best Creative Headphones

The best wired noise-cancelling headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS: solid hard workers

Many of the headphones reviewed today come in a variety of colors. The first exception to the rule is the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS headset. You can only purchase it in black. But it sounds great - the creators tried to squeeze out all the possibilities from the dynamic type.

However, some people may find the headphones to be quiet. This is due to the high impedance (it is 32 Ohms) - many smartphones simply cannot pump up such headphones. That is why the creators added a special system here that runs on an AAA battery - it independently amplifies the sound, at the same time improving the performance of the noise reduction system.

Advantages:

The noise reduction system dampens up to 20 dB of external sounds;
Built-in amplification system;
The kit includes a case;
Wonderful sound.

Flaws:

The price tag turned out to be quite high;
The rubber pads may seem too short;
Bulky battery pack.

Sennheiser CXC 700: high and undeniable quality

These are one of the most expensive in-ear headphones, which are made of a dynamic type. Inside them are traditional membranes. But they sound no worse than drivers built into reinforcement models. This is explained by a special cable and an amplifying unit (it works using an AAA battery).

The manufacturer assures that the harmonic coefficient here does not exceed 0.5%. This means that you won’t notice much distortion even if you work in the field of music and feel like a professional. Although you can find contrary reviews online, which claim that the product sounds lousy.

In terms of design, these headphones are nothing ordinary - they look like ordinary earplugs that are sold in any Chinese electronics store. The manufacturer himself offers to connect his creation to professional equipment - for this he even included an adapter for a 6.3 mm jack in the kit.

Advantages:

The headphones operate using their own amplifier;
Low harmonic distortion and high sensitivity;
The kit includes a 6.3 mm adapter;
Airplane adapter included;
Long cable (1.4 m).

Flaws:

Having a battery pack can be annoying;
Not everyone can afford it;
Noise reduction does not work well.

5 Best Bang & Olufsen Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 20i: Elegant headphones for iPhone

All the headphones reviewed today work well with any smartphone. But none of them are optimized for iPhone - on Apple technology they offer only basic functionality. The exception to the rule is the Bose QuietComfort 20i headset. Using the buttons on her remote control, you can call Siri, manage calls and solve other tasks.

These headphones are not wireless. However, they still contain lithium ion battery. How so? And everything is very simple. It is this battery that powers the active noise cancellation system. We recommend that you have no doubt about its quality. Also, the battery pack acts like an amplifier. The cable length here is 1.32 m, which is often quite sufficient. But there are few replaceable ear pads in the kit - only three pairs.

Advantages:

Nice appearance;
Very good sound;
Noise reduction works using a built-in battery;

Updated: 02/13/2019 11:25:05

Expert: Vladislav Samoshkin

*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

More and more people are using headphones outside their home. What do they encounter, for example, in public transport? That's right, with extraneous noise. The hum in the subway can interrupt the music, especially if the person is using headphones rather than earplugs. This problem is solved by an active noise reduction system. However, in many models it does not work adequately - the music is supplemented by some extra sounds that irritate people around them more. That is why we decided to tell you about those headphones where the noise reduction system is implemented in the best possible way. Well, the models we reviewed also sound almost perfect.

Rating of the best headphones with active noise cancellation

Very expensive headphones, belonging to the full-size type. This means that they completely cover even the largest ears. This allows you to escape from external noise even without activating the corresponding function. Only the loudest sounds will penetrate through the body of the cups - for example, the rumble on an airplane or people talking on the phone in the subway. It is to muffle such sounds that an active noise reduction system is used. It works using two microphones; there are no complaints about the quality of this function. This is one of the few models that performs perfectly even without turning on music - some buyers activate only noise reduction in order to fall asleep on a train or plane, because complete silence is good for this.

Like most of the headphones reviewed here, the model called Bose QuietComfort 35 uses smartphone connectivity wireless technology Bluetooth. The first synchronization is carried out as quickly as possible - this process is accelerated by the NFC chip. Unfortunately, there is no support for the aptX codec here, so don’t even hope for perfect sound. The worst impressions come from the high frequencies. I'm glad that there is a 3.5 mm audio cable input. But the sound quality does not improve too much with a wired connection. Many buyers say that they would like such expensive headphones to sound noticeably better.

It must be admitted that at certain moments an audio cable can still save you. We are talking about those cases when the user forgets to charge the battery built into the headset. If the battery is fully charged, you can count on 16-20 hours of sound.

The product turned out to be quite heavy. But what other full-size headphones weigh less than 310 grams? And don’t forget that this representative of our rating includes microphones - they allow you not only to escape from external noise, but also to talk on the phone. Interestingly, a pairwise connection is implemented here. Another interesting feature is the shutdown timer. Some other functions are also available to the user - you should look for them in the Bose Connect application.

You will definitely like the large size of this headset. Due to the fact that the ears fit completely inside, the feeling that you are wearing something on your head will soon completely disappear. Perhaps it’s worth taking the Bose QuietComfort 35 just for the ideal design. It’s not for nothing that the name of the accessory contains the word “comfort”. But try to find a copy for relatively little money - you shouldn’t spend more than 25 thousand rubles on such headphones, which they ask for by default.

Advantages

Comfortable fit on the head;
Wired connection possible;
There is an NFC chip;
The kit includes a case;
Expanded functionality using the Bose Connect app.

Flaws

Long recharging;
High frequencies are strongly raised;
Active noise cancellation doesn't help when talking on the phone;
Voice notifications are in English only.

Another full-size headphones in our rating. Many experts believe that this is the standard in the world of products supplemented with an active noise reduction system. Indeed, it must be admitted that this function works best here. Once you turn on noise reduction, any sounds in the subway, airplane or anywhere else cease to exist for you. You can even walk near the sorting hump on railway, where the cars collide with each other.

This model connects to a smartphone or other portable device via Bluetooth. At the same time, Sony has introduced support for the AptX and AptX codecs here. If your smartphone can work with such codecs, then you will be able to hear sound in CD quality. That is, there will be no point in listening to MP3 music - you will immediately hear all the unpleasant nuances of the compression effect.

A nice bonus is the NFC chip, which significantly speeds up synchronization. Much more useful is the gold-plated 3.5mm jack. It allows you to use your headphones even if their battery is low. Also, the audio cable will be regularly used by those people who have at their disposal a simple smartphone that lacks a sound processor and support for the AptX codec. The length of the supplied cable is 1.2 m, which is enough in the vast majority of cases.

Inside the cups used here are the usual 40 mm membranes. There is also a very capacious battery somewhere inside the headphones. A full charge can last for 35 hours. At least this is the figure stated by the manufacturer. In practice, everything depends on the quality of the Bluetooth signal, the volume of noise around and, of course, the volume of the sound. But in any case, you will find close to record battery life.

An interesting feature of the product is fast switching to ambient sound mode. This allows you to ride a bicycle with headphones on - you will definitely hear the signal of an approaching car or the shout of a passerby.

Based on our description, it may seem that the headset is ideal. Unfortunately, this word cannot be used to describe any headphones with active noise cancellation. This representative of this rating is too expensive - in Russian stores they ask for at least 30 thousand rubles. Also confusing is the fact that when using bass boost and some other useful functions, it switches to the outdated SBC codec. Another drawback will be noticed by people who use headphones outdoors at sub-zero temperatures - the sensor on the right ear simply refuses to work in such conditions! Not everyone will like voice notifications about each change in the noise reduction level - they cannot be turned off, there is no such item even in the proprietary application. By the way, running program It eats up a lot of your smartphone's battery power - this is also annoying.

Advantages

There is an NFC chip that speeds up synchronization;
Good quality sound;
Stable operation via Bluetooth;
It is possible to connect an audio cable;
There is support for the AptX codec;
Optimization of atmospheric pressure has been implemented;
Through the application you can use additional functionality;
The kit includes a case.

Flaws

Some voice notifications are annoying;
Recharging takes three hours;
In cold weather, touch control stops working.

It must be admitted that outwardly this representative of the rating of the best headphones with active noise cancellation differs from its competitors. The plastic headband here is complemented by metal frames, to which the cups are already attached. The latter are full-size - the ears literally drown in them. External noise is almost inaudible even if you simply put on this accessory. Well, if you use active noise reduction, then you will only hear some kind of jackhammer working very close to you. By the way, here this function uses as many as four microphones!

The manufacturer managed to significantly lighten the design. 258 grams are felt on the head only at first. Sennheiser also decided to release several versions of these headphones - they differ in the color of the case. And one cannot fail to note the price tag - Russian stores ask for no more than 22 thousand rubles for this model.

The headphones connect to a portable device via Bluetooth 4.0. If it supports the AptX codec, then you can enjoy sound close to CD quality! However, this also depends on several other factors - for example, on the presence of a full-fledged DAC in the smartphone and the format of the file being played. It should be noted that there is also an NFC chip, which significantly speeds up pairing with the device.

This model can be used as a headset. However, don’t expect paired connections and support for other similar technologies - the manufacturer saved money on this. It's good that at least here voice dialing works. The headphones also allow you to control music playback - for this, the corresponding mechanical buttons are used on one of the cups.

The product includes a very capacious battery. Buyers write that a full charge lasts for 22 hours - this is an excellent result. But if the charge is exhausted, then this is not the end! There is an audio jack here for a wired connection. It should be noted that the sound is transmitted through the cable in better quality - this is noticeable.

The active noise reduction system works here in constant mode. This is the main difference between this representative of the rating and most competitors. On the one hand, someone may want to turn it off, but will not get this opportunity. On the other hand, this feature works so well that it has virtually no effect on sound quality. By the way, this is a rare case when active noise reduction continues to work even with a wired connection.

Perhaps the headphones turned out to be very good, they deserve the money spent on them. Problems may only arise for people with large ears - it is likely that they will find the fit of the headset uncomfortable. This is due to the small diameter of the ear pads used here.

Advantages

There is an NFC chip;
Stable Bluetooth connection;
Connection via cable is possible;
Three body colors to choose from;
The active noise cancellation system works almost perfectly;
Convenient folding design;
There is support for the AptX codec;
Not very heavy;
High quality mechanical keys.

Flaws

The diameter of the ear pads is not very large;
It is impossible to disable the noise reduction;
The price is still a bit high;
The controls may seem awkward.

Another Bluetooth headphone that supports a wired connection. They belong to the overhead type. The size is quite large, but appearance we can immediately say about maximum reliability. It is unlikely that such headphones will break even after falling to the floor from a height of human height. The disadvantage of this design is its heavy weight - it reaches 335 grams.

Like the other headphones discussed in this article, the Bowers & Wilkins PX headset is in fact wireless. Inside it is a battery with a capacity of 850 mAh. The manufacturer claims that its full charge is enough for 22 hours of battery life. In practice, this parameter greatly depends on the codec used, sound volume and some other factors. But in any case, even 15 hours is an excellent result, allowing you not to use charger a whole week (unless you listen to music all day).

The microphone here is used not only to implement an active noise reduction system. With it you can talk using mobile communications- the interlocutor will hear you very well. Synchronization with a smartphone is carried out via Bluetooth 4.1. I'm incredibly pleased that the manufacturer has endowed these headphones with support for the AptX HD codec. If you have a flagship smartphone at your disposal, then there is a high chance that it will stream music to the headset in CD quality! We recommend that owners of simple devices abandon the wireless connection method and use the supplied cable. In this case, you will hear the maximum that the 40 mm membranes used here are capable of.

The headphone electronics are equipped with three environmental filters, which allows the active noise cancellation system to work as accurately as possible. But experts note that in this regard, the product is still inferior to the models discussed above. By the way, the manufacturer recommends downloading its application to use additional functionality - it does not work perfectly on all smartphones.

Advantages

The kit includes a case;
Work via Bluetooth is possible;
Long battery life;
Implemented support for the AptX HD codec;
Good sound quality;
Nice physical buttons.

Flaws

The headphones turned out to be quite heavy;
No folding mechanism;
The application is still far from ideal.

This representative of our rating differs from its competitors in its lower price. You can buy these headphones for 12-15 thousand rubles, depending on the online store you choose. Wherein this model in many respects it is almost no different from more expensive products. It also works via Bluetooth. There is also a 3.5 mm audio jack on its body, which allows you to use a wired connection if the battery charge is depleted. There is even support for the AptX codec! In short, the buyer can definitely count on high sound quality, no matter what connection method he uses. Of course, provided you have a good sound source. It is stupid to try to connect such a headset to a simple mobile phone to listen to compressed MP3 files.

Interestingly, Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 has a built-in NFC chip. This means that pairing can be accelerated - connecting to a smartphone will take only a couple of seconds. As for battery life, the manufacturer claims 24 hours. We make allowances for increased sound volume and some other factors, resulting in 18-20 hours. Excellent result!

Charging the battery takes three hours. So far this is the standard for such headphones. No doubt, some models support fast charging, but usually they are either not equipped with an active noise reduction system, or they sound lousy - at least not good enough to be included in our rating.

Despite the capacious battery inside, the headphones weigh 289 g. Not bad for a full-size design! Please note that the manufacturer has endowed his creation with very soft ear pads, as a result of which the headset boasts a tight fit. However, some people write in reviews that even if it is too thick, this model puts pressure on their ears. But it is extremely difficult to refuse it, since in this price segment it is almost impossible to find other noise-cancelling headphones that sound just as good.

Advantages

The kit includes a simple case;
There is support for the AptX codec;
Bluetooth works without any problems;
Built-in NFC chip;
Very long battery life;
Not very high cost.

Flaws

Ergonomics are not for everyone;
Information messages are too long;
It is better to immediately disable the sensors for removing headphones from your head;
Some copies still lack a noise reduction system.

One more is enough inexpensive headphones, which were included in our rating due to their support for the AptX codec. If you connect the headset to a good smartphone via Bluetooth, you can appreciate the sound quality. Of course, it is recommended to listen exclusively to files in FLAC and ALAC formats.

These headphones do not have to be used exclusively wirelessly. On one of the cups there is an audio jack to which the supplied cable is connected. In wired mode, the headphones can work as long as you like. Bluetooth consumes the built-in battery - it lasts for about a dozen hours of sound.

The headset belongs to the full-size type. This means that its ear pads completely surround the ears. Well, the active noise reduction system allows you to hide from extraneous sounds.

In this case, you can only be upset about the materials used. There is too much plastic involved in manufacturing. Yes, thanks to this the product turned out to be very light - its weight does not exceed 200 grams. But questions arise regarding reliability. Perhaps we still would not recommend such a purchase to those people who are not models of accuracy.

Advantages

Well-functioning active noise reduction system;
Long battery life;
Uses a detachable cable;
Stable synchronization via Bluetooth;
Low cost;
There is support for AptX;
Light weight;
Convenient folding mechanism;
Good sound quality.

Flaws

The design cannot be called particularly reliable;
Recharging cannot be called fleeting.

The most affordable representative of our rating. This Bluetooth headset costs approximately 10 thousand rubles, and sometimes it can be purchased at a lower price. At the same time, the product belongs to the full-size type, and inside its cups there are the usual 40 mm speakers. There is also a microphone - it is with its help that the active noise reduction system works. The microphone can also be used for phone calls. But you may encounter problems in a noisy room - the interlocutor in such conditions will hear extraneous sounds rather than your voice.

Despite the not very high cost, the accessory looks expensive. An untrained person may well think that you bought headphones for several tens of thousands of rubles. It’s also impossible to say from the sound that the manufacturer tried to save money in any way. The bass in music is well felt, but it does not drown out the upper or mid frequencies. These headphones will definitely make you switch from MP3 to higher quality music file formats.

It is impossible not to note the high-quality assembly. It feels like such a headset should definitely survive an accidental fall onto a hard surface from a height of human height. The good news is that it is not necessary to use headphones paired with a smartphone exclusively via a Bluetooth connection. The case has the usual connector for an audio cable, which allows you to get wired headphones in the event of a dead battery. However, such situations rarely happen, because the built-in battery lasts for 20-25 hours of sound. But there is also support for the AptX codec! This means that the sound quality is wireless connection almost no different from what you will hear using a cable. Of course, this is only true when the music is taken from a smartphone that also supports AptX.

The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC headphones come with a case that can come in handy. A micro-USB connector is used to charge the headset. We did not include this fact in the list of shortcomings, since the outdated micro-USB is still used in the vast majority of wireless headphones.

Advantages

Good sound quality;
The price tag cannot be called inflated;
Excellent noise reduction performance;
Very long battery life;
Stable Bluetooth connection;
Comfortable fit;
Wired connection possible;
The kit includes a case;
AptX support has been implemented.

Flaws

Very long recharging time;
When talking, the microphone picks up too much external noise.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, active noise cancellation technology is still far from ideal. Even in the headphones described in this article, a true music lover will feel an admixture of extraneous sounds. We can only be glad that activating noise cancellation is not required too often, and when the function is turned off, the headphones perform at their best.

In our testing of the latest and most expensive noise-canceling headphones, we examined four of the best Bluetooth models available today in terms of noise cancellation, sound quality, battery life, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Bluetooth headphones with noise canceling function: Testing the noise canceling function

Bose caused a stir in 2016 with its first wireless headphones with active noise cancellation: the Quiet Comfort 35 model guarantees not only great sound, but also high-quality noise cancellation. Now the successor to the Quiet Comfort 35 II has entered the market, which in our test will compete for first place with the new Sony WH-1000XM2, Beats Studio 3 Wireless, as well as the Sennheiser PXC 550. this moment cost 20-25 thousand rubles.

The tested models have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): they are equipped with microphones that absorb ambient noise and create anti-phase sound waves, which best dampen external sounds for the listener. Their advantage over regular headphones: you don't have to turn on music to block out external noise. Accordingly, such headphones promise real silence in the workplace or on the go. Of course, construction headphones also do a good job of this task and are cheaper, but NC headphones allow you to enjoy music with very low levels of external noise, since the noise reduction adapts the music signal accordingly. And since we're talking about about rather expensive models, users can of course count on highest quality sound.

From left to right: Beats Studio 3 Wireless, Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, Sennheiser PXC 550

Noise reduction: this is how it works for all tested models.

To test active noise cancellation in conditions similar to a natural urban environment, we played typical external sounds, such as a moving train, a supermarket, and a playground, through the speakers in the test lab to test how the noise canceling of the headphones works without music.

Our test showed that the Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones cope best with this task, followed by the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. The Beats Studio 3 Wireless came in last place for this indicator, with the Sennheiser PXC 550 in the middle of the list. But not a single model could achieve complete silence. Bass and deeper mids are barely noticeable, but voices (albeit much quieter) still come through the headphones. It follows that over-ear headphones are particularly well suited for use in cars and airplanes, as they cope well with monotonous low-frequency noise. Some people, however, react negatively to such unnatural silence, some perceive it as pressure on the ears, others think they hear a slight noise. Wind, which creates noticeable noise when blowing into the microphones, has a bad effect on sound transmission in such headphones. The tested models did not perform the best in cases where a person wore a hood over them, or was in a noisy bus. In these situations, the sound constantly changes and begins to twitch, which does not happen with regular headphones. Fortunately, in such situations, noise cancellation can be turned off on all four models.

Noise-Cancelling headphones suppress street noise not perfectly, but quite well (Headphones in the photo: Sony WH-1000XM2)

Noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones reduce battery life

If you turn off noise cancellation, battery life is extended, but the headphones start to sound worse. This is especially noticeable with the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II: the bass and mids become unclear and washed out. Unfortunately, the batteries of all four models are built-in, and you won’t be able to replace them yourself. We asked the manufacturers how much it costs to replace the battery, but we were only able to get a satisfactory answer from Beats. According to the information on their home page, the cost of replacing the battery will be slightly less than 6,000 rubles. Bose says the battery is not replaceable, and Sennheiser and Sony are willing to provide cost estimates on a case-by-case basis. It is very unpleasant that headphones costing 20,000 rubles because of this threaten to become, in some way, a disposable product.

Name	Sony WH-1000XM2	Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II	Sennheiser PXC550	Beats Studio 3 Wireless
Sound	Rich, pronounced bass, generally warm, lacks a bit of definition	Clear and crisp but cold at times, good bass	More subdued bass, natural midrange response, highs dominate	Not very wide range and not very high detail, but warm and pleasant
Battery life with ANC enabled	33:50 h	18:01 h	19:49 h	23:45 h
Battery life with ANC disabled	45:11 h	20:37 h	23:09 h	42:47 h
Battery charge time	169 minutes	96 minutes	165 minutes	76 minutes
Bluetooth connection stability	Very good	Satisfactorily	Very good	Great
Wearing comfort	Great	Great	Fine	Very good
Noise reduction	Great	Great	Fine	Satisfactorily
Voice signal quality when talking on the phone	Fine	Fine	Very good	Fine
Cable connection without Bluetooth	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Works via cable connection when the battery is discharged	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
You can change the battery yourself	No	No	No	No
Foldable	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Travel case	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Control	Touch	Mechanical buttons	Touch	Mechanical buttons
Connection via NFC	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audio codecs	SBC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC, LDAC	SBC, AAC	SBC, aptX	SBC, AAC
Construction type	Full size	Full size	Full size	Full size
Weight	275 grams	310 grams	227 grams	260 grams
Price	24,000 rub.	21,000 rub.	RUB 20,200	RUB 19,900

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones, the successor to the very similar Sony MDR-1000X model, performed best: in addition to good sound, they are distinguished by first-class noise cancellation, a stable Bluetooth connection and excellent battery life, and they also sit very comfortably. With noise cancellation turned on and music constantly playing, they lasted almost 34 hours - the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II lasted only 18 hours in similar conditions.

We liked the sound overall, but it does have a bit of a bass bias, so we found it a little lacking in clarity and definition. Headphones are not very suitable for listening to high-quality sound, but at work in the office or on the road they will definitely please you with good meaty sound. Those who are not satisfied with “bass” headphones should pay attention to the Sennheiser PXC 550. The bass forms an excellent basis for the sound, which adds zest to electro, pop, and hip-hop tracks, as well as movie soundtracks (for example, Running Man by blade 2049), but still the sound in the headphones is a little blurry, and tends to go into the mid-range. In the high frequency range, the 1000XM2 headphones could use a little more clarity. For example, guitars, cymbals and tambourines are heard more openly and clearly in the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, while the Sony's are a bit muted by comparison.

The Sony WH-1000XM2 has a mechanical button to change the strength of the noise reduction. Otherwise, you can control them using taps and swipes on the right earbud.

The Sony WH-1000XM2 fits very well, with soft, pleasant-to-touch ear pads that fit your head well. The hidden touch controls on the right earbud take some getting used to: swiping back or forward lets you change tracks, and up and down to increase or decrease the volume. It seems that everything is simple, but in practice it’s a different matter; more than once, trying to simply change the volume, we switched to another track. In general, after a short period of getting used to, the controls no longer seem so difficult. The Bluetooth connection is quite stable and does not drop when the user moves to another room.

The WH-1000XM2 sits very comfortably on the head. However, from time to time the plastic creaks a little.

Testing the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II

Compared to the Sony WH1000XM2, the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II has two significant disadvantages. Problem #1: Bose headphones had the most unstable Bluetooth connection in our test. Already at a distance of three meters, the music began to go astray during testing if between mobile phone and the earphone was on the wall. Even with a line-of-sight connection, we were able to cause short disconnects simply by placing our hands on the headphones. When listening to music in these headphones, you will no longer be able to move freely around the apartment (of course, a lot depends on the thickness of the walls). Even with the Galaxy S7 and headphones close together, sudden interruptions occurred while on the go.

Problem #2: Battery life with active noise cancellation enabled. And here the Quiet Comfort 35 II showed the worst result, lasting only 18 hours in our test.

But the noise cancellation itself works just fine and fights external noise very effectively. Voices can be heard through the headphones, but very quietly, without disturbing at all. But in our test, Sony headphones performed better in this regard. Both of them can be considered almost a standard option in terms of this indicator. The disadvantage of Bose is that people standing nearby can hear quite well what music is playing in the headphones, starting at medium volume.

The sound of the headphones is very pleasing: compared to the model from Sony, the sound of the Quiet Comfort 35 II is clearer and crisper, but at the same time colder and harsher. We really enjoyed listening to jazz and classical music with them, but not so much metal, we didn’t have enough volume of sound, which prompted us to lower the volume. Dynamic range sounds great and low frequencies well defined, without blur.

The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II does not fit very tightly to the head, but it sits very comfortably.

Quiet Comfort 35 II sits very comfortably on the head, not quite tightly, but this does not interfere. However, when you turn your head quickly, they slide off. The fact that Bose still relies on mechanical buttons may seem a little outdated, but we liked it. True, some people are already unaccustomed to the fact that to switch a track you have to press the button two or three times, but you definitely can’t go wrong when pressing pause or changing the volume. By the way, Quiet Comfort 35 II allows you to work directly with Google Assistant, which makes it possible to control your phone using voice commands. This is a nice bonus, but it is unlikely to be a reason for many to buy these headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM2 will have this feature with an update.

It's quite annoying that Bose app transfers by default user data and information about your music preferences. Those who do not want this should disable this feature.

We found it quite convenient to work with the control buttons on the earphone. The big button on the left controls Google Assistant or adjusts the noise reduction intensity.

Sennheiser PXC 550

The Sennheiser PXC 550 is an excellent purchase for fans of clear and rich sound, but compared to other models we tested, these headphones are too dominant in the heights for us, and the sound sounds somewhat dry. Bass sounds okay, but models from Bose and Sony deliver it better. Depending on the track, we were either impressed by the Sennheiser basses, because they sounded less intrusive, or not so much, since they sometimes lacked materiality and conviction. The headphones convey mid-tones and voice quite pleasantly and naturally. But when listening to quieter passages, we noticed a slight background noise that was missing from other headphones. The noise reduction system of the Sennheiser PXC 550 works, in general, quite well, but still worse than that of the Sony WH-1000XM2 and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. In the office, voices are heard through these headphones more clearly than with other models. Overall, we rate the noise cancellation system's performance as Good. When testing the battery, the headphones lasted 20 hours on a single charge, a good result. When measuring the charging time, the headphones showed themselves differently: when using only power supplies, they charged very slowly, a full charge took more than 20 hours, we replaced the power supply, everything was the same. When we managed to select a more suitable device for power supply, the entire process of 100% charging took only 165 minutes, this is a completely acceptable result.

The Sennheiser PXC 550 look very serious, but they are not very comfortable to wear due to their somewhat awkwardness and rather narrow ear pads.

In the Wearing Comfort category, we would give preference to other models, although the PXC 550 fits the head quite well. But there is relatively little foam material on the ear pads, and therefore the headphones do not fit perfectly, for our taste. The Sennheiser PXC 550 as well as the Sony WH-1000XM2 are controlled using hidden touch buttons. The problem is that to activate Play/Pause here you only need to click once on reverse side right earbud (twice on Sony), which leads to frequent errors when controlling touch. In addition, two editors accidentally typed the last one typed telephone numbers, because they accidentally activated the corresponding function (swipe and hold) when putting on headphones. Our conclusion is that the controls of these headphones still take some getting used to. Additionally, this Sennheiser model has a proximity sensor, so the headphones automatically pause music when you take them off and start playing when you put them on.

Unfortunately, this feature didn't work very well when we put the hood on top, even though the headphones were on the whole time, they would occasionally stop playing a track when the wearer turned their head.

Plus: Like other headphones, the Sennheiser PXC 550 can be folded for travel.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones

The sound of the Beats Studio 3 Wireless is decent, but compared to the other three models it sounds rather unremarkable, a little flat and not particularly wide-ranging. Unlike BOSE's QC35 II, these headphones sound equally good at music of any kind, their warm sound conveys music in a slightly less detailed and more subdued manner, but it never irritated us with any track of any genre, even at high volume levels . The Studio 3 Wireless may sound a little closed, but they can be called excellent universal headphones for travel and work.

The Beats Studio 3 Wireless has the worst noise cancellation performance of any model we tested, but it still gets a "Fair" rating from us for this feature. In our testing, the difference was especially noticeable compared to models from Sony and Bose, which handle external noise much better. But when listening to music at the lowest volume, the difference ceases to be so noticeable. Like the other models tested, these headphones should not be worn in windy conditions, because the microphones transmit the wind as a rather pronounced rustling sound.

The Beats Studio 3 Wireless sounded warm, with a slight tendency to emphasize bass, but I wanted more range and clarity in the sound.

We really liked the way the Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones fit, they are very comfortable and comfortable on the head. But the ear pads themselves could be a little larger, the inner fabric padding touches the ears, and after a while they get hot. People with long hair should also be careful when wearing these headphones; the narrow connection between the headband and ear pads in testing showed that it can tear out hair quite well. Beats is controlled using mechanical buttons on the outside of the left earpiece. We quickly got used to their control and didn’t make any mistakes.

The Beats ANC headset is betting on push-button control instead of touch. Management works well.

In testing, Studio 3 Wireless showed the best stability of the Bluetooth connection, and took second place in terms of battery life: they worked for almost 24 hours on one charge. In addition, the developers equipped Beats headphones with a special Bluetooth chip optimized for connecting to Apple devices: W1.

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