Noise-cancelling Headphones Vs Noise-canceling Earphones - How Do You Choose?
As the noise levels increase in our everyday lives, people are seeking some peace and quiet in the form of noise-canceling headphones. If you have been looking into buying some for yourself, you will probably have come across the two distinctly different ways of achieving noise cancellation and may be wondering which one is best. There are headphones, which go around (circumaural) or on your ear (supra-aural) and earphones (or canalphones), which go inside your ear.
Before you start sifting through pages of conflicting online reviews, below are some pros and cons to consider which may help you to know what to start looking for, based on your own personal preferences. The ultimate choice you make will be entirely personal and based on comfort, the level of noise reduction you want, sound quality and affordability. Hopefully this will help steer you in the right direction.
Headphones
Pros:
Reviewers argue that over-the-ear provide a superior level of noise-canceling as they completely seal the whole ear
Perfect for music lovers who prefer the “surround sound” effect
Cons:
They are heavier and may become warm or uncomfortable after a while.
Not as portable and take up more space in your luggage.
Not suited for wearing during activities such as running.
Popular brands include Bose, Sennheiser, Sony and Audio-Technica.
Earphones
Pros:
Very lightweight and portable.
Less cumbersome to wear than headphones.
Perfect for music lovers who prefer the sound to be inside their head instead of around it.
Great for active people and suitable for wearing during outside activities.
Cons:
You may not be comfortable having something inserted inside your ear canal. The sound is literally next to your eardrum.
For better noise isolation, the seal must be tight and it may be difficult to find the perfect fit tips
Popular brands include Shure, Etymotic, Ultimate Ears and Sony.
Even if you visit online forums where this issue is still being debated, it is clear that the answer is not whether noise-canceling headphones are “better” than noise-canceling earphones, but instead is a matter of each individual’s personal choice. Noise-Cancelling Headphones-Compare The Best is Jamie’s blog, with a detailed summary of top review findings and prices. You can also find the reviewer’s top picks for the lowest prices online at Jamie’s website Cancel The Noise.