Interesting Product !
Pros:
Does filter out a range of surrounding noises. Great sounding headphones. Inexpensive.
Cons:
Active noise cancellation frequency range is rather narrow.
The Bottom Line:
I would recommend these if you can't afford anything better, and want to cancel out low frequency noises.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I bought these headphones, because they were the most affordable active noise reduction headphones available that enclosed around one's ears. There are four other ANR/ANC headphones in the same price range: CyberAcoustics, Philips, Sony, and Seinheisser. But currently none of them offer headphones that cover the whole ear. They just have pads that rest on the outter part of the ear.
I found these headphones to be really comfortable. But everyone is different. Of course, your ears tend to get warm after a while because they are totally enclosed.
Specs:
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 32 ohm
Noise Reduction: 40 Hz - 12 kHz, >19 dB
I'm not sure how Altec Lansing figured what range of frequencies are muted, but I found the range to be much smaller. I used an audio program (Cool Edit), to generate tones at different frequencies. I found it only worked from about 55 to 550 Hz. If you want to see how it sounds with the headphones on, use a sound editing tool and set up a filter to filter out sound from 55 to 550 Hz by -15 dB. I did this myself, and it sounded fairly similar to when the headphones are on.
It seems to be another case of creative marketing/packaging.
Other noise cancelling headphones offer around 15 dB noise reduction between 30 Hz - 1.5 kHz. So obviously Altec Lansing's specs are a false claim.
When noise cancellation is turned on, it does put pressure on your eardrums. The sensation is similar to when you change altitudes quickly. It's effective noise cancelling range is fairly narrow. It's a unique sensation when you
turn it on. It doesn't make everything silence, but a huge amount of low and medium tones are removed. You can still hear people talk when turned on, but all of the lower tones are removed. Computer hum, and fan noise is likewise quieted, but still audible.
I also found I could listen to music at a significantly lower volume when there was a stereo or television nearby that was playing at a moderate to loud volume.
I found the sound quality while listening to music to be very good. I am fairly picky about sound quality of speakers and headphones, so they'll satisfy the average consumer as well.
I haven't had a chance to try these out on an airplane, but I will update this review after my next trip.
Nu-Image Corporation
