Altec Lansing AHP712 Consumer Headphones

The previous review titled "Great headphones for high noise environments" gives a very detailed and correct description of these headphones. I agree that the earpads do get warm if the ambient temperature is also warm. But they never got uncomfortable. I did not have a problem with the very low "white noise" that they create because I only heard it if there was NO music playing and it was so slight compared to some other headphones I have tried that I can truly say it should not be a problem for anyone that is considering the active noise cancelling headphone option.

First, let me inform you that I am not a professional audiophile. However, I do think I have a reasonably good ear for detail and I enjoy a wide range of music styles. I must inform you that I grew up during the Rock-n-Roll era and I do like to listen to music at elevated levels. These headphones sound great when turned up to their maximum level, but I do not think they can be turned up so loud that it hurts your ear, or at least not mine.

I am still amazed by the excellent full range sound reproduction (when power is switched on). I have even noticed that faint slight squeak made by fingers on guitar strings in some songs that I did not notice on any other headphone that I listened to. And the previous reviewer is also correct about the bass, when it is the right song and the volume is turned up you can actually feel it. I have not felt bass that good from any other set of headphones, even the highly rated standard Sony V700DJ's. So if you are a Rock-n-Roll person, these will impress you.

I travel about 1/3 of the year and most are the long boring international trips. I was first introduced to the noise cancelling type headphone by my son. He gave me a set called "Centrios". I think they are made by Uniden. They were very inexpensive, about $40. I did not expect much but was truly happy with their ability to cut out the drone of the jet engines. On a long international trip they were worth the $40 just for the sound deadening. However, the music sound quality and the small ear pads that pressed down on my ears left a little to be desired.

I have now tried several different headphones ranging from less than $20 to $199. I tried the above mentioned Uniden Centrios ($40), the JVC HANC100 ($79 with a neat retractable cord), the Sony MDR-NC20 ($199), Sony MDR-V700DJ($150) along with several pairs of earbud type devices that rest at the opening of the ear. I think there are several of these earbud type headpnones that are comfortable and offer very good sound quality, but are not good for sound cancelling and do not offer bass you can feel. I also tried the highly advertised and regarded ear canal Shure brand, but found that I do not like to have anything inside my ear canal for very long and I was very disappointed in the lack of bass from those devices. I have tried all sorts of headphones and earbuds over the last few weeks in the quest for something that will make my travel more relaxing if not enjoyable. I think these Altec Lansing AHP-712 headphones are going to be well worth the $60 I spent on them at Amazon Marketplace. I would have been happy with them even if I had spent the MSRP of $149. I have not listened to the Bose QuietComfort $300 noise cancelling headphones, but I cannot imagine how they can sound so much better that anyone would want to spend over $200 more just to be able to say they own a set of Bose headphones. I have never felt that I needed to impress anyone with how much money I can spend. I would rather impress them with intelligence. And based on the wide range of headphones I have listened to the Altec Lansing AHP-712 headphones are one of the intelligent noise cancelling headphone choices.

Unless you are one of those extremely opinionated "audiophile" types or you care more about appearing to have a lot of money and want to give the appearance that you can afford high priced gadgets, these headphones a very wise purchase over the $200-$300 varieties that are out there. I would even pick the Altec Lansing AHP-712 noise cancelling headphone over the standard professional headphones I have tried based on sound quality and price.

The only thing I would change would be the in-cord volume and power module. I would prefer to have these controls incorporated into the earcups so I do not have to worry about stuffing a module into my pocket so it does not get caught on anything while I move about the airplane. On a general note about travel headphones, I really liked the retractable cord in the JVC headphones. Assuming the retraction device does not break easily (which it probably does), it should be standard on all headphones that will be stuffed into a briefcase or used for travel.

Hope this helps anybody that is trying to decide whether to buy a set of noise cancelling headphones. I do not think you will be dissatisfied with the Altec Lansing AHP-712. But I have not had these for very long and do not know how they will hold up over time. If the large cushioned drawstring bag that comes with them is any indication of their quality they should do quite well.