Been wanting a pair of noise cancelling headphones for a while for air travel, especially around this time of year as I have to take a tiny (and very noisy) propeller plane to see my parents. Obviously the gold standard are the Bose QC25/35, but I can't stretch to those at the moment. Was resigned to doing without, but then saw the price had dropped on these at Richer Sounds. Had been considering them as What Hi-Fi said they were best in class in their 2015 awards (the price bracket immediately below the Bose QC25s), but the price differential wasn't that high when I'd previously looked - now that they're £100 cheaper than the Bose, I thought it was worth a punt.
Also available in store - still listed at the previous price, but went through at £149
EDIT: Another deal posted reminded me of the VIP Club newsletter - the last one I received had a generic £10 off any purchase over £100, making these only £139 in store! (I'm assuming that everyone gets the same newsletter) If, as I had, you'd forgotten about this when purchasing, you can go back to the store with your receipt and they'll refund you the £10
18 comments
madbull
10 Dec 16#1
just wish these where wireless :disappointed:
robatt to madbull
10 Dec 16#2
can you use wireless on Planes?
ljstrawson
10 Dec 16#3
Yes.
terrestris
10 Dec 162#4
Just giving these a quick test on the Underground whilst I'm typing - noise cancelling works well. Not Bose level of absolute silence (not that I was expecting that), but the overwhelming majority of background noise is gone. Announcements can still just be heard, but a are easily quelled by music. Worth bearing in mind that I've only tried the Bose in a store (albeit a busy store), not in real life, so I can't do a truly fair comparison. All in all, I'm pleased with them, but the real test is air travel later in the month.
terrestris to terrestris
14 Dec 16#16
I've now used these on a plane (typical jet aircraft), and pretty much the same comments apply. There is a little bit of sound remaining, similar to light wind rushing past your ears, but the engine noise is gone on the whole - turning the noise cancellation off gives a noticeable difference. Announcements cut through easier, presumably because there is more sustained background noise to kill, but there typically aren't frequent announcements on planes.
Hopefully, the same effect will be had on the tiny prop plane I'm due to take in a couple of weeks!
MBeeching
11 Dec 161#5
This trip in the tiny propeller plane sounds rather filmesque!
You must be sick of it to wear headphones :smiley:
terrestris to MBeeching
11 Dec 16#9
Oh the views from the plane are great - flying over the Scottish Highlands at relatively low altitude (as it's a prop plane) - but the noise is horrendous! It's impossible to drown it out with normal headphones, even at what would normally be 'make your ears bleed' level of volume, and because of the size of the plane it doesn't make any difference where you're seated.
memawheeze
11 Dec 16#6
Xmas present sorted, thanks!
smallsteve
11 Dec 16#7
I have a pair of these and i bought a pair for my Son - only because there was a deal on customer returns!
I find them very comfortable, excellent build quality and the sound is very good with noise cancelling on. With it off, they sound a bit flat to me so it is always on.
stringsonfire
11 Dec 16#8
Wouldn't say the Bose QC25s or 35s are the Gold Standard anymore...
This looks like a great price, might give them a go!
terrestris to stringsonfire
11 Dec 16#11
What would you suggest instead as the gold standard?
madbull
11 Dec 16#10
Curry's in purley way has these on clearance for £139.97, plus today you get an extra 10% off. 7 left of it helps anyone
Hal
11 Dec 16#12
The Goldring NS1000 are a solid purchase for £69.00 as an alternative.
MisterHDUK to Hal
12 Dec 16#15
i looked at them and didn't proceed as there were a few snapped headbands. see Amazon for details. but otherwise they're very highly regarded.
stringsonfire
11 Dec 16#13
Check out the latest from Sennheiser and Sony
terrestris
12 Dec 16#14
I know the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are well regarded for noise cancellation (and generally) - they'd be my ideal choice over the Bose as they sound better, but they're also £100 more.
praevalens
19 Jan 17#17
Sold my qc 35 and have picked up these today. Looking forward to trying them
terrestris
25 Jan 17#18
Took the promised prop-plane flight (Saab 340B - known to be really noisey) at the beginning of the year - as expected, the noise cancellation isn't anywhere near as effective under these circumstances. It doesn't come close to eliminating the noise from the props (I would've been amazed if it had), but it does reduce it substantially (from a headache inducing drone that doesn't permit conversation or listening to music to a level that can be easily tolerated or covered by music).
As I said previously, on normal jet aircraft and general public transport these work very well - in fact I'm starting to wonder how I managed without them! If, however, you frequently travel on flights between the Scottish Islands then just be aware that these won't have the same effect (not that you'd want to be without them under any circumstances!)
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Opening post
Also available in store - still listed at the previous price, but went through at £149
EDIT: Another deal posted reminded me of the VIP Club newsletter - the last one I received had a generic £10 off any purchase over £100, making these only £139 in store! (I'm assuming that everyone gets the same newsletter) If, as I had, you'd forgotten about this when purchasing, you can go back to the store with your receipt and they'll refund you the £10
18 comments
Hopefully, the same effect will be had on the tiny prop plane I'm due to take in a couple of weeks!
You must be sick of it to wear headphones :smiley:
I find them very comfortable, excellent build quality and the sound is very good with noise cancelling on. With it off, they sound a bit flat to me so it is always on.
This looks like a great price, might give them a go!
As I said previously, on normal jet aircraft and general public transport these work very well - in fact I'm starting to wonder how I managed without them! If, however, you frequently travel on flights between the Scottish Islands then just be aware that these won't have the same effect (not that you'd want to be without them under any circumstances!)