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alligator · Mar 11, 2007, 09:21 PM

I have a chance to try either Bose or Shure noise-cancelling headphones with my iPod on my next plane flight. The Bose will play sounds 180 degrees out of phase with the noise of the plane to cancel the sound. The Shure E3c headphones will block the sound similar to ear plugs. I plan to watch movies on my iPod and listen to music. Typical flight times would be 3 hours.

Which would you choose, assuming cost is not an issue? Active or passive cancellation?

Raining Down in Texas · Mar 12, 2007, 07:52 AM

I've got Sennheiser active noise cancelling headphones and they are great on plane flights. When you flick the switch on and off, you can hear a very significant difference. I haven't tried any passive headphones so I can't really compare.

alligator · Mar 12, 2007, 08:30 AM

What model number?

SSharon · Mar 12, 2007, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Raining Down in Texas

I've got Sennheiser active noise cancelling headphones and they are great on plane flights. When you flick the switch on and off, you can hear a very significant difference. I haven't tried any passive headphones so I can't really compare.

I have the HD-280s which are passive noise canceling and I have been very happy with them. I don't think I would recommend them for travel though since they are large and don't fold to a much smaller package.

imitchellg5 · Mar 12, 2007, 07:03 PM

Shure headphones are nice and small. I would choose them.

Xyphoid Process · Mar 13, 2007, 01:54 PM

Noise blocking is almost always better than noise cancelling, regardless of what Bose would have you believe. For sitting on a plane you won't do better than a good pair of Sure (or similar) headphones. I've used E2Cs on everything from 767s to 18-seat turboprops, and the difference is incredible. Not so good for running, because they act a bit like a stethascope (footsteps, cord brushing your clothing, your heartbeat etc... gets transmitted right to your ears) You may also need to get used to wearing what are essentially ear plugs, but with nine different inserts included there will be something that fits. Plus, they don't take up much space. Don't forget that active noise cancellation degrades the quality of the sound, and is most effective against steady, low sounds (good for the jet drone, not so good for someone talking next to you)

Also, the term "passive cancellation" isn't accurate, because they block, not cancel out the ambient noise.

Frugle · Mar 14, 2007, 12:18 AM

I personally believe Bose is an overhyped, overpriced set of normal headphones with a special built in EQ to give it that "bose sound"

I've been very happy with all my shure units (e2, e3 and e5s)

peeb · Mar 14, 2007, 02:27 AM

Most people who know anything about this kind of thing steer well clear of BOSE.

mkerr64 · Mar 15, 2007, 11:11 PM

i have the Bose Accoustic Noise Cancelling headphone and they are amazing.
whenever i am on the plane i take them with me and the engine sound basicly dissapears and you can talk with other perfectly.
when playing music it is crystal clear

i would strongly suggest these headphones for yourself

macmad · Mar 16, 2007, 04:52 AM

I use the Sennheiser PXC250, they're the best of all the active noise cancelling headphones I've tried.

Sennheiser USA - PXC250 - Product Details

torifile · Mar 17, 2007, 02:39 PM

As others have said, Shure 'phones are far superior to Bose. With a good fit (which you can get with the fit kit that comes with the Shures), you won't hear anything on the outside.

Swancoat · Mar 18, 2007, 09:35 AM

I had some Shure E2c and loved them. Had a bag containing them stolen, and so I replaced with the E3. I also paid up for a silicone sleeve for them (molded to your ear - $100 but well worth it). The E3 came out of an open zipper on my backpack while motorcycling, so they too needed to be replaced.

After much debate, I bit the bullet and went for the full on Sensaphonic Prophonic 2X-S. These things are awesome. Not cheap though. They're much lower profile, so they work very well under my motorcycle helmet (don't cause me to nearly tear an ear off when removing my helmet), and you can shut off the iPod, but leave them in and sleep on them on the plane with no trouble.

Jawbone54 · Mar 19, 2007, 06:58 PM

Glad that I checked this thread out. I almost started my own until I noticed it on the page. Looks like I'll be going with Shure...

WayzataXC05 · Mar 27, 2007, 12:37 AM

I own a pair of Bose Quiet Comfort 2 headphones and my friend has a pair of the shure. The bose work great for airplane rides, they block out virtually all of the engine noise, but still allow you to hear the announcements from the captain or when the attendant is giving out food and what not. The shures on the otherhand block out virtually all outside noise. You can hear a thing what is going on around you. This would be ideal for some where with inconsistent loud noise such as a subway or bus. So for a plane ride where the noise is consistent either the bose or the shures would work great. But for me the comfort of the bose wins. Granted i only played with the shures for about 30 minutes, i never could get them to sit comfortably in my ears. I've always been a fan of in-ear-buds like the Sony ex-71's and opposed to the big cans. But after using the bose i totally put the bose ahead of any bud i've ever tried. So i'd say go with the bose, but either put out great sound and block out the outside noise.

all2ofme · Mar 31, 2007, 11:32 AM

A really good place to check out models (including other brands you've not mentioned) is www.headphone.com

Another site to have a look at for reviews is http://www.head-fi.org/forums/

Etymotic Research make some lovely noise blockers, as do Ultimate Ears. Do some reading and you should end up with a good idea of what you'd like.