[obviouspig]

Originally Posted by HK_Newbie100

Hey obviouspig...have you owned any other earphones like the Shure e5c or e4c, or maybe the Ultimate Ears Super fi pro 5 prior to what you've got now. I ask because I'm using the UE Super fi pro 5s right now and I'm wondering if it's worth upgrading to the UE 10 pros. Is there a huge leap in performance to justify the extra cost when I'm just using them for my MP3s, at lot of which are just 128 bitrate downloaded from net?

i used e5c with its triple flanges for about a year before upgrading to the ue10p's. soundwise, i am not an audiofreak, i couldn't really tell the difference in sound quality between the two, but i did find the custom fit earpiece of the ue10 to be infinitely more comfortable than the triple flange (because the ear piece doesn't go as deep into the ear canal, and becuase the piece just fits, rather than "expands to fit") and yet blocks out more noise (because the custom fit hugs the opening of the ear canel)

quantitatively, i was able to lower the volume setting on my mp3 player about 15-20% switching from the e5c to the ue10p, which speaks to the noise reduction.

it was worth the upgrade for me for sure. but u have to get the mould done in hk and send it over to the US which is some hassle.

[kiwi_bc]

I have Sony MDR-NC11. They were about HKD1300.
I think the earphones themselves cut out more noise than the NC.
I bought it to use on aircraft but not as good as I would expect for the $.
It does cut down the noise in the MTR so the volume not as high by about 25%.
It is compact but then there's more wires.
I heard that getting a similar model without the NC might be better value.

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by freeier

the term noise cancelling headset is interesting.
does it cancels all noise ?
i have the impression that it cancels the low frequency noise (e.g. plane murmurs) but doesn't do much for other higher pitch stuffs. e.g. people's chat and train screech...

I have a pair and they don't really cancel noise, they just deaden it. Sort of like ear plugs--they make everything harder to hear, but you can still hear. Works nicely on a plane because once you fall off to sleep all those little rattles and movements won't wake you up.
I must admit, though, that mine did not cost US$1,000; more like $150.
I always wondered if those big ear-muff type that people use on gun ranges would work better than the noise cancellation types. No wires on those, they are just bulky.

[jayinhongkong]

I use Panasonic in-ear type headphones (Japanese version) myself. They block out a fair amount of noise and they sound great. I can't really afford to upgrade right now, so I'm stuck with 'em. Creative have some good in-ear ones coming out soon...if they aren't already out...

[TwistedFates]

It isn't noise cancellation you're after. It is noise isolation buds or closed eared headphones.
Noise cancellation technology is rather spotty. Bose's set is ok but audiophiles have always slammed the quality of the audio. Furthermore, noise cancellation works by countering ambient noise with white noise thereby adding more noise usually which in my opinion polutes the quality of good sound.
It is better to go noise isolating with canal earbuds like the Shure, Etymotic, or ultimate ears if you listen to high quality stuff and have some money to throw around. If you just want to block out the old man across the seat from you who figures that just because the person he is talking to is miles away he has to yell into his cellphone, and don't want to blow lots of money, the Sony's are good enough.

[freeier]

huh ? noise cancellation by more white noise ?
no lah. noise cancellation is by matching the received noise with a counter phase noise that serves to cancel out the original noise. its definite not a white noise (which by definition is random noise), if it is then everyone's been taken for a ride.

[esque]

Hi, I too would like to get some noise cancelling headphones, mostly to reduce the sound of people talking on the bus. Sometimes they're so loud it hurts.

Can someone suggest a good place to buy them in HK? I'm not looking for the in-ear ones, just the ones that cover over the ears with some noise cancelling would be great. I don't care at all about the quality of sound played, as I'd rather just have a slightly more peaceful ride.

[obviouspig]

Originally Posted by esque

I don't care at all about the quality of sound played, as I'd rather just have a slightly more peaceful ride.

In that case, why not just get some foam ear plugs (such as these http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/difoearpl.html) ? They are cheap and can be used quite a few times before they loose their shape. You can probably find these at sports stores.

[migao]

Hmm, I think my need is similar to that of esque, not looking for terrific sound quality, but simply want to keep the noise out as much as possible and listen to my mp3's at the same time - I'm currently using Nokia N91 with its own headset yet I worry I'm setting my volume a bit too high (as N91 has pretty good sound capacity) when traveling in MTR.

Did some further empirical study about the noise level in MTR, it does get very noisy basically anywhere where the MTR is able to speed up, it's just that when crossing the harbour that full speed continues for longer.

I also started to consider swapping MTR to bus, downsides are many but could perhaps spend the time more efficiently, sit down and listen to language material and even read the materials at the same time...

From above suggestions (thanks to you alll!) it seems that Sennheiser PX200 could do the job for me at a reasonable price, I'm neither too fond of the in-ear models.

[TwistedFates]

Originally Posted by freeier

huh ? noise cancellation by more white noise ?
no lah. noise cancellation is by matching the received noise with a counter phase noise that serves to cancel out the original noise. its definite not a white noise (which by definition is random noise), if it is then everyone's been taken for a ride.

I own two pairs of noise cancellation devices. One a sony, and another a cheap one. They both produce white noise. Sure it ISN'T suppose to make a white noise, but the technology isn't good that it can cancel so effectively. The counter wave becomes white noise rather than doing anything amazing. You should go borrow a pair and listen to them. Then you know what I mean. I highly do not recommend noise cancellation. The technology isn't good enough. But hey, to each his own. If you want to buy it or right ahead.