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Active Noise Reducing headphones and passive sound isolating earphones
When your listening to your iPod and are being distracted by ambient noise (e.g. jet whine) there are headset solutions available. Those solutions are Active Noise Reducing (ANR) headsets and sound or noise isolating in ear monitors. The ANR use electronic circuitry to sample the external sound and then electronically duplicate the sound frequencies but out of phase with the original sound. Like ripples on a pond one wave cancels the next and ... magically you no longer hear the offensive sound (or at least it is attenuated. These work best when the sound is steady in duration and lower in frequency e.g. cabin noise in jets. The ANRs as you may guess require battery power and most are surprisingly effective in the right environment. Prices vary ($70 up to $300 ) due largely to quality of electronics, effectiveness, comfort, lightweight and brand names.
The sound isolating type are mechanical in nature i.e. they act sort of like earplugs only better with higher quality materials and better fit. The better the fit and quality of the earpiece the better they block or reduce outside noise. These work by simply blocking the unwanted sound from entering your ear canal.
If you are a frequent traveler these are a sound (heh heh) investment.-Editors
Listed here are the variety of headphone categories i.e. ear bud or in ear monitor, clip ons and noise cancelling, wireless which one should you consider.
If you're looking for wireless earphones they are the newest electronic solutions to cable snags for your iPod.
Look here for how wireless Bluetooth works with your ipod.
Wondering how to use your iPod while you ride your motorcycle.
Features to consider when you purchase an ANR type headphone.
- Weight and comfort, nothing will give you a headache faster than a weighty, too-tight headphone set.
- Simple to use with volume and ambient volume control.
- Carry bag
- Battery life (rechargable is always nice)
- Will it plug into an airplane jack.
 $$$ on iPod noise canceling headphones. Try our Auction House, bid for lowest prices or buy immediately. |
| Sennheiser Electronic Corporation
 PXC250 - With NoiseGard active noise compensation. Due to their active and passive attenuation of ambient noise, they let you enjoy music even in noisy environments. The headphones are foldable and come with a convenient belt pouch, making them an ideal travel companion. Fold and flip: registered design allows the ear cups to be turned through 90° and fold the headphones closed (headphones will lock in open and closed positions)
Comes with a soft belt pouch with extra pocket for easy carrying. NoiseGard active noise compensation attenuates frequencies below 1,000 Hz by up to -15 dB. High-resolution sound due to Sennheiser "Duofol" diaphragms with spiral embossing. Bass tube for powerful, punchy bass, only 65 g (about 2 oz.) without cable. Requires (2) AAA batteries for NoiseGard operation. $169.95
Sennheiser makes a range of active noise cancelling headsets. $129.95 - $229.95
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| Bose Corporation
Here's how Bose describes their technology
 QuietComfort 3 Enjoy full-spectrum noise reduction that fades background distractions. Rich, clear audio that reveals nuances you might have missed. And a compact, lightweight, easy fit for hours of comfortable listening. Wear QC3 headphones when you fly, and you'll notice a dramatic decrease in engine roar. Use the detachable cord to connect your MP3, DVD or CD player, or to listen to the in-flight movie.
No headphones will eliminate all noise. But proprietary Bose noise reduction and audio technologies work together to make almost any listening experience more rewarding.
Many people prefer the fit of on-ear headphones. But conventional technology can compromise the performance of smaller earcups. Bose engineers began exploring something we weren't sure was even possible: overcoming the performance limitations of smaller-sized, on-ear headphone design. The result is our new QC3 on-ear headphones. With a smaller, on-ear design comes greater convenience and portability
QC3 headphones can be paired with most music-enabled mobile phones through our optional Cell Connect cable. The earcups fold flat for compact storage in a slim carrying case. For added convenience, QC3 headphones are powered by a rechargeable battery with approximately 20 hours of run time. Battery and wall-socket charger are included. $349.00
QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones - Our acclaimed headphones offer an unmatched combination of noise reduction, audio performance and comfortable fit for around-ear headphones. Innovative fold-flat design for easy storage in the slim carrying case. Not rechargable, battery included. $299.00
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 Quiet Zone 2000, With the ability to reduce noise by up to 20dB, the Quiet Zone 2000 is the most affective noise reduction system available to the consumer today. The QZ2000 creates an invisible shield between the listener and the droning sounds of the world by stopping low frequency noise before it reaches the ears. The tiny microphones embedded in the earcups read the surrounding low frequency noise and transmit information about those undesirable sounds to a processor in the pocket sized control case. The processor, in turn, generates mirror image "anti-waves" that are 180 degrees out of phase and relays those anti-waves back to the stereophones. When the offending sound waves encounter the waves generated by the QZ2000, the two counteract each other at the wearer's ear. The offending hum and buzz is reduced and a peaceful listening environment is created where once there was only noise. Lawn mowers, jet engines, crowded environments, vacuum cleaners, computer fans or any other low frequency noise below 1000 Hz is reduced by an average of 10dB. Noise reduction is even greater for noise below 200 Hz, offering at least 15dB of protection against low frequency noise.
With a frequency response of 15 - 20,000 Hz, the Quiet Zone 2000 delivers outstanding sound reproduction from any audio source. Foam ear cushions provide an open, hear-through sound so listeners can keep an ear on the world while blocking out distracting background buzz. Completely collapsible, the QZ2000 stereophones fold up for protected, convenient storage.
A 2-pin adapter is included for use with many airline in-flight audio entertainment systems. Uses 2 "AA" batteries (included). Highly efficient circuitry extends battery life up to 200 hours of peaceful listening pleasure. A red LED battery status light indicates 30 more hours of use until battery power is exhausted. A green LED indicates that the unit is "on." Comes with lifetime guarantee. $199.99
Koss has a large selection of noise cancelling headphones from $49.00 and up
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 ER-6i Isolator Earphones
Read review on file  - have a flatter, more accurate frequency response than most earphones, regardless of type. Similar to Etymotic's ER-4 earphones, ER-6i Isolator earphones have extremely high noise isolation. They are lightweight and portable and are compatible with your iPod. The eartips fit securely, making these earphones excellent for exercising and great for listening to audio books too. $149.00
 ER-4 Earphones - 3 models ER-4B, ER-4S, and ER-4P. (which model is for you) Etymotic earphones are known for their high frequency response accuracy and high noise isolation. Designed to match the response of the ear, ER-4 earphones create nearly perfect sound reproduction. Etymotic Research was the first company to introduce insert earphones (originally called canalphones). ER-4 earphones are used by musicians and audiophiles for monitoring, recording, and critical listening. $330.00
 ER-6 Earphones - The ER-6 Isolator earphones were developed for use with iPods. • Noise isolation (34-36 dB) far surpasses that of active noise-canceling earphones. compatible with airline travel -- plugs directly into most airline audio system. Each set comes with • 5 ft. cord with 3.5 mm stereo plug • 1 pair 2-flange eartips • 1 pair foam eartips • 2 replacement filters • Filter changing tool • Shirt clip• Pouch. $139.00
Etymotic Accessories - flanges, foam eartips, filter changing tools and more.
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| JBL
 Reference 510 BLK - The world can be a noisy place, often filled with people who didn’t get the memo about cell phone courtesy. That’s why JBL developed Reference 500 Series noise-canceling headphones. Now you can concentrate on your favorite music in all its full-spectrum glory, without the distraction of all the commotion around you. Choose a compact, on-ear model that automatically blocks out up to 70% of ambient noise, or an over-ear design that lets you dial up your preferred level of glorious silence, from library-like to complete-and-total.
JBL Reference 510 features:
• Compact on-ear design
• 40mm Transducers deliver JBL realism and great bass response
• Eliminates up to 70% of ambient noise
• Ideal for airplanes, commuter trains and buses
• In-line battery-powered control
• Adjustable padded headband
• Folds for easy storage
• Airline and Stereo Phono adapters included
• Convenient storage and travel pouch. $149.95
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| iLuv
 i913 Noise-Canceling Headphones with Bluetooth Wireless Free yourself from tangled wires and city noises. Not only that, but outside sounds that interfere with your iPod listening or that create a distraction during an important phone call virtually disappear helping you focus on what you want to hear and not on what you have to hear. With i913 you can listen to music wirelessly in the way it was meant to be heard. Plus, this swivel-designed noise canceling headset has comfortable soft-cushioned ear pads, and with its mini-USB connection you can also connect to most audio devices using the included mini USB to 3.5 mm cable. Bluetooth wireless technology helps you connect to your phone without being physically attached to it, freeing you to walk around and use your hands the way you would if you were talking to a person in the room with you. What's more, you can talk and listen longer with the i913. With nine hours of talking time is available with 8 hours of listening time, the i913 helps you enjoy walking and talking more than you did before. Rechargeable battery. $149.95
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 E2C Sound Isolating Earphones. Why settle for standard earbuds when you can step up to the rich, full range sound found in Shure E2c Earphones? Their sound isolating sleeves block 2 to 7 times more noise than Noise Canceling headphones with no hiss added and no batteries required, so you’ll hear every detail, no matter where you are. $119.00
 E4C Sound Isolating Earphones - The earphones deliver the studio quality sound that listeners have come to expect from Shure's E Series, featuring ultra-wide frequency soundstage with brilliant highs and extended bass. This sound quality is combined with a sleek, lightweight design to complement your iPod, and sound isolation technology that addresses your music listening demands. In addition to offering a low profile design with brushed metal accents, the E4 can be coupled with sleeves prepared by a professional audiologist to provide the ultimate custom fit. Works with all
iPods. $319.00
 E5C Sound Isolating Earphones - Inside each E5c earphone, dual speakers provide a quality of sound that rivals that of expensive studio headphones creating full-bodied bass, natural mids and precise highs. Also features a spacious soundstage that sounds more like speakers, like the earphones professionals use on stages the world over. $549
Flange and Foam sleeves and replacements for all Shure earphones
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| Future Sonic
 Future Sonic Atrio M5 and M8 for Studio and Broadcast - The Atrio Series continues Future Sonics' tradition of outstanding signature sound quality, reliability and client services, while featuring completely new designs and technologies specifically created to address the demands of top performers, engineers and production staff. Like the company's flagship Ear Monitors brand personal monitors – the very first professional earphones specifically designed with a custom-molded fit for live performance applications – The Atrio Series offers:
• Natural "feel" with accurate dynamic bass frequency response
• Warm, rich vocal tone and clean detailed clarity in the upper frequencies
• Excellent reproduction of the timbre of the original source audio
• Full range performance from a miniature loudspeaker measuring under 10mm
We continue to develop our own proprietary drivers - designed, manufactured and powered by Future Sonics. List Price: $199.00 and $229.00
 Future Sonic Ear Monitors - brand custom-fit personal monitors were the first product of their kind and continue to be the finest quality available with new technologies, designs and experience - assembled by hand for each individual. Only Future Sonics offers a single custom made dynamic driver that offers better dynamics, more accurate audio reproduction and a outstanding, natural balance and feel that you cannot get from any other seemingly similar product of this type. Our MG4plus single driver design outperform ANY other single, 2 driver, 3 driver, hybrid or even 4 driver configuration and at any price. Most other brands still use armature (hearing aid-type) drivers that cannot effectively reproduce frequencies below 100hz. MG4plus drivers in our Ear Monitors brand products offer increased sensitivity, vivid & accurate sound reproduction that responds to the timbre of the instrument, voice or audio program that you want to hear. Standard colors, custom colors and the elite series. Starting at $798.00 Ear impressions are required for all Ear Monitors brand personal monitors.
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 Moldable silicon attachment - The kit consists of a unique, moldable silicon material that, when fitted properly, becomes integrated with the iPod's earbuds. You get a totally customized earpiece that is quite similar to molded hearing protection, hearing aid fitting material and prosthetic inserts that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Your iPod earbuds suddenly fit! And not only do they fit, they're actually comfortable, and they stay put! The special silicon formula in PodFitKit hardens to the precise shape of your ear, while maintaining the earbud's optimum positioning. Yet, it still remains slightly pliable on the surface for comfort. PodFitKit silicon is very easy to apply when you follow our fitting instructions. Podfitkit photos and video $9.95
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The iPod Authority
