Noise cancelling headphones becoming more available as the tech improves

The whole point of headphones is that only you can hear what you’re listening to, but now you can make sure that’s all you hear too.

Whether it is on a train, a flight or working in the office you’ll rarely see people exposing their ears to the world around them.

Headphones are a permanent accessory and whether it is a podcast, music, streaming radio or talking on the phone, we’re relying on them.

Investing in a good pair can aid hearing the baby crying on that long-haul flight, the loud phone conversation on the train and allow you to just tune out.

Noise cancellation also means that your headphones’ volume is not competing with ambient volume, so your eardrums won’t cop a beating in loud environments.

Here are the best options on the market today.

FOR THE AIRLINE LOUNGE

Bose Noise Cancelling 700 – $599

Stepping into a lounge at any airport and there is a good chance that the majority of headphones in the room are Bose.

Their latest offering is the Noise Cancelling 700 and they’ve got a very different design to the common QC range.

Opinions are divided on whether they look better however the listening experience is excellent. With touch controls for volume and music, you’ll also have three levels of noise cancellation at the touch of a button.

Noise cancellation is normally about you blocking out the world for your listening benefit. With this new pair from Bose, it uses the noise cancellation to also block out the world so your caller can hear you better.

It will focus microphones on your voice, block out the noise around you and enable your caller to hear you clearly. Now that is unique.

FOR THE MUSICIAN

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless – $599

This owner of these headphones goes to see bands on weekends you’ve never heard of.

They’ll introduce you to new styles of music. They also listen to Triple J even when it isn’t playing the Hottest 100. The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a larger pair of headphones with a more rugged appearance.

They have an excellent range of sound and will perform well to all styles of music. The large cushioned cups are very comfortable and are great for winter, they also do well to block ambient noise.

No touch controls here, it is all buttons and hardware. This pair also has Tile integration so they’ll never get lost. One thing that frustrated us using these was their lack of flat folding, so wearing them around your neck was more like a neck brace.

FOR THE APPLE USER

Beats Solo Pro – $429

The newest of the bunch is the Beats Solo Pro. Owned by Apple they are now the most compatible and friendly headphones when used with an iPhone.

Not to say the others don’t, but the experience starts from when they first turn on, there is almost nothing to do to make them connect and get started.

They are as integrated into the ecosystem as Apple AirPods with “Hey Siri” summon, Transparency mode and Audio Sharing so two people can listen from one device.

Different to the other pairs here, this model rests the cups on the ear and not around them. While still managing a good seal for noise cancellation and providing a great sound, we struggled to keep them on for more than three hours before the physical pressure on the ears became too much and uncomfortable.

Available in a wide range of colours we can see how they will appeal to a large audience, it just won’t be ideal for long flights.

FOR THE PURIST

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 – $599

Did you hear the subtle detail coming from the Stradivarius? Or the immaculate tune from that Les Paul?

Those who really appreciate their music, and don’t need any other fuss, will gravitate towards these Bowers & Wilkins PX7.

A few buttons, no touch pads, not even the sexiest of the bunch, but the sound is of the highest quality in this list.

While they still take calls, they excel when you don’t talk, you just listen. They reproduce tracks exactly as the artist intended and a keen ear will hear nuances in songs they hadn’t noticed before.

The PX7s are relatively subtle, won’t draw a crowd and you aren’t the kind of person looking for it either. They also have 30 hours of battery life so you won’t be looking for a recharge often.

FOR THE COMMUTER

Jabra Elite 85H – $499

To many, this brand won’t be as popular as the others listed to far. That doesn’t mean that the Jabra Elite 85H didn’t get tested and earn its place.

These headphones from Jabra have a special intelligence enabling them to detect what kind of environment you are in, or what you are doing, and adjust the noise cancellation appropriately.

This means that the levels will change while you are at the office but once on the train will adjust again. This means that you’ll potentially hear what the next stop is over the PA, but not the conversations happening around you.

You’ll also have access to an app enabling high levels of customisation to the equaliser and it’s modes to ensure you have them tuned the way you like. The Jabra also has easy access to your voice assistant of choice enabling you to go about your day.

Perhaps the dark horse here but regardless of your situation, this pair deserves a listen in store as it could save you money along the way too.

Connect with Geoff Quattromani on Twitter @GQuattromani and listen to his podcast ‘Technology Uncorked’