I researched the best noise cancelling headphones as my doctor advised me to reduce constant background noise due to ongoing headaches and trouble focusing. i have been experiencing a lot of mental fatigue, especially during work hours and while traveling. i went through reviews from trusted sources like Reddit, Wirecutter, and several audio forums and after comparing many options these two kept coming up as the top choices:
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones
however, i am having trouble deciding which one would be better for me and i would love to get your expert advice and hoping maybe some audio enthusiasts or people who have used these long term on this forum can also share their advice.
i usually work long hours on my laptop and also travel a few times a month, so comfort and consistent noise cancellation matter a lot to me. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
I use Focal Bathys. Love them. Best sound quality in the portable Noise canceling category. They work great. There is an upgraded version now too I believe.
I previously had Sony XM4. They worked very well and about half the price. Both have the same canceling IMO. But Bathys have better SQ.
I have both the Focal Bathys and Bathys Mg. Both have outstanding SQ and are extremely comfortable. Doubt most would feel the added cost of the Mg worth it. But I also have and use AirPod pro 3 and sound quality, noise canceling, and comfort are excellent. Hard to beat for the price. If I could have only one, it would be the AirPods for convenience.for comfort and SQ the Mg.
I also have a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 that I picked up over the holidays ($225 at Costco) and I like them, but I never reach for them. They don’t sound any better than my AirPods and I’ve found that wearing them for a long time makes my ears hot…. lol I know, sounds silly. But their noise canceling very good and it’s adjustable plus they have some adaptive features that I’ve never really explored.
I have Bower 7, use them on the phone except that, nada. Always use my old Fostex with beefy leather close headphone, that replace the skinny one when purchased.
Always wonder if reverse noise, is still noise and arm your ear? but for phone, better than the speaker phone!
Just a thought, but I have found that using noise canceling for any length of time is pretty fatiguing, and can actually kinda hurt my ears. It is after all creating a vacuum effect in your ear. I wonder how using them for extended periods would make you feel.
I’ve found that just a pair of those squishable orange ear plugs do a great job of reducing noise and can help with my focus. I’ve worked around power tools and in shops for years and those always do a better job of reducing noise than a pair of noise canceling headphones.
I use the Dream on long flights, they are my all time favorite.
A small investment may be all you need.
I travel internationally and have an embarrassment of noise canceling earbuds and headsets. All the above plus T+A, Sony, B&W, FoKus, and Technics. All guilty little pleasures. I 100% agree about noise canceling fatigue. It’s why on travel I usually carry three different devices. Beyond a movie or two, or a few book chapters, fatigue starts. Interestingly, if I have on one type and began to get weary and switch to another, the weariness resets.
friend of mind is a Hearing aid specialist technician, He said, he could build me earplug that decrease the sound and are mold on my ear. A lot of concert show, artist have that.
He build a lot for construction worker, commerce traveller, bar worker, restaurant workers
it is exactly mold with for your ear, it won’t work for others, I wish, i knew that 50 years ago!
To him, it is the best noise cancelling, and you choose the degree you want. He said, you will need a few day to adapt, but after, work find.