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Experience with Active Noise Cancelling Headphones?
Hey,
I've got a bit of a problem in that I have one neighbor who likes to run power saws in his garage. He also runs some other power tool that sounds like an even higher pitched whine... maybe some kind of wood sanding device
He pretty much keeps it in his garage, but when the garage door is open is sounds like a dentist's drill up against my temple.
Then, there's another neighbor across the street who is far more regular with his power sawing. He brings it all outside on nice days, and sometimes it looks like a friend comes by and has a second sawing station going. The second guy's truck makes me think he's some kind of contractor.
This neighbor is more problematic in that he brings it all outside and is sawing regularly, along with a partner sometimes.
The neighbor next door isn't so bad because it's obviously a hobby and it doesn't happen that often. The guy across the street is at it all the time it seems. I know he's renting and figured I'd just deal with it until he moved... but it's going on two years now. He doesn't appear to be going anywhere.
I'd like to try and avoid confrontation with neighbors if possible. And, I know there's no noise ordinance anyway. I've tried regular earplugs that help, but they don't really cut out those higher pitched power whines.
I've been looking at Active Noise Cancelling headphones. Some say they're really effective for all sounds, but work best with low frequency drones like a plane engine or like a dishwasher. While other say they ONLY work for the steady low-pitched drones and everything else gets through.
Has anyone tried Active Noise Cancelling headphones? The ones I'm looking at have 4 mics and are supposed to be some kind of effect hybrid method. Would these likely be a waste of money for trying to cut down the higher-pitched power tools noise from outside the house?
I know they aren't going to cut ALL the noise, but will they cut a significant amount of it?
Comments
I used to use mine when mowing the lawn with a gasoline powered mower. The sound was greatly reduced, though not eliminated entirely. I also used them without music to reduce the sound of an electric sander during a lengthy session. Again, they didn't eliminate, but they greatly reduced the sound and I'm sure were effective ear protection. These were just mid-low expense Sonys at least 8 years old.
So - not a very solid base of experience to comment from, but I would say you'll probably be happy with the result.
The sander sounds like a good reference. That one's the worst. I'm surprised those higher pitch noises bother me so much since I'm certain I have some high frequency hearing loss from past live shows where I was too close to the speakers.
If it cut it down a significant amount... or took the bite out of it at least, it'd be worth it. Were these "active noise cancelling" headphones you were using? One article I read said that cans like the 7506s can cut a lot of ambient noise, but I tried those yesterday and they didn't have much impact at all.
I think I'm just going to get a pair that will be easy to return if they don't work and see for myself. I read some have had success with a variety of different sounds, but that the only sound that's completely eliminated are more like constant drones like a dishwasher or engine noise.
thx
Mine are active cancelling. They need a battery to function.
Now that I think of it, they did an excellent job on the high-frequency sounds. What I remember remaining was a muffled low-frequency content, noticeable but not annoying at all.
A circular saw is quite a different frequency range from a sander though. Getting something returnable would be good.
That still sounds promising. Will give it a shot. Thx!
I live under a kitchen. Its basically just a piece of wood seperating me from the kitchen. I twitch etc. When the chairs pull out. Its like a million chalkboards with added bass.
Its actually like living in a wooden coffin with people beating it with mallets.
Or the deck crew in the Hull of the Mary Rose.
arrrgh Captain. Arrrgh.
I know more than I'd care to admit on this topic, but can tell you that the performance of noise cancelling headphones is frequency dependent. Below 1kHz, most of the performance is due to the active system, and above 1kHz it's primarily passive. Commercial noise cancelling headphones depend on a good seal -- how well the cup fits your head, and how much clamping force holds them on -- for high-frequency performance. Sony does something different for their noise cancelling headphones than 7506s, for example. If you were to try industrial, passive-only hearing protection -- Peltor, for instance, from Lowes or Home Depot -- they would block (not cancel!) more high-frequency noise, but they're really uncomfortable and make you want to pull your ears off after 30 min. In general, active noise cancelling will probably not do as well against a circular saw as it does against airplane noise, but it should drop it by 20-30dB, with the bonus that you can play music at a reasonable volume and mask the rest of the noise. I'm a fan.
I have a set that is useful on airplanes as they're good at recognizing engine noise, but in general they only reduce the level of background noise somewhat. What they also do is dull the overall sound of what I'm listening to slightly, so it's a trade off with regard to the quality of what you are listening to.
Geez! I'm starting to get a Kafka/Metamorphosis here.
I can take some noise... it's just the power tools variety is so freakin' harsh. If they at least soften that, it'll be a win. Someone else mentioned the ear protection ones like you referenced... like the ones used at a gun range, but they also said they are very uncomfortable for long periods of time.
I ordered a pair. I'll see if they help or not. They should be easy to return if they don't.
For noise cancelling-headphones, the Bose over-the-ear QC3 are crazy expensive but I've never questioned spending the $ because the performance has been pretty top notch.
Performance as in more how they sound? Or the amount and types of noise they can cancel out?
Noise cancellation.
For Bose tech... that doesn’t really surprise me. Will add them to my wish list. Thx 🙏
I’ve owned 3 pairs of active noise canceling headphones (AirPod pros, Parrot Zik3, and Bose Quiet comfort - in ear instead of over ear). The Bose were/are definitely the most effective and they sound great. The only issue I had was durability. I broke two pairs somehow but I was wearing them almost every waking hour. Still, for the price, can’t be replacing them every 6 months or whatever. But the parrots crapped out on me too so maybe I just have bad luck!
You’ll be pleased with how well the active noise cancelling works I believe. Good luck, let us know how it goes and what you got
What about “Covid-19-Stock-in-2-Room-apartment-with-2-small-kids+Wife-for-almost-a-year-Sounds”?
Seriously: Can it filter out voices?
I try to work with music in normal headphones but it gets too loud.
Thank you
I have a pair of decent sony noise cancelling ones (WH-1000XM3) and I find they cut out a lot (although haven't tried them vs power tools). They are most effective when I have some music playing on them, or, when I really want to block out the world, pink or white noise.
Another happy Sony user, the same as @nickneek but the later 4 model. Not sure there is much difference and the 3 is available with some good discounts. very good battery life as well.
Don’t have them myself yet, but have you considered AirPods Pro? Most people find these comfortable.
For me, normal headphones always get hot and annoying. Even softer ones like Beyer Dynamic DT-990.
As already mentioned, combination of noise canceling and (low level) music can mask a lot.
Let us know how it works out.
thanks all! I'm going to try something, but not sure which yet. Probably something less pricey to see if they do anything at all before spending any real cash.. but I've got a lot of replies raving about the Bose ones... even over the AirPods Pro. If I find something that helps, or doesn't help for that matter... I'll follow up.
I own the Bose QC 35 II and they are excellent and comfortable. The noise cancellation is good. If it can cancel out my girl friend it should handle any plane, train, auto or power tool.