I have searched a lot on the internet and read a lot of reviews and tests on various sites. There are some ANC Earphones but I have my options limited to the following 4: Bose QuietComfort 15 (about 350 EUR), Sennheiser PXC 450 (about 275 EUR), Sony MDR-NC200D (ca. 150 EUR) and Panasonic HP HC700E (about 120 EUR).
In the end, the headphones are in all price ranges from the middle price range.
I then tested and compared every 4 headphones and hope you thus may help in your choice. All reviews are subjective and I must say I am not a real audiophile, so expect no technical comments :)
== == Noise reduction
One should be to realize that when the noise reduction only low-frequency noise (humming of the airplane, air conditioning, PC fan, etc ..) are filtered out and not higher-frequency noise (eg, conversations). Unfortunately I could not test on the plane or train, but I have tested all Earphones in the following conditions:
- Calls (in a room about 20 sqm)
- Other tests: spin cycle of the washing machine (800 revolutions / minute), cooker hood, PC fan at 100%. I think it will be similar in the plane of the noise reduction ago.
Place 1: Bose QC 15 Rating 5/5
The clear winner at a considerable distance. The first time in the office turned on and then was quiet, just amazing! Clear, discussions are still perceived but dull, and in the same room. Conversations outside my office I have almost no longer perceived (very very faint muffled sound), just exactly what I need to concentrate on their work. All other tests were very successful, the noise is very reduced and it only remains a mostly (very) quiet noise.
The white noise is in my opinion almost imperceptible.
The passive noise reduction by enclosing the ears is also good, and filters out all right noises.
Place 2: Panasonic HP HC700E, grade of 3.5 / 5
The passive noise cancellation is already good and attenuates already some noise. With an active NC calls at the office but still perceptible already well damped are (just not as good as the Bose). The other tests were satisfactory, there is still a (sufficiently quiet) sums. But the major drawback is the white noise, which is clearly visible even in peaceful surroundings. That's why I would almost rather tend to give as 3/5 note, but compared with the other two, he still gets to 0.5.
3rd place: Sony MDR-NC200D, grade of 2.5 / 5
The passive noise cancellation is ok (enough) but does not attenuate as much noise. With an active NC conversations in the office are almost as good as without noticeable because these headphones brings almost nothing. I think for the Panasonic passive better than the Sony active NC.
The other tests were OK, the sounds are reduced but you can still hear a noticeable whir. The AI-NC key for me is just marketing and not so practical, this should enable the headset itself for noise reduction depending on the environment the best mode, but I've found no appreciable difference. Also, I have often pressed on the button when I wanted to adjust or remove the attached headphones.
More or less practical the Monitor key is to, for example, on the plane to talk to the flight attendants for drinks / meals.
So if you, the ANC is very important, I would not buy the Sony.
Place 4: Sennheiser PXC 450, Rating 2/5 and 1.5 / 5
I can not explain it otherwise, it must be a Monday device. From the reviews and tests I had read, I had high hopes with this headset. That was my biggest disappointment!
The passive noise reduction is ok but not really good. The active NC has me completely disappointed but for this price range. For all tests, the sounds were indeed reduced but not outstanding. But the biggest problem is that I have a very noticeable and unpleasant buzzing in the left ear, especially when I turn my head to the right ... The Talk-Through function works but I think it sounds funny, even though I only on the plane should talk to the flight attendants, I'd rather take the headphones off.
It must somehow be defective, but as I do not have to exchange before the headset I am sorry to give this bad note, even if it may not be as fair to compare.
== == Sound
All headphones have been tested with classical, jazz and heavy bass music at the same volume and always the same (parts of) songs. The reviews here are actually relative to the compared headphones. Compared with the right headphone (without ANC) they would all do worse.
Place 1: Bose QC 15 Rating 4/5
Good sound, orderly bass, very good volume (that was the loudest headphones along with the Sony). There are certainly a lot of headset with much better sound, but all around I was satisfied, especially when compared with the other three. For work or on a plane that's perfectly adequate.
Place 2: Sony MDR-NC200D, Rating 4/5
Yes, despite having the same rating as the Bose Sony gets the 2nd place. Of all 4 of Sony is the only supra-aural headphones. Although he actually sounds quite good, I think it better to have circumaural headset to enjoy the music. It lacks a bit of bass, because Bose's better I think. The volume is very good, I would say he was a tick louder than the Bose.
3rd place: Panasonic HP HC700E, grade of 2.5 / 5
The sound is ok but not particularly, basses are weak, the volume is ok. I would have expected a bit more, even if it is the most affordable headset. But what really did not work is that you can hear a little whirring when the headset is connected but is not playing music, it was not with the other headphones. Removes the cable to the whirring away. That's a shame and that is why I have withdrawn 0.5.
Place 4: Sennheiser PXC 450, Rating 2/5
And again, the Earphones must be somehow defective, I can not tell me that in the price range of the sound is passable. The basses are weak and the volume is not as good. This was the quietest headphones of all four. While he has to settle two buttons on the side to adjust the volume but compared to the other in the factory setting is the quiet.
== == Comfort
Place 1: Bose QC 15 Rating 4/5
Very comfortable to wear, even for long periods. I saw him only an hour previously worn the longest without pain. Although I felt a bit of pressure around the ears for the time but it's ok, I'm also a bit sensitive.
The ear cups are soft and comfortable, with enough space for normal to slightly larger ears. The Earphones expresses not upside down and is easy, you almost do not feel it on the head.
Place 2: Sennheiser PXC 450, Rating 4/5
Finally, I can even give the Sennheiser a good score. The ear cups are like the Bose soft and comfortable and offer plenty of space even for very large ears. The headphones can be determined also bear for a long time, but I have not tested because of the previously mentioned deficiencies. I spürre only a very light pressure when it is placed in comparison with the Bose, and he feels even heavier, so the second place despite having the same rating.
3rd place: Sony MDR-NC200D, grade of 3.5 / 5
Law comfortable to wear even though I did not think it, because the headphones are resting ears. The earcups are also soft and comfortable and the headset sits well on the ears. It's pretty easy (although small) and you would not almost feel him when you do not have the pressure on the ears. One must not misunderstand this, the pressure has to be there, the headset is indeed on the ears. But after prolonged wear that is with my ears a little more uncomfortable than ohrenumschliessende headphones, so not as highly recommended if you are sensitive and want to wear the headphones for longer.
Place 4: Panasonic HP HC700E, Rating 2/5
Through the processing of the headphones I find the whole thing quite rigid. The ear cups are not as soft as the other three but they are still pleasant. But they are a bit small, I find normal ears fit in but barely. But the headset pressed against the sides, in my extended wear would not be possible. The Earphones is not recommended for people with small head maybe pleasant but I would respect him. Wearing comfort.
== == Processing
1st place: Sony MDR-NC200D, Rating 5/5
Small, chic, matt, good and soft cushioning material, not too much plastic as standard, as I can only praise Sony. The battery is also Simply well made and very easy to open, made everything good at everything.
Place 2: Bose QC 15 Rating 4/5
Quite small, plain, dull, soft cushioning material. The plastic material is not as nice as the Sony, with the price Bose should have offered better material. Also, the button on / off could be a bit fancier. Nevertheless, all around good. The battery compartment is quite easy to open.
Place 3: Sennheiser PXC 450, grade 3.5 / 5
Quite large, not very plain, dull, but soft padding. The plastic material acts cheaper than the Bose and since the Earphones is also greater the more you realize. The battery compartment looks cheap and is somewhat difficult to open, I think that's all not really ok with the price.
Place 4: Panasonic HP HC700E, Rating 3/5
Quite small, simple (according to taste), piano black finish, soft cushioning material but slightly harder than all the other three. On the headphones more plastic than the other can be seen. The battery compartment has not been very well thought out. You have to remove the entire left ear, I could understand that some fear might have to make the headphones while broken after some time.
== Conclusion ==
Before I got the headphones I was not at all convinced that it was worth the price. I think the price is still a bit too expensive, but now I understand why it is more expensive than the others, you get what you pay for the.
The sound is good for me but the highlight is clearly the noise reduction. I did not expect any miracles, especially in conversations but I was still surprised and impressed by the technology that Bose has conjured very positive. This is simply the best ANC headphones, you can finally enjoy silence.
The build quality is good, not too much plastic and nice soft cushion material. The Ohremuscheln are large enough for normal to slightly larger ears, so that extended wear is not a problem.
There are some people who complain about the fact that you can not listen to music if the battery is empty. Of course there is a downside, but honestly, you can take several loose batteries in the carrying case and with 30 hrs. Running time (I have not checked, there are 35 hours. Specified by the manufacturer) should all be a problem. If you buy an ANC headphones, then he should be turned on, so for me that is not a real negative point. For most ANC headphones anyway complaining people that the sound is worse when the NC is not turned on.
Nevertheless, I think the price is still too expensive in the US of headphones costs 299 USD so it should cost 299 EUR here, so it 1 star deduction. If one looks a little in the EU but you get it cheaper :) But if I were an ANC recommend headphones, then only these.
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