The Price: $400.00

The Verdict: As with any expensive noise canceling headphones that are geared towards frequent flyers, comfort, sound quality, and noise canceling are all equally important when reviewing.

Comfort
Doesn't matter how great a pair of headphones sound, they must be comfortable to wear especially when they're canceling out noise on long haul flights. My first comfort impression: they're surprisingly light when wearing. Usually big over-the-ear headphones are uncomfortably heavy; but not these. The ear-cup padding is relatively thin and firm, but still comfortable. The padding on the top head strap has this same firm feel and is more than adequate. A month ago on a SF to Paris flight, I wore these headphones for a continuous 10 hours before I started to notice discomfort. So I can safely say they pass the comfort test.

Sound Quality
Now I'm no audiophile, but I do enjoy a crisp vibrant sound. It must be noted that these headphones always have the noise canceling feature on, so they aren't exactly like a pair of normal headphones. The overall sound quality is great, but it's not astonishing. With volume at medium level the depth is there with a clean undistorted sound. In the higher volume levels the headphones start to produce very light noise and some minimal distortion. But this is at very high levels which I couldn't handle for more than a few seconds. Even though the headphones are expensive, it's excusable that the sound quality wasn't amazing because the noise canceling totally makes up for it.

Noise Canceling
I'm still a bit confused to how this "digital technology for noise canceling" exactly works. But I do know it works very well. It's my understanding that it converts the analog signal digitally by using a digital processor, and then it can apply different environmental filters based on the surroundings. When you first turn the headphones on they use the standard non-environmently filtered noise canceling. This setting worked well, but by clicking the AI (artificial intelligence) button located right next to the power switch, the audio cut out for a second then came back even better. The AI NC mode uses an automatic environmental filter mode where it can detect the HZ range of noise and apply a filter to mask it. There are three different modes, one for a plane, one for a train/bus, and another for an office/study environment. I did play with the different manual modes for a bit but found that the automatic setting could choose the right one for me, so I had no need for the manual settings.

Once I figured out the AI NC feature I started to enjoy the headphones even more. I could barely hear the roar of the jet's engines, but at the same time I could slightly hear important outside sounds, like my girl friend asking me to get her ice cream. I tested the noise canceling against a pair of $200 JVC HA-NC250 on-the-ear noise canceling headphones. Compared to the JBLs, the Sonys were amazingly better. The JBLs let in more outside noise and had a slight distortion/buzz in sound. The Sony's clarity and overall enjoyment was much better.

Accessories
These headphones come with a huge carrying case that is packed full of accessories. The case is so big that it makes carrying it sort of a hassle, but it does have every accessory you could ever need. It's got an in-flight adapter, 1/4" stereo adapter, 2 3.5mm stereo cords, a charger, and even a AA battery powered adapter for when you run out of internal juice.

Final Verdict
I'm currently 30,000 feet above the Atlantic in a Boeing 747 and I can't hep but gush over these headphones. They're simply amazing. But are they worth the price? For most people I would say no way. I think these are only for those frequent flyers who are regularly taking flights longer than 5 hours. The $400 price tag can only be justified if the headphones are being used a few times a month and not just to block out sounds around the house.

They admitted that they weren't sure why there are other headphones advertised as digital noise canceling, since they all use an analog mechanism for equaling out the sound. These do an analog to digital conversion using a digital signal processor with three filters. That should, in theory, result in far better sound since the sound gets cleaned up with digital EQ before you hear it.

SONY PRESENTS WORLD'S FIRST DIGITAL NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES

Digital Signal Processor Boosts Noise Canceling Accuracy

LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 6, 2008 - For anyone who spends more time reclined on an airplane rather than sitting at home in a recliner, Sony today unveiled the world's first digital noise canceling headphones.

The lightweight, MDR-NC500D model headphones use digital technology to more accurately reduce stress-inducing noise from planes, trains and busses, while providing a high-quality audio experience.

The headphones can reduce up to 99 percent of ambient noise at 160HZ, which is the peak frequency of a jet engine.

"By going digital, our noise canceling headphones deliver a balanced and rich sound, while delivering the highest level of noise cancellation when traveling or commuting," said Andy Bubala, director of marketing for personal audio accessories at Sony Electronics. "The ability to bring digital technology to ultra-light headphones should keep Sony as the industry leader in the headphone market."

Digital Defeats Analog

The increased rate and accuracy of noise reduction in these six-ounce headphones is due to the use or a unique digital noise canceling software engine, a set of digital filters located in the built-in digital signal processor.

To start the noise canceling process a microphone found inside the ear cup of the headphones takes an analog audio reading and converts the sound to digital. At the same time, the analog audio input signal is converted to a digital signal and sent through a digital equalizer to enhance the mid-range vocals and alleviate the excess bass — two features that can be negatively affected in most noise-canceling headphones.

The audio signal is compared to the noise signal, and the DNC software engine uses a digital filter to remove ambient noise that registers in the desired frequency range. The resulting signal is converted back to analog and sent to the headphones' driver for sound reproduction. Bubala said this digital-based process enables more effective noise cancellation than is possible using analog filter technology.

Sony's DNC software engine makes it possible for these digital noise canceling headphones to offer three distinct noise canceling modes optimized for different environments: airplane, train/ bus, or office.

By pressing an artificial intelligence noise canceling button found on the outside of the right ear piece, the headphones scan the ambient noise profile and intelligently select the best mode to cancel out the highest amount of unwanted sound.

Each mode uses a different digital filter in the digital signal processor, which has been specifically tuned for effective noise reduction in these different sound environments.

Quality, Comfort and Style

Sony developed the MDR-NC500D digital noise canceling headphones with long flights and stress relief in mind. They are powered by an internal lithium-ion battery that can operate for up to 16 hours on a single charge. They also have an external battery box that holds two AA batteries for when there is no access to a wall plug.

To provide comfort during long hours of wear, the new headphones feature thick, urethane foam padding in the ear pieces that reduce pressure and pinching on the outer ear. To add style to comfort, the ear cups are finished with black lacquer and have a single-sided cord connection for convenience.

The headphones' monitor switch allows you to temporarily suspend the noise cancellation feature and mute the music to listen to flight announcements.

The MDR-NC500D headphones will be available in February for about $400 at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide.

In the style of Bose, JVC used squishy memory foam for the pads. The extra isolation is great, since the JVCs can be used when the active noise canceling is off, or when its AAA battery runs stone dead. These benefits do come at a price, namely $200, the same price as a raft of would-be Bose killers. But as you all know, Bose ain't dead yet.

Press release:

JVC ANNOUNCES NEW TOP-OF-THE-LINE NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES

WAYNE, NJ, July 13, 2007 - JVC today announced the addition of a new top-end model to its line of noise canceling headphones. The new JVC HA-NC250 combines outstanding sound quality with advanced noise-canceling and isolation technologies to provide a superior listening experience.

The HA-NC250's noise cancellation circuitry includes feedback technology that constantly monitors the noise cancellation process. As a result, the headphones eliminate up to 85 percent of extraneous background noise. To further block noise, the HA-NC250 offers two JVC innovations that help isolate the listener from outside sounds. First, each earpiece employs a double housing structure for an extra sound insulation layer. Second, JVC developed a new technique for attaching the headphone's smooth memory foam cushioned ear pads to the housing that helps isolate background noise. The smooth pads also enhance comfort. These sound isolation features, for which patents have been applied, are especially important since the HA-NC250 can be used with the active noise cancellation switched off.

For the best possible sound quality, the new headphone uses a 40mm neodymium driver in each earpiece. For comfort and portability, the JVC HA-NC250 is one of the lightest headphones in its class, weighing just 5.3 ounces. It folds flat, and when folded is slimmer than most competing models. Included with the HA-NC250 are a slim carrying case, a four-foot detachable cord, airline dual plug adapter, and ¼-inch plug adapter for use with many home audio and video components. The headphones use a single 1.5-volt AAA battery for powering the noise cancellation circuitry. Battery life is rated at about 50 hours.

The JVC HA-NC250 noise canceling headphone will be available in early August for $199.95.

Product Page [via Uber Review]

Here's how JVC explains its approach to noise reduction in the NC80s:

The HA-NC80 offers both "wide" and "low" noise cancellation modes. The "wide" mode targets a wider frequency range than the "low" mode, and cancels the type of noise typically found in a commercial jet cabin. The "low" mode cancels a slightly narrower and lower frequency range, one associated with the noise generated by trains and buses. In addition, the headphones can be used with noise cancellation turned off.

The company claims 75% noise reduction with both of these noise-canceling cans, but we would suggest in-ear phones when flying on a jet, with which you won't be able to hear any of that engine or wind noise at all. – Charlie White

Press Release [JVC]

Unfortunately, these are only scheduled to come out in Japan at the moment. Of course, there's plenty of other noise canceling/noise reducing headphones for you to choose from here.

Noise canceling headphones, for when life's sounds aggravate you to no end. – Nicholas Deleon

Maxell headsets with noise cancellation system [Akihabara News]

Three of your humble editors here at Gizmodo have auditioned the Logitech headphones' competitors, the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 and Solitude headphones with mixed results, voting two-to-one in favor of the noise cancellation concept. I've compared the Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones directly to the Solitude headphones at 35,000 feet, and it was hard to tell any difference between the two.

It's hard to say how these Logitech noise-canceling headphones will stack up, but one thing's for sure, their $150 price certainly undercuts the cost of those $350 Bose Quiet Comfort and $200 Solitude headphones. – Charlie White

Logitech Noise Canceling Headphones [iLounge]

The first thing you notice with this headset is that they're incredibly comfortable. Solitude must be given credit for this as this is is easily the most comfortable headset I've ever used, and I've used many, usually poached off my friends and family members. The cushioning around the ear must be made of bunny rabbit tails because they are considerably soft, almost suspiciously so. The adjustable size of the headset ensures that they fit quite well no mater how large your noggin is (within reason, Herman Munster). Comfort certainly isn't a problem with the headset. Sound, on the other hand...

How do I say this nicely? How about, the headset doesn't sound very good. There, plain and simple. Maybe it's because I'm used to in-ear headphones, specifically Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pro—the big brother of the super.fi 3 Studio that we gave away for the Gizmodo Idol contest a few days ago—and the feeling of guitars and beat machines knocking on my eardrums. They also don't come anywhere near as close to producing high quality sound as the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 headset that I've also used.

As for the noise canceling, allegedly the main selling point of the headset, I think it works, but again, not as well as the Quiet Comfort 3. Once the switch is flicked, outside noise seems to be altered, certainly lowered, but canceled? That reeks of marketing. The sound being produced by the headset also seems to get louder once the noise canceling is turned on, perhaps to draw your attention away from the fact that the noise canceling only works marginally. Two AAA batteries power the noise canceling feature for 35 hours or so; otherwise, the headset will function as "normal" headphones.

Overall, I'd say that the Solitude Active Noise Cancellation Headset is decent: very comfortable but with "just ok" sound quality, probably more on the "ok" side if all you listen to is rock and the like; anything with more than a couple of guitars and drums may have you scratching your head. At $200 retail, it's also not the cheapest headset on the block. The bottom line is, for $200, you can find better sounding headphones, but for superior noise canceling you will have to spend much more (the Bose Quiet Comfort retail for $350). – Nicholas Deleon

Product Page [Solitude]