Maxell Noise-Cancellation HeadphonesMaxell Noise-Cancellation Headphones
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- Noise cancellation headphones help reduce ambient noise and the stress levels caused by noise
- Collapsible and Compact For Easy Storage
- It has improved frequency response
- Automatic Noise Reduction
- Lightweight and Easy To Adjust
- Dual Prong adapter for airline use included
- Folding for easy storage and portabililty
- Includes a travel pouch
- Over 50 hours of use with 2 AAA batteries(not included)
The Noisebuster technology works via the following process: tiny microphones within each earpiece "listen" for any pervasive environmental noise and send this information to a device called an in-line audio-enhancer pack. This device reads and analyzes the information and then generates a noise-cancellation wave that's out of phase with the noise itself. The audio-enhancer pack feeds this wave back into the headset--when the noise wave goes up, a corresponding cancellation wave goes down, causing the two signals to cancel each other out. This eliminates a good deal of unwanted sonic junk, from airplane engine noise to distant freeway traffic seeping into your living room.
We evaluated our HP-NC1s as a utility crew used jackhammers on the street outside our listening room. Because you can bypass the Noisebuster technology with a switch, it was easy for us to compare the noise-canceled signal to the standard sound. While Noisebuster didn't entirely eliminate the jackhammer's rat-a-tat-tat, it did significantly reduce the sound so that we could listen to quiet music, such as soft jazz and classical.
As for the sound of the headphones themselves, the midrange is clear, but the HP-NC1s are a little sluggish overall, with no deep bass or extended high frequencies. In fairness to the HP-NC1s, noise-canceling headsets often sound restricted in the frequency extremes, as it can be tricky for the noise-canceling devices to differentiate between noise and music. The fit of these headphones is also a little snug for our taste, but you can loosen them a bit by gently bending the headset.
We have heard comparably priced, non-noise-canceling headphones that sound better than Maxell's HP-NC1. However, better sound doesn't matter much if you're having a hard time hearing the music in a noisy environment. At this price, these headphones are a bargain.
Pros:
- Noisebuster technology works well
- In-flight dual-jack adapter included
- In-line volume control
Cons:
- Snug fit may be uncomfortable
- Average sound quality
- Personal Computers: 0 pages (1999-08-31)
- Publisher: Maxell
- Label: Maxell
- Format: CD
- Studio: Maxell
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120 of 123 people found the following review helpful:  Depends on the type of noise, By David M (Vienna, VA USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Maxell Noise-Cancellation Headphones (Personal Computers) These headphones were disappointing. I bought them to use in a computer room that has a refrigerator size disk drive and an even bigger AC unit. These headphones do a good job of reducing the low-frequency noise but most of the high frequency stuff comes right through. As a result the noise reduction for me was about 20 - 30% of the total. I also tried them with a leaf blower and had the same results. They do seem to work well at taking out low rumbling humming noises like you would find in air travel but not for anything that has high pitched fan noise like AC units or vacuums. 133 of 140 people found the following review helpful:  Well worth the cost if you travel, By Christopher Smith (College Station, TX United States) - See all my reviews This review is from: Maxell Noise-Cancellation Headphones (Personal Computers) I had been considering purchasing noise-cancelling headphones for some time. When I saw these for such a low price, I decided to order. I'm glad I did.The headphones are permanently attached to a small belt-clip unit about the size of a pack of baseball cards. The unit has an on-off switch (for the cancelling part) and a volume control. A 3' cord ending in a standard 1/8" stereo plug comes out the bottom of the pack. The phones have great (but not excellent) response. They are designed as part of the N/C system and so have their best output at about 150Hz--which is great not only for rock and pop but classical as well. When you turn on the N/C, the sound is damped in the higher frequencies, which actually makes everything much clearer. Just don't use "Super Bass" on your CD player because the sound will get muddy. Without it, though, I was able to enjoy classicalon a recent plane flight without any distractions--which brings me to the N/C aspect...Read more 39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:  Nice execution for the money, By This review is from: Maxell Noise-Cancellation Headphones (Personal Computers) We bought these to soothe our nerves during flying. I found that they function very well as headphones. The noise cancellation circuitry adds a very low level white noise that can only be heard in quiet passages in quiet environments, but the circuit can be switched off and the headphones function as any unpowered phones do. Sound reproduction is good, the noise cancellation works mainly in the lower octaves (rumble and roaring noises) which is where you need the help when traveling. Higher frequency noises like voices are only slightly attenuated. This may be a design strategy which makes sense, but is also likely much easier (cheaper) to execute than full-bandwidth attenuation. Very helpful for our intended purpose. |
