<p>I am looking for a set of head phones for my daughter, similar to those people use on air planes and I would assume in dorm rooms and libraries when they are trying to concentrate. Does anyone have rec. Do they really work. Thanks.</p>
<p>Can’t beat Bose…</p>
<p>[Best</a> noise-canceling headphones - CNET Reviews](<a href=“http://reviews.cnet.com/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/]Best”>Best Headphones for 2023: Top Picks for All Styles - CNET)</p>
<p>Noise cancelling headphones work best with cancelling out repetitive, continuous sounds, like the drone of a jet engine. They do this by figuring out what that continuous sound is and adding that out of phase to the signal, so that the continous sound is more or less cancelled out. This works pretty well on jet engines. I’m not sure how well it works on your roommate talking on the phone, TV, etc. So while noise cancelling headphones are great (and I love my Bose Quiet Comfort 15 headphones) I’m not sure they would work any better than another pair of over-the-ear headphones in a dorm situation.</p>
<p>^dadx3 is correct. They will muffle noises like people talking or loud music, but the only noises they actually ‘cancel’ are airplane engine noises and others that have a continuous drone. That said, I LOVE mine and will never travel without them (I also have the Bose Quiet Comfort 15 headphones). They are a bit pricey but in my opinion the technology and the level of comfort when wearing them is worth it.</p>
<p>I have had the quiet comfort headphones for a long time (had the 2’s, now have the 15) and they really work well. You do pay a lot for them, there is no doubt, but I have found them to be worth it. What was nice was I was able, when my old headphones died, to be able to upgrade to the 15’s for a fraction of their retail price.</p>
<p>Sennheiser seems to be as good as Bose for a lot less money:</p>
<p>[Noise</a> Cancelling Headphone Shootout Sennheiser vs Beats vs Bose vs Sony vs Denon - YouTube](<a href=“Noise Cancelling Headphone Shootout Sennheiser vs Beats vs Bose vs Sony vs Denon - YouTube”>Noise Cancelling Headphone Shootout Sennheiser vs Beats vs Bose vs Sony vs Denon - YouTube)</p>
<p>For the dorm, I think that “noise isolating” might be what you are looking for. You can get in-ear monitors (like musicians wear at a rock concert so they can hear themselves) which are like ear plugs and earphones in one, or you can get outside-the-ear headsets.</p>
<p>The one I got my daughter (which she is quite happy with) is a headset from Sennheiser. They have “over the ear” (rather than “on the ear”) models that are closed and provide good noise isolation.</p>
<p>I can’t put anything on or around my ear (it hurts!) so I got myself some in-ear ones instead. They don’t block out a lot of sound when there’s nothing playing through them (i.e. they aren’t great earplugs) but they do a good job when I have audio running through them. They were pretty inexpensive, too.</p>
<p>I like my Bose headphones, but my audio geek son prefers Sennheiser. Says they’re technically more advanced and better sound quality, but they are also much heavier. Having used both the Sennheisers he sent us as a gift and the Bose, I think I agree with him, but the Bose are definitely more comfortable.</p>
<p>I find in ear tips work as well. I have the Comply P-Series slim foam tips. They go on my earphones, replacing the foam tip that came with them. (They make tips for all the headphone brands.) I got the kind that go into my ear because that really blocks the sound. A 3pack is like $18 at Amazon. </p>
<p>If you want noise canceling, you need to understand some don’t work unless they’re turned on, meaning they rely on the battery to be a headphone. I think they tend to be heavy and I don’t like that. But to each his or her own.</p>
<p>I researched this last year and decided on the Bose for my DS (college). He loves them and uses them when he’s studying. Of course they are also wonderful for airplanes (he uses them on the train also).</p>
<p>I’m considering getting a pair this year for my DS2 who has ADD issues–I think they will really help him focus on homework rather than getting distracted by every little noise. If they work well for him, I may consider asking his teachers if he can wear them (with noise cancelling on) when he takes tests. (HS student)</p>