Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've done a massive amount of research on active noise-cancelling headphones, and read reviews from writers at Innerfidelity, Sound and Vision, and articles written by several other "reputable" reviewers in the industry that base their opinion on both subjective (what they hear) AND objective (what they measure with equipment) analysis. PERSONAL DETAILS: 1. I'm buying these primarily for work. I work in a cubicle. I want something comfortable, with cans large enough to cover the ear. I don't want on-ear headphones, and I don't want another pair of IEMs. IEMs are comfortable, but if you wear then daily, for several hours a day, the onset of inner-ear discomfort eventually kicks in after 1 or 2 hours. It's annoying. 2. I'm not an audiophile, but I'm not a "n00b" either. Most of my experience has been in mid-range ($80 to $200) in-ear monitors (IEMs), with my only other headphones being pair of Phiaton MS400, which have a "funner" V-shaped frequency output. 3. I have a big head: size 60, or around a 7 1/2 fitted baseball cap (for all you Americans), so whatever I say about fit is with regards to a big head. PRIORITIES: 1. Comfort. No on-ears or IEMs. 2 & 3. Noise-cancelling and sound quality (tie). 4. Price. At first, sound quality was slightly more important to me than NC. After all, if they sound bad, there's no amount of NC that can make them sound good!! However, I read an interview with someone high-up at Head-fi (perhaps the founder?), as well as with other reputable reviewers, and EVERYBODY chooses the Bose QC15 over everything else. The argument? NC headphones are generally used when you're away from home, in environments that are NOT conducive to analytical music appreciation. Not when you're sitting on an noisy airplane or bus. Not when you're sitting at a desk, trying to block out the chit-chat from your work colleagues. You want "good-enough" sound quality, and to dampen external noise when you're inundated by external noise. Therefore, the best sound quality outside your home is achieved when external noise doesn't creep in and ruin your music. Based on my budget, I strongly preferred something cheaper, since this is only for office use, and the NC isn't crucial. However, I also don't like buying crap, and would have gone all out on the Bose QC15s if they were the pair that would make me the most satisfied. "Do it once, and do it right", I say!! Based on reading reviews, I had considered a number of options. Here's a summary. Audio-Technica ANC9 (which is what I bought) - Bulky, but lightweight. - Sticks out from head. - Very comfortable --> comparable to Bose QC15, Sony 1RNC, Sony 10RNC. - Sound quality with NC turned on: excellent. A bit warm, and slightly too much low-end bass. Also, the highs are very good for NC headphones, but not for headphones in general. A bit elevated, but the highest frequencies are a bit recessed I created an equilizer preset with NC on, and reduced 50 Hz, but raised the highest frequencies a bit. That's pretty much it. - Sound quality with NC off: the sound is much worse. It's drastically different. Be prepared to create a different equilizer setting for "NC on" and "NC off". I've saved both equilizer settings in iTunes on my computer. - On my big head, the headband just manages to reach down low enough to get to my ears. If my head was "taller", they wouldn't fit. - Leaks sound. I get the impression that it's better than the Audio-Technica ANC7b, but it's still pretty bad. However, I think it'd only be distracting to others in a very quiet environment. - NC performance comparable to QC15. Based on objective measurements taken using various equipment and software, the QC15 offers the best performance NC, while the ANC9 isn't far behind. Even subjectively, the opinion is the same. - NC definitely works on voices, but only reduces by around 50%. - 3 NC settings. The difference between the 2 main NC settings is very subtle, but there is definitely a difference. - Requires a AAA battery rather than a built-in USB rechargeable. This doesn't affect me, but if you're travelling often, then carrying a single micro-USB cable is easier than carrying a battery charger, or extra AAA batteries. Bose QC15 - Headphones stop functioning if you run out of batteries. To me, that's a deal-breaker. - Best NC performance. Active NC tends to block out lower frequencies, but the QC15 even manage to work on mid-frequencies better than competitors. - Worst sound quality in the price-range I'm looking at. The consensus seems to be: They sound good, but the competition all sound better. Recessed highs --> lack of clarity and detail. Opinions seem to vary on the bass. - Requires a AAA battery rather than a built-in USB rechargeable. I don't care, but if you're travelling, carrying a micro-USB cable is easier than carrying a battery charger, or extra AAA batteries. - The most portable. They're small and lightweight. It's not my main requirement. - The most comfortable, or close to it. Audio-Technica ANC7b - Large in size when compared to QC15. Comparable to ANC9 and most other headphones that cover your ears. - Somewhat ugly. - Leaks a lot of sound. I don't want to bother work colleagues when it's quiet at the office. - The ANC9 is supposed to be better in almost every way except the price. At regular price, the ANC7b is the far better deal. However, I bought the ANC9 for not much more than the ANC7b. - Requires a AAA battery rather than a built-in USB rechargeable. I don't care, but if you're travelling, carrying a single micro-USB cable is easier than carrying a battery charger, or extra AAA batteries. Audio-Technica ANC70 - Replaces the ANC7b in the line-up. - Very new model. Almost no reviews from reputable sources. No objective measurements of frequency output or NC abilities. - Great price though. - Looks great, but perhaps a bit cheap. - Cool mic/smartphone feature. AKG K490nc - Design flaw. The headphones seem to snap near the earpiece very easily after several months, even with careful handling. This is a very common complaint. - They're on-ear headphones. I wanted cans that are large enough to surround my ear. - I believe these come with a proprietary cable as well, or at least one that's difficult to find. AKG K495nc - Way too expensive for what you get in return. Same design flaw as K490nc. They break easily. - I believe these come with a proprietary cable as well, or at least one that's difficult to find. Harman Kardon NC: - Best looking design. Very flat. Don't stick out from your head. - NC is just average. - Proprietary charging cable: 3.5 mm to USB. If you lose or damage this cable, you're screwed. You wouldn't be able to replace it. I hate proprietary cables and standards like this. They drive me crazy. - Due to the metal headband, if something touches them while they're on your head, they make a lot of ruffling noise. Even moving your head around results in noise. It's the headphone equivalent of "microphonics", which is more of an IEM issue. The difference is that this happens when there's force on the headphone or headband, rather than the cable. SONY 1RNC - Terrible value for money. - Even at half price, they wouldn't be worth it. - Very comfortable. - Looks decent. - NOT worth considering. SONY 10RNC - Worthy of consideration. - Much more reasonable price than the 1RNC, especially when considering what you're getting. - Good NC compared to most, but not near the top. - Sound quality is not outstanding, but not bad. - Very comfortable Parrot Zik Noise-Cancelling Bluetooth (wireless) - NC and bluetooth. Competes with the Phiaton MS 530 Chord. - VERY expensive!! - Big and heavy. - NC isn't good. - I don't want bluetooth headphones. As far as I know about bluetooth speaker systems, they don't sound as good as something like AirPlay speakers due to the file compression required for transmission. I don't see why BT headphones would be different. Polk Audio Ultrafocus 8000 (similar to the above) - Sound quality is amazing. - NC is useless -- one of the worst here. - VERY expensive!! More expensive than the QC15. - Bulky and heavy. Not very comfortable over long periods due to weight. - I don't want bluetooth headphones. As far as I know about bluetooth speaker systems, they don't sound as good as something like AirPlay speakers due to the file compression required for transmission. I don't see why BT headphones would be different. PSB M4U 2 - Best sound quality!!! - NC is absolute garbage. That feature may as well not offer NC. - Massive and heavy. Not portable, and they become uncomfortable after some time due to their weight. - Very expensive!! More expensive than the QC15. Phiaton MS 530 Chord (wireless) - DEFINITELY worth considering. - NC headphones with Bluetooth, much like the Parrot Zik. - Beautiful design. My favourite headphone design, up there with the Harman Kardons and the Parrot Zik. - Sound quality is excellent, both with NC on or off. - NC is decent. - Price is great. MY HEADPHONE PREFERENCE: -Based on a balance of NC performance, sound quality, comfort, price, AND a lack of proprietary cables and connectors: 1. Audio-Technica ANC9. 2. Phiaton MS530 Chord. 3. Audio-Technica ANC7b 4. Bose QC15