Current Events > How does the noise canceling on earbuds compare to over-ear headphones?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I feel like it can't be as good, but is it close? Has anyone tried both to compare?

---

Bumping for a friend

---

I've tried both, the noise canceling on earbuds definitely isn't as good as over-ear headphones, but it's still pretty good. It depends on how well the specific earbuds seal in your ear and which ones you get too.

Also I think that the noise canceling effectiveness deteriorates over time, because my year and a half old AirPods Pro definitely don't cancel noise out as well as they used to when I first got them. I also tried my dad's Bose Quietcomfort earbuds and they have MUCH better noise canceling than my AirPods Pro, but he literally just got them so that could be it too.

Keep in mind, active noise canceling technology is meant to cancel out lower frequencies and consistent ones, such as the low rumbling of a plane or bus engine. Higher and more erratic/sudden sounds such as voices talking aren't meant to be filtered out by active noise cancellation, that's just how it is. Voices and such might be a bit more muffled for sure, but not designed to be blocked out completely. Lots of people don't know this and are disappointed when everything isn't completely blocked out by their new ANC device.

I don't get the love for ANC that completely blocks everything out. Like do people want walk around without hearing anything in their immediate vicinity? Sounds like a safety hazard.

Just give me something that blocks low frequencies and I'm good.

---

Super Saiyan 3 Goku posted...

I don't get the love for ANC that completely blocks everything out. Like do people want walk around without hearing anything in their immediate vicinity? Sounds like a safety hazard.

Just give me something that blocks low frequencies and I'm good.

It would be nice for a situation where you want total peace and quiet, like living in a shared household or near construction/traffic etc.

But yeah, for walking about? Definitely not, huge safety hazard for sure

The earbuds are definitely more portable, if that matters to you.

---

I have a set of Liberty Air Pro 2 earbuds. The noise canceling is impressive. Doesn't perfectly block out ALL SOUND IN THE WORLD but it's close. I can't tell my fan is running when they're in. It can block out snoring and greatly soften traffic.

---

Damn_Underscore posted...

The earbuds are definitely more portable, if that matters to you.

Well, yeah.

FWIW I have a train commute and a current pair of on-ear headphones with ANC that I like well enough, but I'm a sucker for trying to upgrade to the newest and best.

---

bumperooni

---