Do you own noise-cancelling headphones?
 

Has anybody tried these headphones on an international flight? If so, what brand? Did they work? I can't afford the Bose set for $300, but the rest I've seen look to be $100 or less. The pair that gets the best ratings are no longer being manufactured. Sorry the brand escapes me at the moment. If you bought a pair that you are satisfied with, please provide a link if you have it. Thanks.

Sony MDR-NC5 - Around $100 about a year ago. They're great!

I have the Bose, which I got (as a gift) after spending $100 for some Brookstone or Sharper Image imitation. The latter cut out certain frequencies not only of engine noise but of the music or sound track you were trying to hear -- irritating and sometimes so useless that I took them off. The Bose work much better -- yes, at least 3 times better, since I could hear the music in its full range and the reduction of ambient noise is very good. However, even in its current "collapsable" form, the Bose set is bulky to wear and bulky to carry. Depends a lot on how determined you are to shut out noise and enjoy music/soundtrack, etc.

I am very curious about the Sony compared to the Bose, but there's also another new one by one of the classic manufacturers of speakers -- B & O, perhaps? -- I'd like to hear about.

Check out this site I just found. It mentions the discontinued Noisebuster and gives their recommendation for the best replacement brand.

http://21st-century-goods.com/Mercha...egory_Code=ANC

Hi,
I have used the Bose headphones in business class on American JFK-LHR and they are great although they tend to be a bit compressing on your head if you wear them on a long flight. They really block out background noise. I own a pair of the Sony headphones. They are very good - comfortable, lightweight, battery lasts a long time and they do a decent job blocking out ambient noise- but they don't block out nearly as much as the Bose. Personally I prefer the Sony because they aren't irritating when worn for many hours. I even wear them on flights that have no audio system. It just makes for a more pleasant flight to have all that engine background noise blocked out. I think I paid about $75 at J and R Music World (www.jandr.com).

My husband owns a pair of the Bose ones and loves them. I however have used them and think they are annoying--I'd rather just block out the noise with my brain. To each, his own.

Magellen had a pair for $79 in their catalog. Not sure how good they are.