Keeping Out the Noise, Letting In the Sound
In this post I am reporting on my performance tests comparing noise cancelling headphones, over-ear noise isolating headphones, and in-ear noise isolating earphones. Apart from noise reduction charts, I have also included tips based on my experience to help you decide which headphone type is right for your use case. Let’s get right to it. …
Read moreActive Noise Cancelling vs Noise Isolating Headphones [Tested]
The Etymotic Research ER2XR earphones are excellent at reducing noise, and they can drive a good beat. I am getting 30+ decibels noise reduction with these virtually across the whole tested frequency range. A while ago, I tested the Etymotic MK5 Isolator, neutral sounding budget earphones with great noise isolation. I like the MK5 but …
Read moreEtymotic ER2XR Review: Great Noise Isolation and Good Bass
In this post, I am sharing my favorite earplugs for blocking low frequency noise. I have systematically tested the earplugs mentioned here. In addition, I have used them in a variety of bass-noise heavy environments. To work well against low frequency noise, earplugs have to plug the ear deep inside the canal. It is the …
Read moreWhat Are the Best Earplugs for Low Frequency Noise?
The Moldex Pura-Fit (green) have been one of my favorite earplugs for several years now. They are easy to insert and exert just the right amount of pressure in my ears to stay put. Most importantly, I get a good seal with them and they effectively reduce noise. In this review, I am comparing the …
Read moreMoldex Pura-Fit vs SparkPlugs [Noise Reduction and Comfort Test]
Flents (Apothecary Products) distributes several very different earplugs in their Quiet-series. The short cylindrical Quiet Please are made of beige PVC. They may look retro, but in my experience, they shine as low frequency noise blockers and exert very little pressure in the ear canal. The longer Quiet Time (purple) and Quiet Contour (green) are …
Read moreFlents Quiet Time vs Quiet Contour vs Quiet Please [tested]
Do you want earphones with excellent noise isolation and save some coin? The Etymotic MK5 in-ears don’t have active noise cancellation, but chances are you won’t miss it with these earphones, if you don’t mind deep-insertion ear tips. I am sitting on my balcony listening to some coffeehouse music: basically piano and acoustic guitar to …
Read moreEtymotic Mk5 Review: Great Noise Isolation on a Budget
AGPTEK sleep earbuds are wired micro earphones with interchangeable ear tips. They are so small that I can insert them almost completely in my ear, allowing me to sleep comfortably on the side without ear pressure. Also, the sound of the earbuds doesn’t change when I hit the pillow. Apart from sleeping, these are also …
Read moreAGPTEK Sleep Earbuds Review (Isolation and Durability Tips)
Invented in Germany in 1907, Ohropax Classic wax are one of the first modern earplugs. They are made of a mix of cotton, Vaseline, and paraffin wax. Not surprisingly, these wax earplugs are a bit sticky, stickier, in fact, than pure wax and silicone putty earplugs. I have found this stickiness to be an advantage: …
Read moreOhropax Classic Wax Earplugs Review (plus Tips & Tricks)
Against low-frequency noise, active noise cancelling headphones (ANC headphones) reign, but against everything else, foam earplugs are more effective. That’s what I used to think, having used both for years now. But ANC headphones and ANC earbuds have become better and better, so I wondered, “Is this still true?” Besides, maximum noise reduction and isolation …
Read moreNoise Cancelling Headphones vs Earplugs: Who is Boss?
ISOtunes Wired and Plugfones Guardian both are wired work earplug headphones with a noise reduction rating of 29. They combine hearing protection earplugs with the ability to listen to music and audio books. I have decided to test and compare these particular models because they offer pretty much the same ear tips as the more …
Read moreISOtunes Wired vs Plugfones Guardian Earplug Headphones