@GeckoD I prefer over ear. Not exactly head phones. Any type of earbud hurts like crazy. Think my ear holes are weirdly shaped. Wonder if everything sounds weird as well?
Who, at this point, wants, but doesn’t yet have, such a thing? Really? (Yeah, they have a good AMZ rating, but damn, I’ve got at least 6 sets of buds & headsets.)
@thebigtverberg You mean detecting repetitive sounds outside of your headphones, then playing the inverted wave into your ears?
Yeah, I know about that part.
But if your ears are not isolated from the sound outside the headphones, then you’re hearing the sound from outside the headphones. No matter how loud you play the inverted noise, it is coming from the speaker, not everywhere the sound you’re trying to cancel is coming from.
This is why most REAL active noise canceling (ANC) headphones are either in-ear or over-ear, not on-ear. They isolate you from the outside as much as possible, and then play the “destructive sound wave” to “cancel” it out in your headphones at that measured reduced rate to finally cancel the full noise, so long as it is consistent in volume and pitch.
On-ear headphones need to compete at the same volume level (measured in decibels) and thus need to play the canceled sound wave much louder in order for you to experience its effects. And battery-powered headphones aren’t going to last that long if they have to blast 85 dB of audio (average passenger aircraft cabin volume) while also playing your music at some lower volume. Or the same volume. All that without also pissing off the whole plane, who can now hear your music clear as day, since you are wearing on-ear headphones.
Am I the only one who thinks these look hideously uncomfortable? Maybe the ear pads are made of something squishier than the pictures make it look…which is a chunk of molded plastic with a speaker grille punched into it!
@PooltoyWolf That was my thought too. In the negative reviews apparently it actally is some sort of something that is squishy as a complaint is that they come with that stuff deformed.
Also complaints that the pressure them on one’s ears is too hard, are uncomfortable, noise canceling doesn’t work well, sound quality isn’t very good when using as regular ear phones…
I don’t get the pic of the 4 levels. Level 2 looks like a table and chairs set which doesn’t look too noisy, and why are level 4 laptops noisier than level 3 laptops?
I was going to order these until I seen the cons listed
Tension on the headband is too tight for large heads
Rotation of the earcups is too easy and move
Leather on the earpads slip when wet
Poor seal created on ear
Bass is muddy and weak
My head hurts enough from headsets. They need to make more Shrek compatible products for us 6’8 300lb people. Ogres have feelings to!
I know these are list priced far above the TaoTronics, and sale priced more than double the TT sales price, but does anyone know if these are any better? I’ve liked the TaoTronics and been amazed at their value, but would consider moving up.
If you want reasonably priced noise cancelling headphones, grab these Anker Soundcores for $40 while you can. Currently on sale from their usual $60. Over ear, not this silly on ear and Anker isn’t going anywhere, unlike Libratone.
Do any of these cancel noise for the microphone? For example, when I’m using them for a phone call, will they cancel the background noise around me so that the person with whom I’m conversing does not hear it?
I ordered two sets of these and by now I’m really glad I did. The noise cancelling (four levels from none to total) is very good and so is the seal on the ears. These cans will reveal details in your music you never heard before. Lyrics I never understood without a lyric sheet are now crystal clear. I’ve been running my favorite albums through them and I’ve yet to be disappointed. On the other hand, these cans can be overdriven by heavy bass, so you may need to back off on the volume at times. I have a large head (hat size is 9 1/2) and while I have to extend the headband all the way, it’s still a very good fit. The headband is well-cushioned and comfortable. The cans appear to be very sturdily made, compared to the Polk Hinge sets I ordered a year and a half ago from meh that fell apart when I thoughtlessly picked them up by the cups. Lots of cool little touches like a battery indicator on the right cup as well as the Libratone emblem illuminating to let you know they’re on. If meh offers these again, I’ll get some more for gifts.
I’ve been trying these out for the last few days (they arrived earlier this week). General impressions:
The noise cancelling is kind of freaky. It does very, very well with white-noise type background — last night I was up late watching TV with these on and had the NC on max. When I was done and took them off, it felt like a wall of noise crashing in because suddenly I could hear all the fans, hums, air going through duct grilles, etc. again. I’ve never had that with other NC headphones I’ve tried. On the other hand, it (maybe intentionally?) barely cancels voices at all — so in a bathroom I could hear someone talking clearly even on max suppression, but almost all the noise from the sink faucet was blocked.
They’re a little tight on my head, but I’ve had that with most headphones. I might try what I saw someone mention elsewhere and leave them stretched out some on a piece of wood for a day.
The app is very meh but also I can’t think of any reason you need it. I think it allows you to customize volume profiles maybe? It’s not a reason to get these but neither is it a reason not to.
The touch volume and play/pause is fantastic. No more fumbling to pause or turn down on my phone. This is really the killer feature than I think puts these over the top compared to my trusty Bluedios (also a Meh buy, incidentally) or most other headphones I’ve had.
Very happy with the headphones. On your head with music on, you don’t hear anything else. Tested indoors with the TV and outdoors walking. Be careful if you use these walking as it’s not the driver’s fault if you get squashed like a bug trying to cross the street.
Most important for the average person, the quality of the sound is amazing, considering these are wireless. I have other inexpensive headphones and these are the best of any I own and not the cheapest in cost. I compared them to a first generation Bose wired headset and both were fine (not extensive testing, just my flipping back and forth). Finally, they’re comfortable to wear.
Specs
What’s in the Box?
Price Comparison
$169 at Amazon
Warranty
1-year Meh
Estimated Delivery
Tuesday, Sep 21 - Monday, Sep 27
Mehhhhh
Nice
Dammit I’m third
Noise is CANCELLED
/giphy cancelled
But … I want my headphones to make noise
I never understood the appeal of on ear headphones.
@GeckoD And, I suppose, I still don’t.
@GeckoD I prefer over-ear, but would choose on-ear over in-ear every day of the week.
@GeckoD For me over ear are often way too hot and make me sweat. These seem like they’d be a lot cooler.
@GeckoD I prefer over ear. Not exactly head phones. Any type of earbud hurts like crazy. Think my ear holes are weirdly shaped. Wonder if everything sounds weird as well?
Who, at this point, wants, but doesn’t yet have, such a thing? Really? (Yeah, they have a good AMZ rating, but damn, I’ve got at least 6 sets of buds & headsets.)
They sit ON your ear, not over it. How the hell is that going to cancel noise effectively? I call bullshit. That’s probably why they’re on Meh.
@ooglek
It’s actually pretty neat how it works.
@thebigtverberg You mean detecting repetitive sounds outside of your headphones, then playing the inverted wave into your ears?
Yeah, I know about that part.
But if your ears are not isolated from the sound outside the headphones, then you’re hearing the sound from outside the headphones. No matter how loud you play the inverted noise, it is coming from the speaker, not everywhere the sound you’re trying to cancel is coming from.
This is why most REAL active noise canceling (ANC) headphones are either in-ear or over-ear, not on-ear. They isolate you from the outside as much as possible, and then play the “destructive sound wave” to “cancel” it out in your headphones at that measured reduced rate to finally cancel the full noise, so long as it is consistent in volume and pitch.
On-ear headphones need to compete at the same volume level (measured in decibels) and thus need to play the canceled sound wave much louder in order for you to experience its effects. And battery-powered headphones aren’t going to last that long if they have to blast 85 dB of audio (average passenger aircraft cabin volume) while also playing your music at some lower volume. Or the same volume. All that without also pissing off the whole plane, who can now hear your music clear as day, since you are wearing on-ear headphones.
So again, I say, bullshit.
Does Q know about this?
Will the app be supported and updated now that Libratone is bankrupt? 2.7/5 stars on Google Play…
Playing non-noise really loud is not noise cancelling, no matter how good the non-noise it! And remember that your non-noise is someone else’s noise.
Am I the only one who thinks these look hideously uncomfortable? Maybe the ear pads are made of something squishier than the pictures make it look…which is a chunk of molded plastic with a speaker grille punched into it!
@PooltoyWolf That was my thought too. In the negative reviews apparently it actally is some sort of something that is squishy as a complaint is that they come with that stuff deformed.
Also complaints that the pressure them on one’s ears is too hard, are uncomfortable, noise canceling doesn’t work well, sound quality isn’t very good when using as regular ear phones…
@Kidsandliz Sounds like one to avoid…
I don’t get the pic of the 4 levels. Level 2 looks like a table and chairs set which doesn’t look too noisy, and why are level 4 laptops noisier than level 3 laptops?
@phonepole Level 3 is a call center, level 4 is an airplane.
@Gregpayne @phonepole I think Level 3 photo is someone sitting in a coffee shop.
I was going to order these until I seen the cons listed
Tension on the headband is too tight for large heads
Rotation of the earcups is too easy and move
Leather on the earpads slip when wet
Poor seal created on ear
Bass is muddy and weak
My head hurts enough from headsets. They need to make more Shrek compatible products for us 6’8 300lb people. Ogres have feelings to!
I know these are list priced far above the TaoTronics, and sale priced more than double the TT sales price, but does anyone know if these are any better? I’ve liked the TaoTronics and been amazed at their value, but would consider moving up.
If you want reasonably priced noise cancelling headphones, grab these Anker Soundcores for $40 while you can. Currently on sale from their usual $60. Over ear, not this silly on ear and Anker isn’t going anywhere, unlike Libratone.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NM3RSRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_n18kFbH65FAH7
@cinoclav thanks. Exactly, roughly, I think they will do, what I’m looking for.
@cinoclav I have the earbuds. They sound amazing once you figure out how to align them in your ear canal so you can hear the bass.
The reviews of the Libratone app in the Google Play and Apple App Store are, overall, less than flattering. Apparently they can’t cancel that noise.
@Ambiverbal
The only thing missing is AAA batteries.
Can they cancel the wife’s voice?
@wentzelduane The cord that comes with them can when used properly.
@wentzelduane Yes. She has to message me now if she wants me.
Wow do these look horrible.
Ulimited?
@j37hr0 Limited only by how long U leave the wire attached. Thus Ulimited.
Do any of these cancel noise for the microphone? For example, when I’m using them for a phone call, will they cancel the background noise around me so that the person with whom I’m conversing does not hear it?
I ordered two sets of these and by now I’m really glad I did. The noise cancelling (four levels from none to total) is very good and so is the seal on the ears. These cans will reveal details in your music you never heard before. Lyrics I never understood without a lyric sheet are now crystal clear. I’ve been running my favorite albums through them and I’ve yet to be disappointed. On the other hand, these cans can be overdriven by heavy bass, so you may need to back off on the volume at times. I have a large head (hat size is 9 1/2) and while I have to extend the headband all the way, it’s still a very good fit. The headband is well-cushioned and comfortable. The cans appear to be very sturdily made, compared to the Polk Hinge sets I ordered a year and a half ago from meh that fell apart when I thoughtlessly picked them up by the cups. Lots of cool little touches like a battery indicator on the right cup as well as the Libratone emblem illuminating to let you know they’re on. If meh offers these again, I’ll get some more for gifts.
They’re being sold again on the Meh-rathon,for $68. Was that the original price on 8/6?
@syms $69. One-dollar discount, I guess.
I’ve been trying these out for the last few days (they arrived earlier this week). General impressions:
The noise cancelling is kind of freaky. It does very, very well with white-noise type background — last night I was up late watching TV with these on and had the NC on max. When I was done and took them off, it felt like a wall of noise crashing in because suddenly I could hear all the fans, hums, air going through duct grilles, etc. again. I’ve never had that with other NC headphones I’ve tried. On the other hand, it (maybe intentionally?) barely cancels voices at all — so in a bathroom I could hear someone talking clearly even on max suppression, but almost all the noise from the sink faucet was blocked.
They’re a little tight on my head, but I’ve had that with most headphones. I might try what I saw someone mention elsewhere and leave them stretched out some on a piece of wood for a day.
The app is very meh but also I can’t think of any reason you need it. I think it allows you to customize volume profiles maybe? It’s not a reason to get these but neither is it a reason not to.
The touch volume and play/pause is fantastic. No more fumbling to pause or turn down on my phone. This is really the killer feature than I think puts these over the top compared to my trusty Bluedios (also a Meh buy, incidentally) or most other headphones I’ve had.
Very happy with the headphones. On your head with music on, you don’t hear anything else. Tested indoors with the TV and outdoors walking. Be careful if you use these walking as it’s not the driver’s fault if you get squashed like a bug trying to cross the street.
Most important for the average person, the quality of the sound is amazing, considering these are wireless. I have other inexpensive headphones and these are the best of any I own and not the cheapest in cost. I compared them to a first generation Bose wired headset and both were fine (not extensive testing, just my flipping back and forth). Finally, they’re comfortable to wear.