Hi, I use the Bose earphones. They cancel out noise and i do not feel pressure on my eardrums. They cost about 300 dollars, but I believe you can make payments by calling Bose at 1800-282bose. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joni Colver" <july77@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "Book Port" <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 6:47 AM Subject: [bookport] Noise-canceling headphones >I have been interested in buying some noise-canceling headphones to use >with > my Book Port. I want to use these headphones on airplanes and buses to > listen to the Double Talk synthesizer read text. > > > > After reading numerous reviews on amazon.com, I am still undecided. Many > people complain about a pressure on the eardrums while using NC > headphones. > Can anyone who has used noise-canceling headphones comment on this issue? > I > don't know if a person can try out headphones in electronics stores. I > can > reach Best Buy, Radio Shack, Office Depot and Circuit City. Has anyone > been > able to try headphones before buying at any of these stores or are they > all > sealed up in packaging? > > > > I will list the headphones I am considering at this point. If anyone has > had positive or negative experiences with any of these or any other brands > please share this with me. > > > > Bose QuietComfort2. These are super expensive at $299 and I am reluctant > to > spend that much money on headphones. They do have the battery for NC in > the > ear cuff I believe, which is nice. > > > > Sennheiser PXC250, less than half the price of the Bose. I have heard > good > things about the Sennheiser brand. The batteries are in a unit attached > to > the cord and this may be a slight negative in using the headphones. > > > > Panasonic RP-HC100 for around $47 at amazon. I wonder if these have been > discontinued since the price cut is so large. They have the battery in > the > ear cuff but some people have said they hurt their ears after a few hours > of > use. > > > > The Sennheiser PX100 folding headphones, which do not have NC capability, > got great reviews at amazon and have been recommended by other Book Port > users. They cost less than $50. Has anyone used these on planes or > buses? > How well do they work in these noisy environments? > > > > I also ran across this model: Etymotic ER-6 Isolator for $120. These are > apparently in-ear headphones. They are also termed noise isolation > headphones and many people think they are superior to noise-canceling > headphones. Here is one quote from a reviewer: "Overall sound quality > superior to active > > noise cancellation that unbalances the frequency response." > > > > Is frequency response only relevant for listening to music? Most people > review these headphones in reference to how music sounds. My main purpose > is listening to the spoken word and hearing it more clearly in noisy > environments. > > > > Any thoughts on this issue would be appreciated. > > > > Joni > >