Joni, I don't have any experience with noise canceling head phones, but I can offer a couple of comments regarding 2 of the models you mention below. First of all, the Sennheiser PX100's are an open design, meaning they = are not a sealed type head phone. This type of design is probably not your = best choice if what you are looking to do is keep noise out. They sound = great, and the best deal going on good sounding head phones at that price = range, but may not do the job you want. =20 Second, the Etymotic ER6's will definitely do what you want. I have a = pair of Etymotic 4p's which are the big brother to the ER6 and they do an outstanding job of keeping out any kind of noise. The thing about this = type of earphone is that they are canal phones meaning they literally stick = into your ear canals, and getting the right sound and level of isolation = depends on making a good seal in your ear canals. This type of design is not = for everyone because it is literally like taking your 2 index fingers and sticking them into each ear. And some folks just don't like that = feeling. =20 Now here is another model to take a serious look at. The FutureSonics = EM3. You can read about them at the link below, and I just checked their page = and it so happens they are on sale for the holidays for $99. I paid $150 = for these last Christmas. These are also in the ear type phones, using a = soft spongy foam insert that are very comfortable in the ear, and let me tell = you that they sound absolutely terrific for both music and spoken word, and = they take up no room. When you hold these in your hands, the impression you = get is that you got jipped, until you put them in your ears and listen to = some music. The fidelity is outstanding, perhaps a little heavy on the bass, = but that depends on your source, and material you are listening to. For = $99, they are terrific, and do a very good job at keeping out noise.. Here = is the web site. Good luck in your decision. http://futuresonics.umsebiz.com/store/index.php3?cat=3D132475&item=3D3702= 55 Best regards, =20 Rick Alfaro ralfaro@xxxxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx = [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joni Colver Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 9:48 AM To: Book Port 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