Noise-canceling headphones are used by people who dislike background noise. Advanced and complex technologies, such as noise-reducing, provide users with a better listening experience. However, many wonder whether these headphones can also play music.
Noise-canceling headphones can play music alone. You don’t require separate headphones for listening to audio.
In this post, we’ll look at several features of noise-canceling headphones, what they can do, and their limitations.
Also, I’ll recommend some of the best brands too. All you have to do is stick around until the end of this article.
Function Of Noise-Canceling Headphones
First, we need to comprehend the function of noise-canceling headphones to understand how they play music.
Active noise-cancelation technology in the ear cups captures external noise. The headphones cancel out that external sound and produce an opposite sound wave. This makes the area quiet so you can listen to your music without interruption.
Noise-canceling headphones often come with high-end audio drivers that produce excellent sound quality, making them ideal for listening to music. Some even include EQ controls or changeable sound profiles, allowing you to tailor the audio to your preferences.
As a result, it is simpler to concentrate on audio content or enjoy music without being distracted by background noise when using noise-canceling headphones.
Furthermore, noise-canceling headphones have built-in speakers to listen to music without a separate device. You may connect these headphones to your TV, smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other devices because they have Bluetooth or wired connectivity.
Components of Noise-Canceling Headphones
These headphones include:
- Mics
- Speakers
Microphones are used for capturing and analyzing external noise. While an inverse sound wave is produced by the processor using this data.
It is then broadcast over the headphones’ speakers. This wave cancelation eliminates external sound waves and provides a comprehensive listening experience.
Uses of Noise-Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are used for:
- Minimize background noise: These headphones allow you to concentrate better on the audio by efficiently reducing background noise. This can be particularly useful in noisy environments like airplanes, trains, or shooting, where ambient noise can be distracting or stressful.
- Enhance audio quality: They enhance sound quality by using the ANC feature. It adds clarity to the sound, making you understand sounds better. They are handy for low-frequency sounds. The listening experience can be improved, and audio information can be heard more easily without increasing the volume to potentially harmful levels.
- Improved listening experience: Noise-canceling headphones can make listening more immersive and enjoyable by decreasing background noise, especially in crowded or noisy places. They help listen to music and watch movies.
- Safeguard hearing: Noise-canceling headphones can also aid in protecting your hearing by lowering the need to increase the volume to drown out background noise. This is particularly true when listening to audio content for extended periods.
- Reduce distractions: These headphones can help you concentrate on your audio content by eradicating background noise. This can be particularly helpful for those who need to concentrate on work or study in noisy environments.
- Travel convenience: They are particularly useful when traveling, as they block out the noise of airplanes, trains, or buses, making your journey more comfortable and enjoyable.
- Health benefits: They also reduce stress and anxiety by creating a quieter environment, benefiting people suffering from anxiety or sensory disorders.
Limitations of Noise-Canceling Headphones
Although noise-canceling earphones have many uses, they also have limitations.
- Can’t block 100% of sounds: While noise-canceling headphones can significantly reduce background noise, they cannot silence all sounds. They may not be as effective at blocking high-frequency sounds like human voices or unexpected loud noises as they are at dampening low-frequency sounds like airline engines or traffic noise.
- Unable to improve audio across the board: Noise-canceling headphones might not be suitable for all music environments or content despite improving audio quality. For example, if you’re listening to music in a quiet room, these headphones might not substantially affect audio quality.
- Can cause distress or discomfort: Also, extended use of noise-canceling headphones without breaks can lead to ear fatigue, pain in the ears, or discomfort too. It may lead to headaches if headphones are not correctly fitted. Therefore it’s crucial to take regular rests and adopt safe listening practices.
Overall, noise-canceling headphones may be an excellent investment for individuals who frequently listen to audio in noisy places or wish to improve their audio quality.
Watch this video to learn how the noise-canceling headphones work:
Can Noise-canceling headphones work without music?
Yes, noise-canceling headphones work without music.
They are popular because of their noise-canceling features, even while not listening to music. This technology operates regardless of playing music or any other audio content.
Noise-canceling headphones can considerably lower external noise, making concentrating or relaxing in noisy places easier. This can be particularly effective in places like airlines, trains, or busy offices, where ambient noise can be distracting.
It’s worth mentioning that while noise-canceling headphones can lower external noise, they may not wholly eradicate it, particularly high-frequency sounds like human voices or unexpected loud noises.
Are noise-canceling headphones worth it?
It depends on your personal preferences and how you plan to use headphones.
Noise-canceling headphones can be helpful if you frequently find yourself in noisy environments and need to concentrate on a task or simply enjoy your music without distraction. They use advanced technology to reduce ambient noise and create a more immersive listening experience.
However, noise-canceling headphones can be more expensive than regular headphones, so if you don’t need noise cancelation or aren’t bothered by external noise, they may not be worth the extra cost.
It’s also worth noting that some people find noise-canceling headphones uncomfortable, particularly if they suffer from motion sickness or ear pressure issues.
Ultimately, whether or not noise-canceling headphones are worth it is a personal decision based on your needs and preferences.
Top 5 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones with Features
1. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
This highly-rated model offers superior noise-canceling technology, wireless connectivity, and amazing sound quality. It has a built-in voice assistant, Alexa, and Google Assistant, offering up to 20 hours of battery life.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
This headphone model offers impressive noise canceling and sound quality. It has intuitive touch controls, voice assistant support, and a sleek and stylish design. Furthermore, it has a battery life is up to 17 hours.
3. Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
This headphone model offers impressive noise canceling and sound quality. It has intuitive touch controls, support for voice assistants, and a sleek and stylish design. The battery life is up to 17 hours.
4. Apple AirPods Pro
This popular earbud model offers superior noise-canceling technology and appealing integration with Apple devices. It has a transparency mode that allows ambient sound to come through, and the battery life is up to 4.5 hours.
5. Jabra Elite 85h
This well-known headphone model offers excellent noise canceling and sound quality. It features a long battery life of up to 36 hours, voice assistant support, and customization options through the Jabra app. The design is also water-resistant for durability.
The following table shows the prices of these headphones:
| Headphones | Price |
| Bose QuietComfort 35 II | $345 |
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | $348 |
| Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless | $244 |
| Apple AirPods Pro | $149 |
| Jabra Elite 85h | $236 |
Final Thoughts
To conclude, I’d say:
- Noise-canceling headphones play music on their own. They don’t require any gadgets for this purpose.
- They can be used to listen to music like regular headphones. They consist of built-in speakers and microphones.
- Noise-canceling headphones satisfy a wide variety of needs and preferences.
- They use ANC technology to block background noise, making them useful while traveling and in crowded places.
- Considering the benefits, Noise-canceling headphones are a must-buy. But you should do thorough research to know which one suits your preferences.
- I’ve listed some of the top-rated noise-canceling headphones along with their features. Check them out to learn more.