softwareNerd Posted September 12, 2005 Report Share Posted September 12, 2005 I remember reading years ago that since sound was a wave, if one could generate a wave that was the "opposite" of a particular sound, one would cancel it out and hear nothing. When I first read about it, it was presented as a theoretical idea that would be very difficult to put into practice. A few years ago, I started noticing in-flight magazine advertisments for Bose noise-cancelling headphones. I'm fascinated by the idea that one does not have to completely block out sound using a "passive" physical barrier. The next step would be to make the "active noise cancellation" approach more selective. For instance, I have heard that some luxury car manufacturers (like Lexus) do not seal their cars as much as they could, because that would mean cutting out the sound of ambulances etc. I suppose they could use "active noise cancellation" to cancel out the remaining external noises, except those that sound like emergency vehicles. Headphones with this approach are now available from multiple manufacturers. Problem is, they're still extremely expensive. Philosophical quandry, now updated: if a tree falls in a forest, but you're wearing noise-cancelling headphones... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted September 12, 2005 Report Share Posted September 12, 2005 Philosophical quandry, now updated: if a tree falls in a forest, but you're wearing noise-cancelling headphones... I know the sound of one hand clapping. These devices are great. I always assumed they were possible, but I didn't know that they exist already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TronDD Posted September 12, 2005 Report Share Posted September 12, 2005 I have a pair, great for cancelling out the nonsensical ramblings of your insane family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcyphyr_all_things Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Ahh! Technology! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidOdden Posted September 19, 2005 Report Share Posted September 19, 2005 Philosophical quandry, now updated: if a tree falls in a forest, but you're wearing noise-cancelling headphones......then you better have someone not wearing headphones who will jump around and get your attention, 'cuz otherwise the tree is gonna whack you, ruining your expensive headphones and probably also your head. softwareNerd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik Posted November 11, 2005 Report Share Posted November 11, 2005 I have a pair of Ultrasone PL2500 headphones that are open but they have another model that is closed. The PL750. I tried them and it pretty much cuts out everything outside of the phones. I think its all done physically though. The reason why I got the open headphones is so I can hear if my baby has woken up and started crying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 Canalphones are better when it comes to blocking outside noise in my opinion; while noise cancelling technology is impressive, it just cant compete with earphones which function as a physical barrier. I love my shure e4s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMeganSnow Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 I've worn the Bose headphones on an airplane flight before, and it was a significant improvement. They cancel steady noises like the engine hum quite well, but I could still hear people talking to me and so forth. Last time, though, I just used earplugs because I wanted to sleep. Those things itch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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