I was told about a good deal on noise-reduction headphones via twitter last week. I did some research and the model being offered, while old (good reviews from 2007/2008), was still current and very popular.
So, once I had wife approval, I ordered a pair.
They arrived today.
I can’t believe what I’ve been suffering through over the past years. I’ve tried all sorts of headphones at work, from high quality ear-buds, to over-ear “cans”, in canal buds and on ear variants.
The in canal buds have always been my favourite, but the quality of the audio just wasn't there unless you spent lots of money. So for the past year I’ve been using a pair of over-ear Phillips cans. They’ve been ok for the audio, but I could still hear background noise and whatnot.
But not any more. The Blackbox/Phitek C14 ear buds are brilliant. The fact they are ear-buds goes a long way to reducing external noise but
- the audio frequency range response is amazing. Bass and top end are both there, and the whole range is a really nice curve.
- comfort. These are the first ear buds I’ve found where they are adjustable. Not just different size silicon buds, but the fact that you can rotate the stems so the stalks fit more naturally into your canals and the cable hangs better.
- accessories. Extension cable. Spare silicon buds, adaptors (6.5mm, airplane dual 3.5), 2 carry cases, battery. Wow.
The noise reduction rejection is just as good as I have tried on any other system. In fact, I think this is much better, because many other systems tried to block all external sounds, whereas these just filter the low frequency sounds (fans, engines, background brown/red noise etc…).
I can’t wait until we have to travel so I can try them out for them purpose. But until then, as I said earlier today
”Yay! I can’t hear my co-workers”
The deal: www.blackboxforstudents.co.nz