I’ve been quite skeptical of noise-canceling technology for years. My cheap earbuds did a decent job of passively blocking noise, so I figured Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) wasn’t worth the extra cost. However, a quick test of ANC immediately changed my mind.
What Is Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) and How Does It Work?
Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) headphones use microphones to pick up external sounds. This signal is then processed by the Digital Signal Processor (DSP), which creates a sound wave with an inverted phase—essentially, a sound that is the opposite of the recorded noise. When these two sound waves meet, they cancel each other out in a process known as phase cancelation, effectively blocking out the external noise.
ANC is usually combined with passive noise isolation in the form of thick earpads and closed-back designs for headphones and silicone or foam eartips for earbuds to achieve even greater noise reduction. Note that passive noise isolation can also be found in non-ANC headphones and earbuds.
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There’s another, more advanced form of ANC called Adaptive ANC. As the name suggests, Adaptive Noise Cancelation automatically adjusts the level of noise cancelation based on your environment. It’s particularly effective in environments where noise levels and types constantly change, such as traffic, public transport, coffee shops, and the gym.
Why I Thought I Didn’t Need ANC
As briefly explained in the introduction, I thought that my passive noise-isolating $20 earbuds were enough to get rid of noise at the gym or when I travel, especially if I turned the volume up.
While there’s some truth to that, I realized that I couldn’t just keep my volume at near-maximum all the time. As I get older, I’m becoming more aware of the importance of taking care of my hearing if I want to continue enjoying music as I age.
However, I still couldn’t justify the hefty price tag that these headphones and earbuds usually carry. Budget-friendly options like the $30 JLab GO POP ANC didn’t exist a few years ago, and even though they’re available now, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they offer great sound quality or that their ANC is effective at canceling noise.
Plus, I only used speakers and open-back audiophile headphones at home (the Sennheiser HD 599) when sitting at my desk, so I thought ANC wouldn’t be all that useful at home. All in all, I figured that ANC was a nice feature to have, but it wasn’t for me—until I tried them as part of my routine.
ANC Is a Game Changer
When SteelSeries reached out to me and offered samples of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Arctis GameBuds (both of which have ANC), I immediately accepted the opportunity to see if ANC was just a gimmick or actually worth the hype.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset
$312 $350 Save
$38
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset is a high-end headset for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox gamers. It’s a feature-packed product that comes with an unlimited dual-battery system and a 2.4GHz receiver with an OLED screen, numerous EQ presets for different games, and Bluetooth connectivity that can be used simultaneously with the 2.4GHz receiver.
Well, you read the title, so you know the answer—ANC is amazing. While these SteelSeries products are primarily designed for gamers, their ANC still works really well. I use the headset at home, and I can immediately tell whether ANC is on or off based on whether I hear my PC’s fans. The funny thing is, my new PC is already very quiet, but ANC completely eliminates any trace of fan noise.
The GameBuds are arguably even better at canceling noise, likely because the eartips already do the heavy lifting (pun intended) by forming a tight seal inside my ear. I use them at the gym, and they’re fantastic at eliminating the constant hum and thump of the treadmill—not to mention the awful selection of gym music.
Another benefit of ANC is that I can now listen to music at more comfortable volume levels, regardless of where I am. In fact, ANC can cancel out noise without any music playing, which is useful if you want to read a book on a plane or just simply reduce noise pollution when you’re out and about.
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I no longer have to blast music just to drown out noise in busy areas. And while I initially worried that ANC could affect sound quality, I found the opposite to be true. Any slight impact that ANC might have on sound quality is negligible compared to the constant noise that reaches your ears without it.
It’s worth noting that ANC doesn’t eliminate noise completely, though this varies from product to product. I would say that ANC on the SteelSeries headset and earbuds reduces noise by anywhere from 20% to 80% compared to passive noise isolation, depending on the noise type and loudness level. My partner’s JBL Tune 770NC headphones have similar noise-canceling performance, but it’s worth noting that some higher-end noise-canceling headphones can reduce noise even better.
JBL Tune 770NC
$110 $130 Save
$20
The JBL Tune 770NC are wireless over-ear headphones that feature adaptive noise canceling, which can significantly reduce environmental noise. The headphones have a balanced sound profile, with a slight bump in bass that makes them suitable for most music genres.
Transparency Mode Is Seriously Useful
A seriously underrated feature of ANC is transparency mode. In fact, I would go so far as to say that transparency mode is the main reason you would buy headphones with ANC. This feature allows you to hear your environment through the built-in microphones with a single press of a button, something you won’t find on regular noise-isolating headphones.
The same mics that assist with ANC will now do the exact opposite, allowing you to be aware of your surroundings. I use it when crossing the street or having quick conversations, as I don’t have to turn my music off or take out my earbuds.
I know I’m late to the ANC party, but I’m glad I’m finally here. If you’re still on the fence about whether you should invest in a pair of headphones or earbuds with it, I’d say go for it—especially if you plan to wear them outside. You’ll notice a significant difference the first time you turn ANC on in a busy area, and once you experience that silence, you won’t want to go back.
