JVC HANCX78 Inner Ear Noise cancel (Silver)

Product Description

Inner Ear Noise cancel

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches ; 5.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001VPN4R4
• Item model number: HANCX78
  

Price : $47.49
You Save : $32.46 (41%)

List Price : $79.95

Technical Details

• 88% Noise Cancellation
• Detachable ear loop
• 50hr battery life
• iphone / ipod compatible slim plug
• Carry pouch included
• 88% Ambient Noise Reduction
• Over-The-Ear Cord Style For Friction Noise Reduction
• Built-In Silent Circuit For Electrical Noise Reduction
• Flat Housing For Wind Noise Reduction

Customer Reviews

Some time back, I started a quest to find the perfect noise cancelling ear-buds. I used to wear earplugs while practicing with my (loud!) band, but found that while foam earplugs do a wonderful job of cutting out the mid and high frequencies, they allow through a lot of the low frequency noise. This makes vocal work very tough, as its hard to hear the mid range frequencies. So I thought about trying some noise cancelling ear buds, with the view that I could also use them for in-ear monitoring.

I first tried the Sony active noise cancelling ear-buds type MDRNC22. They retail for about $50 on Amazon. I was delighted to find that they worked great for noise cancellation, even at the very high volumes that my band practices at. The basic ear-buds do a good job as acting like normal foam ear plugs, (there are three different size rubber inserts to chose from). But when you switch on the cancellation, the remaining muffled ambient bass noise drops dramatically. In fact, they cancel the low end so well, I actually have to add back in my bass guitar for monitoring, to hear what I'm playing. They advertize a 75% reduction at 300Hz. So from a noise cancelling perspective I give these full points. But, wait, you say, this is a review of the JVC ear-buds...

There were a few things I didn't like about the Sony ear buds, and this pertains to their more normal use as listening devices: firstly, there is a low level, but audible hiss. This is usually not a major issue under the circumstances that you usually need noise reduction. I've found that on planes, and while driving my car with the top down etc, the amount of hiss disappears into the remnants of the ambient noise, it's at such a low level. However, if your need is, say, to play some soft soothing music while cutting out background family noise to get you to your own special quiet place, then I find the noise is at a level that its detectable and annoying - a bit like the difference between listening to a cassette tape compared to a CD. However, I have to say that overall, the sound clarity is excellent, at least to my ears. One other thing related to the sound quality of the Sony's is the acoustic properties of the (rather thick) wires that feed to the ear buds. Friction noise is quite severe, so if you're moving around (ie jogging) the noise is quite loud. The final thing I didn't like about these is the way that they stick out of your ears. The body is quite compact, and sits nicely in the ear, but the cubic bits that stick out the side firstly make you look like you're turning borg, and secondly, are very uncomfortable to lie against. On a long flight, I want to be able to make use of these ear buds to turn down the noise so that I can sleep as well as listen to the movie and my music.

Ok, so before the JVC's, the Sony's were my reference. Now onto the JVC HA NCX78 ear buds (finally! you say). Like the Sony's they come with three sizes of rubber inserts to fit all ears. They do also come with foam inserts. I haven't tried these yet, as I'm quite happy with the silicon rubber ones, but I would imagine they may be even more comfortable. Similarly, they have a small single battery control unit about 18inches down the cable, with an on/off switch and a mute button that temporarily cuts the cancellation (useful when the stewardess is mouthing something to you and you have no clue of what she is saying). The sound quality is again, excellent (to my subjective and somewhat battered ears). I notice a slight difference in the overall music response when switching between cancellation being on and off, and I have to say, I slightly prefer the sound in the on position. But the difference is very small.

They work just as well as the Sony's for noise cancellation during my band practice, and again cancel out much of the noise. As passive earplugs they are just as effective as the Sony, and the active mode cancellation is outstanding - they claim 80% cancellation. In other words, 20% less noise gets to your ears than with the Sonys. But here's the bonus: there is no detectable hiss, at least within the limits of my hearing. In the `block out the screaming kids' scenario, these are great. No hiss during the quiet passages.

I also love the shape of these buds. They are very compact - no little blocks sticking out. They sit snuggly within the bounds of your ear, so that you can reasonably rest your head up against a headrest or pillow and sleep, without feeling someone is sticking a pencil in your ear eraser first. The wires are thinner, and the friction noise seems noticeably less. Moreover, JVC has arranged the wire routing so that the normal wearing position is over the ear, rather than straight down in the case of the Sonys. That's a bonus for me as I can inconspicuously route the wires down my back so that I can actually use these on stage as in-ear monitors without everyone thinking that I'm listening to my Ipod while playing. (Now it is also possible to wear the Sony's in the wrong ears, so that the wires feed up over the ear instead of down, but the wires don't dress so well, and you still look like your CPU is spilling out the side of your head).

So, so far I haven't had a single complaint for these JVCs. They are cheaper (I paid $46plus shipping on Amazon), and they work great. Give them a try, I don't think you will be disappointed. Oh, and the single AAA battery lasts an impressive 50hours.

It's just as well that these work for me, as my wife has banned me from buying any more ear buds. I was tempted to try the Philips type, but again, they stand proud from the side of your head. I also did try a cheap $15 pair of Coby units, just for grins. Don't waste your money. They are total garbage. They don't cancel at all, not 1dB that I can tell, but as a white noise generator, they're great - they hiss louder than a hard downpour on a tin roof.

The noise canceling effect is almost zero from what I can see. By turning the switch on and off you can test the extent of the noise canceling, and I could find almost no real effect. I tried them on a recent airplane flight where you have a lot of constant engine noise. Since this noise is constant, has a fairly constant frequency spectrum, and is the loudest noise in the cabin, you'd think it wouldn't be that difficult for the mic to detect and apply the out of phase signal for the noise cancelation, which is how these things usually work. But I could detect almost no effect on this flight. I was listening to a music soundtrack and when switched on the sound became somewhat "thinner," with fewer low frequencies and more treble--basically a very weak low pass filter effect, but that's about it. It actually sounded better with the noise canceling turned off because of the fuller base. For the price I paid they're not really worth it. The one thing I like is the earbuds fit really well, better than the usual earbuds, which is why the two stars, otherwise it would be one star. Other than that they're not really worth the price.