Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Bose QuietComfort 15 vs. Beats by Dr. Dre Studio vs. Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard
With the recent advances in digital music technology, it’s only fitting that many manufacturers of consumer electronics have taken dramatic steps forward in developing more sophisticated headphones than ever before. Want to get the most out of your music, or just shut out outside noise? Chances are one of these three headsets from Monster, Bose, and Sennheiser are for you.
Bose QuietComfort 15
The calling card of the Bose QuietComfort 15's is their unparalleled noise cancellation. Because of this, these headphones are ideal for travel (the carrying case is by far the least bulky of the three). Sound-wise, the QC 15s are solid, lacking the bass response of the Beats by Dr Dre headphones but handling mid-range and high-frequencies better. At the same price as the Beats, Bose's QuietComfort 15s are the superior choice because of their combination of solid sound, top-shelf noise cancelling, and portability.
Unique Features:
- Microphone cable optimized specifically for iPhone and other Apple devices
- Thin carrying case for enhanced portability
Best for
- Consumers who travel frequently and require exceptional noise cancelling
- Listeners of rock music and other styles that utilize higher frequencies more than lower ones
- Users of Apple devices in need of a high-quality headset for phone calls
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Beats by Dr. Dre Studio
Beats by Dr. Dre are certainly the most appealing of these headphones on paper. Carrying the name of one of the most influential producers in hip-hop history, and frequently worn by celebrities of all stripes, they have become the trendy pick for high-end headphones. For hip-hop listeners, it doesn't get any better, as the bass response on the Beats is outstanding. With a slick look, solid all-around functionality, and unmatched bass response, it's hard to go wrong with these headphones. Plus: automatic "street cred".
Unique Feature:
- Detachable cord and optional microphone for phone-call use
Best for
- Listeners of techno, hip-hop, and other styles that feature heavy bass
- Users who are as conscious of aesthetics as they are of acoustics
- NBA players
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Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard
Sennheiser has rightly developed a reputation as one of the most reliable manufacturers of high-end headphones on the market. Unfortunately, you have to go to a higher price point -- $500 or so -- to get to where their products separate themselves from the pack. These mid-priced headphones are decent, and slightly less expensive than the Beats and Bose choices, but they don't stack up to either one in sound quality or noise-cancellation. For less-discerning and more cost-conscious listeners, these should do the job, but if you can swing the extra $60, the Beats and Bose headsets are both stronger choices.
Unique Features:
- A noise-cancelling system running on a single AAA battery
- Ability to bypass noise cancelling to allow the PXC 450s to act as normal headphones
- Talk-through feature allows for interacting with other people without removing headphones
Best for
- Consumers on a budget
- Users who want a solid, all-around headset without much emphasis on one frequency over the another
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