There are two varieties of noise cancelling earphones on the market, in-ear and around-ear. They both have their drawbacks and benefits; not to mention their own price tags.
In-Ear Noise Cancellation Earphones
The in-ear variety range from about $30.00 to $100.00, which is average price for ear-buds. They also boast a better functionality that your tradition white IPod ear-buds lack. Having noise cancelling earphones means you can safely listen to your music without having to crank up the volume, since they help eliminate interfering noise from say, a crowded subway car. Plus you can listen to all your embarrassing music on your MP3 player without anyone being the wiser. They accomplish this feat by fitting into the ear just like regular ear-buds, however they are fitted with a plastic earplug-like piece (usually made of silicon) that prevent noise other than your music to enter the ear.
In terms of price the usual rule of thumb is the higher in price the better the quality, the average person may not be able to differentiate the difference between the $30 and $90 in-ear phones though. However, the higher end models may included extra plastic ear pieces in case one is lost and also different sizes which would ensure a perfect fit for better comfort and listening experience.
The Cons
One drawback to the in-ear noise cancellation earphones are the ear pieces, you have to get used to them being inside the ear. Also if one of the earpieces falls off and gets lost (as some tend to do) and there is no replacement, the earphones are rendered useless. The earphones are also awkward to eat with, so if you want to watch a movie on your lap top and have a snack, all you can hear is your chewing.
Around and On-Ear Noise Cancellation Earphones
If you are serious about music and serious about being fully able to enjoy your music where ever you are, these are the earphone for you. They certainly are in the pricier range around $200-$400. They work differently than the in-ear earphones. All of the on and around earphones, whether they are noise cancelling or not, drown out background noise because of their placement on the ear. However the noise cancelling type work by mimicking white-noise or (wait for the paradox) the sound of silence. Silence is simulated and the brain mixes this with the music, so you think you only hear the music and nothing else.
The noise cancellation can come at a flick of a switch on some models. These earphones are not just for listening to music but they are great for travel, such as drowning out the noise of an airplane cabin, or the chatty people on the bus. When you flick on the noise cancellation switch it feels like you have just plunged your head underwater, add music to that and these earphones offer an escape for the frequent traveller.
The Bose QuietComfort earphones are the leaders in noise cancellation technology and they price point reflects that at around $399 depending on the model. The JVC earphones that are $100 cheaper offer better sound quality, however their noise cancellation capabilities are not up to par with the Bose earphones.
The Cons
The on and around ear noise cancellation earphones also have their cons. The first being the price, if you won't be using the noise cancellation feature on them, there are cheaper earphones with the same if not better sound quality out there. They are also large in size and will not fit conveniently in your pocket like the ear-buds do. Finally they require triple A batteries or recharging to utilize the noise cancelling function.
If you travel a lot and prefer to do so with peace of mind and appreciate keeping your hearing into your old age than picking up a pair of noise cancellation earphones may be something to consider.
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