FOAKs: Noise-cancelling earphones?

Noise-cancelling ear-phones: any good? Do you use them? If so, which ones?

I've glanced at the Sony MDRNC11 (I like Sony), Philips SHN2500 and JVC
HA-NCX77.

Better than the plain ordinary isolating ones (Sennheiser CX) which just
keep the outside noise out and the inside noise in?

I'll be using them on the bike. Possibly.

 

Both Ann and me have some JVC headphones and they seem to be working OK,
but my experiments with noise cancelling earphones were a little
disappointing. They lower noise levels but don't 'cancel' it and the
earphones let too much ambient noise through.

I prefer my Shure earphones with the foam "earplug" type bud on as
they're far better at insulating you from background noise.

I've never tried that - mine are mostly for plane use.

 

I've got the JVC's you mentionned. Very bloody good for the price.

Dunno 'bout that then. I use them on 'planes.

 

Got some cheapy Phillips ones in HK - great on the plane/train etc. Bit
too lumpy for undeer the helmet.

 

On a related note, what's the deal with earplugs? I bought some for the
first time recently, after noticing a little ringing in the ears after
long rides, but I cannot get the fuckers to stay in place while I put my
helmet on (I've even reverted to perching helmet on top of head,
sticking earplugs in, then quickly jamming helmet over bonce, but no
luck...)

 

you need to insert the plug into the ear canal - roll plug between fingers,
tug down on ear lobe to open canal, insert ear plug into canal, about half
the length of the plug. Stick finger in ear like Colin Irvine singing a
ballad, until the plug has expanded in the canal[1]. Unless you are a
freak, the plug should now stay inserted until you decide to extract it.

[1] if you are not sure how long to wait then sing, in 6/8 time,
"Lumps of plum pudding and pieces of pie,
Me mother she gave me for telling a lie;
She gave me so much I fear I shall die
From lumps of plum pudding and pieces of pie"
and you'll be done

 

You've got weird ears. HTH.

 

alas, you're not the first to note this

 

Ah, I'll give that a go, cheers. As Cab has already astutely noted, I
have odd shaped ears (in ear headphones fall out within seconds if I
move at all).

 

One doesn't stick one's finger actually into one's ear, one gently
presses on the flap at the bottom of the opening of the ear to close
it off.

 

Or all of it, depending on shape. If I insert only half it'll pop
straight back out again.

Do you guys think that all ears are the same? There's no one technique
for everyone, as each person's ears are unique to them. FWIW mine need
me to grip the back of the ear and pull backwards ro open the canal.
Pulling upwards does nothing, downwards slightly stretches but reduces
the opening size.

 

Yeah, they're a right pain for me an 'all. Never been able to use them
for more than a few seconds at a time.

 

Assuming they are tapered foam plugs, you roll them, lick them, and stick them in all the way
(or until you reach the eardrum, then pull them back a bit)

 

I have the same problem. A slight movement and they're out.

I might get some of the over-ear clip-on ones, but I generally only use
headphones on the train these days an it's not that common an
occurrence so whether ICBA is a different matter.

 

Yes, by all means lick them. If you _like_ ear infections.

 

Slips in easier if you lick the end first...

 

I know some people who not only give it a quick lick but actively suck
the end.

Makes me shudder.

<reads back>

Just to be clear I'm talking about earplugs.

 

The _taste_ alone would make me shudder, but all that warm moisture
trapped in there for hours on end is asking for trouble.

Yeah, what else ;-?

 

Never has done for me..

Phil

 

Hateful things. I've tried cheap foam ones, better foam ones and even an
uber-expensive set of custom-moulded ones with acoustic filters in them
which were brilliant (if a bit over-effective on the volume reduction
front) for gigs but **** all use on the bike.

I tried making an effort and wore some riding up to the BOSM last month.
I made it halfway to Kettering before I had to stop and take them out.