How Active Noise-Canceling Headphones Work
How Active Noise-Canceling Headphones Work: Pros and Cons
Your audio experience with high-fidelity headphones is significantly affected by the background noise. Why? The situation is particularly relevant if you reside in an acoustically congested area, lack idling myself in confined space or travel on public transportation.
There are several ways to reduce or even eliminate annoying background noise, which can be grouped into passive and active technologies. That’s where Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) comes in. But how does it work? It’s all based on the theory of wave interference.
The Basics of Active Noise Cancellation
There are also headphones with predefined modes designed for specific settings (like the ATH-ANC9 headphones). QuietPoint.
High-frequency sounds require ANC to be effective. Why? Fortunately, passive noise isolation is advantageous as it offers a superior level of noise cancellation.
For headphones, the original sound is the mix of the music you want to hear plus the ambient noise around you. The artificial wave is generated by an electronic circuit in the headphones to cancel out the background noise.
ANC isn't perfect, but it can reduce noise levels by 25–30 dB.
It works by using one or more microphones on the headphones (or their cable) to detect ambient noise. The headphones then process this noise and create an opposite-phase sound wave. When played alongside your music, it cancels out the external noise.
When Does ANC Work Best?
ANC works exceptionally well with low-frequency, constant noises like airplane engines, car motors, or the hum of computer fans. Some headphones even offer predefined modes optimized for these environments, like the ATH-ANC9 QuietPoint.
However, ANC isn’t as effective against high-frequency sounds. Luckily, this is where passive noise isolation comes into play, providing an overall excellent noise reduction experience.
Downsides of Active Noise Cancellation
While ANC is impressive, it has some drawbacks:
It Needs Power
ANC systems require external power for noise detection and wave generation. This power typically comes from USB connectors, AAA batteries, or rechargeable batteries. This is something to keep in mind if you plan to travel with your headphones.
Sound Quality Can Suffer
The ANC system itself can sometimes alter the final audio signal, leading to subtle background hisses or degraded sound quality. This is more noticeable with cheaper ANC technology.
Cost
Adding ANC to headphones significantly increases their price. Older models, in particular, were also bulkier and heavier because of the technology. Thankfully, modern designs have minimized these issues.
Is Active Noise Cancellation Right for You?
After all this technical talk, let’s get to the important part: Are ANC headphones worth it for you?
It really depends on your situation. ANC performs best in environments with consistent, low- or mid-frequency background noise, such as:
- Airplane, car, bus, or train engines
- Computer fans
- Background chatter in cafes, airports, or offices
If you often find yourself in these kinds of environments and want to enjoy uninterrupted music or focus better, ANC headphones are definitely worth the extra cost.
But if you're rarely in the middle of something loud, or mostly hear high pitched sounds, this kind of technology might not be as useful. Be mindful of your typical surroundings before investing.
In essence, ANC headphones can be advantageous for specific purposes. How do they work? Your individual listening habits and specific needs will determine whether they are suitable for you..