It might seem a bit silly to describe a pair of headphones as soundproof; after all, isn’t the whole point of the system to make sound? However, soundproof headphones are a worthwhile purchase. Soundproof headphones simply block out all ambient noise, creating a peaceful haven of silence around your ears, leaving nothing but the soothing sound of the headphones themselves. A good pair of soundproof headphones should be able to block out everything from the hum of computer fans to roughhousing from nearby kids. A good pair of soundproof headphones should be comfortable and able to be worn for hours. A good pair of soundproof headphones should leave you with no distractions, nothing to stand in the way of complete listening immersion.
There are two different philosophies to making a good pair of soundproof headphones. Some sound systems use active noise cancellation to make background noises less prominent. These systems generally require an additional set of batteries to operate, but the result is well worth it. Active noise cancellation works by analyzing noise outside the headphones and generating an equally loud sound of the exact opposite wavelength. This anti-noise is then played along with the rest of your music, where it will interact with background noise, canceling it out. Cheaper active-canceling headphones may not correctly calculate the proper counterwavelength to cancel out everything you don’t want to hear, leading to an audible hiss behind your music that you don’t want. Active-canceling headphones also cost more, both to buy and to keep up with the cost of batteries. However, with some smart shopping, high-quality active noise canceling headphones at a reasonable price are fairly easy to find.
The second main method of sound dampening comes in the form of passive noise cancellation. Unlike active noise cancellation, passive noise cancellation eliminates background noise through noise absorption and deflection. Because all the noise cancellation is caused by the body of the earphones alone, no additional batteries or settings are needed for it to work. Passive noise cancellation also tends to be cheaper to produce and therefore to buy. However, most of these headphones will wear tight-fitting ear protectors, which can squeeze uncomfortably and get hot and sweaty, causing discomfort if worn for long periods. Passive headphones also tend to be bulky and heavy, leading to neck discomfort. Finally, passive headphones aren’t fancy, elegant, or inconspicuous. While they are sure to provide a satisfactory level of performance, transporting and using them in public can be difficult.
