Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I use these both at the office and when flying on the airlines. They do a very good job cancelling ambient low frequency noise; my office environment has a lot of HVAC fan noise, and it can get tiring. The noise cancelling effect may seem subtle at first, but the more you use it the more you appreciate what you do hear (music or the inflight movie soundtrack, without having to jack up the volume) and what you don't (the dull roar of HVAC fans and airframe wind noise).

Strengths:
Works as advertised to cancel low frequency noise; reasonable price; good battery life; lightweight folding design makes packing easy; decent audio characteristics for music listening.

Weaknesses:
Uncomfortable to wear for extended periods; I put a piece of moleskin on the inside of the headband's folding pivot to make it somewhat more tolerable.

Similar Products Used:
I have two pairs of expensive, heavy, over-the-ear noise cancelling headsets for use when flying small planes, where the noise level is extreme and noise cancelling headsets have become almost require

Price Paid:  $50.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
As a frequent business traveler, I've been using Noise cancelling headphones for the past couple of years.

The Aiwas are a good value. They fit fairly comfortably, but can get tiring after long hours.

They do a fiarly good job on cancelling out low frequency sounds such as airplane engines, AC units etc... Anyone expecting them to give total silence is looking at the wrong headphones. They are designed to block certain frequecies.

Strengths:
Good Fold up design
Single cord
good battery placement

Weaknesses:
Can get tight feeling after a while.
Wish it blocked certain frequencies better

Similar Products Used:
Sony MRD-NC5 Noise Cancelling headphones
Maxell Noise buster
Brookstone Noise cancelling headphones

Price Paid:  $50.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I fly weekly and have finally found a way to drown out the sound of the plane and enjoy some music.

I would not use these headphones for casual listening. They just aren't that comfortable. However, in an environment full of low frequency noise where I only wear them for a couple of hours, they can't be beat.

The musically quality is excellent and the noise reduction aspect is more than just a novelty. I highly recommend these headphones for travellers.

PS - The noise reduction does not work with a damn on voices or high frequency noises. Don't expect to put them on in an office and hear silence. Also, in quiet situations the white noise can get on your nerves.

Strengths:
Great sound quality. Excellent noise reduction capability. Nice bass response

Weaknesses:
Not particularly comfortable

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $35.00 from www.stereophones.ru

Summary:
excellent sound!
the noise cancelling is cool, but unusual
but the sound is really great, the bass is heavy

Strengths:
maybe it wouldn't be comfortable enough for everybody

Similar Products Used:
Sony MDR-Q33
Sony MDR-CD380
Technics RP-F500
Aiwa X-225
SONY MDR-E827G
Koss The Plug
Koss Sporta Pro

Price Paid:  $50.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I would have given it a higher recommendation if they were more durable. My 2000 model experience fracture cracks in the headpiece within about a month. Overall noise cancelling qualities are excellent for it's price compared to Bose.

Strengths:
Good overall sound quality. Noise cancelling quality is very good for low frequencies only, planes, cars, trains etc.

Weaknesses:
It works well for cancelling low frequency but does nothing to cancel high frequencies (As describes on packaging). Poor durablity for my 2000 model is a main concern.