Price Paid:  $30.00

Summary:
Great noise reduction headphones for the money. Not as good as my current favorites, Sennheiser PXC-250s (which I also own). Also not as good as $300 Bose cans. But very capable. Good reduction of low frequency steady noise (which is all that any active noise reduction phones can properly deal with). Reasonably comfortable. Construction seems a bit on the cheap side, but they haven't broken yet. For sound quality, they are good compared to other noise reduction headphones, but mediocre compared to good non-noise reduction headphones. Typical story there.

Note that the predecessor model to these, the Aiwa HP-CN5, were basically identical to the Sony MDR-NC5, but the Aiwa were about half the price. (Sony owns AIWA, and on the back of the HP-CN6 package you'll even see a (c) Sony notice). As the HP-CN6 is a model upgrade from the HP-CN5/MDR-NC5, there is no reason in the world to buy MDR-NC5 given the major price difference.

Strengths:
The battery fits in the headphone band, which means no second in-line box to lug around. That's a BIG convenience compared to things like Sennheiser PXC-250 or Bose.

Very inexpensive for the quality.

Fold down into relatively compact size.

Excellent noise reduction.

Decent (but not amazing) sound. Certainly good enough for any environment where you'd want to use noise reducing phones.

Weaknesses:
Not the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. OK, but not great.

Seemingly cheap construction (but haven't had any problems yet).

Better sound quality options are available at similar or lower prices if noise-reduction is not important to you.

Similar Products Used:
Sennheiser PXC-250
Bose

Price Paid:  $60.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
The Aiwa HP-CN6 noise canceling headphones are poorly designed and cheaply constructed. Featuring a folding design for compactness and easy travel the headphones rests poorly upon the head, feel cheap and would seem to be easily breakable. Earphones are covered with a cheap soft foam cover, similar to what you would expect from $9 bargain headphones. Battery compartment rests uncomfortably on the right side of the head and makes you look a bit odd. Overall sound quality and noise reduction is pretty good for a lower cost headphone.

Strengths:
Overall sound quality and noise reduction is pretty good for a lower cost headphone.

Weaknesses:
Poorly designed, bad construction, cheap components, uncomfortable to wear and doesn't rest upon the head well.

Similar Products Used:
Philips HN-050 noise canceling headphones.