Price Paid:  $99.00 from Frys

Summary:
The SONY noise cancling headphone looks sharp but performs only adequately. Compared to the AIWA noise canceling headphone which is $49 (half the price of SONY), the SONY lacks crispness in treble and lacking in bass. For comfort SONY wins but for sound quality and value AIWA is the best bet.

Strengths:
Very comfortable to wear

Weaknesses:
Weak sound quality - lacks sparkle in treble and power in bass

Similar Products Used:
AIWA HP-CN5

Price Paid:  $129.00 from Audio King

Summary:
A fairly good product, but somewhat expensive considering the limited effectiveness.

Strengths:
The NDR-NC5 phones are adequate for reducing many office noises, primarily low frequency noises. In my limited experience, I've found these units to be a good compromise between effectiveness, comfort, and portability.

Weaknesses:
The phones' electronics is relatively noisy. In an office environment, you may simply be exchanging environment and air conditioning noise for white noise generated by the phones themselves.

Similar Products Used:
NoiseBuster headphones and Koss passive noise reduction headphones.

Price Paid:  $140.00 from Dixons at Heathrow Airport

Summary:
Too expensive even at US$100. Charged a rip-off price in the UK.

Essential kit for a frequent aircraft traveller.

Will not replace my Senheisser HD455 for home use on the grounds of comfort and sound quality.

Strengths:
Effective noise reduction of aircraft noise.
Most effective for low frequency noise though it does not always deliver the best results in trains.
Nice battery loaction in head band.

Weaknesses:
I would not use these headphones at home, not hi-fi quality.
Leatherette storage bag could be better designed.
Slight crackling noise from right earpiece when switched on.
Head band can be uncomfortable for a bald man.

Similar Products Used:
None.