Sennheiser PXC 250 Active Noise Canceling Headphones Reviews

• An Oasis of Tranquility Amid the Noise of the City

  
  By A4LLXH0IZ3LMQ on 2003-11-04
  I am looking forward with dread to four months of apartment renovations starting soon and I was looking for ways to keep my sanity during all the racket and mayhem. The idea of Noise Canceling headphones seemed just the ticket to help me keep from losing my mind.

  I tried the Bose, the Sony, and the Sennheiser in a comparative listening bout. Overall, I liked the Bose a little better than the Sennheiser, but not enough to justify the increased price. Both blew away the Sony, which just doesn't sound that good and conducts too much movement noise up into the headphones. The Sennheiser are closed ear headphones, very lightweight and comfortable to wear unless you are exercising, where they tend to get a bit too hot. The snug fit of the earphones helps block out sound, even without the noise-canceling feature. But with the feature the amount of noise that is reduced or effectively canceled is remarkable. Most of the daily rumble of Manhattan is removed from your listening experience, though louder and sharper sounds still can be heard. The actual sound in the headphones is excellent, very clear, with a focused treble and a distortion free bass response. I tested the phones using a variety of music, orchestral, jazz, rock, and organ music. For my money, organ is the most difficult of instruments for headphones, as the rich bass frequencies almost always lead to distortion. Happily, the Sennsheimer phones were able to reproduce the massive sounds of Messiaen without mishap!

  As a final test I took my headphones on a street run last night. I picked out the quietest CD that I have, Morton Feldman's Rothko Chapel, which never really gets above a whisper. Walking through Lincoln Center, which was crowded with concertgoers, I barely heard a thing. Walking down the street, there was an eerie sense of calm. I could hear car horns, and some other ambient noise, which I was glad of, since it could be dangerous otherwise, but the quiet and clarity of the Feldman was remarkable. The final test was a Subway ride. While I can't say that the Subway ride was noise free, the headphones did a wonderful job of blocking all but the loudest noises. I didn't even miss notes when the express train rumbled through my station.

  The design is a bit of a negative. As has been said, the battery pack is a bit bulky, though not so much as to really bother me. And the headphones do fold up nicely, making them a good compact option for travel. But the wires tangle easily, unlike the Bose. Hopefully, in future models, Sennheiser will find a way to improve this feature.

  Overall, I am extremely pleased with the performance of this product, and at the price point, it can't be beat.
  
  

• Travel headphones

  
  By A1468QGVRHBTVO on 2004-04-12
  After many hours of online researching and trips to Ultimate Electronics, Circuit City, and a few other electronic stores I decided on this pair. Online customer reviews aside, I highly recommend a visit to the music store, electronics store, wherever. If you are going to spend a hundred dollars on anything try it out first. There is a huge diversity out there in ear cup size, sound, and build quality. I personally was looking for a good set of headphones that I could use on a plane. These more than exceeded my expectations for that purpose. If you are looking for a set to use in the office at your desk, these are not for you. You can get a better set at half the price. I'd recommend something with closed cups and passive noise reduction if your office is noisy. Most active cancellers don't help with this problem. The same holds true for most other noisy environments. These actually work best with low frequency noise, i.e. the plane. I also tried them in our computer room which has blowers and stacks of servers humming along. They actually seem to reduce the noise there by approx 50-65%. I had a few coworkers try them out here to see what they felt and they agreed that they were excellent noise reducers. On the plane and with my personal dvd player I normally played the volume between 5 and 6. I watched several movies and the sound effects and speech were heard easily and clear. Before I had a 10$ set that you inserted into your ear. I had to play the same player at 10 and had a difficult time hearing some parts of the dialogue. With the Sennheisers I am able to comfortably wear them for hours at a time on the plane. The noise attenuation works so well you grow accustomed to it. After wearing these a few hours I took them off and couldn't believe the difference.
  Pros
  Great low frequency noise reduction
  Very comfortable, light on the ears and top of the head. They don't pinch like a lot of others, or get hot
  Sound quality above average
  Cool carrying case

  Cons
  Noise circuit wand can be an irritant, depends what you are doing. On the plane I didn't have any issues.
  100$ or more, they are kind of expensive and lack hard bass. For a hundred bucks I'd like it to do everything, which I guess is unrealistic.

  5 Stars, buy if you intend to use for travel
  
  

• Middle of the line

  
  By A2357W5S2ZT0T3 on 2003-08-31
  I bought these Sennheiser's after reading a recent CNET review that rated them "best" in this price range at both noise cancelation and overall sound quality. I have now tried them both in my office area and also on a very long flight to Europe. Overall, I have been pleased with the sound quality - but only when the "noise cancel" mode is ON. If it is not ON then the bass is very much lacking. I also had a chance to do a direct compare of these Sennheisers to the original Bose version while on my flight. The Bose win hands down. No contest. Even with the Bose's noise cancel feature OFF the Bose cut out more noise than the Sennheiser's do while ON. I also compared them to a friend's set of Aiwa noise cancel headphones - the Awia's were also better at noise canceling than these Sennheisers but not as comfortable to wear on my head.
  On a positive note, I will say that I could sleep with the Sennheiser's on my head where it was a bit difficult to do this the Bose version on my head due to the bulky nature of the Bose. The Sennheiser's also fold up nicely and fit into the carrying bag quite easily with minimal over all space in my carry on bag.
  To summarize: If you want the best of breed noise canceling headphones keep looking and comparing with the Bose. If you want some decent headphones that cut maybe 1/4 - 1/3 noise, take up little space in your bag, and are reasonable comfortable then these Sennheiser's will do.
  
  

• Does what I bought them for

  
  By AAJOV2S9O7OO on 2003-11-29
  I bought these headphones for a flight from Washington, D.C. nonstop to Tokyo. That's 13.5 hours. I wore them almost the entire way and felt no discomfort from having worn them for hours on end. I even wore them when I didn't have them attached to anything, just to reduce the noise from the sound of the engines. Sound is very good, especially with the noise reduction on. You never heard movies or music sound so good on a plane. I assume this would be true for trains and buses, as well. No, they don't sound as good as my high-end Sennheiser headphones since a) the PXC250 is not closed, and b) they are smaller than the higher end headphones so that they travel well. I bought these for a purpose other than listening to music in my home (although I do occasionally since they are so convenient to use and the sound is very decent).

  I tried the Bose and they were not for me. Twice the price, larger, and less comfortable.

  At this price, especially, I'm very satisfied. They work well at both reducing ambient noise, are very comfortable, and produce an enjoyable sound. Highly recommended.
  
  

• Worthwhile, but not Bose

  
  By A3JKI0TRX4YWVW on 2003-10-06
  Went to Tweeter, looking for the Bose QC2. Turns out, Bose only sells their premium items directly - QC2, Wave, etc. Tweeter had the PXC250. The sales guy did not want to open them for me to try, so I bought with 30-day return. Not content with them, I went to a Bose Kiosk in a mall and bought the QC2's, also on a 30-day return. The Kiosk was under an escalator, and the mall was busy - the headphones cut down that background substantially - a test similar to an airplane, I believe.

  Over the next week, I did a few tests, mostly with a TV at moderate volume in the next room (my major interest other than travel). Both the Sennheiser and the Bose have their advantages, but both the sound quality and noise dampening are clearly better with the Bose. I took the Sennheiser back, and am keeping the Bose.

  A year ago or so, I tried a $50 Aiwa pair - hiss and not much cancellation - took them back also. I suspect that anything less than the Sennheiser PXC250 is not worth considering. If small size and price are important, and TV noise is not, the Sennheiser may be a better value than the Bose. For me, the Bose is one star better than the Sennheiser, but not perfect.

  Because you won't find the Bose QC2 on Amazon, I give a point-by-point comparison:

  Bose QC2: $300
  folds flat into semi-hard case about twice the size
  around the ear - better sound, but can get warm
  no external wand, wire detaches
  1 AAA in headphone, claimed 35-hr
  excellent sound
  no sound (music) when switched off
  TV reduced without music, hardly heard with music

  Sennheiser PXC250: $150 (less at Amazon)
  folds flat into soft case about half the size
  on the ear - inferior sound, but cooler
  2 AAA in external wand (wire is captive?)
  sound OK, but weak/no bass
  diminished sound (music) when switched off
  TV not reduced much without music, still intruded a little over music
  
  

• Excellent for a portable NC headphone
  By A75NM7FQOCQPT on 2004-10-24
  I've been puzzled by some of the reviews I've seen here. I've decided most of the negative reviews come from overly-high expectations of what is meant by 'noise-cancelling'. This doesn't mean absolute silence. It means a significant reduction in low-to-mid frequency ambient noise. The 250's deliver this quite well. I use them all the time on intercontinental flights, typically for hours at a time. The noise suppression is wonderful. I even use them without music, just to reduce the noise. They have excellent audio response, too. So, what can you expect? A significant reduction in noise from about 50Hz to 2KHz or so. Below 50, too much bass couples in via other pathways, above 2K, the electronics can't handle it (as with all NC headphones). The small earcups mean that you don't get a lot of passive HF attenuation. It still works great on planes, or even in the office to reduce ventilation noise. So, is it worth it? In my opinion, absolutely! I've tried the Bose NC's, which are much bigger, MUCH more expensive, and don't perform significantly better. By the way, the electronics module weighs 66 grams, or a little over 2 oz, with batteries. A little inconvenient, but it's not even close to 'half-a-pound'.
  
  
• Maybe these are it.
  By on 2003-11-23
  I've been through at least a dozen different types and styles of headphones and earbuds. I think these Sennheisers might finally be the ones I've settled on. I work in radio, and have been spoiled by high quality headphones. I can't stand ear buds, even though they tend to sound the best. After an hour I want to rip them out of my ears. I've tried over the head and behind the neck styles, and they just don't have the richness in frequency response I want unless you hold them tight to your head with your hands.

  The Sennheisers sound very, very good and are comfortable to wear. They're a little larger than I'd like for travel, but I really can't give up quality sound. One word of negativity; they only sound good when the noise cancelling circuit is turned on. Yes they still work without it, but they lose a great deal of sound quality. I don't have enough experience with them yet to know how long the batteries will last, but on longer trips to Europe I'll carry spares just in case.

  These come with a nice carry case and a couple of adapters to use with home systems and the Delta Airlines double plug. Pricey yes, but I've already spent more than double what these cost trying to find something good. I think these could be the ones.

  The battery compartment is a little bulky, but can clip onto your belt. The cord could be a little more substantial, but there is a two year warranty should it break. The headphones adjust to your head very nicely, and the ear pads are thick and comfy. These don't totally enclose the ear, rather they sit on the outside. Not the smallest or easiest to carry around, but if you want high quality sound without the discomfort of ear buds, these are the way to go. The noise cancellation is decent, but the sound quality with the noise reduction circuit engaged is the prize.
  
  

• The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones I've Heard
  By A2IKR5C4HKV06X on 2005-01-28
  I tried everything. My last attempt at a decent headphone for use in a noisy gym was the Shure E3C "in-ear" headphones. You can see my review for those in the Sure E3C section. Before trying those out I had been using the Sony MDR-NC20's for the last 6 months. They did cancel the noise out pretty well but the sound was terribly muffled (no highs) the mids seemed squashed to me almost like they were compressed and while the lows were there, they were very mushy. For a while I just figured that this was the price one pays for using noise canceling technology. Then I went on a hunt again and read some good reviews for the Sennheiser PXC250's so I went and purchased a pair. I first just put the batteries in and tried them at home. They sounded great! Rich low-end, brilliant but not harsh highs. Overall a very pleasant EQ curve. But the real test would be at the gym.
  
  The ambient noise in this gym is the constant roar of treadmills, stair machines, stationary bikes, etc. Overall these cover a fairly broad frequency spectrum. I put the headphones on and started the music. Oooops! I forgot to turn the noise canceling on. After doing so I couldn't believe my ears. With the music on (and not even too loud) I felt isolated in the room. The sound was absolutely top-notch and turning on the noise cancellation circuitry actually improved the sound quality! While I have tried the Bose noise canceling headphones it was around 6 months ago so I don't feel qualified to do a direct comparison. However, I do not remember them blowing me away like these Sennheisers did.
  
  I think it's also important to know what kind of music I used to judge these phones as someone into classical music might looking for a different sound than someone into rock. I have been either a professional musician or otherwise involved in the music industry for the last 40 years. My music types of choice and the genres I used to judge these phones were progressive rock, rock, and fusion jazz. My reference headphones are the Sony MDR-7506's which, to me, are some of the best sounding headphones one can purchase without completely breaking the bank. They are also some of the most used headphones in the studios I worked in and visited. These Sony phones can produce a very low yet articulate bass and smooth mids and highs that are never over bearing. While the PXC250's are not as rich sounding as the Sony MDR-7506's, to me they are just as pleasant sounding. There are no frequencies I miss when listening to these.
  
  
• Silence IS golden when flying or at the gym...
  By A6HAM4AI3ZJWL on 2007-05-15
  When I was shopping for a noise cancelling headphones, the first one I considered immediately was the Bose Comfort 2. I had used them before on plane trips & absolutely loved them. The only 2 problems I had with the Bose was that when the battery died, so did the silence/music/movie & that they were a lot more than I was willing/able to pay. So I did some research & found that Sennheiser was also good brand name & much cheaper than Bose. All the reviews (Consumer Reports, C-Net, other Amazon reviews to name a few) I read gave these Sennheiser headphones a thumbs up; & the price was more than within my price range of what I wanted to spend. So thanks to Amazon, I bought them.
  
  I have now had them for over a month, & I am thrilled with my decision on buying these headphones. I have used them several times, & they work perfectly with my 5.5 generation Ipod, while on my computer playing Oblivion & other video games, & on the plane. It definitely helped in tuning out the crying babies, loud speaking people near me, as well as some overhead announcements by the Captain & Stewarts. Although I will admit that turning up the volume on my Ipod also contributed in tuning out all the noises on the plane.
  
  The sound quality is crisp, clear, & sharp. I felt there was some depth to the sound effects while watching "Batman Begins" on my Ipod. With the noise cancelling feature turned on, my favorite songs & movies sounded even better. The bass & treble were at the perfect levels for my needs. There is no built-in volume on the headphones or 'battery wand,' but I don't really need one since I use my Ipod's or computer volume controls.
  
  The ear pads are comfortable & the headset is quite light. Although, I will say that they sit right on your ear (not around your ear, like the Bose Comfort 2) to which could be a little uncomfortable for those who don't like any pressure placed directly on their ears. I'm one of those types of people, but these headsets didn't bother me at all. I liked the sleek compact look of the carrying case, & love the fact that the headphones fold neatly away when not in use. The inclusion of the plane & stereo/computer plug adapters was a very nice extra as well.
  
  I was concerned that the 'battery wand' would get in my way, but to my surprise it wasn't really a problem. There is a built in 'belt clip' on the wand which works perfectly whether I was on the plane. Plus the cord between the headphone & 'battery wand' is more than long enough to able to move around without it ('battery wand') getting in the way. The headphones works superbly with my ipod & didn't shift or fall off while I was on the treadmill. The carrying case that came with the headphones has a belt loop on the back & a small zippered pocket on the front. That came in really handy since I used it to keep my Ipod & 'battery wand' protected while walking & jogging. And, yes, the Ipod fits in the bag along with the folded headphones, 'battery wand', & cord with no problems whatsoever.
  
  The other feature I really love about these headphones is that they still work as headphones even when the 2 AAA batteries die. The battery life can go pretty quickly if you use the noise cancelling feature for a long period of time. However, now that Energizer AAA lithium batteries are now on the shelves, I haven't found any problems with prolonged use. I just have to remember to turn the noise cancelling switch off when I finally done using the headphones for the evening.
  
  All in all, I'm very satisfied with this purchase & very happy with the headphones. I hope that this review helps others in their decision making process on whether to buy these headphones or not.
  
  
• Good For The Price
  By A169WHPWXHQ3S2 on 2005-09-13
  The reason why I bought these is because on a recent flight the person in the seat next to me let me try his Bose headphones.
  I was hooked. They really made the plane a quiter place.
  
  So, I set out to buy a pair until I found out they are $300.00.
  Also, I was not keen on how bulky they were.
  
  So after some research I bought the Sennheiser.
  
  A couple of days ago I tried the Sennheiser on flight.
  What I found is the following
  
  1) They work pretty well. That wind tunnel type noise that drones constantly on an ariplane is gone 100%. However the low hum of the engine is still there. Therefore I would say it reduces the overall noise level by 50%.
  
  2) They aren't as quiet as the bose. I think this is mainly due to the Bose being over the ear. I say this because if I press the Sennheiser to my ears things get quiter.
  
  3) They are small and built well. This is something that was important to me. I didn't want to lug around a large set of headphones
  
  4) They dont work well at all w/ the NC turned off. Even though the manufacturer says they work even with no batteries, you wouldn't want to use them this way. The sound is really bad. Tinny and terrible. I put my iPod earbuds in the case and take them with me just in case. The buds are far supperior to the headphones when the headphones are powered off.
  
  5) There is a bit of hiss, but this is not distracting and not noticable while listening to music.
  
  6) I would rather use the iPod earbuds then these headphones when not on an airplane. The buds are smaller and produce comparable sound.
  
  Conclusion:
  They work, Im glad I bougth them. The Bose is a bit better NC wise, but not worth the extra $200.00.
  
  
• Excellent value for the price
  By A1MC6CMO4IJ81U on 2006-01-23
  I purchased these a month ago and used them on my flight to Tokyo. They are very compact and sound quite good on the plane. I was able to enjoy music with much reduced engine noise hum after I turned the noise cancellation function on. In my office I have been able to use them with an MP3 player and with no need to turn noise cancellation on.
  
  I have made head-to-head comparisons against the $300 Bose headphones. The Bose are superior in quality of construction and sound but cost three times as much. In addition, the Bose are larger and do not work without noise cancellation turned on.
  
  If you are looking for reasonably priced noise cancelling headphones that really work and do not expect to get ear-splitting bass, then go for these.
  
  
• Great sound - sucky ergonomics
  By A2SL5IW096Z2BL on 2006-11-24
  I received a pair of these headphones AND a pair of SkullCandy Prolitariat NCs for my birthday. It's nice to get a choice of gifts!
  
  I opened both pair and tested them to give each a fair shake. Here's the short version:
  
  I reluctantly kept the Sennheisers and returned the SkullCandys. The SkullCandys caused an echo effect that I found unacceptable and the Sennheisers were crystal clear. I'm a bit of an audio-snob.
  
  The long version:
  
  I was excited to get the headphones because I work in a distraction-full environment at a University. Headphones are a must-have if I'm ever going to get my dissertation written.
  
  I used three songs to compare the headphones:
  
  1. An acoustic version of Janis Joplin singing "Me and Bobby Mcgee"
  2. "500 Pound Cat" by Living Daylights (fast Jazz fusion)
  3. "Bitches Brew" by Miles Davis (well... yeah...)
  
  Both headphones fit me comfortably. The SkullCandy (SC) felt like they were hugging my head. The Senns felt like they were just perched up there but still comfortably - like a really nice pair of the classic Walkman style headphones. The SC completely covered my ears and made me feel thoroughly separated from my environment.
  
  On all three recordings, the Senns sounded beautifully. On Janis, I noticed this wierd echoing sound that turned out to be the soundcard in my laptop! The SCs showed the same problem. A friend who's into digital recording said that laptop soundcards generally suck. Now I have my own evidence.
  
  On all three recordings the SCs with the noise cancellation turned on created a tinny effect as though I was listening through a pipe. Turning off the NC made it go away. I listened long and hard but finally decided that despite the ergonomic issues, I would keep the Senns and I couldn't stand the SCs. But that was only deciding that I would only be using these headphones in about one place and could deal with the pain in the arse external NC device.
  
  So what are the problems with the Senns? I sure wish the engineers at Sennheiser would look at the SCs and put their electonics in the SC formfactor. The SCs have the entire NC circuitry buit into the headphones. They firmly hug the head and feel like they would stay on even if I was bouncing on a trampoline. They have one _DETACHABLE_ cord leading to one side of the headphones.
  
  So back to the Senns... The basic formfactor is the "old skool" 80s Walkman small things that press on the ears with a band going overhead. I guess the SCs are even more "old skool" as they are similar to the old FM radio headphones I had when I was 9 (1978). Like the good ol' Walkman headphones, there are separate cords leading from each speaker driver to a device about the size of a small flashlight (the kind that use two AAs) that contains the NC circuitry and two AAA batteries. This thing has an on-off switch and a clip for your belt. Then there is a cord leading from this thing to the 1.5mm plug. The cords are all just long enough that I can plug into the front of my laptop, set the NC device a little to the side and still move a little bit around my desk. Of course, with three separate cords running around, I'm likely to get tangled... By contrast, the NCs have one cord running straight to the headphones that you can even change out for a longer one if you want!
  
  Sennheiser would have done well if they did two simple things:
  
  1. Make a single cord run from the NC device to the headphones.
  2. Make all the cords detachable.
  
  Neither of these changes would have affected the production cost at all and would have made them so much nicer. In fact, once the warranty expires, I may just mod them myself in this fashion. The other benefit of these mods is that I could use the great headphones without the NC circuit if I wanted!
  
  
  
  
• A Great Value for Travelers
  By A2D5FCH1F7382U on 2004-04-16
  If you will be spending any time on airplanes this year, I highly recommend you buy yourself a pair of these Sennheisers. I used mine for the first time on a long international flight and was amazed at the results. They did a great job at eliminating roughly 80% of the ambient noise both while listening to music on my MP3 player and watching in-flight movies. It's remarkable how much less fatiguing air travel is if you block out the overwhelming ambient noise.

  Pros:
  - highly effective active noise reduction
  - very reasonably priced
  - collapsible with small carry case and adapter plug for dual prong aircraft jacks
  - very light weight and comfortable (noise reduction circuit and batteries are located in a belt clip module, not the headset itself)
  - much less bulky than the Bose noise reduction headphones

  Cons:
  - not quite as effective as expensive fully enclosed noise reduction headphones (ie. Bose)

  If you are a true road warrior (ie travel every week), you might choose the $300 Bose noise canceling headphones. They are slightly more effective, but not enough to justify being 3 times as expensive as these Sennheisers.
  
  

• Good headphones if you have realistic expectations
  By A89BDGRMFZBGY on 2004-11-10
  It was impossible to hear the dialog off a DVD while flying. Similarly, my ears fatigued after even 20 minutes of listening to my iPod under similar conditions. During my last experiment with noise cancelling 'phones (10 or so years ago), I felt as if my ear drums had been turned inside-out. Skeptical, I bought them with hopes high and an easy return policy at my side.
  
  They made all the difference! Flying, my ears don't strain while watching a DVD, and I can listen to the iPod for hours without an impulse to throw it across the cabin. While they don't drown out the screaming baby two aisles up, they do a good job of cutting out a good portion of the low frequency rumble. What's most revealing is, after having them on for five minutes, switching them off -- the difference is substantial.
  
  Minus one star because, while they're great for travelling, they're not so convenient for subway or gym use. That AAA battery pack isn't fun when motion is involved.
  
  
• Excellent value...
  By A2N0Y24VXJD66M on 2006-09-13
  My Bose noise cancelling headphones recently died on me. They were the original model, but with a daughter at college I really didn't fancy shelling out $250+ for a new pair.
  I spotted these and at the price I decided to buy a pair. After trying them for a few hours all I can say is that Bose just lost a customer. These are very good. Comfortable to wear, effective and they sound great.
  
  I highly recommend them.
  
  
• Better than the rest
  By A11ENQ7T4S5L8W on 2003-10-15
  I've now tried out the various Sonys (NC5, NC10, NC11, & NC20), the Bose (QC2) and the Sennheiser PXC250 and the Sennheiser is ultimately the best for air travel. I started out with the Sony NC10 thinking an in-ear model would not only cancel noise but also just plain seal it out. I didn't realize how uncomfortable they would be on a long-haul flight. I switched to the over-the-ear closed NC20, but those were too bulky for true portability. I switched back to the in-ear NC11 thinking they would be more comfortable than the NC10's but the NC11 seemed to actually be much worse at noise cancellation. What happened, Sony?

  A friend then suggested the Bose QC2 and they were pretty good both at noise cancellation and suppression. But they were too big and bulky for frequent or light travel. I then tried out the Sony NC5 but found they were poor both in noise cancellation and in general sound quality. I finally ended up trying the Sennheiser PXC250 and found that they sounded and cancelled noise as well as, if not better than, the Bose and were much smaller to carry. They don't seal out sound like the in-the-ear or over-the-ear models, but they were much more comfortable after a long-haul flight than any others I had tried. And they're half the price of the Bose.

  Short of buying a pair of the Etymotic ear-canal headphones with custom-molded earpieces, the Sennheiser is probably the best way to reduce airplane sounds right now.
  
  

• Same quality triple the price
  By A36F1LZB8C7B9L on 2004-09-21
  I have owned a set of Panasonic RP-HC70 noise canceling headphones for a few years. Wanting better audio quality, I purchased these Sennheiser headphones. I assumed at 3 times the price of the Panasonic, they would definitely be better. Wrong. Although the Sennheiser are fine headphones, I could tell little difference from the Panasonic.
  
  In a gym or on an airplane, the listening environment is not good. The noise canceling feature improves things a bit, but there is still enough background noise to make higher quality audio difficult to discern.
  
  Another issue I was hoping to improve from the Panasonic headphones is the high frequency hiss that is created from the active noise canceling circuit. Unfortunately, the same amount of hiss is present in the Sennheiser headphones.
  
  Summary in comparison to Panasonic RP-HC70:
  Pros:
  Folds up slightly smaller, Zippered carrying case is included
  
  Cons:
  3 to 4 times the price of the equal performance Panasonic, Battery case is bulky, no volume adjust knob, two batteries needed instead of just one
  
  
  
• teh gud
  By A3Q2JMJNMVCGFI on 2005-11-03
  gud
  -they have louder and guder bass than any other headphones i've had
  -they are pretty loud overall
  -they filter out AC, fridges, cars, deep voices, echoes, and shuffling noises
  -i can wear them for hours without hurting my ears, which is rare cuz i have a big head
  -the batteries last for days. it's the kind of deal you can forget about and leave on overnight, and it's no big deal.
  -it's apparently very tough in its folded state, it seems to remedy the problem of the cups on normal headphones wearing off from repeated stuffing into backpacks
  -you can turn cancellation off, or go without it when batteries crap out
  -it's german engineering, man.
  
  bad
  -you get 3 feet of cord, then the unit, then another 3 feet of cord. i find myself sitting the thing on a table, leaning back, and having the thing fall and hit the ground
  -you get a big thump in your headphones when it hits the ground
  -no high-end noise cancellation
  
  I like silence. Sometimes, I'll put in earplugs, and wear the sennheisers over em. Can't hear a damn thing then. When you flip the quiet switch, the unit also amplifies teh music. Music's too quiet without it on.
  
  You can tell it's meant for airplanes when you leave it on for a while, and turn off the quiet switch. You'll hear the drone of an airplane.
  
  The ambient noise of the noise cancellation is a very faint hiss. I find the sound pleasant, and impossible to hear while music is playing.
  
  Worth it? Yeah.
  
  UPDATE
  
  finally broke it! took a year of normal use. there's a bad connection where the 2 part cord meets the stick thing. touch the wire, get LOUD racket in ears. i'll have to pry out those damn screws and have a look. 14 months is now the record for shog's headphones.
  
  
• Great sound, reasonable price, small annoyance
  By A31JTKBQRVQ83G on 2004-05-03
  I bought these headphones to use with my new portable when I'm walking around the city and on airplanes. I also thought I'd try them on the NYC subway system, which is about the most demanding test I can think of, but I didn't have much hope for them working too well on the trains. In fact, they are pretty good in the subway, which is saying a lot given the racket down there, and for walking around town they are exceptional.

  I sat in a park near one of the city highways and listened to a selection of various music styles, all of which sounded very good, even the soft classical pieces. The Sennheisers were very effective at eliminating the hum of highway traffic, and also cut about 70% of the noise from helicopters and boat traffic on the nearby river. If these work this well in the city, I can only imagine how much better my next airplane ride is going to be.

  Now for the small annoyance: There are a lot of cords to deal with, as there are two different lines running out of each side of the headset and also a third line that runs out of the powerpack. Plus, the powerpack is somewhat bulky, which was a hassle when I tried to wear the headphones while exercising. But the excellent performance and the reasonable price make the cord issue one that's worth dealing with.

  Speaking of price, these headphones are definitely a great value. I paid $103. for them on sale on Amazon -- a significant savings from what they go for in retail stores and far less than the cost of the Bose headset that I originally wanted. While I can believe that the Bose are a bit more effective at filtering out some sounds, the Sennheisers are more than adequate for my purposes -- and for only a third the price of the Bose.
  
  

• Excellent lightweight noise cancellation headphones
  By A2Z3IXZ17E88J4 on 2004-09-01
  I bought these 6 months ago, just before a plane trip, to use with my computer. They are lightweight, comfortable, and sound pretty good for collapsible portable headphones. Then I turned on the noise cancellation switch on the small cigar sized and shaped battery compartment. Whoopeee! The sound, particulary the bass, got substantially better and clearer. When I got on an airplane a couple of weeks later I had the same Yahoo experience. The headphones (with the noice cancellation engaged) made listening to airplane audio much, much better, and also cut out a substantial (perhaps 50-70%) amount of the low frequency airplane noise. You can even use them for that purpose without listening to any audio source. For the money, a great buy. Good for everyday use around the home, and great for airplanes, trains or buses. I'd buy them again.
  
  
• Mediocre quality for the price.
  By A2FIOFVWMX8TGH on 2003-07-18
  I have other studio headphones for home use that cost less than
  these, and provide very high quality, with good frequency
  response. So, I expected a lot from these headphones. Maybe the
  noise reduction technology is expensive, but I am still not happy
  with Sennheiser. I bought them to reduce sound in my office, and
  while sound is reduced, it's nowhere near what I was expecting.
  
  There's a noisy computer under my desk, and its high-pitched
  whine is reduced--some. Mostly, I found LOW-pitched sounds to be
  quieted more than high. And when co-workers hold an impromptu
  meeting outside my door--forget about it; the headphones reduce
  an awful din to an annoying din.
  
  I now wish I had saved my money and just used my old studio head
  phones--I could have bought some CD's to mask the sound instead.
  
  As for claims like "I couldn't even hear the phone ring", I find
  it highly unlikely.
  
  UPDATE: On a 11 hour trip to Japan, these phone worked nicely
  to reduce the airplane din. I left them on the whole flight!
  If you fly a lot, my star count goes to 4 stars.
  
  
• Excellent Value For Money
  By A34G3Y5H64A7YM on 2005-11-28
  I own two of these and they work very well; very little pressure on the head and excellent job of canceling out most continuous noises. I've tried multiple NC headphones except BOSE, and this surely tops them all. You can't go wrong choosing this. The only features that get a little irritating at times include, 1. the external unit for housing batteries and noise canceling circuitry and, 2. having individual wires connected to each headphone, they get tangled at times; instead having a single cable connected to one side of the headphone would be much nicer.
  I bought it for $100 shipped through the Amazon marketplace.
  
  
• Great Sound, Great Price, but not for the wire-challenged
  By A2EB122DU3MGVZ on 2006-12-05
  I have owned this set for close to 2 years, and I still think they're one of my best "geek-o-phile" purchases. Jazz to Rock, Eminem to Muddy Waters, Setzer to Saint-Saëns, I enjoy every note and nuance over most all ambient sounds, save the loudest or most rumbling of noises. I wonder what the eardrum condition must be of the those who criticize the volume produced through this headset - if I max out my mp3 player's volume (either portable or laptop-based), the output becomes unbearably loud. As both a classical (violin) and rock (bass) musician, I appreciate cranking the tuneage, but let's keep it at 10.5 instead of 11, folks!
  
  As with any listening device, individual experience is very subjective. In my case, I get crisp response throughout the dynamic range. I have yet to hear buzzing, hissing, or cracking at either the highs or lows, but I tend to stick with fairly high recording qualities (320k and above or VBR MP3 rips) and I don't mind mussing with my equalizer. Since I avoid them as a rule, I can't vouch for 128k rips.
  (get to know your encoder - you will be rewarded)
  
  DVD watching becomes especially rewarding with these phones, as you can hear the ambient noises that you may have missed before (i.e. crickets chirping or background conversations - right before the motorcycle crashes through the window).
  
  I use these mostly for my mass transit commutes, and I can listen comfortably without enduring engine, freeway, and chit-chat noise. I have not traveled with them on airplanes yet, so I cannot vouch for their performance there.
  
  The earpads and headband are very comfortable (padded leather, no less). I can wear them for hours (though ear doctors don't recommend it) without any discomfort. You WILL need to practice folding them back up - it's tricky at first. I don't use the zip case (I have a dedicated backpack pocket for them), but it appears fairly durable. With moderate use, they still appear brand new. Treat them like an expensive pair of sunglasses and they should last many years. Treat them like drugstore shades..., well, you get the picture.
  
  All that said, the design of the wiring is just short of ridiculous. They're too long if you're walking, but too short if you're at your desk. If you're mobile, you can clip the log to your belt, but you may need to do some twist-tie work to get the optimum length for your mode of portable player. If you're at your desk, you will need to be mindful of your maximum movement radius. Many a time I have moved to the other side of my cubicle and become either disconnected or clothes-lined!
  
  Here are the wire lengths:
  33" from the 1/8" plug to the NC "log"
  28" from the "log" to the Y split
  
  I don't know what the solution would be, although a previous reviewer mentioned some sort of quick-disconnect mechanism or an option to bypass the log altogether - maybe a design feature of the next release, Sennheiser?
  
  Again, your mileage may vary. Last time I checked, these headphones were on display at Brookstone, so you may want to bring your portable player there and try them yourself (but don't pay retail!!). Personally, I am very happy with the 250s and would definitely consider purchasing them again.
  
  
  
  
• I Like It Better Than the Sony MDR-NC20
  By on 2003-05-18
  I had a Sony MDR-NC20, loved it so much, but I lost it during one of my flights. At the time I looked, everyone was out of stock of NC20's so I looked at the specs of the Sennheiser PXC 250 and found them to be better so I bought them.

  I am so glad I got them. They appear to perform better in cancelling airplane noise and are more comfortable to wear than the Sony NC 20. You have to experiment and position the earpads carefully over your ear to maximize the noise cancelling effect. For music, these headphones are GREAT from classical to Rap. You can hear the heavy and low bass thuds of Rap but its not overpowering.

  However on my first flight with the Sennheisers, the headphones failed and the right side made a loud click and stopped working. I got them replaced with no problems. On my next flight with the replacements, the headphones worked flawlessly and continue to perform well. These headphones also work great if your hotel room has a noisy air conditioner.

  I am no stranger to flying since I am closing in on a million miles in the air. These Sennheisers or any noise cancelling headphones for that matter, make air flight much more pleasant. Before my flights, I look for my headphones before I pack my clothes.
  
  

• Very satisfied
  By A3SI9Z6G0NYNTO on 2005-06-22
  I bought these headphones a couple months ago to use with a Creative Zen Micro MP3 player, because (1) I knew I had to upgrade to something better than the included earbuds, and (2) I wanted something with noise canceling ability to take with me when I periodically fly to the east coast. And I have never been a Bose fan, I'll take fidelity over artificial booming bass any day :)
  
  So far I have been very happy with these headphones. They are not cheap (I got them here on a brief special offer, which helped ease the pain a little), but in my opinion, these headphones are definitely worth the money.
  
  First, as far as the noise canceling goes: like other reviewers have stated, you have to know what to expect. Total noise isolation? No way. But these phones do a great job of blocking out low-frequency background noise, while preserving input audio quality, with very little 'noise' added. I have not had the opportunity to take them on an airplane, but I've been using them in the office daily, and they do an admirable job of getting rid of the rumble of three computer fans and the air conditioning. The noise canceling makes a huge difference, especially at low audio volumes. Very impressive! When turned on, a slight amplification of the input signal is apparent, accompanied by a tiny amount of high-frequency hiss, not disturbing at all though.
  
  Audio quality, with or without noise canceling, is of course way better than with the cheap earbuds you get for free with MP3 players. The PXC250's are not audiophile standard, as are the top of the line Sennheisers (e.g. the HD650), but they produce clear, well-balanced sound, free of any perceptible distortion and with good, tight bass response. I've tried these on my home theater system and I was suitably impressed - very typical neutral Sennheiser sound. Like most audio equipment of decent quality, they seem to improve after a break-in period.
  
  The phones are very comfortable to wear: light-weight with adequate padding all round, probably the most comfortable headphones I've ever owned. I can wear these for hours at a time without feeling any fatigue. The included carrying case and converter plugs are a nice touch, like everything with wires attached to it, it takes some time to get the hang of properly folding and stowing them, but they are certainly very portable. The construction seems sturdy enough and I expect these to last a long time with proper use and care.
  
  Something to consider: the input impedance is quite high (300 ohms, compared to the more typical 16-32 ohms of cheaper earbuds/phones), so to drive them properly you need some oomph. My Zen Micro manages to drive them to adequate volume levels (I plan on retaining my hearing for a while still), but if you insist on stretching your eardrums to bleeding levels, you may want to consider getting a headphone amplifier if you plan to use these with portable audio devices.
  
  All in all, I am very satisfied with my Sennheiser PXC250's.
  
  
  
  
• Sennheiser knows headphones!
  By A3DG2X5P4N8FHC on 2005-09-08
  I travel 4 hours on a plane every week for work, so regular headphones just don't cut it - the noise canceling feature is a must. My 3 main criteria when shopping for noise-reducing phones were sound quality, price, and comfort. Like many reviewers, I tried the familiar Bose and Sony brand models initially, but was not pleased with the price of the Bose or the quality/comfort of the Sony (Sony's models were very awkward and emitted a high-pitched ring in my ears - I've seen that in many reviews).
  
  I became aware of the Sennheiser 250's through various websites, and although I REALLY wanted headphones that covered my entire ears, these seemed to receive the best customer reviews and provide the best value for the money. Alas, when I was shopping one day and noticed a pair of Sennheiser 250's, I tried them out and immediately agreed with the hype. They were quiet, comfortable and padded in all the right places, and produced a sound far superior to the iPod headphones I'd been using. The bass was incredible! At $150, they were WELL worth half the cost of the Bose, and even though they didn't cover my entire ears, the sound reduction seemed comparable to any active + passive noise canceling headphones I'd sampled.
  
  Since owning these headphones, I've taken them on 10-hour flights to and from Hawaii without having to replace the battery. The noise reduction on the plane is incredible (I spent the first 5 minutes flicking the switch on and off because I was so impressed), and I've even slept with them on without experiencing any discomfort (I've read reviews of full-coverage headphones where the additional ear pressure grew uncomfortable after long usage). They fold up neatly and are light enough to fit into a purse or small bag - another benefit vs. the larger Bose/Sony models! The trade-offs are very few (external battery holder, cords can get tangled, no mute button), so all in all I don't think there is currently a better value for noise-canceling headphones on the market.
  
  
• Sound quality - 5 stars. Design - 2 stars
  By A12ANFNOSMW5VD on 2006-06-29
  I love the noise canceling feature. The sound quality is excellent. The engineering is flawed.
  
  I can't figure out why the designers put the battery pack in the middle of the cord length. I guess if you plan on wearing this unit on a belt clip, the engineering is perfect. However, I use the unit plugged into a laptop. When I first started wearing it, every time I wanted to grab something from a nearby shelf or off of the corner of my desk, I would pull the battery pack all over and knock things off the desk, or pull the entire thing out of the headphone jack.
  
  I've finally managed to train myself to take the headphones off before I move around, but I wouldn't buy this design again for this application. I would buy Sennheiser headphones again in a heartbeat, if the model I was considering purchasing did not have a battery pack right in the middle of the cord length.
  
  
• Great Noise Canceling, Great Sound, but DON't MOVE!!
  By A340D0P7PBQTQP on 2004-05-27
  After reading plenty of reviews and hearing from people personally, I decided to go for these headphones instead of the pricier Bose ones.

  I have to say, I've very pleased with these. THey are comfortable, and do a great job of sealing out outside sounds on its own, and are excellent for canceling out low frequency sounds.

  However, if your in an environment that is not a huge low buzz of noise pollution, but a whir of high pitch (human voices, machines, etc), you won't get nearly the same benefit. The phones seal out a little sound, but thats it, you can still hear the high frequency sounds around you.

  The sound quality is good, on par with the Sony street style headphone (The clip on type, with only wire + earcup), which were the ones I was using.

  The only issue with these headphones I've found is that while moving around, you'll notice crunching sounds, which is the foam cup on the earphones that move around and make VERY audible noises. If your not walking around or whatever, and don't move your head, these are great, and don't make a sound.
  The only thing I can think of that will solve this is with extended use, when the foamy exterior dulls down and isn't as springy anymore.

  Btw, don't worry if you have big/small ears. These fit all. I was at first worried, since my ears are pretty big, and these looked puny, and it fits and seals off sound like a champ, regarless of ear size.
  
  

• Flimsy
  By A1QSBE0YW68J41 on 2005-11-17
  Sound quality isn't too bad, although the bass is a little muddy. Unfortunately, the connection between each headphone and the band between them is a flimsy plastic thing. Mine broke within a couple of months, and the connection is so tiny that even superglue doesn't really fix it. Not worth the price.
  
  
• GREAT for the plane...
  By AFG1RHLO2TQD1 on 2006-03-21
  Flying can be VERY loud. For that very reason, I wanted to buy the Bose QuietComfort2, but I'm not rich enough to think spending $300 on earphones (WITHOUT an iPod connected to it) is sane. I reviewed customer reviews on noise canceling headphones for a few days before I decided on the Sennheiser's. I am EXTREMELY happy with my choice, and I can tell you why: 1) they are 1/3 the price of the good Bose; 2) when I was on the plane, the airline offered Bose Headphones (and I think they really are the QuietComfort) and I took them, just for comparison. The Sennheiser's completely blew those out of the water (and to be fair, the Bose given to me on the plane were probably constantly used, thereby affecting their performance). 3) Because the ear piece is round on the Sennheiser, you may wear your earphones in almost any position, however on Bose that is not possible because of the oval shape of the earphone. 4) The earphones didn't disturb me when sleeping. They were very comfortable and stayed on my ears.
  
  I do have 2 complaints though. 1) There isn't a volume control on the `remote' and 2) the remote can not be moved while noise canceling is on, it creates noticeable noise. I probably wouldn't used these on a bus or subway, and I definitely would not use then while working out, but they're perfect for an airplane.
  
  

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