Headphones—many of us don't leave the house without them. Allowing us to indulge in our favorite music and podcasts while going about our business—whether on the train, in the gym, or even at work—they’re an incredible piece of audio technology. Noise-cancelling headphones are perhaps even more impressive.
Filtering out the background noise that threatens to disrupt your listening experience, these clever headphones are a must-have for many audiophiles.
In this blog, we’ll cover the benefits and frequently asked questions surrounding noise-cancelling headphones to help you determine whether they’re the right option for you.
Filtering out the background noise that threatens to disrupt your listening experience, these clever headphones are a must-have for many audiophiles.
In this blog, we’ll cover the benefits and frequently asked questions surrounding noise-cancelling headphones to help you determine whether they’re the right option for you.
An average room can be full of noises: a ticking clock, the rush of cars outside, and the muttering of others around you. Sometimes, you want to focus solely on your chosen track, audiobook, or podcast—and that’s where noise-cancelling headphones come in.
Noise-cancelling headphones work by listening to the noise around you and creating opposing sound waves to cancel out ambient sound. This method is most effective with consistent noise in lower and midrange frequencies. Higher frequencies and random or sudden sounds, such as alarms or someone speaking to you, will often still be heard.
With our Smart Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, this is taken to the next level. This innovation provides a major improvement over standard, one-size-fits-all versions by adjusting the noise cancellation to be much more effective as external sound is monitored and multiple filters target specific frequencies based on your surroundings.
Experience the difference that noise-cancelling headphones can make, and switch between ‘Ambient’ and ‘ANC’ modes with our interactive sound demonstration.
Noise-cancelling headphones work by listening to the noise around you and creating opposing sound waves to cancel out ambient sound. This method is most effective with consistent noise in lower and midrange frequencies. Higher frequencies and random or sudden sounds, such as alarms or someone speaking to you, will often still be heard.
With our Smart Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, this is taken to the next level. This innovation provides a major improvement over standard, one-size-fits-all versions by adjusting the noise cancellation to be much more effective as external sound is monitored and multiple filters target specific frequencies based on your surroundings.
Experience the difference that noise-cancelling headphones can make, and switch between ‘Ambient’ and ‘ANC’ modes with our interactive sound demonstration.
What Are The Benefits Of Noise-Cancelling Headphones?
Noise-cancelling headphones are certainly impressive in how they cancel out sound, but what exactly are the benefits of tuning out the background noise?
Superior Listening Quality
Irritating background noise can completely dampen a listening experience, distracting you from the melodies of your favourite song or making it difficult to hear every nuance of each instrument. For an audiophile, there’s nothing worse than wanting to sink into a beloved symphony, only to have it marred by nearby murmuring or the whirring of an air conditioner.
This can lead you to turn up the volume of your music to potentially damaging levels to hear it over the background noise, which can have a long-term negative impact on your eardrums.
With noise-cancelling headphones, there’s no need for volume overload, as the sounds that interrupt your listening experience are eliminated.
This can lead you to turn up the volume of your music to potentially damaging levels to hear it over the background noise, which can have a long-term negative impact on your eardrums.
With noise-cancelling headphones, there’s no need for volume overload, as the sounds that interrupt your listening experience are eliminated.
Superior Call Quality
Phone calls are another day-to-day activity made difficult by background noise. Picture a phone call with a loved one whose voice you haven’t heard in a while or an important video call with a coworker or client. Then imagine train carriage chatter or music playing nearby, diverting your attention and leaving you struggling to catch important pieces of information.
Noise-cancelling headphones counter this peripheral sound racket, allowing you to focus solely on the voice of the other person, meaning no more awkward requests to repeat what’s been said. However, it is important to remember that traditionally, this noise cancellation doesn’t transfer to the other person on the call, so they may still hear the background noise around you. The Clear Voice Capture (cVc) technology applied to Mu7 headphones helps create a better environment for hands-free conversations by isolating your voice and reducing other sounds.
Noise-cancelling headphones counter this peripheral sound racket, allowing you to focus solely on the voice of the other person, meaning no more awkward requests to repeat what’s been said. However, it is important to remember that traditionally, this noise cancellation doesn’t transfer to the other person on the call, so they may still hear the background noise around you. The Clear Voice Capture (cVc) technology applied to Mu7 headphones helps create a better environment for hands-free conversations by isolating your voice and reducing other sounds.
Improved Concentration
When working on an important project, nothing disrupts your focus like ambient sound. In fact, many scientists agree that noise negatively impacts cognitive function. Whether you’re finishing a report surrounded by keyboard clacking or completing a stunning painting while construction work takes place outside, dedicating yourself to your task can feel nearly impossible.
With noise-cancelling headphones, however, distractions are muted, allowing you to devote your full attention to the work at hand.
With noise-cancelling headphones, however, distractions are muted, allowing you to devote your full attention to the work at hand.
A Good Night’s Sleep
One in five people in the UK experience inadequate sleep and noise disturbance is a common culprit. Whether you live by a busy road or want to tune out a snoring partner, noise-cancelling headphones could be the key to the unbroken slumber you crave.
If you plan to use your noise-cancelling earphones for sleep, stay comfortable by using in-ear earphones like Mu3 instead of over-ear headphones.
If you plan to use your noise-cancelling earphones for sleep, stay comfortable by using in-ear earphones like Mu3 instead of over-ear headphones.
Ear Protection
Exposure to loud noise, especially if it is constant, can have a long-term impact on the ears, such as harming the auditory nerve or damaging the hair cells in the cochlea. Noise-cancelling headphones can help protect your ears from these negative effects by countering the sound and allowing you to listen at a lower volume.
Stress Reduction
Grating noise can often make us feel annoyed and irritable, with studies showing that living in a noisy environment can increase the production of stress hormones.
If constant construction work has you feeling tense or the roar of traffic sets your teeth on edge, noise-cancelling headphones could bring the tranquillity you desperately need.
If constant construction work has you feeling tense or the roar of traffic sets your teeth on edge, noise-cancelling headphones could bring the tranquillity you desperately need.
As well as covering the benefits of noise-cancelling headphones, we also want to address some common misgivings.
Do Noise Cancelling Headphones Make You Less Aware of Your Surroundings?
The very thing that makes noise-cancelling headphones work so well is their ability to tune out your surroundings. However, there may be situations when you need to stay alert and aware of your environment, such as when walking near roads.
To address this issue, we’ve equipped Mu3 with an ambient mode, which allows you to hear ambient noise when needed. Simply switch to this mode when necessary and change back to noise-cancelling mode when it is safe to do so.
To address this issue, we’ve equipped Mu3 with an ambient mode, which allows you to hear ambient noise when needed. Simply switch to this mode when necessary and change back to noise-cancelling mode when it is safe to do so.
Do Noise Cancelling Headphones Damage Your Hearing?
This is a frequent question. Noise-cancelling headphones are more beneficial to your hearing than they are damaging. Not only do they protect your ears in loud environments, but, as mentioned above, you don’t need to turn up your volume as much due to the lack of external noise interference.
Mu3
Mu3 is our in-ear option. Sleek, discreet and wireless for your convenience, these earphones offer nine hours of listening on a full charge. Charging is lightning fast, too, providing an hour of listening in just five minutes.
They are IPX5 splash-proof for added convenience, enabling you to enjoy stunning sound in all weather. Plus, Bluetooth 5.0 allows for connectivity to both iOS and Android devices.
They are IPX5 splash-proof for added convenience, enabling you to enjoy stunning sound in all weather. Plus, Bluetooth 5.0 allows for connectivity to both iOS and Android devices.
Mu7
If you prefer over-ear headphones, Mu7 is for you. With high-resolution sound at 24-bit/48 kHz via Qualcomm® aptX™ HD technology, it delivers unbelievable clarity. With the addition of our Smart Active Noise Cancellation technology, Mu7 recognises your noise environment and adapts to give you the best results each time.
Plus, thanks to impressive charging capabilities, you’ll get up to eight hours of listening from just 15 minutes of charging, and up to 40 hours of use on a full charge.
Discover why Mu7 are perfect for your summer holiday!
Plus, thanks to impressive charging capabilities, you’ll get up to eight hours of listening from just 15 minutes of charging, and up to 40 hours of use on a full charge.
Discover why Mu7 are perfect for your summer holiday!
Curated Year-Round Programme
A collaborative space like no other. We host a variety of collaborative events throughout the year showcasing sound at its most immersive, including exclusive music sessions, film screenings, art exhibitions, talks, and workshops, creating a dynamic atmosphere for our visitors.
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*Actual product colour may vary from the AR version shown.
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