Do Noise Canceling Headphones Really Work?

Noise canceling headphones, also known as ANC (Active Noise Control) are a highly sought-after feature in headphones. 

Most headphones do not come with ANC, which means many people will need to upgrade to a newer set, if they desire this feature.

The idea of noise canceling headphones sounds alluring, doesn’t?  It conjures up images obtaining a peaceful blissful state while being surround by loud traffic, noisy racket at home, or that screaming baby on the plane.

Do Noise Canceling Headphones Really Work?

First of all, how do noise canceling headphones work?  Do they really block out all noise? 

No, unfortunately not, well at least all noise.  ANC headphones work by sending out a sound wave with the same amplitude as the offending sound but with an inverted phase to it.  The waves form a new wave and cancel each other out.

Noise canceling headphones do help eliminate the need to raise the volume to block out unwanted outside sound.

However, noise canceling headphones are not the holy grail.  They can only cancel out low-frequency noise like the hum you hear in planes, cars, and trains.  And other ambient sounds like wind, water, birds, crowds, and office noise will be reduced.

You will still hear the loud baby, the active talker sitting next to you on the plane, and other higher frequency transient sounds.

mixcder E7 Active Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones

Normally, ANC headphones are pricey, usually in the $200-$300 range.  But a few companies have broken through this price barrier to bring active noise canceling headphones to the masses,  mixcder is such a company.  

Not only are their E7 headphones noise canceling, they also utilize Bluetooth 4.0 technology, offering a truly wireless experience.  Of course, mixcder includes a cord for those preferring a wired experience.  The cord is helpful to use with movies and music on planes too.

Home office

Although I didn’t get the chance to text the mixcder E7 headphones on an airplane (though I will in a couple of weeks when I head out to New York), I did try the ANC feature n my home office.

I could still hear the incessant tapping of my fingers on my computer keyboard and some of the noise from the clicking noise from my ceiling fan.  But I could no longer hear the buzz from my computer with the mixcder ANC turned on.

Noise-canceling headphones can be used with or without music being played.  Either way, they will work to cancel out ambient noise for a quieter environment.

Indoor Sports

I was curious to see how the mixcder noise canceling headphones would work at my daughter’s volleyball game, so I took them along.  In between gym matches, high schools love to play blaring music featuring deep bass to pump everyone up.  While the music is fun, it is always loud.

With the ANC feature turned on, I could definitely still hear the noise but felt the mixcder E7 headphones cushioned me a bit away from it.  I noticed that the bass wasn’t as booming or echoing.  It was a nice reprieve, even though the outside music was still loud.

I continued to wear the mixcder noise-canceling headphones during the game, as the other volleyball team cheers were very loud and boisterous.

Again, all the voices were still loud within the headphones, but there was a certain “buzz” that was lacking with the headphones on.  It was like an overall hum that was canceled out.

Without the headphones, you tend not to notice the hum, it’s ambient…background noise.  But once you put the headphones on with ANC and then take them off, you definitely notice it.

I also noticed that when a server hit the volleyball or bounced it repeatedly on the wood gym floor, it was not as sharp or echoing as it was without the headphones. 

I am definitely planning on taking the mixcder headphones with me to the next game.  I was able to hear my friend next to me easily when talking too.

Other ANC Uses 

• Airports while waiting to board
• Airplanes
• Subway tunnels
• Subways
• Football stadiums – and can protect your ears from cold weather too!
• Volleyball & basketball games
• Waiting for your child to get out of school – immerse yourself in music without killing the car battery!
• Gym – great for the treadmill, elliptical machines, weightlifting, etc.

Fit & Feel

The mixcder earphones have a nice look to them.  Although they are very reasonable in price versus other noise-canceling headphones on the market, they fashion a luxurious faux-leather and faux-metal look to them.  

The padded over-ear cups are very comfortable as is its padded headband.  I can wear these for a couple of hours and not feel ear and head fatigue like I have with other headphones.

Sound

The immersive sound of the mixcder noise canceling headphones is impressive.  Good high and lows with just the right amount of bass, though there is no way to control the bass though.

Controls

The mixcder noise canceling headphones do not come with their own app.  To keep the price lower, they do not include extra controls via an app and features such as Google Assistant.

The + and – buttons can turn the volume up or down (press up twice to increase volume 2 notches)  as well as skip to the next song or replay the last song (press and hold + button for next song).  The power button also acts as a pause button.

Taking Calls

The mixcder headphone has a built-in microphone so you can easily take calls.  The call sound quality is good and it allows you to not miss a beat. 

No need to take them off to answer a call, just press the power button to accept it  Note: the microphone only works in wireless mode, not when using the cord.

Features:

• Uses a large 40mm driver for good quality sound and bass
• Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology to block out low-frequency noise
• Built-in 400 mAH battery – headphones can last 18-20 hours on a single charge
• Comes with wired 3.5mm audio cable so music continues even in battery dies
• CSR 4.0 Bluetooth technology for clearer sound and less toll on the battery
• Built-in hands-free calling for making and receiving phone calls from your phone
• Comes with a convenient compact carrying case to protect your headphones
• Ear cups come with 90-degree swiveling for flat storage and comfortable neck wrap wear
• Fairly light-weight at 1.2 lbs

Pros:

• Very comfortable – the ear cups and headband padding are pillowy and soft
• Can wear for hours with minimum head/ear fatigue
• Bluetooth range is 25-30 feet away from your phone
• Works well for mobile devices and PC’s
• Wired option is helpful for connecting to airplane entertainment as well as bypassing the  need to use its battery
• ANC helps keep echoing and the noisy hum of busy environments at bay
• Features ANC, wireless, and luxurious look and feel at an affordable price
• Can use ANC noise canceling without needing to fully power on the headphones
• Lightweight
• The sound is very good with a nice balance between highs and lows
• Durable inside or outside of their included case
• Volume, Skip, Repeat, and Pause controls are handy

Cons:

• Headphones are not fully foldable to reduce their bulk
• No controls for adjusting bass, treble, etc.

The mixcder E7 headphones are available through mixcder for $59.99 plus shipping.

A Mom’s Perspective

Although noise canceling headphones were not the holy grail I was hoping for, since they do not block out ALL sound, they do provide some “rest” from the excessive noise that surrounds you.

Let me tell you, I really appreciated having them during my daughter’s volleyball game, they did provide a noticeable difference. 

Noise canceling technology can help whether you are playing music or not, but they were specifically made to enhance the enjoyment of listening to your music or movie while canceling out outside noise.

I do appreciate that you can hear and carry on a conversation with the headphones on, as I still need to communicate with my kids when they are wearing them. 

Also, warning signals like traffic horns, whistles, and even someone yelling can still be heard to avoid a costly accident when using them in public.

Mixcder is an American company focused on providing the best quality audio and features at an affordable price.  And although I have a number of pairs of headphones, I have to say the mixcder E7’s are now my favorite!

* I was given a pair of mixcder E7 ANC wireless headphones for purposes of review and consideration.  All opinions are my own.