Anyone have any advice or reviews on noise-canceling headphones?

I am moving in with a drummer and I expect that there will be lots of times when he is practicing and I want quiet. I was thinking of investing in noise canceling head-phones, but searching over the internet is proving to be tiresome. Does anyone have any advice on noise-canceling headphones? How well do they work? Do I have to be playing music on them or can I just have the sound of silence? Any advice or reviews is much appreciated. Thanks!

Noise cancelling technology works for continuous sound, such as the hum of an air conditioner. But more dynamic sound such as a voice, or perhaps your roommate’s drums will not be effectively cancelled out.

The reason for this is because the technology has a microphone which picks up the outside noise, reverses the phase, and then generates the reverse wave. The original sound wave and the reversed wave will essentially cancel out each other and you won’t hear anything.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Able Planet NC500SCA11 SOUND CLARITY Active Noise Canceling Headphones w/ iPod $192.59 RECEIVE INSTANT GIFT OF AN 8 GB IPOD NANO® WITH EACH PURCHASELIFETIME MANUFACTURER WARRANTY on HEADPHONESLINX AUDIO® ADVANTAGES Award Winning Sound QualityMaximum Speech ClarityFilters undesirable soundReduces distortion SPECIAL FEATURESPatented Linx Audio® Technology for Optimal Sound Quality and Speech ClarityState-of-the-art active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce undesirable sounds and ba…

Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff $73.23 To capture low level sound, the Impact Sport employs built-in microphones that amplify range commands and other important sounds. Users enjoy full, clear directional hearing in stereo. For protection, the Impact Sport actively listens and automatically shuts off amplification whenever harmful sound levels are reached. The earmuffs effectively block any noise, continuous or impulse, of 82dB or more…

3M 90541-80025T TEKK WorkTunes Hearing Protector and AM/FM Radio $40.97 Protect your ears while keeping yourself motivated at your job site with your favorite tunes or radio programming with the AO Safety 90541 WorkTunes with digital tuning hearing protector, which includes an integrated AM/FM radio and a stereo input jack for connecting an MP3 player. A great choice for use on construction sites (check your local regulations), in your workshop, or in your yard while …

3M Peltor Optime 105 H10A Over-the-Head Earmuff $18.81 …

MARPAC Dohm DS Dual Speed Electro-Mechanical White Noise Machine / Sound Machine for Sleeping at Home & Travel $52.00 You will receive (1) Marpac Dohm DS Dual Speed Electro-Mechanical White Noise Machine / Sound Machine for Sleeping at Home & Travel includes. About Marpac Dohm DS White Noise Sleep Sound Machine, Dual-Speed (the Original Sound Conditioner): This white noise sound machine effectively masks unwanted noises and creates a sense of calm, making it easier to concentrate, relax and/or sleep. Recommende…

Ecotones Sound + Sleep Machine, Model ASM1002 $103.99 The Ecotones family of Sleep Sound Machines from Adaptive Sound Technologies is designed to provide the most realistic, natural sound environment possible to help people relax and sleep better at night. Each device includes ultra-high quality natural sound recordings for the most realistic listening experience. They use ASTI’s patented Adaptive SoundTM Technology that listens and responds to backg…

Baby Banz Hearing Protector Earmuffs …

Able Planet NC1100B Clear Harmony Around the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphone (Black) $107.75 The ideal performance for high end audio is the accurate reproduction of the “Live” experience. Current audio technologies struggle to replicate this experience, because bass sounds mask high tones making your music sound muddled and speech difficult to hear. Award-Winning Linx Audio® creates a “Live” experience with full rich base sounds, clear high tones and intelligible speech that enables you…

Skullcandy Skullcrushers Over Ear Headphones – Lurker Green / Black $69.99 Skullcandy Skullcrushers Over-Ear Headphones 2012 – A pair of mini-subwoofers against your skull makes the bass feel like a swarm attack by the renegades of funk, soldiers of Jah, hip-hop nation, and a 1970s version of the Kiss Army, all at once. So, no. Skullcrusher is not just a clever name. Features: AA Battery Included, Magnet Type: NdFeB, Frequency Response: 20-20K Hz, Impedance: 32 ohms, Max…

Able Planet extreme foldable active noise cancelling headphones $34.95 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION  Ideal for the traveler, student or music lover. The latest technology and convenient foldable size. The XNC230P features an adjustable headband, superior sound quality and clarity, patented LINX AUDIO technology, in-line volume control for easy adjustment to safe listening levels (no more hunting for the volume control) and state-of-the-art active noise cancelation (ANC)….

IMAGINE Noise Canceling Headphones $42.99 These noise canceling headphones are great for business travel or just relaxing around the house listening to your favorite music. The noise canceling technology significantly reduces or eliminates ambient noise while delivering crisp clear audio.

IMAGINE Active Noise Canceling Earbuds $32.49 IMAGINE’s active noise-canceling ear buds reduce distracting background noise by 85-percent while offering superior sound. These earbuds make the perfect companion to your iPod or MP3 player.

Nc-II Noise Cancelling Headphones $37.49 Maxell’s HP/NC-II Noise Cancellation Headphones deliver the most uncompromising, high impact, stereo sound. Enhanced audibility of distinct tones for a truer audio representation and reduced distortion resulting from over-amplification

Able Planet SOUND CLARITY Noise Cancelling Headphone $144.99 Able Planet SOUND CLARITY Noise Cancelling Headphone

Phiaton PS 300 NC Primal Series Noise-cancelling Compact Headphones $259 The Phiaton PS 300 NC headphones are masterfully made and feature power noise-cancelling technology to minimize distortion. The headphones allow you to enjoy your music like never before.

Phiaton PS 20 NC Glossy White Active Noise Canceling Earphones $129 The PS 20 NC features Phiaton’s exclusive Noise Blocker noise cancellation technology which blocks 95-percent of outside noise, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in your music. These earphones also have an ergonomic design for total comfort.

Sony MDR-NC7 Noise Cancelling Headphone $34.49 Sony MDR-NC7 Noise Cancelling Headphone

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $268.99 The Audio-Technica Noise Canceling Headphone is unique amongst it’s peers by offering three modes for aircraft, office and study. Using Audio-Technica’s high-precision ANC circuitry combined with two microphones reduces environmental noise by up to 95%.

Sony MDR-NC7/BLK Noise-canceling Headphones $46.49 Sony MDR-NC7/BLK Noise Canceling Headphone

Kensington Noise Canceling Headphone $35.99 Dynamic earpiece technologyOver-the-head binaural designHeadphones feature black finish

Able Planet NC1100B Noise Canceling Headphones with LM1000 Microphone $164.99 Model: NC1100BWMIncluded items: Headphones, microphone, 1/4-inch adapter, ‘AAA’ battery, hard protective carrying case, airplane adapter

AMC High Quality 3.5mm Noise Canceling Earphones $12.49 Enjoy hands-free listening with these AMC High-quality earphonesMusic player accessories give you professional stereo sound Ear buds feature environmental wire and adjustable necklace earbuds

PyleHome PHPNC45 Headphone $46.49 High-Fidelity Noise-Canceling Headphones With Carrying Case

Plantronics Cell Phone Headset $15.99 Plantonics headset is perfect for multi-taskingCell phone accessory features an over the ear designHeadset comes with a noise canceling microphone

Plantronics Mirage H41N Noise-Canceling Earset $65.99 Plantronics Mirage H41N Headset

$10.89 shipped–$10.14 shipped–CM-201 Noise Canceling Multimedia Microphone with Flexible Neck/3.5mm Plug (Silver) $10.89 Transparent sound and noise canceling multimedia microphone with flexible neck.

$11.2 shipped–$10.42 shipped–940 Multimedia Microphone with Detachable Tripod/3.5mm Plug (White) $11.2 Transparent sound and noise canceling multimedia microphone with detachable tripod.

$13.86 shipped–$12.8 shipped–TM-12 Noise Canceling Multimedia Microphone with Flexible Neck/3.5mm Plug (Black) $13.86 Transparent sound and noise canceling multimedia microphone with flexible neck.

$30.28 shipped–$29.16 shipped–On-Ear Stereo Headphones with 3.5mm Jack/Connector Touring Case for MP3 MP4 Microphone (Black) $30.28 The product is a noise-canceling headset which reduces unwanted noise and maximizes your listening experience

$30.28 shipped–$29.16 shipped–On-Ear Stereo Headphones with 3.5mm Jack/Connector Touring Case for MP3 MP4 Microphone (Orange) $30.28 The product is a noise-canceling headset which reduces unwanted noise and maximizes your listening experience

$30.52 shipped–$29.45 shipped–A355 On-Ear Stereo Headphones with 3.5mm Jack/Connector Touring Case for MP3 MP4 Microphone (Black) $30.52 The product is a noise-canceling headset which reduces unwanted noise and maximizes your listening experience

$4.69 shipped–$4.22 shipped–TM-2 Noise Canceling Multimedia Microphone with Flexible Neck/3.5mm Plug (Black) $4.69 Transparent sound and noise canceling multimedia microphone with flexible neck.

$4.69 shipped–$4.35 shipped–M-Q3000 Noise Canceling Multimedia Microphone with Flexible Neck/3.5mm Plug (Silver) $4.69 Transparent sound and noise canceling multimedia microphone with flexible neck.

$7.54 shipped–$6.97 shipped–TM-5 Noise Canceling Multimedia Microphone with Flexible Neck/3.5mm Plug (Silver) $7.54 Transparent sound and noise canceling multimedia microphone with flexible neck.

$7.7 shipped–$7.14 shipped–TM-8 Noise Canceling Multimedia Microphone with Flexible Neck/3.5mm Plug (Pink) $7.7 Transparent sound and noise canceling multimedia microphone with flexible neck.