When it comes to Bluetooth headphones, you may have heard the terms Noise Cancellation and Noise Isolation. Both of these things are used to prevent unwanted sounds from entering the ear. Although the two things work the same, technically there is a difference between them.
Noise Isolation vs. Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation, or Active Noise Cancellation or ANC for short, is a process that uses sound waves to block out unwanted sounds around you. These feature-rich headphones receive external sounds with the help of a built-in microphone and generate sound waves against them. By creating opposite sound waves, the two sounds do not come across as acceptable sounds to our ears, resulting in noise we do not hear. World’s biggest brands such as Bose, Sony, and Apple are using this technology in their headphones.
On the other hand, Noise isolation, another name for passive noise cancellation, is to try to block sound with a physical material. For example, putting a rubber bud on the headphones, fitting the headphones tightly to the ear. You can tell by looking at the Airpod Pro. A separate silicone tip is provided through which the external sound can be heard less even if the music is not playing.
Both these technologies can give great results simultaneously. For example, even after passive noise cancellation, some outside sound can enter the ear and Active Noise Cancellation can work to completely remove it. An example of this is the AirPods Pro, Apple’s device that also has silicone tips and ANC. There are various audiobooks and podcasts that aren’t really that loud, so these two technologies can work well.
How Does Noise Isolation Work?
It’s true that Noise Isolation can never beat ANC. However, to get the maximum result in Noise Isolation, you have to fit the tips of the earbuds with the size of the ear and in the case of over air headphones, the shape of the foam has to be turned along the ear properly.
In-ear monitors or IEMs are specially designed for audio professionals to ensure the best passive noise isolation. Although audio professionals are its target customers, it is gaining popularity among general customers as well.
Sometimes listening to music at high volume works as noise-cancelling if the headphones have good noise isolation. If your budget is tight then you can take advantage of noise cancellation by using good quality noise isolation headphones, playing music at loud volume. But it is never recommended.
If you want to experience good music at low volume then ANC technology is not an option.
Should you buy headphones with noise cancellation?
We’re always on the lookout for new technology and features, so maybe you’re thinking of buying ANC headphones too. But you have to check first whether this feature is really suitable for you. Some things you should consider before taking ANC,
First of all, what design of headphones do you prefer? Open air or air tips. If your preference is open air then ANC is not for you. Open air headphones do not have ANC but sometimes the sound of the headphones can come out. Please visit for more information topics: Certified Baddie
Second, the environment in which you will use the headphones will also depend on which headphones you need. If BG listens music in noisy area like campus, cafe, market then AN C is needed and if listening in quiet environment like library, house then noise canceling headphones are not needed.
last word
There are many brands of ANC headphones in the market right now and all of them offer a great music experience. But I personally like AirPods Pro the most. Along with noise cancellation, there is another mode called transparency, in this mode the outside sound can be heard a little louder. Apple has provided this feature so that users do not get bored with one thing.
