View Full Version : Headphones for plane use
andrewmckay5
22-10-2004, 20:13
Hi,
can anyone recommend a decent set of headphones for use with the movies on a plane. Compact if possible to put in with hand luggage.
Cheers
andrew
Hi Andrew
I see at lot of people with the Bose Noise Cancelling headsets - they are expensive but about the best. Sony also make a noise cancelling set as well as a set of ear bud type - I know BA sell them onboard and they are about £70. I have also seen a 'Virgin' branded set in Target. And Sennheiser do a set (BA pilots use the Sennheiser noise cancelling headsets on the flight deck). All of these have a mic that picks up the background noise, inverts it and feeds it back into the headset to give 'active noise reduction' - or ANR as it is called).
Neil
TonyBlenk
22-10-2004, 20:24
From Duty Free, choose noise cancelling ones.
Even when not listening to music or the movie, they cancel out the drone of the aircraft.
If only the'd invent some to reduce the noise of screaming babies! [msnsad]
Oops, somebody beat me to a reply, and so eloquently!
Well we have a baby!!!!! I think of all the routes around the world Orlando is one which people should be more tolerent to the sound of babies! Our son had a terrible first flight at 4 months but the last two times he has got better, but it is difficult for babies and young children to equalize their ears with the pressure. We try our best with dummies/passifiers and a bottle during landing but there is only so much people can do. I think we should all realise that we were babies once! Also if a baby is bothering you, the last thing you should do is show any kind of reaction, if the parents see it they will get stressed, the baby will pick up on this stress and only get worse and cry more. We had a really bad man who got cross with Neil in the summer on a flight to Orlando and said we should have an ambulance waiting for our baby - well we were furious. Our son was tired and teething!
When I'm at work I go out of my way to help parents with babies - as travelling with the all the extra things they have to carry is not easy. The airlines try to help out with babies and young children by serving their meals first (BA) so that at least the children are not hungry! To everyone who wants the front row bassinet seats, well our son slept most of the flight when he had a bassinet so the customers nearby weren't disturbed so leave these seats for babies if you want a quieter flight.
At the end of the day we all have the same intention - getting to Orlando and having a fantastic holiday. Don't let noise ruin it as previously said the noise cancelling headseats are worth their money.......:)
Well said gromit. We have been fortunate that our two have always travelled relatively easily, our son perhaps not quite so, but there are times on the flights when they can act up. This is usually when everyone is tired and fed-up. The parents are already usually very aware of the potential discomfort they are causing to other passengers, saying something to the parents isn't going to help. Perhaps compassionately asking if you could help the parents, or get them anything (water, blanket, etc) would be more useful, give everyone a nicer flight and give you a nice feeling in your heart to think that you helped a fellow passenger in need.
Oh if only the real world worked like that!
andrewmckay5
23-10-2004, 01:16
Neil and Tony,
thanks for the infomation. Anyone know any online retailers who may hold stock of these headphones? Want to get some as presents before we go rather than at the airport if I can.
andrew
This will probably sound thick, but how do you know that the one,s you are buying will fit, when you get on the plane.??
Richer Sounds have a good selection of Sennheiser headphones, the PXC250 has noise cancelling functionality and folds up quite small. I will DM you there web address.
Cheers,
MTP
chrizzy100
23-10-2004, 01:47
Don't you get headphones on planes over from England nowadays.......???
Calamity Jane
23-10-2004, 01:50
Do most of the headphones come with an attachment for the two pin conections, we generally fly with Continental and they have two pins heads whereas Virgin have one. I must admit its very rare I get to watch a full film as I am always travelling with children ( always get the short straw :D) I think unless you will get the benefits of headphones at home £70 is steep just to use on a flight ( just my opinion for what its worth ) am I coming over as a Scrooge or what ??:D:D
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by hamish
This will probably sound thick, but how do you know that the one,s you are buying will fit, when you get on the plane.??
[/quote]
They use a standard head phone jack so most will fit;)
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
Don't you get headphones on planes over from England nowadays.......???
[/quote]
Yes but they are a bit naff!
I know BA have 1 pin but like Lal said you can use a jack if unsure. Chrizzy yes headphones are provided free on scheduled flights and usually a small charge on charter but they are standard headphones and not the total noise cancelling headphones! Target seemed to have them at the best price......
andrewmckay5
23-10-2004, 01:56
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Calamity Jane
Do most of the headphones come with an attachment for the two pin conections, we generally fly with Continental and they have two pins heads whereas Virgin have one. I must admit its very rare I get to watch a full film as I am always travelling with children ( always get the short straw :D) I think unless you will get the benefits of headphones at home £70 is steep just to use on a flight ( just my opinion for what its worth ) am I coming over as a Scrooge or what ??:D:D
[/quote]
Karen,
our daughter is 2 so i know what you mean but on the trip back I usually find it easier to watch something. Also if i do get the chance to watch a movie i do find the ones provided quite poor.
andrew
The headphone sockets will differ from aircraft to aircraft and not necessarily by airline.
For Example: Virgin have 4 different types of inflight entertainment systems fitted throughout the fleet. Some have the two pin jacks and some only one.
However, when purchasing the headphones you should be able to buy an adaptor changing the jack from a one/two pin to a one/two pin...if you know what I mean[:I]
Matt
Calamity Jane
23-10-2004, 02:26
Clear as mud Matt, but I know what you mean :D
I have just spoken to hubby who is away at the moment, and he says that Dixons at the airport stock these noise cancelling headphones - so look up their website and buy them duty free at the airport before you fly!
Robert5988
23-10-2004, 23:28
I have bought a pair of 'Plane Quiet' noise cancellation earphones from USA(do a search)which I have used on a number of trips. On my last couple of trips I compared them on a 'back to back' test with the Bose noise cancellation earphones handed out by American Airlines. Both are the larger 'fit over the whole ear' type and hence a bit bulky.
The Bose were better but not by a huge amount - although I suppose it depends on your hearing - but the Plane Quiet are about a quarter of the price. - They also have multi-way connectors that can be used in any aircraft.
There are a websites that do a comparison of all these headphones.
I use them even when not listening to the audio - just to cut out some of the engine noise.
LiesaAnna
23-10-2004, 23:54
DONT FANCY POUNDSHOP ONES THEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh]
Robert5988
24-10-2004, 14:25
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:DONT FANCY POUNDSHOP ONES THEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:I'm not going to make the details available as the whole idea is to try and discourage people from chasing star ratings by posting one-liners which are not informative.[/quote]
Do Virgin give out headphones or do you have to purchase them on the plane?
LiesaAnna
24-10-2004, 16:12
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:DONT FANCY POUNDSHOP ONES THEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:I'm not going to make the details available as the whole idea is to try and discourage people from chasing star ratings by posting one-liners which are not informative.[/quote]
[/quote]
wheres your humour misery!!!!!!!!!!!
does this mean i have to watch everything i say?????????????
so take the star ratings away it would not bother me in the slightest!!!!!!!!!!![:P]
[msntongue]
when we first went to florida people told us to take our headphones well meaning people told us to get pound shop ones!!!!!!!!
which were obviously rubbish........
andrewmckay5
24-10-2004, 16:24
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by AngelaB
Do Virgin give out headphones or do you have to purchase them on the plane?
[/quote]
Angela,
Virgin do give you adequate headphones. Its just as we are lucky enough to go over every year i was thinking a better pair would be worth the investment for my family. Pairs that is not 1 set betwen us:D
andrew
Oh i see, ta Andrew.....Go Liesa Go Liesa [clap][clap][clap][msnwink]
I bought these originally for my laptop and mini-disc player but also take them for the plane.
The sound quality is fantastic for the price and they fold up into a hard plastic case, easy for travelling with.
I paid about £39 for them.
http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/products.jsp?id=04924
Brizzle.
andrewmckay5
24-10-2004, 18:49
Where from Brizzle; £99-00 on your link.
andrew
Ooops, I looked at the Sennheiser site and they looked like mine.
My pair are in work so I can't check which ones but I am now 95% sure these are the ones. They look very similar...that's my defence your honour. And the fact the model names are PCX250 and PX200. Oh well here's the link.
http://www.hifibitz.co.uk/SiteMap/headphones/Sennheiser-PX200-Headphones.asp
I bought mine from a specialist audio shop in Bristol but I'm sure you can search kelkoo or froogle for a cheap internet supplier.
Brizzle.
Hi Andrew
If the concept is to use them on the return journey why not wait till you are over there and pick up a pair from the likes of Best Buy or Walmart, then you may also be able to try them on for comfort.
These look quite good:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2416617
Cheers,
MTP
andrewmckay5
25-10-2004, 00:38
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MTP
Hi Andrew
If the concept is to use them on the return journey why not wait till you are over there and pick up a pair from the likes of Best Buy or Walmart, then you may also be able to try them on for comfort.
These look quite good:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2416617
Cheers,
MTP
[/quote]
Thanks MTP,
good idea and these look just the ticket at $50 or so. That my xmas shopping sorted out aswell[msnwink]
andrew
The Sennheiser 250's are $84.99 on Amazon.com :)
Or £75 from QED in the UK :(
http://www.qed-uk.com/q/index.html?i=11v0IC1qV2Z0&vp=6&bg=220&bp=c250x&bi=0
I was looking for these a while ago and found a couple of poor reviews of the Philips set, I'll try and find the sites.
Yes please try and find the site, as i am about to ask someone who is in the states to send me some.!
I was looking for these a while ago and found a couple of poor reviews of the Philips set, I'll try and find the sites.
[/quote]
Just re-checked Walmart's website and they have quite a few noise-cancelling models, of course you would be dependent on the stock levels in-store when you visited, but I would imagine you would be able find a suitable option during the course of your holiday. Either from them or from an alternative retailer.
Virgin give them out free:D
LiesaAnna
25-10-2004, 13:57
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by LesleyB
Virgin give them out free:D
[/quote]
but they're as good as pound shop me thinks, some of them have only one ear working, (alright for steve as he's deaf in one ear!)
what do you want for free????[msnwink]
Free Liesa and Lesley B?:D[:P][:P]
What about the hundreds of pounds we have paid for our fares with Virgin!!!!
Actually we got 'free' ones on a charter flight with Thomas Cook in May, so they don't all charge EXTRA. Mind you the cost of that flight was only £179!
GO LIESA - keep us smiling[msnwink]