Earbuds Archives - NoisyWorld

My Experience with the QC Earbuds Ultra 2 for Everyday Noise Reduction

Published on December 9, 2025 by Helmut

QC-earbuds-ultra-2-experience-against--everyday-noise

Recently I have been traveling in Europe and Southeast Asia for several weeks. I spent a lot of time walking around vibrant, but also quite loud cities in the Philippines and Vietnam. This included busy roads, fast-food restaurants, shopping centers, trains, buses, airplanes, hotel rooms, public restrooms, etc. On one hand, I enjoyed being out …

Soundcore Life A3i Review and Noise Reduction Test: Good ANC on a Budget

Published on October 28, 2023 by Helmut

I have now used the Soundcore Life A3i ANC earbuds for about 3 months in various environments, including on planes and trains, in city traffic, and in coffee shops. They have a punchy bass and good bass extension. For the price, the A3i sound very good. Active noise cancelling function and passive noise reduction are …

Why I Wouldn’t Use AirPods Pro for Hearing Protection

Published on June 27, 2023 by Helmut

AirPods Pro 2 have an upgraded, powerful active noise cancelling function that can make a gas-powered lawn mower, many power tools and other machinery and even music bass appear a lot quieter. Sometimes the results are stunning. Perhaps you are wondering: “Why not get rid of earplugs and ear defenders and use my AirPods Pro …

Which True Wireless Earbuds Work Well Under Which Earmuffs?

Published on May 30, 2023 by Helmut

Many readers have asked me for suggestions for true wireless earbuds and noise reduction earmuffs that work well together. Others already own a specific earbud model (e.g., Soundcore A40, AirPods Pro) and are wondering which earmuffs would be compatible, if any at all. In this post I’d like to point you in the right direction …

Earplugs or ANC Earbuds for Noise Sensitivity? A Big City Report

Published on March 11, 2023 by Helmut

ANC-earbuds-and-earplugs-for-noise-sensitivity-comparison

In recent months, I have focused on using noise cancelling earbuds as my go-to noise reduction tool during the day. My ears are already itching. Before that, I tested an almost excessive amount of inexpensive, reusable push-in earplugs, including many moderate-noise reduction earplugs (Hi-Fi earplugs) for dampening irritating noises while commuting, exercising, walking around town, …

Soundcore Space A40 Practical Review and Noise Reduction Test

Published on February 25, 2023 by Helmut

To understand how well and consistently the Space A40 reduce noise and how useful they are in everyday life, I have made them my main earbuds for about a month in loud city environments. I have also conducted systematic noise reduction tests and compared them to the best of the best as well as to …

How Can Adaptive Transparency Help Noise Sensitive People?

Published on January 2, 2023 by Helmut

adaptive transparency mode for noise sensitivity

The objective of headphones with adaptive transparency mode / adaptive awareness mode is to allow you to hear your surroundings as you would without headphones while at the same time reducing loud noises. Wouldn’t that be great? Walking around town and being aware of traffic but not stressed out by excessive honking, sirens, loud motorbikes, …

Adaptive Noise Cancelling: Better Than Old-School, Fixed ANC?

Updated on December 16, 2022 by Helmut

More and more noise cancelling headphones and earbuds are being advertised as having adaptive noise cancellation. But is that just a sales pitch or are we getting some real benefits? I recently experienced several such adaptive noise cancelling headphones and earbuds. The results were sometimes stunningly good, but in other situations the same adaptive headphones …

The AirPods Pro 2 ANC, Strong when It Wants To: How to Improve It?

Published on December 3, 2022 by Helmut

AirPods Pro 2 ANC Experience Report and Improvement Tips

This post reports on my experience with the active noise cancelling function (ANC) of the AirPods Pro 2 in daily life. We are also looking at measurements and tips/hacks on how you can improve the noise reduction performance. This article is from the perspective of a noise sensitive person. So far I have been using …

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review and Detailed ANC Test

Published on November 19, 2022 by Helmut

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review and ANC Test

I have now used the QuietComfort II Earbuds for six weeks. I am always on the lookout for tools that can effectively reduce noise in a busy, hot city while staying comfortable and in touch with my surroundings. In the following review, I report on my noise reduction tests, fit and comfort, sound quality, call …