Noise cancelling earphones

wmonroe · Sep 14, 2013

Who is using noise cancelling earphones on their open station tractor? I want to get a set but want to get good ones that actually cancel out some tractor noise so I don't destroy what's left of my hearing while listening to music.
Thanks!

kennyd · Sep 14, 2013

I use the Bose QC15's just about everything I am on the tractor and listen to music form my iPhone. They are certainly not the cheapest, but the sound quality is amazing.

Bose | QuietComfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones | Noise Cancelling Headphones

Hiltz · Sep 14, 2013

kennyd said:
I use the Bose QC15's just about everything I am on the tractor and listen to music form my iPhone. They are certainly not the cheapest, but the sound quality is amazing.

Bose | QuietComfortｮ 15 Acoustic Noise Cancellingｮ headphones | Noise Cancelling Headphones

I agree. My wife flys alot and I bought her a pair of these a couple of years ago for her travels. They are amazing.

Midniteoyl · Sep 14, 2013

Those would prolly be the best non-commercial, non-aviation NC headphones, but these are real close at 1/2 the price: http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/sony-mdr-nc200d-black/4505-7877_7-35020456.html

Scooby074 · Sep 14, 2013

Not noise canceling, but have you thought about a set of Peltor (or Stihl) Worktunes?

Cheaper (and likely tougher for outside work) than the Bose. They have built in radio, or you can use an iPod for your own music

F3506 · Sep 14, 2013

Are you wanting to listen to the FM radio or a portable music player?

I use these and plug them into my phone and listen to Pandora. Amazon.com: CAD Audio DH100 Drummer Isolation Headphones: Musical Instruments

I can hear the music while running a shredder, disc cutter, hay baler, or discing up a field. The down side to these are the padding is a little on the thin side and after 4 or 5 hours they start to press in on your ears. (that or I have big ears and normal size ears aren't affected).

After a few hours I end up adjusting them every once in a while to get it more comfortable. I wear sunglasses with them too, so that may be adding to my discomfort.

bandaidmd · Sep 14, 2013

I have a set of noise canceling headphones , there made to filter out ambient background noise not high db notice like machinery or similar . A set like the St IHL or pelt or will protect your hearing or the kind with the radio/ headphone jack if you want tunes. I was just looking at a set in Walmart today am FM with aux input 22dn noise reduction. $49

whistlepig · Sep 15, 2013

I bought these about a month ago for shooting. Price was very reasonable, comfortable, and they work as advertised. Or you can read the reviews.
Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff - Amazon.com

ETpilot · Sep 15, 2013

I have just started thinking about a NC headset for the tractor and other equipment. I have an aviation set that I have been using for years but never thought about trying it with the tractor. This model is battery operated and has a cell phone connection. It is amazing how it cancels out noise. I use it off during engine start and for some ground operation just to listen to the engine run and any aircraft noise. Then I turn it on and all gets nice and quiet. I am going to try it with the tractor to see how it works. OP thanks for starting this thread

Scotty Dive · Sep 15, 2013

I use the plantronics 903 bluetooth for music and calls from my phone. About $50. http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/backbeat-903-plus

Then I use a pair of 3m ear protectors. About $20 http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...PB7RQM_N2RL3FHWVK_GPD0K8BC31gv)&rt=d&MDR=true

wmonroe · Sep 15, 2013

Thanks for the replies. My goal is to listen to music from my iPhone while also cutting out machine noise to help protect my hearing.

I had been looking at the Bose and Sony products but wasn't sure if they could block out the machine noise to listen to music at a reasonable level.

Hadn't really thought about Bluetooth but that would be very convenient.

I will check out the Stihl offering too.

wmonroe · Sep 15, 2013

Scotty Dive said:
I use the plantronics 903 bluetooth for music and calls from my phone. About $50. http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/backbeat-903-plus

Then I use a pair of 3m ear protectors. About $20 http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/EMDCI/Home/Products/Catalog/~/3M-Peltor-Optime-105-Over-the-Head-Earmuff-Hearing-Conservation-H10A-10-EA-Case?N=4294702197%205427538&Nr=AND(hrcy_id%3ARGV7NB8524gs_06T5PB7RQM_N2RL3FHWVK_GPD0K8BC31gv)&rt=d&MDR=true

Is it comfortable with the ear muffs over the ear buds?

kennyd · Sep 15, 2013

wmonroe said:
I had been looking at the Bose and Sony products but wasn't sure if they could block out the machine noise to listen to music at a reasonable level.

Can't comment on the Sony, but the absolutely yes with the Bose. They are super comfortable also. Any chance you have a Bose store/outlet nearby to try them on?

J F · Sep 15, 2013

Scooby074 said:
Not noise canceling, but have you thought about a set of Peltor (or Stihl) Worktunes?

Cheaper (and likely tougher for outside work) than the Bose. They have built in radio, or you can use an iPod for your own music

I've used these for the last 10 years or so, work great for carpentry and lawn work...if it's not important to hear anyone trying to get your attention. I always listen to the radio, but there's a jack for an ipod, etc.

I keep a pair in the shop, on the tool trailer and at the house, wouldn't hesitate buying them again if they ever break, but I've had all of them for 5-10 years.

Amazon.com: work tunes headphones

One thing to keep in mind is that you probably won't be able to hear any engine sound anomalies while wearing.

oosik · Sep 15, 2013

My hearing must be too far gone or more likely, I do not run the really loud attachments (rotary cutter etc) but I am not bothered in the least by the tractor sounds. However, everybody who uses Bose says they are, without a doubt, the best at blocking out loud noises.

Midniteoyl · Sep 15, 2013

wmonroe said:
Thanks for the replies. My goal is to listen to music from my iPhone while also cutting out machine noise to help protect my hearing.

I had been looking at the Bose and Sony products but wasn't sure if they could block out the machine noise to listen to music at a reasonable level.

Hadn't really thought about Bluetooth but that would be very convenient.

I will check out the Stihl offering too.

The Bose and Sonys block noise around 160hz to 300hz. W/o research, I'm not sure if thats good enough.

econometrics · Sep 15, 2013

I also have Bose QC15s. I've had them for two years and mostly only use them when I travel internationally a few times each year.

I finally used them last month when I shredded my pastures for about 10 hours one day - WOW.

I've always been impressed with them, but I think they have never been worth the $ I paid for them more than on my tractor with my cutter running behind it.

I will never cut without them again. Saving my ears AND listening to music on my iPhone at the same time is very nice!

escavader · Sep 15, 2013

I have the qc 15s too had about 5 years use on the tractor and I ride 2000 miles each year on the atv and usu them each time. Worth the $ in the long run

Scotty Dive · Sep 16, 2013

wmonroe said:
Is it comfortable with the ear muffs over the ear buds?

I love the backbeats - I use them in the car for phone calls and all weekend long for music while I am working outdoors. Throw on some ear muffs when on the tractor etc and its a nice combination. They are very comfortable and yes after 5 hours or so with ear muffs on I can feel some pressure on the ears because of the ear muffs pushing on the back beats. The only other thing that bothers me is that the back beats wrap around the back of your neck and so when I am wearing a winter coat with a stiff collar, the collar tends to move the ear buds when bending over and without ear muffs on - but isnt' everything a trade off?