Recommendations for Non-Noise-Cancelling Headphones

February 9, 2016 9:07 PM

I'd like to replace my trusty, very worn-out "sound-isolating" earbuds with something that lets the rest of the world in a bit more.

I work in a cubicle environment, doing a job that requires independent, focused computer work alongside others who are collaborating or conducting phone interviews and sales calls. This setup isn't something I can change because everyone at every level of seniority in the company is in the same situation, by design. I find the conversations distracting, so I often listen to my iPod. (We all have permission to do this.)

Noise-cancellation used to be a huge priority for me, but in this environment, I am sometimes spoken to, or approached from behind, by people who I can't see. I'm missing their initial verbal/physical cues and it feels rude on my part. I now keep the volume as low as possible and plan to put up a mirror so I can see someone approach, but I'd like to an audio solution that doesn't make me as oblivious to my coworkers as my current pair of earbuds does without giving up music altogether.

I'm open to using either headphones or earbuds. My budget is flexible for the perfect option, but let's say under $150. My ear-holes are small, so for earbuds, I prefer ones that have smaller cushions available. I don't particularly care about color or style, but I would love something that renders a decent audio experience. (I keep the volume low at work, but I'd like to invest in a set I can enjoy at home and during travel, too.) For purchasing/shipping, I'm in the DC-metro area in the US. Can you recommend anything that fits these criteria?

posted by calcetinporfavor to Technology (16 answers total)

I've had good luck with simple Sennheiser earbuds like these, using the smallest tips.
posted by neushoorn at 9:26 PM on February 9, 2016

I can't recommend anything in specific, but if you browse Headroom or even write them a personal shopping email, they'll find you exactly what you're looking for, most of the time with some b-stock or a coupon beyond what they can advertise on their site. Etymotic, which they sell, tend to go for ~$50 and include a coupon for custom earbuds made by an audiologist for $100.
posted by sweltering at 9:29 PM on February 9, 2016

I just bought the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones, specifically for passive noise isolation. They're excellent. I got 32 ohm to avoid any need for amplification, but 80 is probably fine for that too. I'm not sure if you can find them quite in your price range, might take a discount/sale.
posted by madmethods at 9:29 PM on February 9, 2016

My brother-in-law has a pair of Grado SR80s that I like very much. It's remarkable how much clarity they produce while barely dampening the outside world at all.
posted by qbject at 12:20 AM on February 10, 2016

Earbuds for running might be a good place to start. They're specifically not noise canceling so you can hear cars & stuff while outdoors. I've used Yurbuds in the past. But my budget is much cheaper than most for earphones so I'm sure there's better brands out there.
posted by Caravantea at 1:36 AM on February 10, 2016

There's a device you can buy called the Fuser that pipes in noise from the outside world. I can't find many reviews for it and it's $30, but it might be worth a try if you want to keep using noise-isolating headphones while occasionally letting in noise.
posted by a sourceless light at 5:12 AM on February 10, 2016

Open back headphones may be what you want. Wirecutter's open back headphones review lists the Grado SR80e as an affordable option at about $100, and Fostex TH7-BB even more affordable at $50.
posted by misskaz at 6:45 AM on February 10, 2016

Unless you want your coworkers to hear everything you're playing, you specifically don't want open back headphones. They let sound both in and out.
posted by zsazsa at 8:04 AM on February 10, 2016

Pretty much all in ear monitors (what most people call earbuds these days) will isolate too much sound for you. They're the ones with the rubber or foam tip that goes into your ear canal. 90s-style earbuds, the kind that sit inside your outer ear and don't seal the ear canal, will let in more sound. Sennheiser still makes them. Look for anything with a model number that starts with MX, such as the MX 686G which does have rubber but isn't designed to seal.

Otherwise, closed back over ear headphones that don't clamp too much, like the classic Sony MDR-V6 let in a reasonable amount of sound. They're what I wear at work and if I'm not playing music too loudly I can hear my coworkers just fine. However if I am playing music loudly, I can't hear them. Because they're closed, they don't hear my music either.
posted by zsazsa at 8:18 AM on February 10, 2016

I just bought these Sennheiser HD 518 headphones a couple of months ago, and am super-happy with them. They manage to keep background noise at a reasonable level, still let me hear my music, fit well over my ears and are comfy for all-day wear, and clearly indicate to my coworkers that I might not hear them initially.
posted by culfinglin at 10:11 AM on February 10, 2016

Probably disregard my recommendation above for the DT 770 Pro. I originally read your question as wanting good isolation, just not active cancellation.
posted by madmethods at 10:17 AM on February 10, 2016

I like my Bose earbuds so much for music and phone calls (this model has a built-in mic) on my iPhone, that I bought similar Bose non-mic earbuds for the gym to use with my iPod. They are not noise-cancelling. They also come with three different sized (S, M, L) removable tips which fit and stay inside my ears really well. This may satisfy your need for a smaller fit.
posted by Vek at 10:58 AM on February 10, 2016

These are your ordinary stereotypical headphones, but I've used them forever and I toss them in my bag while I commute at least twice a weak. They are not the smallest, but they last for years and years. The curled cable is long and works great if you have a wheeled chair in your office. The Sony MDR-7506 (I have the earlier V6 incarnation). In years of intense use, I only had to replace the cushions once. Most parts can be ordered separately; another big plus. Sometimes I use them while editing and you can wear these all day long, no problem. Without being excluded from your environment. My best pair and my last pair.
posted by ouke at 11:37 AM on February 10, 2016

Open back headphones may be what you want. Wirecutter's open back headphones review lists the Grado SR80e as an affordable option at about $10

Nthing this. You want open-back cans. Those Grados have amazing sound quality without being noise isolating.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:18 PM on February 10, 2016

I think this is quite a common problem, but unfortunately I don't think there's a clear solution - i.e. how do you listen to music at such a level that drowns out the distractions of working in an open plan office, while still making you sensitive to verbal cues (or perhaps phone rings).
That said, earbuds are definitely off the table as your entire ear canals are blocked. I like the idea of the Grado's, but open-backed headphones aren't going to give you a massive increase in sensitivity to the world around you compared to closed-backed - and yeah, if you're rockin' it on open-backed, you'll annoy other folks. But really, whatever you stick on your head, it's going to be about the play-off in volume between the minimum level which is required to drown out distractions in the environment yet allows you to be able to hear verbal cues directed specifically at you, and I think that's a pretty tall order: essentially - I only want to hear the things I need to hear. I'm not sure there's anything that does that.
posted by forallmankind at 11:09 AM on February 11, 2016

I know this is a bit late, but etymotic has an "awareness" app where there it pumps some ambient noise back in through the mic. Works decently, in my experience.
posted by cacofonie at 10:28 AM on September 26, 2016