What's The Gold Standard of Noise Isolation in 2024?

Since first introduced by Bose in 1989, noise cancelling technology has seen quite a bit of innovation, pushing the bar for good noise isolation closer and closer to the gold standard. What is the gold standard? Industrial-grade earmuffs. Without any of the electronics or crazy tech to help them better isolate.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:04 Device list
02:37 Test Setup
04:38 Full Range
07:48 Common Scenarios
10:37 Voice Handling
11:00 Wind Noise
13:46 Results Analysis
For more details about our testing process, check out our article:
www.rtings.com/headphones/lea...
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[@RTINGScomAudio]

We've only scratched the surface via these five headphones, but there are a lot of fantastic noise cancelling headphones out there including the predecessor of the XM5, the XM4. The WH 1000XM4 also happen to have the top noise scores for isolation that we've tested so if that interests you, check out our reviews! Thanks for watching 😄

[@kelownatechkid]

I love how you guys make reviews not just so useful but also stylish. These videos are great

[@user-jm8ky1kn2t]

These reviews aren’t stylish at all? They are bog standard production wise for a you tube review. Andrew Robinson does some good Lifestyle/Hifi reviews

[@TheGamingAudiophile]

You can call the dummy head Sonic. 🙂

[@leaftye]

Love that you directly compared those particular ear muffs to devices with active noise cancellation. If you ever use them in a comparison again, I suggest fitting them with double seal gel pads. They make a huge difference in comfort when wearing eyeglasses, especially when wearing eyeglasses and safety glasses. The noise isolation seems to be improved too.

[@Ariane-Bouchard]

I kinda wish you'd included the MOST challenging environments in your tests. A movie playing, and music. I've never tried ANC that handled those well.

[@muneeb-khan]

I could have liked this video twice. Love the style. It’s very professional and thorough with a good amount of humour sprinkled it. The data is solid. They out a lot of effort into the B-roll (even some mini skits!) It’s just great.

[@gogarnth]

Wilson was a great help in the making of this video

[@ChevroN7]

Name suggestions for him: Earl, Ear-nie, Hear-bert, hear-old 🤷🏻‍♂️ Anyways, loved the video and these deep dives into your testing methodology.

[@RTINGScomAudio]

Great name ideas! Thanks for watching, glad to hear you enjoyed the video 😄

[@tiagoj8020]

I have the Sony XM3 and it's amazing! I can't imagine how the newer ones are!

[@lbgstzockt8493]

I've heard that he new ones have very similar or even slightly worse ANC, there were allegedly some patent issues around it.

[@chipoko1838]

I have XM3 and XM4. The 3s are better. The XM5s have a smaller driver than the 3 and 4. So, in other words - take really good care of your XM3s.

[@szymonchojnowski8040]

The ANC isn’t really better but the sound quality of phonecalls in loud environments is on another level. I’ve upgraded from XM3 to XM5 and that is the largest differentiator. Now I can easily communicate driving a tractor. Previously it was pretty bad.

[@status101-danielho6]

@@chipoko1838 My XM3 batteries are down to 45 minutes left and 75 minutes right. 4 years of battery deterioration will do that. :( On the other hand, my new JBL Tune Buds and my son's JBL Tune 130NC have a slightly better and more neutral sound quality and deeper bass extension IMHO than my Sony's at a third the cost, so there's good options out there.

[@RXP91]

I've always wanted to see this! I used to do comparisons myself compared to foam ear plugs and ear defenders. Thanks!

[@Skylancer727]

I tend to disagree with the consensus that noise canceling isn't hearing protection. Pilots quite literally use noise canceling because passive isolation just isn't enough. The main area noise canceling fails at is extremely fast noises like gun shots or someone dropping a steel pipe. Even still they are still passive isolation, just not as much as true protective gear. Still in many cases they are extremely close. The main reason for this discrepancy is purely because we don't officially rate music equipment for protective gear. I feel a large portion of these would actually pass, but that's extra cost and most job places still won't allow them anyways because of "distraction".

[@Agathorn]

It’s worth mentioning that head phones with ANC creates a false sense of pressure on your ears. Some, like me, are highly sensitive to this and this alone is reason enough to go with earbuds instead. I have tried airpods pro and several generations of Bose earbuds with ANC and none of them produce false air pressure. Every full size head phone with ANC that I have tried that goes over and around my ears created this pressure sensation.

[@alfomo6670]

I've had that too but you get used to it fairly quick

[@aleksandrakowalczyk6043]

It's more than pressure. It's loud rumbling you can hear. Like stuffing your ear with wax constantly. Anyway, Bose ultra tested here doesn't have it immediately, so I'll take those. I wore them in shop for short amount of time to test and only those didn't have it.

[@Agathorn]

@@aleksandrakowalczyk6043quiet comfort ultra? I have the earbuds from Bose and those works great for being earbuds. Also no pressure.

[@Agathorn]

@@alfomo6670 no I don’t

[@alfomo6670]

@@Agathorn ok

[@ipatates]

Nice video I love it, thanks.

[@RTINGScomAudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!😄

[@marvnch]

Cool testing and great video!

[@ie.sensei6654]

I would’ve wanted to see etymotics to test for these. They are amazing noise isolators and have been around for decades. I can’t see why it is not a point of comparison. Also you don’t need to worry about inconsistencies in isolation since it literally fits in your ear so either wearing glasses or not doesn’t even matter. They are earphones too so they can play music unlike earmuffs.

[@Zerohearts0]

I love this channel

[@Namistai25]

What a great video. Thank you

[@RTINGScomAudio]

Thank you for the kind words and for watching! 😄

[@gmr2gnr]

this is the video that made me sub

[@subbybass1432]

Will you guys start measuring the headphones' FR using the B&K 5128 instead of the HMS too?

[@ahmadahmad-bw6vg]

Please tell me does Samsung Galaxy Buds FE supports hi res audio thank you

[@seefeel2043]

Great vid! Would be great to see Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 re-assessed as per v1.7 methodology.

[@GoofyChristoffer]

Most of these headphones also have some sort of 'Transparency mode' as part of their featureset. It would be great if you could also record that!

[@coprolite_steve]

I am mostly curious if you can wear the Peltors over the Airpods Pro.

[@zzzakariya]

video is well-detailed and shows a lot of character should have miles more views im surprised :)

[@RTINGScomAudio]

That's what we aim to do! 😎 Thanks for the kind words and for watching!

[@Minusroot8]

His name is Norman. Also good video!

[@bakingsteele]

Can you add some Isotunes into your testing mix for the future?

[@Ruben98RaptoR]

Not only was this informative, it was also really fun! As a glasses wearing gamer I'd like to see more info on how the comfort rating is calculated, the clamping force chart was very interesting. Sidenote: I've been watching and reading so many monitors reviews I can tell almost all monitor manufacturers that appear in the video just by looking at the backside and stand... Am I too far gone? 😂

[@RTINGScomAudio]

I hate to break it to you but now you're in too deep, there's no going back 😂

[@leeszeyong]

Personally use iem, great isolation while traveling in a noisy bus or train

[@chrissjogren6843]

I use the Airpods pro 2 and Momentum 4. and I can say that the airpods is way better in noice canceling. I use mine when I go on flight, and its so insane that its really cut out all the noice

[@CreekCZ]

You are quite a nice host.

[@wallywest4274]

Earmuffs over buds please! For science!

[@davidflorence3510]

How about Headly for the head name?

[@joewolf38]

It really seems that if someone is looking for active noise cancelling headphones, they can choose based on colour or price :-). From Bose to Sondcore.

[@KeijonAutoVuokra]

Damn those bose quietcomforts are impressive

[@RTINGScomAudio]

Indeed they are! They're our top pick for the best noise cancelling headphones for a reason!

[@GoofyChristoffer]

Brüel & Kjær's own nickname for the HATS is 'Holger', a nordic name. As far as I recall, from the CEO when it was first designed. Source: I did an internship at B&K

[@RTINGScomAudio]

Ohh that's a really cool fact! 😮

[@edwinhamers6723]

The test head looks like Max Airhead Fitting name I would say

[@Rundik]

The inability to cancel voices noise makes all of them useless for me. That's like the most destructing noise of all and they can't cancel it. I thought my headphones are just crap but apparently all of them are

[@aleksandrakowalczyk6043]

They are made to not cancel them but make them clearer I suppose...

[@pcread]

I got the Soundcores and at a third of the price of the Sonys they are a steal. Excellent battery life, even on ANC. I've used them on the plane, in a train and on my noisy balcony. Bliss.

[@aleksandrakowalczyk6043]

I cannot check them in Poland for checking about rumble during ANC.

[@MrHakisak]

Give me x5a's with anc. Using anc earbuds under my x5a doesnt seem to have an effect. And my worktunes suck at passive noise cancelling

[@siegekeebs]

what if you wore noise cancelling earbuds (bose or airpods) inside the earmuffs??

[@RTINGScomAudio]

🤔🤔

[@endthepainnowplz4674]

Hat man - Lou Bega, or Bega for it to be not directly referencing him. He did a collaboration with the scat man where it was scat man and hat man.

[@konstruktivklokk]

His name's gotta be Roger, Roger that👂

[@kidShibuya]

Can you explore how humans hear bass in a given noise with less perceived volume but everyone still considers good headphones to be those that are "flat" in higher volumes? Leading to terrible recommendations for people who like to listen at low all day volumes?

[@keerthan7558]

Why the fk doesn't any of yoour channel have a million subs already ? THe quality of videos is too good while delivering a good mix of information and style so that is isn't overwhelming

[@CloudCoderChap]

I wonder where my Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2 would stand against these. I never see B&W in these tests.

[@aleksandrakowalczyk6043]

I've checked them on shop and they have noisy tumble during wearing, but not as bad as Sony and it's weaker than Bose, noticeable.

[@CloudCoderChap]

@@aleksandrakowalczyk6043​​⁠Tumble? Bose are trash imo. Substandard parts, riding on their old reputation. Mostly EQ work to compensate.

[@egafx]

Not gonna name that buddy until you put googly eyes there.

[@davidsimmons8990]

Guiermo or how ever you supposed to spell that name.. the director’s name ends with del toro… Guiermo just rolls with ear and is quirky enough to always remember.

[@LKU838]

Great work Dago

[@zblurth855]

it would be GREAT if you did more passive isolation test on IEM and maybe test some different ear tips, be it provided (I maybe missed but in the test of IEM that come with multiple tips if the test was done on the one already on the IEM or it was tested with the one providing the best seal) or after market ANC is very cool but the audio quality of any ANC IEM does not really match what you can get on wired IEM> I know Shure is trying to sell their IEM on that, and of the one you tested they are indeed better than many other IEM but it is hard easily find other IEM that can compare So maybe either a dedicated com "best off passive noise isolation" articles would be nice, but even more RTING would go further and explore option the wired IEM community have as far as noise isolation go, many can take a frequency response graph but you are the only one testing the isolation, taking it further would really make RTING the one stop shop for audio information Anyway keep up the good work, your work is very much appreciated Edit also I think it would make a intresting video as the Shure SE215 on the graph tool does beat the bose ultra earbuds at some frequency so pointing that out, or why the graph show it would be intresting

[@RTINGScomAudio]

Thanks for the feedback, we'll try to look into it! Thanks for watching 😄

[@leaftye]

I'd like that too. Etymotic's have been popular among motorcyclists for a long time due to their great noise isolation.

[@rio425ee]

I hate my Sony x5s because they are a wind noise AMPLIFIER instead of noise cancelling they just play all wind noise over my music. And it pisses me off. Can't be used at my work, can't be used outdoors, can't be used in my house with a window open. It was a total waste of money.

[@n6300lukaimen]

Gold standard is that one you never gonna hear in maximum volume of device 😸

[@jaredblum3475]

Ok hear me out: Horton the Dummy Head Mic Horton Hears a Headphones :> Great video!

[@danielcorrea2198]

So the ultimate noise cancelation is headset is earbuds while wearing ear muffs over them.

[@szymonchojnowski8040]

Testing ANC in an office makes no sense. There is just not enough noise to justify the price bump against non-ANC headphones. I am a farmer and in the past I struggled with blocking out noise. Thankfully I’ve bought the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones and it made my life so much easier. I bought Bose QC35 (later on QC45) for my dad, Sony XM4 for my brother and switched to XM5 for myself. The latest Sony headphones finally made phonecalls usable in loud environments. Please test ANC headphones against jackhammers, chainsaws, lawn movers, tractors, buzzsaws and other stuff that is actually horrible to listen to without ear protection. When you sit in a tractor for 10 hours straight you want to listen to podcasts, audiobooks or music without being crushed by 80 decibels of engine noise. The fatigue after sitting in such an environment is soul crushing. Now I’m always on a lookout for better ANC headphones. Sadly no reviewer tests them in really harsh conditions. You can easily block office or street noise with normal headphones. A chainsaw is the real test apparatus.

[@zeten]

I think it makes perfect sense. I have some Bose QC35 II's, and without the noise cancellation on, it sounds like there is a persistent rumbling or "whooshing" noise to me. Turn ANC on, and it's turned into more of a very low white noise hiss. Add in some music on top, and you mostly cover up the office noise of people shuffling around or typing. It's more like they are _isolating_ you rather than protecting you.

[@aleksandrakowalczyk6043]

Protective gear+typical in ear headphones is perfect option for you.

[@szymonchojnowski8040]

@@aleksandrakowalczyk6043 Been there, done that. The fatigue coupled with ear irritation is not worth it. Best ANC headphones are the only solution. Sony WH-1000XM5 are really comfortable but I'm open to swapping them for something that has better ANC performance. It's annoying that there are no tests on the internet that try to tackle really loud work environments. For me the only option is buying new headphones myself rendering media reviews pointless.

[@chickenpie9698]

Best I've heard/experienced so far have been the Sony earbuds but with the foam tips. I feel like they're the best of both worlds as they isolate similar to proper foam ear plugs and then you get a little extra noise cancelling or transparency through the microphones and software. That said, I'd recommend people just avoid buying these though. They were £200 new and mine had severely degraded battery life after around 18 months with one earphone effectively dying on me. Sony were utterly useless as despite now expresive these are you only get a 1 year warranty. Feels like a lot of these true wireless earbuds are just e-waste personally as none have really lasted me that long, nor do any sound that impressive for their price.

[@sneekcreeper689]

Call the head. Mice, the microphone

[@brssnkl]

Can we call it severed human head or is that not advertiser friendly?

[@PGW90RU14]

I think such a kind of simulated head is called as "dummy head".

[@pera0perkan]

Hes name is Bob

[@Ltbooce07]

His name needs to jackmerius

[@rev8962]

Name him Tom. Yup Tom.

[@MuppetChops]

Can you wear the peltor with the AirPods inside?

[@GoofyChristoffer]

Yes, that should be perfectly viable, but their design (with the stem) might get in conflict with the cushions.

[@datdudeinred]

I have the ultra tried & compared it long term with my friends sony xm4 & also xm5 & also the apple crap. & in terms of nc there is no comparison at all unless xm6 can somehow beat it in future. But the mic quality is far too shit on bose for the money. & sony xm5 is definitely way better & not night & day indoors but outdoors yes. But also hate how bose literally doesn't support ldac or even normal aptx or aptx hd only supports aptx adaptive. Also bose slips off my head & ears in gym for anything except standing up & working out. So yeah they are great maybe for pure nc but overall not worth 420. but i paid 350 so at that price it's agreeable. Still will suggest to wait for xm6.

[@autodidact7127]

It's definitely going to be Sony. The m4s

[@darincarvalho]

hatsy mchatsface

[@soyanchd5439]

Until anyone lower their prices, nobody is beating Anker bang for you bucks while delivering 90% of what. 3 times more expensive headphones do

[@frankdavis7978]

Please call him BOB. 🤣🤣

[@shreyanshbhogayta6349]

Name him mike (cuz he's literally and figuretively mic)

[@Purely4subs]

Call him "big eyes"

[@RTINGScomAudio]

😂

[@sugarbagels]

Cmonnnnn AirPods Max me

[@davidbennett4286]

Looks like a "Burt" to me.

[@MisterFhenix]

do they Cancel her voice I am inn?

[@PowerElectronic]

Any regular headphones will do better than what you showed if you combined them with 3M 1100 earplug and crank the volume up 20dB.

[@Ruben98RaptoR]

That sounds great... For destroying audio quality

[@kesagatame]

He looks like a Steve. Steve never listens…

[@Androktasie]

Mic-haelangelo

[@RTINGScomAudio]

😂

[@painboy66]

Eric