RCA Noise-Cancelling Headphones
RCA Noise Cancelling Headphones
I was looking for a reasonably priced set of headphones that I could travel with or use with some of my outside video recording. Like these headphones from RCA, many also come with a separate cord with 3.5-millimeter plugs to use the headphones in either wireless or wired modes. For just under $60 US, it was worth trying these out.
Opening
First, a quick aside on Active Noise Cancelling. These headphones have a separate switch to engage ANC. The noise cancelling in these headphones use microphones on the outside of the ear cups that pick up the outside noise and transform the wave forms 180 degrees out of phase which has the effect of cancelling the noise that hits your ears. Supporting this electronic cancellation is the over-the-ear design that places a cushion of soft foam around your ear to help block sound with a physical barrier.
So let’s look at what comes with this headphone set.
The headphones come in a neoprene case that will keep them safe in a backpack or briefcase. In the case are the headphones and two cords. Cord one is a typical micro USB cord used to charge the headphones internal lipo battery. Cord two is an attachment cord with 3.5 millimeter plugs on both sides. The cord allows you to connect to non-Bluetooth devices to play audio files.
Headphone Operations
The headphones have typical controls for Bluetooth devices. These include a multifunction button to turn the device on and off and to do things like answer incoming phone calls if paired to your phone. There are also plus and minus buttons to adjust the volume from the speakers in the ear cups.
Pairing the headphones to my cell phone was easy and just as described in the instructions. Bluetooth codes are noted in the instruction if your device requires them. My Galaxy smartphone didn’t and easily paired to the device.
After charging the headphones, it was time to test the noise cancelling.
The room I was in had some air conditioner noise and a football game on the TV at normal room volume. There are a couple of vents in the room and the main return air grid also. The air handler is fairly close by, too. That’s not to say the air conditioner is noisy but is certainly noticeable.
I turned on the active noise cancellation switch located on the left earpiece and placed the headphones over my ears.
Wow.
My first thought was that my timing was bad and the air conditioner turned off right at that moment. There was no air conditioner sound and the TV was almost inaudible. Lifting an earpiece off my ear, though, showed the AC running as before and the game volume was still strong.
I engaged my Amazon music streaming and was likewise impressed. On a couple of familiar songs, I was able to hear background chords and riffs I hadn’t noticed before.
During a recent trip, I used the headphones during a couple of commercial airplane flights. As with the test in the house, the noise reduction in the airplane’s cabin was striking. I used the wired option for my older MP3 player and was able to enjoy music throughout the flight at volume levels much lower than with normal earbuds.
When I passed them over to my spouse to try and like me, her first response was, WOW.
I have noise canceling earbuds I’ve used on planes before but they have never provided this level of active noise cancelling. I’m not exaggerating to say I was shocked. While I’ve never used the brand leader in this category, I can’t believe they provide $100 to $200 better noise cancellation than this set from RCA.
Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to record and measure sound levels inside the ear cups without expensive test equipment. But please believe me when I say the difference was striking.
The ear cups of these around-the-ear headphones are comfortable and provide good sound isolation even with the ANC turned off. You can use the ANC in either Bluetooth or wireless modes. The instructions caution users to turn the ANC off when not in use to avoid running down the battery.
The instructions say you can use the headphones for about 10 hours with the ANC on before needing to recharge the headphones and even longer with the ANC off. If you were on a long trip, you can use the headphones with dead batteries. Obviously the Bluetooth and ANC would not work, however.
Headphones Closing
For full transparency, I need to tell you I was provided the headphones for review. In this case, the review was really easy. As you can probably tell, I’m impressed with these headphones and at under $50, these things are great.