After a recent 4-hour flight
with a screaming baby behind me and 3 different types of earbuds loosely falling
out every time I shifted in my seat, it was time to invest in a good pair of
noise canceling headphones.
I dropped $125 on a
traditional pair of headphones 2 years ago and it was a big mistake. Lacking the portability and performance
I wanted, the head band finally broke a few weeks ago while I was struggling to
get them wrapped up going through airport security. If you travel quite a bit,
commute on a train or bus, and want the best sound quality to complement
your iPod or iPhone, then it makes sense to spend a little extra and get a more
complete package.
After researching several
different brands and models, I chose the JVC HA-NC250 for their style,
performance, comfort, noise canceling abilities, portability and value. According to CNET, "[they] make a great travel companion for
those who demand quality sound. And they may not be cheap, but they seem that
way next to the Bose QuietComfort 3."
Style
Right from the start, the JVC High Quality Noise Canceling Headphones are sharp looking. The compact and sturdy headband, generously padded
earpads and folding design make these a great choice for anyone looking for a
step-up in comfort and performance. With a removable cord, they
can covertly be worn by themselves to reduce noise even if you're not listening
to music.
Sound Quality & Noise Canceling Abilities
My new headphones had their
maiden voyage a couple of weeks ago on my way to Seattle from New York. My iPod Touch was loaded with new tunes
and Handbrake DVD ripped movies, Into the Wild and Wanted, to watch during the flight.
Normally, combining a plane full of chatty neighbors, screaming babies and the low droning sound of the engines is a recipe for a brutal 6
hours. But the JVC HA-NC250 did
not disappoint!
My musical tastes are pretty
eclectic and these headphones delivered great sound across a wide range of music. From live Pearl Jam to digitally
remastered Charlie Parker and Stevie Ray Vaughan, these headphones are a joy to listen
to music with. And most importantly, the
noise canceling feature totally rocks! The noise canceling abilities of JVC HA-NC250 were amazing.
There's an awesome virtual noise canceling experience on the JVC site (http://ncphone.jvc.com/virtual.html).
I was originally skeptical of JVC's claims, but after my Seattle flight, I now see that the online Airplane demo is really
accurate. JVC's site also has a Train noise canceling demo, but since I live in New York City and have a maze of subways tunnel under my feet, I wanted to try the Train test on my own. For my test, I rode the
crowed local 1 train from Rector Street up to West 72nd during rush hour. Once again, the JVC HA-NC250 performed perfectly and lived up to JVC's claims in their virtual online demo.
The AAA battery (included) is
easily installed by popping the right era cup off.
Comfort
Jasmine France over at CNET
gave a great description… "The ear cups of the HA-NC250 are oblong--more true
to ear shape than circular--and padded with a cushy leatherette material. They
also don't put much pressure on the ears, making them pleasant to wear for
extended periods of time. [Editor
Note: These were worn for approximately 5 hours during my Seattle flight with
zero discomfort]. Plus, the headband is padded to keep the top of your head
happy."
Portability
Like their more expensive
cousins, the JVC HA-NC250 come with ear cups that swivel several degrees forward
(about 15) and 180 degrees back. The ability to fold is important in any
travel-friendly pair, as it allows the headphones to lie flat for storage.
JVC includes a nicely slender,
hard-shelled carrying case, which has a built-in zipper pouch for stowing the
battery (one AAA), an airplane adapter, a 1/4-inch adapter, and the removable
cable (all included). The folding
design and sturdy case make these a kick-ass choice for the seasoned business
traveler, vacation or a quick weekend when you need to fit everything in a
backpack.
NERD
NOTE: The world's first VHS format
video recorder, which was developed by JVC and introduced in 1976, eventually
became the de facto world standard for video, and spawned an entirely new
cultural phenomenon based on visual communication. JVC innovations in video
continued, with the introduction in 1984 of the world's first single unit video
camera/recorder and in 1995 with the introduction of the world's first
pocket-sized digital video camcorder.
Value
There are tons of options out there for noise canceling
headphones. Bose, Sennheiser and
SONY are just a few companies making comparable products. While each brand has their own unique
features and selling points, the JVC HA-NC250 offers the best mixture of
performance and portability essential to good product design.
I spent time at J&R Electronics on
Park Row in New York comparing the JVC HA-NC250 to a variety of other choices
in the exact same environment and these are simply a superior product for the
price.
Overall
The sound quality is good and the option to listen with or
without the noise reduction turned on is a good feature. The sound is clearer and noticeably
amplified with the noise-cancellation feature on, but overall the sound quality
is impressive. For a compact
battery-powered headphone the bass is tight while not overbearing. They perform well across all genres and
musical settings on my iPod. For
the price the JVC HA-NC250 is a superior value and alternative to the Bose
QuietComfort.
This item is
available for purchase from Amazon.com
JVC was established in
Yokohama, Japan in 1927. Born as a
company that manufactured phonographs, JVC also pressed the first record in
Japan (Spin the Black?) offering a rare combination of hardware and software
production capability. Subsequently, as evidenced by the production of the
world's first VHS video deck, creating new products that are a step ahead of
the times for a worldwide audience.
For more information, check out: http://www.jvc.com
OtterBox
for iPod Mini On
the run, in the car, or at the gym, our iPods have gone with
us to the ends of the earth... except places near water. But
thanks to the OtterBox Mini you can now safely take your
iPod Mini near or even underwater.
The Torch Wicked Lasers named their new flashlight the TORCH... and for good reason. The "TORCH" is technically a flashlight. It looks like a flashlight. Operates like a flashlight. But this is no ordinary flashlight. The TORCH is so bright that its beam can ignite flammable objects as fast as fire.
Flip Mino Camcorder The super-portable, super-simple Flip Mino makes it easy to capture and share high-quality video anywhere and everywhere. And thanks to its flip-out USB arm and intuitive, built-in software, Mino lets you view, edit and upload your videos to popular video-sharing sites instantly.
Apogee Duet What if you could find a relatively inexpensive interface that could easily convert that analog signal to a higher quality digital output for all your apps? Well, the sleek, portable aluminum-cased Apogee Duet may just be the answer.
Radius Atomic Bass
Earbuds If you're looking for an inexpensive, lightweight pair of earbuds with fantastic bass, then Radius' Atomic Bass earbuds are the earbuds of your dreams.
JL421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser You The JL421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser (ba-donk-a-donk) is a custom made tank that looks like it was modeled after Jabba the Hut's Sail Barge from Return of the Jedi. Nicknamed the "Donk," the JL421 Land Cruiser made its debut in 2002 at the Burning Man festival in Nevada.
Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller Is a weak arm or physical stamina keeping you from taking your Nintendo Wii gaming experience to the next level? Perhaps you should look into getting the Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller. This accessory adds even more innovation to the next generation of gaming and does it all with less physical movement.
JBL
Creature II Speaker System What's
the point of downloading your favorite songs on iTunes if they sound
like crap on your computer's built-in speakers? The sound quality
and volume these little babies emit, much to the chagrin of my neighbors,
is truly phenomenal.
Apple TV Review You may have heard of that new Apple product, I believe it's called the, uhh, Apple TV. I understand that newspapers, other blogs, and your Aunt have already reviewed this thing, but I thought I'd add my two cents.
Mod
Your iPod Are
you a victim of the iPod's blossoming popularity? Feel like just another
pair of white headphones in the crowd? Maybe it's time you got
an iPod Mod.
H20
iPod Mini Case
H20 Audio has created a waterproof and impact
resistant case so that we can take our iPod Minis anywhere we
want… including the ocean free.
Digital
Picture Frames Why
give someone a single still framed picture when you can give them
an entire slide show? Most Digital Picture Frames can playback a
series of digital photos and videos on high-resolution screens.
JBL
Encounter Speakers In
a world of boring shelf speakers that are as fascinating
as the wires that connect them, the JBL Encounter draws people
towards it with its innovative tongue-in-cheek design and
then lavishes them with deep warm sound.
Wicked
Lasers Review What makes a Wicked Laser "wicked"? How impressive
is a military grade laser imported from China? Let's test it and find
out...
iTrip
Auto
Play your music through any car FM radio.
Email or 
feed.
Sound Quality & Noise Canceling Abilities 
JVC was established in
Yokohama, Japan in 1927. Born as a
company that manufactured phonographs, JVC also pressed the first record in
Japan (Spin the Black?) offering a rare combination of hardware and software
production capability. Subsequently, as evidenced by the production of the
world's first VHS video deck, creating new products that are a step ahead of
the times for a worldwide audience. 
JVC HA-NC250 Noise Canceling Headphones
JBL
Encounter Speakers
Software
Otterbox
for iPod Video
On
the run, in the car, or at the gym, our iPods have gone with
us to the ends of the earth... except places near water. But
thanks to the OtterBox Mini you can now safely take your
iPod Mini near or even underwater.
Wicked Lasers named their new flashlight the TORCH... and for good reason. The "TORCH" is technically a flashlight. It looks like a flashlight. Operates like a flashlight. But this is no ordinary flashlight. The TORCH is so bright that its beam can ignite flammable objects as fast as fire. 
The super-portable, super-simple Flip Mino makes it easy to capture and share high-quality video anywhere and everywhere. And thanks to its flip-out USB arm and intuitive, built-in software, Mino lets you view, edit and upload your videos to popular video-sharing sites instantly.
What if you could find a relatively inexpensive interface that could easily convert that analog signal to a higher quality digital output for all your apps? Well, the sleek, portable aluminum-cased Apogee Duet may just be the answer.
If you're looking for an inexpensive, lightweight pair of earbuds with fantastic bass, then Radius' Atomic Bass earbuds are the earbuds of your dreams.
Is a weak arm or physical stamina keeping you from taking your Nintendo Wii gaming experience to the next level? Perhaps you should look into getting the Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller. This accessory adds even more innovation to the next generation of gaming and does it all with less physical movement.
What's
the point of downloading your favorite songs on iTunes if they sound
like crap on your computer's built-in speakers? The sound quality
and volume these little babies emit, much to the chagrin of my neighbors,
is truly phenomenal.
You may have heard of that new Apple product, I believe it's called the, uhh, Apple TV. I understand that newspapers, other blogs, and your Aunt have already reviewed this thing, but I thought I'd add my two cents.
Are
you a victim of the iPod's blossoming popularity? Feel like just another
pair of white headphones in the crowd? Maybe it's time you got
an iPod Mod.
H20 Audio has created a waterproof and impact
resistant case so that we can take our iPod Minis anywhere we
want… including the ocean free.
Why
give someone a single still framed picture when you can give them
an entire slide show? Most Digital Picture Frames can playback a
series of digital photos and videos on high-resolution screens.
