Product Description Remember your first time listening through headphones? The JVC HA-NC250 refreshes the entire experience. Noise-cancelling headphones reduce unwanted ambient sounds (i.e., acoustic noise) by means of active noise control. You get to hear more of what you want to listen. The JVC HA-NC250 is an extremely effective pair of noise-cancelling headphones, with up to 85% noise reduction with feedback technology, as well as memory foam cushion and extremely smooth ear-pad surface that isolate background noise effectively. Use the HANC250 as a pair of normal headphones when the noise-cancel mode is turned off. Turn down the noise and listen. It's like hearing for the first time. The headphone uses a 40mm neodymium driver in each earpiece. For comfort and portability, the JVC HA-NC250 is one of the lightest headphones in its class, weighing just 5.3 ounces. It folds flat, and when folded is slimmer than most competing models. Included with the HA-NC250 are a slim carrying case, a four-foot detachable cord, airline dual plug adapter, and -inch plug adapter for use with many home audio and video components. The headphones use a single 1.5-volt AAA battery for powering the noise cancellation circuitry. Battery life is rated at up to 50 hours (alkaline). Whether you're listening to your portable or your home sound system, the HA-NC250 are a natural match. Memory Foam cushion earpads. Also function as regular headphones
Solid for the price, but not perfectSeptember 3, 2010 Scott Hardy(Longmont, CO) I purchased these headphones because they had good reviews and cost 1/3 as much as top-rated Bose models. Having used both, the Bose have far better noise canceling, but I don't think it's worth three Benjamins to get more noise reduction. Here are some categories I felt should be explained:
Build Quality - As far as I can tell, these things are solid. The headphones come with a hard zipper case that includes a couple of audio connectors. You get a 1/4" adapter, an airplane adapter, and a somewhat short cable that plugs into the headphones. This is nice because you can unplug the cable from the headphones if you're just looking for noise canceling. The headphones seem sturdy, but I'll update if there are any problems.
Audio - One thing that disappointed me about the audio was the frequency response when the headphones are turned off. The bass levels are pathetic when turned off, so it is almost always necessary to turn them on to listen to any music. While this is in no way a deal-breaker, it's something to be aware of. Once the 'phones are turned on, the response is good. The bass is strong and doesn't sound muddled, and the treble is clean as well. If you're not getting the sound balance you want, mess with your EQ settings--9 times out of 10 they'll be set for a different genre.
Noise Canceling - The canceling on these headphones isn't advertised as perfect--the box states 85%. I'd say this is accurate. One thing I noticed is they do a MUCH better job of canceling low frequency noises than higher frequencies. For example, deep rumbles caused by the air conditioning are much less noticeable than, say, a small personal fan. The same is true for voices; higher-pitched voices tend to cut through more easily. However, they do a very solid job and I am pleased. I haven't tested them on an airplane yet, but I will update shortly with the results.
Comfort - Some people have issues with on-ear headphones like these, but personally they have been fine. I've worn them for over 3 hours straight and haven't had any discomfort. However, people have ears of varying sensitivity, so just be aware that these are NOT over-ear cups.
In conclusion, these are some solid headphones for the price. Even though they have some sad response when turned off and aren't great at canceling upper-register noise, I am happy I purchased these instead of a Bose model.
Good travel headsetsAugust 31, 2010 The MAN from Happy Rock(Gladstone, MO USA) I had been using an earlier model of JVC noise cancelling headset for years. I was very happy with them. When I lost them earlier this year I did quite a bit of research and concluded that these were the best value for dollar.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much better the noise reduction was over my previous pair. I also like the "firm" shell storage container. I do not have any experience with the Bose headsets although I have tested Koss in the past. I stand by my assessment that it is the best value for the price.
Mediocre noise reduction & possible loose connection.August 16, 2010 BJL(Rochester, NY United States) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am returning these headphones mainly due to an irregular buzzing, which sounds to me like a loose connection. They were my first experience with noise-cancelling headphones, so I can only compare them to regular (mid-high quality) headphones I own. The following are observations based on personal preference: I found these headphones to be mediocre in noise reduction. In my unscientific estimation, I'd say they cancel about 60% of ambient noise, rather than the advertised 85%. They seem to be effective only with lower frequencies. They were helpful on a recent flight, but not with the hum of the near-by highway (my primary reason for purchasing them), or the neighbor's mower. I thought the sound quality was fair, but not great. I found the battery difficult to install and remove. For all these reasons I will be trying a different brand. They were, however, very comfortable, and I liked the short cord.
Very good headphones, great price!August 15, 2010 Thomas Rathjen(Houston, TX USA) I travel on long international flights and have used NR headphones for a few years. I needed a new pair, and after some research decided to purchase the JVC headphones. I used them last week on a flight and was very pleased. The NR is outstanding and the sound quality is good. The headphones are very compact and I love the carrying case that comes with them.
I am very pleased with these headphones and recommend them. And the price is great --- they are an outstanding value.
Does the job very wellAugust 13, 2010 Blue Screen I purchased these based upon the reviews I read, and I was quite pleased. I was primarily interested in headphones that would reduce the noise of my lawn equipment to protect my ears from noise damage. I have a big yard to mow, and so I'm out there for almost an hour at a time next to a fairly loud motor. I was concerned because I was hearing ringing in my ears for a good while after finishing. I tried other (cheaper) noise-canceling headphones, and they helped cut the noise down a little, but really barely just enough to notice. But these REALLY bring the level down... there's no doubting when you have the switch turned on. Mind you, the higher-frequency (treble) sounds are not reduced nearly as much as the mid-range, but fortunately, as with a lot of machinery (my mower included), that's the range where most of the power is anyway. From where I sit, it changes the sound of the mower from being "in your face" to what it would sound like if you were hearing someone outside mowing the lawn while you were sitting inside the house, say, not far from a window. That's much more tolerable, to me at least. And for what it's worth, my ears no longer ring after mowing.
For my application, the ability to play music is icing on the cake. But it's nice icing, since listening to tunes makes the mowing job that much more pleasant. I was amazed at the bass response of these things... I'm pretty sure I was hearing some bass notes that I hadn't heard before. If I'm careful about the volume, I can hear the music pretty clearly over the background noise, and with no ear problems afterward (for me at least).
I like the construction, very solid feeling. The earcups are not completely over-the-ear (not actually circumaural), which I wish they were. That said, they are still very comfortable on my head. They seal on my ears surprising well, considering that they don't press my ears very hard, even when I'm wearing glasses. (When I push my glasses up on my nose, it breaks the seal for just a moment, and you can really tell how much noise these things are cutting out!)
The case is also very nice. Hard material, with a zipper. The phones fold neatly into the case. It also has a pouch for the cables and adapters. I'm actually looking forward to my next plane trip so I can whip these babies out and quietly enjoy some tunes.
