Audio-Technica QuietPoint™ ATH-ANC7 Consumer Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are useful to frequent fliers, or people who work in noisy offices, and though you wont block out all noise, you WILL get a significant reduction in engine and cabin noise (on planes) and office. aircon and co-worker noise (at work). The thing I like about then is that is partially isolating the 'outside world', you can relax me or concetrate on what you are doing - even if its just watching a DVD.

There are over the ear types, and ar similar to the Bose Quiet Comfort 2, which I also own, and these are 'nearly as good for less than half the price. They are well designed, well built (possibly slightly better than the Bose) and comfortable to wear for onger periods. The stereo sound is natural and uncoloured, rather different to the Bose headphones, which are sonically slightly 'warm'.

I would advise against wearing ANY noise cancelling phones while the plane is reching its cruising height as your ears may not properly adjust the the changes in air pressure and you could have painful blocked ears as a result!

I bought these because £250 for the Bose was just too steep, and around 40% of the price for 95% of the quality, they are somewhat of a bargain.