Jan 23 2005
Sennheiser PXC 250
While finding a good set of headphones is very difficult, finding good set of noise-canceling headphones is even more difficult. I’ve had experience with the Bose Quiet Comfort and the Sony MDR-NC11 models, and neither were even worth reviewing. Sure, their sound quality was nice, but their noise-canceling technology (while innovative) was lousy. As soon as the noise-canceling technology was activated, the electronics interfered with the signal and ran some quiet “white noise” on top of my favorite music. Yes, they did effectively cancel those continuous, low-end noises, but I could do without the static-like “white noise”. Enter the Sennheiser PXC 250.
The PXC 250 uses Sennheiser’s NoiseGard technology. In short, NoiseGard phase-inverts constant frequencies outside the headphones to cancel out annoying sounds like jet plane engines, bus motors, and the constantly annoying and overwhelming clammer of a convention center. I first tried the PXC 250 at this year’s Macworld Expo. As soon as I activated the NoiseGard technology, the exhibit hall fell silent. There was no audibly “white noise” either. I was instantly amazed.
Sure enough, I bought a set and used them on the flight home. The PXC 250 canceled out the jet plane’s roar far better than any other noise-canceling headphones that I’ve used. Also, the sound quality is a major plus. Sennheiser is a leader in quality headphones, and they don’t cut you short on the PXC 250. The sound quality is amazingly superb for a set this size.
I only have two negative points for this set. First would be the size of the NoiseGard unit itself. The unit is about six inches long, which makes jamming it into your pants pocket rather cumbersome. The second is the durability of the headset. The headset itself feels rather flimsy. It is made to fold up, but the ear cups feel like they will break off easily.
Overall, the Sennheiser PXC 250 is great set of headphones. Both the noise-canceling technology and sound quality excel above other brands. You can’t go wrong with the Sennheiser PXC 250.
Pros: Great sound quality, powerful and clear noise-canceling technology (no audible “white noise”), headphones fold up and fit inside included travel case.
Cons: Large noise-canceling unit, some-what flimsy headset design.
