Technabob » noise-canceling

Klipsch M40 Active Noise Canceling Headphones Cut Out Distractions

Range — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:00:01 +0000

While I think that the most important thing about headphones is how they reproduce sounds, I have to say that to start off with, these Klipsch M40s look good on the surface too. The design isn’t too chunky, and the overall headphones have a nice style about them.

The Klipsch M40s are the first active noise-canceling headphones from the brand, designed to drown out distracting background sounds like jet engines and subway rattle. They feature dynamic dual 40mm woofers and 15mm tweeter drivers in order to provide solid sound. They are powered by a single AAA battery, and each is supposed to last for about 45 hours. One cool thing is that they don’t need batteries to provide sound. Some noise-canceling headphones, like the Dr. Dre Beats Studio, have no sound when the battery runs out. These continue running, and only the noise-canceling is deactivated.

The ear pads use a low repulsion foam (like in Tempur-Pedic pillows), making them good to keep on for long periods of time. One of the cables comes with a remote control and a built-in microphone. For those of you buying on specs, frequency response is rated from 20Hz to 20kHz, sensitivity is 97.5dB@1mW, at an impedance of 32Ω.

The new Klipsch M40 active noise-canceling headphones sell for $349.99(USD) at various online retailer and on the Klipsch website.

[via Fareastgizmos]

Cocoon Pillow Shields Tots from Dirt and Noise

Hazel Chua — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:00:43 +0000

We all know babies are precious. We also know that they’re more sensitive to dirt and noise, and get sick or infected more easily than grownup people do. I remember the time when my sister had just delivered her first baby (and my first niece!) and almost everyone would panic if she so much as sneezed or coughed.

It’s probably with all of these considerations in mind that Elodie Delassus came up with the Cocoon Pillow concept. It’s a curved pillow that will cradle the baby’s head gently while providing extra protection from dirt and noise, thanks to state-of-the-art noise-canceling technology, a HEPA air filtration system, and an air particle ionizer that’s been incorporated into the pillow.

Now if only Elodie could design one for adults who value silence and clean air, too…

[via Yanko Design]

Sensgard Zem: Noise-Canceling Headphones That Don’T Need Any Power

Range — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:39:45 +0000

These new noise-canceling headphones from Sensgard don’t need any power to operate, which is amazing, since most noise-canceling headphones and earphones do need some kind of electricity to make their filters work.

The Sensgard ZEM headphones come with a simple amplifier. The noise-canceling technology comes courtesy of Dr. Josef Zwislocki and cancels background noise without requiring any electricity. It’s based on a physics-based sound filter, which reduces noise in the low and high frequency ranges by 37 dB.

While they don’t look all that stylish, I have to say that I’m intrigued by this technology, but I’m not yet ready to get rid of my Shure earphones. Nevertheless, they will be available soon and cost $90 (USD) for a pair.

[via Ubergizmo]

Wii Karaoke Mute-Mic: if You’D Rather Look Stupid Than Sound Stupid

Lambert Varias — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:52:01 +0000

The USB Karaoke Mute-Mic for the Wii claims to absorb some of your horrible – or loud – singing so you can still have a good time without making the people around want to kill you. I don’t know if the mic works, but if it does, will karaoke still be fun if you can barely hear your own voice?

You can order the USB Karaoke Mute-Mic at Japan Trend Shop for $80 (USD). Also works with Windows XP and Vista. No karaoke game or music included.

Soft and Snuggly Sound: DIY Stuffed Animal Headphones

Karen M. — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:40:34 +0000

Instructables contributors never cease to amaze me with the wonders they conceptualize and create. We may have reached the craftastic zenith with these DIY stuffed animal headphones. I myself have never felt the urge for my ears to cuddle up with my headphones, but maybe I’m missing out.

The project was posted by the aptly named Wurlitzergirl (who presumably cranks old-timey organ music through those those cuddly koala bears.) She says that all you need is one pair of cheap headphones, two stuffed animals (preferably the type with a seam up its back,) a seam ripper, needle and thread, and some quality music- and she claims you can make ‘em in only 10 minutes. Not too tough. Of course, this is all assuming you want to have the Princess Leia-style look in which the cinnamon bun thingies are replaced with rather large plush animals. Which you probably don’t. Still, A+ for creativity and for having the cojones to wear this out in public.

On another note: do you think all that stuffing and fuzz has noise-canceling properties?

Peep the project at Instructables.