How to get better noise cancellation with earbuds for more peace and quiet.
It’s no secret that people are busier than ever. We’re constantly inundated with information, and it seems like there’s never enough time to get everything done. As a result, many of us have turned to earbuds as a way to tune out the world and focus on the task at hand.
But even if you’re using top-end earbuds, it’s still possible to be distracted by outside noise. Whether it’s the sound of cars driving by or people talking in the office next door. The unwanted noise can make it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
Fortunately, there are ways to improve noise cancellation and get more out of your earbuds. In this article, we’ll discuss 3 tips for achieving better noise cancellation with earbuds. By following them, you’ll be able to focus better and accomplish more.
Understanding the different types of noise cancellation
Noise cancellation is a process that helps reduce or eliminate unwanted noise from an environment. There are different types of noise cancellation, and each one has its own benefits.
Here, we’ll discuss the 3 main types of noise cancellation: active, passive, and digital. We’ll also talk about the benefits of each type and how to choose the right one for you.
Active noise cancellation
Active noise cancellation is the most known type of noise cancellation. It uses electronic circuitry to create a sound wave that is 180 degrees out of phase with the original noise recorded by built-in microphones. When these two waves collide, they cancel each other out, resulting in a cancelling effect and a quieter environment.
Active noise cancellation is most effective at cancelling low-frequency noises, such as engine noise, city hum, or airplane cabin sound. It’s no coincidence the technology was first used in 1989 for Bose pilot headsets. The ANC headsets helped pilots focus on the flight and protect their hearing. It can also be used to cancel out voices or other higher-frequency sounds, but it’s less effective.
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Passive noise cancellation or noise isolation
Passive noise cancellation is the most common type of noise cancellation that uses materials to physically block sound waves from entering or leaving a space. In this example, your ear canal and eardrums.
Practically all earbuds have some level of passive noise isolation even those without the ANC technology. Generally, in-ear earbuds (in-ear monitors) that use ear tips offer better isolation than open earbuds that sit on the outside of your ears.
This type of noise cancellation is usually used in conjunction with active noise cancellation to provide the best results. But it’s also used in factories and loud workplaces that require hearing protection.
Passive noise cancellation is most effective at blocking high-frequency noises, such as voices or music, but blocks sound across the range. Though, it’s less effective at cancelling out low-frequency noises like engine sound or airplane cabin than the active type.
Digital noise cancellation
Digital noise cancellation is a relatively newer type of noise cancellation that uses software to cancel out unwanted sounds. This type of noise cancellation is most often used for improving voice quality over a microphone.
The most known digital noise-cancelling software is cVc from Qualcomm. What it effectively does is:
- Digitally remove background noise digitally so your voice comes out on top
- Ensures steady voice quality over earbuds microphones to avoid misunderstanding
- Removes echoes which are common if having a call in louder environments like a busy street
Experiment with earbud fit and placement
ANC is highly dependent on passive noise isolation. Even if you have the best noise–canceling earbuds with state-of-the-art technology, if you don’t achieve an airtight seal, they won’t cancel out much noise.
You need to experiment with fit and placement. Depending on the size and shape of your ears, you may need to adjust the ear tips for a better seal. This will help to create a tighter seal and block out more noise from the outside world and give ANC the opportunity to do its job.
Experiment with moving them up and down, as well as side-to-side. Also, some people find that placing the earbuds in closer to the entrance of the ear canal helps block more sound. Others find that moving the earbuds up higher in the canal helps to reduce wind noise.
You may find that one placement works better than another for blocking out noise for your ears, we all have unique ears that work slightly differently.
Ultimately, it’s best to experiment a bit to see what works best for you. By finding the right fit and placement, you can dramatically improve noise cancellation and achieve greater focus and concentration.
In most cases, you want to make sure the ear tips are secure in your ear and cover as much of your ear canal as possible. This will help to block out more sound and create a better seal. If you’re using in-ear earbuds, make sure they are inserted deep enough into your ear canal so that the seal is tight.
Use sound-isolating tips for better noise cancellation
If your earbuds come with different ear tips, make sure to try them all. Some tips are designed to create a tighter seal and block out more noise. They can make a huge difference in the amount of noise cancellation you experience.
But not all ear tips will perform the same for you. The ear tip types below generally improve noise cancellation.
The best ear tips for improved noise cancellation:
- Foam ear tips: are made from memory foam that expands and fills the whole ear canal for maximum isolation. They’re the most comfortable and best isolating ear tips, but with a caveat. You’ll have to pay more money for them and you often don’t get them with the earbuds themselves. Plus, they tend to deteriorate faster as the soft foam gets dirty, firmer, and eventually loses its function.
- Double and triple-flanged ear tips: are made from silicone and have a longer cone silhouette for deeper insertion. You can often find them even on cheaper earbuds and generally cost less money than foam tips. They are the most effective silicone ear tips and you should test them if you want to maximize the ANC of your earbuds. The good thing is, they’re durable and you can easily wash them under water when they get dirty.
- Hybrid ear tips are a combination of regular silicone and foam tips. The outside shell is made of silicone while the inside is filled with foam that gives it stability in the ear. ANC performance is similar, these are better than regular silicone tips but not as good as full foam tips.
- Regular single-flange silicone ear tips : are the basic tips everyone knows. They come with all earbuds, including the cheapest ones. They are not particularly good at noise cancelling but can do a decent job if you pick the right size. For best ANC performance it’s often better to use bigger ear tips that fill the whole ear canal. But in that case, expect them to be less comfortable.
You can find all kinds of ear tips at most electronics stores or online. By using sound-isolating tips, you can achieve a better seal and get better noise cancellation performance and sound quality.
Bonus advice:
The higher-end, premium ANC earbuds often come with software that gives you options for how you want the active noise cancellation to work. You can choose from a variety of settings, it really depends on the brand, but you can achieve a different functioning of the technology.
Often people forget to set up maximum ANC in settings and complain the technology doesn’t work.
Final thoughts on achieving better noise cancellation with earbuds
Noise-cancelling earbuds are a great way to drown out distractions and focus on your work, music, or podcast. However, not all earbuds offer the same level of noise reduction. By understanding the different types and experimenting with earbud fit and placement, you can find the right earbuds for you and achieve better noise cancellation. Additionally, using sound-isolating tips can help improve the level of noise cancellation that you experience with your earbuds. Follow these simple tips and you will be able to enjoy your music or podcast without any outside distractions.
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