noise-canceling headphonesA boom in top-end headphones is taking place with the growth in portable digital music players. Customers are now going gaga over active noise-canceling headphones that shut out external noise to improve the quality of the listening experience.



A microphone in each earpiece analyzes external sound waves such as those of a surrounding crowd or a moving train and inverts the signal. The external noises are lessened, giving the user uninterrupted and high-quality music during a flight or on the train. The increasing popularity of digital mobile players such as Apple’s iPod has spawned a wide range of headphones, such as neck strap and ear hook models.



The headphones are developed using the technology originally designed for use by pilots. Sony’s MDR-NC50 model can lessen external noise by 80 percent.



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