Until recently, such an interesting segment of the headphone market as active noise canceling headphones escaped my attention. Fortunately, an interesting NS63 model from Meelectronics came into my hands, and using her example I’ll tell you about such solutions.
The company Meelectronics, located in the United States, is well known for its inexpensive and high-quality headphones (AppleInsider has already written about their M-Duo, A161P and AF32 models). Recently, the company has taken a course with OEM to develop its own models, and it is doing well for it: the NS63 relating to their new Noise Shield series is very, very successful.
How do headphones with active noise cancellation work? From the school course of physics (for those who did not skip lessons), the phenomenon of wave interference, that is, an increase or decrease in the amplitude of two waves simultaneously propagating in space should be known. A separate special case of this effect is the encounter of two waves, reversed in phase. In this situation, as a result of the addition of waves, they completely quench. Since sound is also a wave, to suppress noise, it is enough to make a sound that is out of phase. Of course, in real life, complete noise reduction will not work, but the level of external interference will be greatly reduced.
This is exactly how active noise cancellation systems work. A special microphone picks up the loud sounds "outside" the headphones, the processor built into the ACP inverts it and adds to the music being played, thus quenching external noise.
Specifications
- Emitter: 40 mm, dynamic with cobalt magnet
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance: 32 Ω ± 15% @ 1 kHz
- Sensitivity: 108 dB
- Active noise reduction: 12 dB @ 300 Hz
- Power supply: 2 x 1.5 V (AAA batteries)
- Battery life: up to 32 hours ACP
Package and Delivery
The outer box is quite simple: thick black cardboard with a print in blue-gray shades. Inside - a plastic box, it contains a hard case with a company logo, similar to a rugby ball on a snake. The case is very durable, you can safely wear headphones in it without the risk of breaking them.
Inside there are folded headphones and a pair of cables: with a headset and a regular one. The funny step is that the velcro, which the cables are pulled together, stick to the case from the inside, so the unnecessary cable will not be confused with your hands.
In general, a good package, everything you need is available.
Design and wearing comfort
NS63 plastic, folding, made in the spirit of the latest trends "fashionable" headphones. I am glad that despite the glossiness of the plastic, the fingerprints on the headphones are almost not noticeable. Inside, under plastic, metal is hidden, which gives the structure strength, it is not necessary to worry about it.
Folding hinges and headband size adjustment mechanism are also reliable and well fixed.
Replaceable cables are another element that allows you not to worry about the durability of the structure. Any wire with a 3.5 mm plug at the end is suitable for these headphones.
The ear cushions and lining under the headband are made of pleasant leatherette, very soft and comfortable. Given the small weight of the headphones (even with batteries) - wearing is very comfortable and not tiring.
For active noise cancellation, you will need to insert two “micro-finger” batteries, the compartment is hidden by a sliding cover on the latch. On the second earpiece there is an ACP mode switch, a LED indicator and a large button that allows you to temporarily silence the playing music (I have never seen such a place before, but a very useful function if someone, for example, approached you to talk).
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- MacBook Pro Early 2011
- Yulong DA8 in HogMode as DAC / Amplifier
- Fidelia as a player
- Records in lossless formats
- AKG K702 as a reference headphone
For a start - a few words about the noise reduction system. Often, this system greatly spoils the sound itself, adding noise to it and distorting the frequency response. Meelectronics ottyuningovat ACP (technology "Noise Shiled") so that it first "cleaned" the constant low-frequency noise: air conditioners, passing vehicles, the noise of the aircraft and the train (when you're inside, of course). This specialization allows the headphones to produce a good sound, while effectively fighting the most noise.
Headphone sound is quite good. Of course, this is not a masterpiece of audiophilic thought, but nevertheless, everything is quite neat and without distortions. The sound is warm, but not dark, with an emphasis on bass. It is not necessary, however, to think that these are headphones for bass lovers - the woofers in the NS 63 are even, without unhealthy distortions. Headphones control the bass well, giving a good beat if necessary. The middle frequencies would also be almost flat if it were not for the accent in the region of 200-300 Hz, which just gives the sound that warmth. The upper frequencies are slightly muffled, due to this the sound is fatiguing. Of course, with lowered high frequency sound partially loses airiness, but firstly, for simple genres this is not critical, and secondly, headphones are supposed to be used in a noisy environment - and there is no longer listening to the accents of high frequency and dying notes.
Headphones do a good job with creating volume effects, the tools are well divided and different.
Compatibility
Headphones are absolutely not demanding on the source and play equally well with all players and phones. I tried them with iPhone 4, iPod Nano 6G, SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip - there is no deterioration in sound.
The complete headset is compatible with Apple, BlackBerry and most Android smartphones, all buttons work, including volume control. The quality of the microphone is normal, the other person will hear you normally.
findings
Meelectronics is known for offering good quality for modest money, since they do not take a huge overpayment for the brand. NS 63 did not become an exception - their price is somewhere around $ 130, which makes them an interesting option for those who need headphones with ACP. You can order headphones or via the Internet or wait for them to appear Ukraine ( and ) and (they already have in stock).
The article is based on materials .
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