Out of curiosity, has anyone out there used the Sony noise-canceling headphones that run about $40-50? I love the concept, but the Bose sets are just too expensive given that I only fly 4-6 times a year.
Yes. They work fine. I haven't made a direct comparison to the Bose. I got them from Amazon for $35 or so. As with all headphones, fit is critical. If they aren't comfortable, you'll not like them.
Noise-canceling headphones don't cancel everything. What they do is reduce the volume of low-pitch steady hum or roar type noises, like aircraft engines, air conditioning units, and so on. You still hear the hum, but much less so.
Our household has both the Sharper Image FJ453 and the Jabra C820S active noise-cancelling headphones. They both work really well, and were MUCH cheaper than the Bose. I like the Jabra a bit better, but they were $100 to the Sharper Image's $69. Admittedly, I haven't tried the Bose, which from all the reviews I've read, are the best (for $300, they should be). Mine do knock the engine noise right out -- much less fatigue, no headache at the end of the flight, and I don't have to be paranoid about losing them.
They both are, however, rather bulky in their cases. I like to bring them onboard, but sometimes I just don't have room after I've packed up my laptop, books, and snacks.
