Passive noise cancelling headphones are nice, but I have been looking for a set with active noise cancelling that does not break the bank. Passive noise cancelling happens when the headphones block out sounds. Active noise cancelling is when exterior sounds are evaluated and an inverted noise is produced inside of the headphones to nullify it. Active noise cancelling will always use in-headphones processes to achieve that goal.
I have tried many types of noise cancelling headphones in the past, but none over a series of weeks. I am happy that the CLEER NC over-ear headphones, foldable for portability, complete with a nice travel case and accessories all together make them a winning pair.
Overview
The Cleer NC headphones produced balanced bass output for bass-heavy music, clear highs from classical tracks, which are reproduced well without sounding tinny and they do not sacrifice mid-range clarity.
The hardware used to build the headphones is better than most with solid metal headband sliders and hinges. That is great news for anyone looking for good quality and portability from longer lasting equipment.
Inside The Box:
- CLEER NC Over-Ear Headphones
- Soft Formed Carry Case With Covered Zipper
- Two Detachable Flat Audio Cable With In-Line Mic
- 1A Wall Charger
- 1 Micro USB Cable
Like many, I have collected sets of earbuds with non-matching ear gels and a pair of Beats by Dr Dre earphones that are nearly broken. I have several trips coming up soon and I needed headphones that would work for many hours without causing ear fatigue. Receiving the CLEER NC over-ear headphones a few weeks out from one of the trips has given me enough time to test them.
From watching movies, streaming shows with the iPad and playing around with a Samsung Gear VR headset, I found that the CLEER NC headphones were comfortable after hours of continual use. Using earphones or headphones for hours in a row has always been my pain point.
The CLEER NC should be the headphone of choice for those that need better than average sound quality, active noise cancelling and a greater value proposition than what Bose, Monster and Beats provide. Each pair is engineered and certified to produce good balanced sound, from lows to highs. A certificate of audio testing is included in each package and can be seen in the unboxing video.
CLEER includes a hybrid noise cancelling solution with the NC headphones. This technology works well while using a virtual reality headset to fully immerse oneself into the scene.
“CLEER’s Hybrid noise cancellation technology is a total solution featuring a noise-cancellation processor. With four microphones, the Hybrid noise cancellation system captures unwanted noise and then produces an inverted phase of identical sound, which cancels them both out. Together with the full circumaural design employing superior passive noise isolation to block out almost 99.5% of environment noise, the CLEER NC creates the best listening experience around.”
Upgrading to a set of premium over-ear headphones from in-earphones presents many options from companies that are known and some recommended by audiophiles. CLEER’s NC is a good pair of headphones and they fit all of my requirements. I felt fully engaged with the Samsung Gear VR headset and content being streamed.
Music enthusiasts, travelers and DJs should buy a pair of these NC over-ear headphones. They have comparable noise cancelling to what the Bose QuietComfort 25 provides and can add bass back in when listening to lower volume audio via its PASC psycho-acoustic spectral compensation technology.
Final Thoughts
The CLEER NC is a good option for anyone who desires or needs headphones at a price that is competitive or lower than some of the other headphones with active noise cancelling. Get high definition audio technology and PASC in one set.
These over-the-ear headphones should work great on airplanes where jet engine noise is typically constant throughout each flight. What brought this pair of premium over-ear headphones to four and a half stars is that they continue to be comfortable after hours of use.
Rating: 4.5/5
Price: $299 – Available from the CLEER website.
Pros:
- Remote And Integrated Mic
- Strong Tangle Free Line-In Cable With Metal Ends
- Soft Formed Case Fits Everything With Pockets
- Good Hardware That Does Not Feel Cheap
- Covered Zipper
Cons:
- Fans Of Heavy Bass May Require Higher Volume While Listening
Disclaimer: I received a pair of CLEER NC active noise cancelling over-ear headphones at no cost for review. I have not received compensation for the review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Photos are courtesy of CLEER.
