Denis Loncaric
In this article I will talk about the best noise canceling headphones.
I must tell you this type of headphones is not as popular among drummers.
Drummers prefer “old school” passive noise isolating headphones or in ear monitors.
However noise canceling headphones are a lot more in general use and when they prove themselves musicians will accept them.
Can you use noise canceling headphones for drumming?
Yes, you can use the noise Cancelling headphones for drumming.
Often, earbuds or normal headphones don’t do the trick.
So, special headphones, made to reduce the level of volume in your ears, become your best friend.
Buying Noise Canceling Headphones for Drumming
Design
There are two types of designs :
- Over-the- ear
- In-ear
If you are a professional, over-the-ear design is probably your first choice. They cancel the noise better and are more comfortable. Therefore, more suitable for long performances.
Optimal comfort is certain since they have padded ear cushions.
In-ear handphones are another option for drummers. However, wearing certain models for hours causes discomfort and ear fatigue.
So, make sure to choose the right one.
Some of them, such as Etymotic Research hf3 Earphones + Headset, offer impressive noise cancellation.
Weight
If you plan to use the noise Cancelling headphones for hours, make sure they are not heavy. They can cause uneasiness after a while.
On top of that, large and heavy headphones are not the best choice for traveling. For the reason that they take up a lot of space.
Durability
If you are drumming every day, durable noise cancelling headphones are the key. In this case, paying a little extra is worth the investment.
Headphone Cable
The length is another important thing together with the durability of the cable.
As a pro drummer, you are going to use the headphones in a studio. So, you will need a strong and long cable. Maybe even a coiled one, so that it can withstand a movement.
However, if you are using them at home, this is not an issue. Then, a shorter cable will do the trick. Since too long of a cable will most likely get in the way.
5 Best Noise Canceling Headphones for Drummers
- Sennheiser HD 450BT – Read a review
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 – Read a review
- Sony WH-1000XM4 – Read a review
- Korg NC-Q1 – Read a review
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – Read a review
1. Sennheiser HD 450BT
These offer great sound quality and robust noise cancellation, but may not be the most comfortable due to their fit
One of the best-rated noise Cancelling headphones includes Sennheiser HD 450BT.
The HD 450BT allows you to focus on the sound without distractions.
Even in loud surroundings, you can catch every audio detail.
Other than their great ANC value, the battery life is excellent. They offer exceptional Bluetooth audio and are a high-quality product for their price point.
Their quality of sound combined with a variety of styles and designs gives you the ultimate experience.
What seems to be their disadvantage is the plastic build and lack of auto-pause mode.
Overall, if you don’t mind plastic headphones and the lack of the auto-pause mode, they offer remarkable noise-cancelling.
Who it’s for?
For drummers that want a good headphone isolation.
It is also perfect for all musicians that travel a lot. Being on the road means carrying a lot of equipment. Portable headphones are one thing less to worry about.
Aside from drummers and other musicians, the Sennheiser HD 450BT is also a good fit for remote workers and general consumers.
Pros & Cons
- Great sound quality
- Very portable
- Features USB-C cable
- Great battery life
- No fast charging option
- Lack of auto-pause mode
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Known for their top-notch active noise canceling and sleek design, they are more expensive and might be less comfortable over long periods
Bose is famous for its superior noise cancellation when it comes to headphones.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 more adjustable than any other. You can adjust the active noise cancellation from 0 to 10 and avoid pressure or discomfort.
Thus, you can get a more sense of your surrounding if you want to.
Their con is that the sound is not as crisp as some of the best-tested headphones. Also, the life of the battery is not the longest and they are not the cheapest.
Overall, if you don’t mind charging often and are not a sound enthusiast, they are definitely worth the investment.
Who it’s for?
Anyone who wants super silent surroundings. Whether it’s in the band settings or in your student library, these headphones are for you.
Though the price is not budget-friendly at all, you could search for cheaper alternatives in this article.
Pros & Cons
- Beautiful design
- Intuitive buttons and controls
- The amazing active noise-canceling feature
- Pretty expensive ($379 as of June 2023)
3. Sony WH-1000XM4
With great noise cancellation and sound quality, they offer a comfortable fit and have a battery life of 30 hours. They can be somewhat expensive.
The model has a powerful ANC system, with a dynamic sound. The reviews like its immersive sound with punchy bass.
The battery’s life is long, full 30 hours. Also, you can use two simultaneous Bluetooth connections.
What the reviews didn’t like is the high price and the same design as the previous Sony WH-1000XM3 model. In this way, the upgrade of the model is not visible.
Overall, even though it lacks visual upgrading this model is a great ANC investment.
Who it’s for?
Literally anyone. If you want high-end headphones under $300, these are the ones you are looking for.
They have amazing sound quality with amazing noise canceling option that is perfect for drummers in all settings.
They are also pretty comfortable which means that you can wear them for hours in those long practices.
Also, they are very portable, which means that when on the road, they won’t take much space or time to fold.
Pros & Cons
- Amazing sound quality
- Auto-pause feature
- Convenient Bluetooth multipoint feature
- Pretty comfortable
- Not so budget friendly ($279 as of June 2023)
4. Korg NC-Q1 Smart
These headphones are designed specifically for musicians and have an excellent sound and noise cancellation. They also have a built-in microphone and EQ settings.
Korg is a company that is very well-known for crafting keyboards and synths. They are less known for crafting headphones.
But, exceptions are made. The Korg NX-Q1 is a great set of headphones for drummers and other musicians.
Their look and design are great. Crafted from metal rather than plastic and featuring thick viscoelastic memory foam earpads, they can be pretty comfy.
Low-frequency sounds are powerful with these headphones, while high-frequency information is well-defined.
The Active Noise Cancelling is activated by pressing a little button on the right earcup. It’s not as effective as the ANC available in higher-end consumer headphones, but it’s adequate to keep your attention on track.
You can continue to use ANC in situations with noise levels above 120 dB. This will make the ANC microphones less sensitive and decrease distortion.
Who it’s for?
These headphones are specially crafted for musicians. So aside from drummers, all musicians, including DJs, can use them.
Pros & Cons
- Amazing sound quality
- Smart monitoring feature
- Extremely comfortable
- Long-lasting battery
- A little bit of sound leakage
5. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
Offering high-end sound quality and excellent comfort, they come with a high price tag and have a battery life of 17 hours.
These headphones highlight the company’s attempts to provide a consumer-oriented set of headphones. However, they are more on the expensive side than ordinary ACN headphones.
An airplane adaptor, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a 2.5mm to 3.5mm TRS cable are included. While that is a lot of accessories, the carrying bag features a mesh pocket, flexible loops, and plenty of capacity to hold them all comfortably.
The sound is clear and direct, and the headphones are overall very comfortable.
The ANC performance is excellent here, comparable to the last-generation Bose series models.
The ANC has an adaptive mode that you can enable via the app. This will automatically alter the noise-canceling performance in real time based on noise variations in your area.
Who it’s for?
Great for drummers that want solid noise cancellation. It is also suitable for commuters.
However, they are also a great fit for those working in the open-space office and in deep need to reduce the external noises around them.
Pros & Cons
- Clean sound
- Extreme battery life - up to 60 hours
- Solid ANC
- Expensive ($298 at the moment of writing, June 2023)
FAQ
Why Do Drummers Wear Headphones at the Concerts?
Drummers wear headphones because it helps them play.
They usually have a hard time hearing the band members and their own drum. As a result, wearing their ear monitors helps them balance the sound.
Also, they cancel out the noise coming from the audience, thus drummers can focus on what’s going on on stage.
Do noise Cancelling headphones actually cancel noise?
ACN headphones remove the ambient noise. However, something that they don’t eliminate is the sounds of our voices.
Low-pitched noises from your background are canceled. Still, voices are more high-pitched noises, which you might still hear.
Noise-canceling headphones are great to use when traveling or drumming. As they block the ambient noise, you can hear the crispiness of the sounds you want.
Is it worth buying Noise Cancelling headphones?
Yes. There are many advantages of using ANC headphones.
Such as hearing protection and peace of mind. It allows you to hear fuller sounds at a healthier volume level.
Also, it prevents you from damaging your hearing. This is a possible consequence of blasting thunderous music to isolate your thoughts from the rest of the world.
Specifically, if you want to focus on the audio. Headphones with active noise cancellation can help you choose the sounds in the environment you wish to hear.
Therefore, you can play at the concert better, yet being in a noise pollution environment.
Overall, you can definitely use noise Cancelling headphones for drumming. In this way, you are protecting your ears and can focus on the sounds you need and want to hear.
Follow these guidelines to find the perfect pair of headphones, and let us know what you think in the comments.
Conclusion
Let’s wrap up!
Can you use Noise Cancelling Headphones for Drumming? Yes but the truth is drummers use them rather for practice but for live they usually use sound isolation headphones that use a passive sound isolation meaning they blog the sound physically.
Finally if you decide to go for “regular” passive noise isolation headphones checkout this buying guide.
My name is Denis. I am a drummer, percussionist, music enthusiast, and blogger. Drums have been my passion for 15 years now. My idea is to write about the things I like and I am interested in. I want to share my drum passion with fellow musicians who walk, talk, and breathe drums.
