Noise-cancelling headphones can be quite expensive, however for a recommended retail price of $139.95 AUD (June 2012), Cygnett have released an affordable option with their InSound Noise-cancelling headphones. With just a flick of the switch, users can have a true noise-cancellation experience that mutes background sound thanks to the closed headphone design and noise cancellation technology. Does it work? You betcha!

Technical Specifications

Transducer type: Dynamic
Frequency range: 30-20,000 Hz
Impedance: 32 (OMEGA)
Power output: 100mW
Noise attenuation: max. 20dB
Distortion: <1%
Cable length: 1.0m and 1.2m
Connection: 3.55 stereo jack
Power supply: 2 x AAA batteries
Weight: 175g

The InSound Noise-cancelling headphones comes with everything (almost) that the user needs to experience noise-free music or just to shut out background noise. This product comes with the headphones (black), audio cable jack (1.2m/red and 1.0/black), aircraft adapter plug and a hard transport case. The only thing that the InSound Noise-cancelling headphones don't come with are two AAA batteries. The product is also compatible with all 3.55mm devices such as iPhones and iPads.

Before we could test the InSound Noise-cancelling headphones, we first needed to install the batteries into the headphones. On the left hand side of the headphones, there is a battery compartment where the two AAA batteries fit. Simply by sliding the battery compartment open, it allows the user to slot these batteries in. On the right hand side of the headphones, there a volume control dial and an on/off switch to engage the noise-cancellation technology. When you turn the headphones on, the blue light next to the on/off button will light up.

The headphones can also be adjusted for comfort, depending on your head size. The first thing that we noticed about the headphones was how comfortable they were to use. Not only did they fit around our ears comfortably but they were not too tight which is a drawback to some other companies who produce similar headphones. The cushion for the ear cups were extremely comfortable. The headphones are also extremely light and weigh only 175grams. All in all, it was a very comfortable fit on our heads.

Once, we tested the noise-cancellation technologies and it did a remarkable job at blocking outside noise, especially the TV and to an extent people talking, it produced what Cygnett stated. When the noise-cancellation is turned on, it's like listening to the world in mono as it dulls the outside sound quite well. Cygnett state that up to 85% of noise cancellation is achieved with these headphones on and after our tests, we actually agree. On an airplane, especially with crying kids, the headphones were a godsend.

However the big test was the audio quality of the InSound. We connected our iPhone 4S to the device in order to test a variety of music that included Sleigh Bells, Foo Fighters, Mass Effect 3 Soundtrack and Lana Del Ray. The audio quality was exceptionally clear and the headphones produced a wide range of highs, mids and lows. Voices were extremely clear and we tested the headphones with some audio books that included the Ricky Gervais Podcasts... once again, clean audio. Compared to some higher end noise-cancellation headphones, the InSound produced some great audio quality, especially considering the price.

Interestingly enough, when you use the headphones and you enable the noise-cancellation technology, you do hear a few small pops and hisses which is normal for this technology. Another great feature of the headphones is that if your batteries do go flat or you don't want to use the noise-cancellation, the item works as conventional headphones. Although lithium-ion batteries are ideal and generally the charge lasts longer than AAA batteries, sometimes it's impossible to get these charged which is not the case with the InSound headphones. By using traditional batteries as opposed to including a charging kit with the Insound headphones, this definitely keeps the production costs lower.

Final Thoughts?

Cons? Nothing! Actually, a pair of AAA batteries would have been nice but fortunately these are available almost everywhere. With a recommended price of $139.95 AUD (June 2012), I could happily recommend these headphones to everyone and whether you're a gamer or a music lover or even a frequent flyer, the Insounds will soon become your best friend. Highly Recommended!

Available at all good Australian Retailers