Bose noise-cancelling ears?

DanP · April 30, 2002, 08:48 PM

Had the pleasure of wearing a pair of these in the past over trans-atlantic flights, amazing how they give silence a new definition.

Have the opportunity of aquiring a pair for very little monetary exchange, are these any worth at range / gunshot DB levels?

I may pick them up anyway for a close buddy who is a private pilot, but kind of want them for me.

Thanks in advance for any comments!

**JohnKSa** · April 30, 2002, 09:18 PM

Noise cancellation is useful for steady noise like airplane engine noise, it is not very effective against impulse noise (sudden sharp noises) like gunshots.

I don't know anything about the Bose system. It's possible that it has a noise limiter incorporated which would be useful against impulse noise.

To be sure, you should contact Bose and ask them.

bountyh · May 1, 2002, 12:21 PM

DanP: noise cancellation is accomplished by producing a sound with the same frequency content but out of phase with the original so that the sound waves arriving at your ear are reduced through cancellation. It is effective for steady droning noise especially the roar of an engine (it's also being used in some high-end autos through the stereo system). It doesn't work for short duration pulse sounds.

DanP · May 1, 2002, 08:14 PM

Thanks folks, that is pretty much what I thought...

I suppose I was hoping that it the system would be fast enough to react & counter.

Anyone know what principle regular electronic ears (as in the ones sold specifically for hunting / shooting) operate?

Snowdog · May 2, 2002, 07:24 AM

Interesting concept.

I wonder in reality if the noise truly is cancelled out or if it is just masked from detection.
I wonder if one is still exposed to the decibel rating from the noise in which they are trying to avoid.

DanP · May 2, 2002, 09:31 AM

Hmm. I wish I knew enough to understand this better.

My guess would be that active noise "cancellation" (by mirroring the signal) would in fact drop the dB level, and that is its product and benefit.

Therefore effective in terms of preventing hearing damage.

It would also seem that lower spectrum sounds would be easier to counter due to wave characteristics.

I do think that the limitation is reaction speed, for example a manufacturer stated that it'd be fine against "slow music" (emphasis on slow).

Oh well, so not for shooting application.

But I wonder if one could tune it to the incessant drone of some female voices...

April 30, 2002, 08:48 PM	#1
DanP Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2002 Posts: 481	Bose noise-cancelling ears? Had the pleasure of wearing a pair of these in the past over trans-atlantic flights, amazing how they give silence a new definition. Have the opportunity of aquiring a pair for very little monetary exchange, are these any worth at range / gunshot DB levels? I may pick them up anyway for a close buddy who is a private pilot, but kind of want them for me. Thanks in advance for any comments!

May 2, 2002, 07:24 AM	#5
Snowdog Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2001 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 1,074	Interesting concept. I wonder in reality if the noise truly is cancelled out or if it is just masked from detection. I wonder if one is still exposed to the decibel rating from the noise in which they are trying to avoid. __________________ "What We Do In Life, Echoes In Eternity" -Gladiator- ************************* Brevity Is The Soul of Wit. -Shakespeare-

April 30, 2002, 09:18 PM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,972	Noise cancellation is useful for steady noise like airplane engine noise, it is not very effective against impulse noise (sudden sharp noises) like gunshots. I don't know anything about the Bose system. It's possible that it has a noise limiter incorporated which would be useful against impulse noise. To be sure, you should contact Bose and ask them.

May 1, 2002, 12:21 PM	#3
bountyh Junior member Join Date: November 1, 2001 Location: NaziFornia Posts: 908	DanP: noise cancellation is accomplished by producing a sound with the same frequency content but out of phase with the original so that the sound waves arriving at your ear are reduced through cancellation. It is effective for steady droning noise especially the roar of an engine (it's also being used in some high-end autos through the stereo system). It doesn't work for short duration pulse sounds.

May 1, 2002, 08:14 PM	#4
DanP Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2002 Posts: 481	Thanks folks, that is pretty much what I thought... I suppose I was hoping that it the system would be fast enough to react & counter. Anyone know what principle regular electronic ears (as in the ones sold specifically for hunting / shooting) operate?

May 2, 2002, 09:31 AM	#6
DanP Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2002 Posts: 481	Hmm. I wish I knew enough to understand this better. My guess would be that active noise "cancellation" (by mirroring the signal) would in fact drop the dB level, and that is its product and benefit. Therefore effective in terms of preventing hearing damage. It would also seem that lower spectrum sounds would be easier to counter due to wave characteristics. I do think that the limitation is reaction speed, for example a manufacturer stated that it'd be fine against "slow music" (emphasis on slow). Oh well, so not for shooting application. But I wonder if one could tune it to the incessant drone of some female voices...