Sennheiser PXC 450: Headphones for Happy Travelers

Regular flyers want three things from their travel headsets: sonorous sound quality, background sound reduction and cushy comfort. I found one for my latest longhaul trip- the Sennheiser PXC 450. It satisfies all criteria to the hilt.

The PXC 450 is designed for the enjoyment of films even in high noise environment. With its passive and active noise reduction, you can watch the inflight movie or work on your Adobe Audition files next to screaming kids. It’s like they’re not there.

The sound enhancing capabilities of this pro-level headset derive from three mutually supportive features. The first is the adaptive baffle damper which pumps out consistently good bass reproduction. Then there’s the patented Duofol diaphragms which eliminate unwanted partial oscillation, providing crystal clear sound. Finally, Noiseguard compensation technology neutralizes unwanted noise with sublime ease. The latter displays technological dexterity with a tiny external mike that picks up ambient noise which is then processed by a computer that superimposes a relevant phase-inversed sound signal. The two acoustic signals cancel out and unwanted noise fails to reach your ear. From the manual, I read that the Noiseguard 2.0 system reduces noise up to 90%. Believable, as I don’t hear the low buzz of restaurant chatter even in Hong Kong night markets!

The technology works so well that it distinguishes between simple noise like jet turbines and traffic from complex noise like the flirtatious whispers from the girl next to you. The latter is isolated and passed on to your eardrum. How about that? Smart noise reduction.

Oh, and unlike other active headsets, the PXC450 continues to work even when the batteries go dry. Sound transmission occurs even without power source. You just lose the sound baffling technology.

Strip the PXC450 of its tech wizardry and you’ll still find it a superb headset. Soft padding on the headband with circumaural ear bombs provide pillow-like comfort. Both pads and the single sided cable are replaceable so users will enjoy the unit even long after they’ve replaced their cellphones six times. And, best of all, the headset folds nicely into a space saving silver case that can stowed away in your equally stylish Prada belt bag.

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