Sound Isolating Earbuds Versus Sound Canceling Earbuds
Sound isolating earbuds and sound canceling earbuds are two technologies that are often confused with each other. Both help produce superior sound quality but are very different.
On the surface they look very similar but when you dig deeper and look at the technology involved you will see they are very different.
Sound canceling earbuds work by using electronics to filter out the environmental sound and allow only the sounds being transmitted from the device they are connected with to pass through to the ear. They create a filter in essence to produce a higher quality sound.
In fact many models filter out the outside sounds to create a technological simulation of peace and quiet. Heck you can almost filter out your screaming 2 year old if you need a break. Or if you are on a long airplane flight you can use these to try and sleep on the plane. Filtering out the airplane noise is very attainable, filtering out the 2 year old is not!
Sound isolating earbuds attempt to filter out environmental noise through fit and insulation. Its very low tech in its approach when compared to its sibling. The key with sound isolating earbuds is finding a good solid fit along with good insulation. Often with these style of earbuds you will find that they come with several different sizes of foam or rubber attachments. These allow a certain level of custom fit as the size of a persons ear canal varies. You should try each size to see what fits the best. You are looking for a snug fit that acts like a seal but doesn’t create discomfort or pain. When you first put this style earbud on it may feel awkward and uncomfortable. Usually this passes and you get used to it but if it continues you should either try a different size bud or an entirely different set of earbuds.
For me finding the best sound isolating earbuds was a difficult task. I tried several pairs that just didn’t feel right to me and I could never get used to them. With trial and error and research online I was finally able to find a pair that fit great and were much cheaper than the more expensive sound canceling siblings.
So remember when looking for your next pair of earbuds don’t confuse sound canceling with sound isolating. They are very different and you want to make sure you get the right ones for you. A good way of telling the difference is sound canceling earbuds are usually more expensive than sound isolating.
Want to find out more about the best earbuds, then visit Rory Hornak’s site on how to choose the best sound isolating earbuds for your needs.
