Blocking Out the Noise
Recently, Active Noise-Cancelling (ANC) has been all the rage in wireless audio technology. All the most popular earbuds and headphones, the Sony WH-XM series, the Airpods Pro, the Bose QuietComfort, all boast ANC technology. ANC is often dazzling: – you hold the stem of your earbud and, all of a sudden, the air is sucked out of your ears and the din of the outside world becomes a faint murmur.
But is ANC really the magic bullet when it comes to blocking out the outside world? Are there any drawbacks to this technology? And what are the alternatives? These are the questions we’ll set out to answer.
Active Noise-Cancelling
First, we need to know how ANC works. Simply put, devices with ANC technology use the microphones inside the earbuds and some smart algorithms to detect ambient noise in the environment and output ‘anti-phase,’ destructive soundwaves that cancel out unwanted outside. This is how they create the sensation of listening inside a sealed chamber.
ANC Pros:
Great for blocking out low frequencies – ANC is particularly good at blocking out low-frequency sounds like engines and other background hums, which makes them especially good for travelling and office use. However,
Virtual sound enhancement – Some high-end ANC devices use ANC to virtually enhance the sound and expand the soundstage (although this may introduce some unwanted/unintended effects)
Transparency mode – Most ANC devices also include ‘Transparency modes’ which also use microphones to allow you to hear the outside mode with more clarity. This can be helpful when in a busy area and you need to keep your wits about you.
ANC Cons:
Can affect sound quality – In order to block outside frequencies, ANC interferes with the sound waves. This can result in worse audio performance, particularly at lower frequencies (bass-y sounds). For instance, devices like AirPods use adaptive EQ when ANC is enabled to compensate for and cover up any muddiness introduced by the noise cancellation. Additionally, some ANC systems add some faint hissing background noise and some users feel that ANC gives them a sensation of “eardrum pressure,” which can cause discomfort.
Requires battery power – Because ANC requires additional calculation and output in the device, it can cause a 20-40% decrease in battery life.
More expensive – ANC can often be more expensive due to the additional technology required.
So, what else is out there?
Passive Noise-Cancellation
The primary alternative to ANC when it comes to immersive audio experiences is Passive Noise-Cancellation (PNC). While ANC uses additional technology within the device, PNC relies on no extra tech, just precise, meticulous design to physically block noise with snug-fitting ear tips and other ergonomic processes.
One thing to bear in mind when shopping for earbuds with PNC is the importance of tip-fit (the tip is the little piece of material that inserts into your ear). If the earbuds out of the box don’t fit you well, you’ll struggle with discomfort and lacklustre performance. Some earbuds come with a set of different sized tips for you to experiment with, while others may require you to buy a third-party set.
PNC Pros:
Better sound quality — Because PNC does not interfere with the soundwaves, it offers a sound experience truer to the original intentions of the creators.
Blocking Mid-High Frequencies — PNC tends to be better at blocking out frequencies at the mid-high range, meaning things like voices and the clicking of keyboards and controllers.
Broad-Spectrum Noise Blocking — Unlike ANC, which can only target specific, pre-determined frequency ranges, PNC blocks a wider spectrum of noise physically, simply by creating a seal in your ear. It’s simple, but highly effective with the right ear tip or pad fit, and materials.
Budget friendly — Due to the lack of ANC technology, most PNC devices are cheaper than their ANC counterparts.
Battery efficient — As PNC devices do not need to perform the extra operations required by ANC, they are also more battery efficient.
PNC Cons:
Difficulty — PNC requires more fiddling with fit and different tips to deliver an experience comparable to ANC. Additionally, because PNC requires a seal in the ear canal, some users report discomfort, especially during longer listening sessions.
Low frequency noise cancelling — PNC devices perform noticeably worse at blocking out low frequency noises, making them less effective at cancelling out common annoying background noise like the humming of an engine.
Fewer additional features — PNC devices have less technology in them, meaning they usually don’t have other advanced features like transparency mode or enhanced calls.
Which is better for gaming?
The different strengths and weaknesses of each technology lend themselves to different use cases.
If you’re a frequent traveller and primarily playing games on the go, you may want to consider devices with ANC. Waiting for the bus, in the subway, or on a flight, a pair of ANC headphones would effectively keep the rumbling of the engines out of your Steam Deck or Switch session.
Counterintuitively, in a noisy household or at a raucous tournament, your best bet might be PNC, as PNC is often better at blocking out mid-to-high frequencies like voices and clattering. This can also make PNC better for office use, if you want to game a bit on your lunch break. If your setup is already mostly quiet as well, then PNC is the way to go as well, as it provides the best, ‘purest’ sound quality. This way, you’re hearing the game sounds and soundtrack exactly how the developer wanted you to hear them.
Conclusion
Whether you go for ANC or PNC depends on where and what you plan on using them for. Hopefully, this little guide was informative, at least insofar as showing you that ANC is not the end-all-be-all of audio technology.
If you need recommendations on which gaming earbuds to get, check out our list of the Top 8 Gaming Earbuds of 2025 (RANKED).
One Response