Sennheiser PXC 300

The top 'supraural-size' Sennheiser noise-canceling headphone is the PXC-300 which offers a claimed 80% reduction of ambient noise and mildly better sonics than the lower pricepoint PXCs. The upscale noise-canceling electronics on the PXC-300 sports better rejection of stray mobile cell phone interference as well as a stated 10% improvement on external sound attenuation compared to the PXC 150/250 models. The noise-canceling effect works pretty good at blocking out the in-cabin jet engine roar as you fly the friendly skies but is less effective at attenuating inconsistent higher-pitched sounds like loud speech, crying babies, barking dogs, or annoying in-laws. The overall sound quality, frankly, is not all that much better than the other PXC models with perhaps a hair more fullness in the bass response but it still retains a similar weak-kneed thinness throughout the entire frequency range typical for "active" noise-canceling headsets. For serious audiophile-types with demanding listening tastes, an ear canal headphone remains the choice for top-shelf sound combined with nearly-total isolation.

The PXC-300 headphones are VERY lightweight and rest nice n' easy on the head. They have a well-padded and easily foldable headband sporting a nifty two-point susupension system that makes getting a personalized, comfortable fit a breeze. The closed/sealed supra-aural earcups are fairly small and covered in a cushy leather-type material that feels softer and has better passive attenuation characteristics than the other PXCs. The 'active' noise-canceling circuitry can be turned on & off by a flick of a lighted control switch which is powered by two AAA batteries. The PXC-300 headphone's "Y" cord is terminated to a 1/8" (3.5mm) mini-plug and has a sliding adjustor on it to snug up the cable slack. The package comes with two different adapters including a full-size 1/4" stereo jack and the crucial 1/8" (3.5mm) double-pronged airplane adapter for plugging into the built-in airline sound system. A totally sweet soft-sided protective carrying case with a belt hook is also supplied and they even throw in a pair of batteries for your troubles along with an extended 2-year warranty….Thanks, Sennheiser!