AKG K 440 NC

Would'nt it be cool to stand up in a white noise-filled airplane cabin or a hectic airport terminal, scream "SHUT UP!" at the top of your lungs, and have the whole place actually pipe down a bit?... Well, with the AKG K-440 NC noise-canceling headphone, the crazy-loud world almost complies with your demands for a little peace & quiet. AKG has tackled the thorny realm of "active" electronic noise-canceling technology with their K-440 NC model. The K-440 NC's earcups contain tiny built-in microphones that pick up ambient noises which are then attenuated via an electronic signal that counterbalances those incoming external sounds. This 'active' circuitry functions quite well at blocking out constant, low-pitched frequencies -- like airplane engine cabin noise -- but it's much less effective at canceling out more inconsistent, higher-pitched sounds like loud talking, street traffic, the bawling kid in the seat behind you, or your constantly visiting in-laws. Also, that sometimes helpful noise-canceling technology can tend to mask musical detail resolution, especially in the mids & highs … So noise-canceling may not be the best choice for demanding audiophiles but might be a perfect call for folks wanting to shut out the cacophany and just hear some blissful tunes during their commutes. You can also turn on the noise-canceling feature without music to shut out the world and get some well-deserved rest. The sonics of the AKG K-440 NC are decently clean for a noise-canceling design with a full bass response, fair mids, and a smooth but definitely rolled-off upper treble range; In other words, slightly weaker sound quality compared to the non- noise-canceling AKG-k26P and AKG-k27i headphones on which the K- 440 NC is based, but still quite acceptable for this category of headphone. The final verdict?: A portable, lightweight, noise-canceling set for frequent travelers in noisy environments seeking peaceful isolation & decent audio performance.

The AKG K-440 NC retains the lightweight aluminum 3-D axis headband of its sibling 26-P and 27-i models. This unique design easily allows the headband to expand to fit just about any sized head and also to collapse & fold down into a small leatherette carry-bag that's included in the package. The extremely efficient 32-ohm impedance rating of the K-440 NC ensures plenty of output from just about any portable audio source or directly from the airplane's sound system. The subdued dark grey-matte earcups with matching hardware and ultra-dark grey earpads make for an unobtrusive, classy-looking pair of headphones. The noise-canceling feature can be turned on/off via a simple (belt-hookable) switch attached to the 'phones and the whole shebang is powered by a single AAA battery located within the switch housing. The on/off switch sports a glowing red LED light indicating battery life. Also included in the K-440 NC box is the handy two-prong airplane jack adapter as well as a full-size 1/4" stereo plug adapter thus completing this nice traveler-oriented set. A 2-year manufacturer's warranty is standard with all AKG headphones.

Please check out our official HeadRoom 'B-stock' webpage for a GREAT deal on an open-box 440 NC headphone. Opened ONLY for HR photos!