The good:The JVC HA-NC100 Noise Canceling Headphones are inexpensive and feature comfortable ear cups, a convenient fold-up design, an autoretracting 5-foot cord, and solid sound quality. They also include a carrying case and an airplane adapter.
The bad:The noise-cancellation feature of the JVC HA-NC100 Noise Canceling Headphones affects only lower frequencies, plus the headphones are a bit weak on bass.
The bottom line:The cushy JVC HA-NC100 Noise Canceling headphones don't block out ambient noise entirely, but they do a good job of reducing it--and for an affordable price.
What good is that fancy new iPod if you can't hear your tunes while riding the subway or flying coast to coast? A good pair of noise-canceling headphones can mean the difference between enjoyable listening and potential ear damage from having to crank the volume too high. JVC's HA-NC100 Noise Canceling Headphones are just such a pair, combining comfort, convenience, and a low price: $79.95 (closer to $50 on the street). We just wish they blocked out a bit more noise.
JVC's HA-NC100 Noise Canceling Headphones have the substantial look and feel of pricier models, with large, thickly padded ear cups and a heavy-duty plastic frame. A single AAA battery--good for 50 hours, according to JVC--installs in one of the ear cups; the other houses a retractable 5-foot cord, which rewinds automatically with the push of a switch. How cool is that?
Equally impressive, the JVC HA-NC100 folds up to become a far more compact travel accessory than you'd expect from full-size headphones. JVC also supplies a drawstring leather carrying case and a two-prong airplane adapter.
JVC includes handy travel-friendly accessories with the HA-NC100 Noise Canceling Headphones.
Rick Broida, a technology writer for more than 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he contributes to CNET's iPhone Atlas. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Full Bio
