DIY Noise Canceling Headphones

Posted by jay on November 12, 2008 under HOWTO, Tips |

So after reading this post about DIY Noise Canceling Headphones, I built my very own pair. I bought some low-profile / folding ear-muffs for $9.99 as well as some Sony MDR-V150 for $12.99.

These are Noise Blocking and not Noise Canceling.

I fly to Germany every other month from the east coast of the US.

On my first trip I used my $9.95 Skullcandy ear-buds. I did not sleep at all.
On my second trip I used some $29.99 Phillips Noise Canceling ear-buds. These worked well until one of the rubber buds popped off and then I had no headphones at all.

On my third trip I used my DIY Noise Blocking Headphones. I slept for 6 hours straight and the nice grandma next to me had to wake me up.

When flying the worst part for me is the constant roar of the engines. I usually have a headache just from the noise and I am exhausted from lack of sleep but not on my last trip.

My co-workers were so jealous of my slumber that they have asked me to make them some noise blocking headphones as well.

When selecting ear-muffs to use I recommend the folding ear-muffs over the “neck band” ear-muffs. When selecting headphones be sure that the drivers (the speakers) are easily detachable and that each driver has its own cord. I bought the Sony MDR-V150 because I went to CircutCity and had a look at them so I was sure that they came apart easily. Other headphone options could be the over the ear headphones.

The one extra step I took was to use a small file-tool to create a notch at the bottom of the ear-muff cups for the headphone cord.