Lately, I have been working from a local library while waiting for my son to finish his training sessions. I have really come to appreciate headphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which piqued my curiosity.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) reduces unwanted background noise using microphones and sound wave manipulation. The microphones capture external sounds, and the internal circuitry generates an opposite sound wave that cancels out the noise through destructive interference. This method is most effective against continuous, low-frequency sounds like engine hums but is less efficient against sudden, high-pitched noises. While ANC improves listening comfort, it requires power to function and may slightly alter audio quality.

Experiments comparing noise reduction in lightweight earphones versus commercial headphones indicate that lightweight headphones provide better noise cancellation than standard models. Additionally, in-ear headphones tend to be more effective at blocking external noise than over-ear designs.