Customer Reviews

Philips SHN5500/37 Noise-Canceling Behind-The-Head Headphone

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

I have to agree with the two previous reviewers. For the price, these headphones are very good.

The other reviewers just don't know what they are talking about. First of all, THERE IS a noice canceling effect. But noise canceling does not eliminate all sound, it makes certain sound frequencies less obtrusive or present, that's all. You will still hear what's happening around you. Just power the unit without any music playing and you will see the effect of the noise cancelling. It's does not seem much, but it does help on a bus, in the metro or a plane to drown out a bit the ambient noise.

Of course, these aren't 300$ Sennheiser or Bose headphones. The Philips perform miserably compared to those. But for God's sake, they are under 30$ !

Finally, they are comfortable. Make sure you you really insert the loops BEHIND the edge of your ears not just over, fiddle with the small-medium-large settings, and there you go. The cushioning is very comfortable.

Overall, considering the LOW PRICE, you can't go wrong with these.

I'm really happy with these headphones. As with the other reviewers, I agree that people miscontrue noise canceling with being in a sound proof environment. Sound proof and noise canceling are two totally different things.

For the price, these headphones do an excellent job. As with any other noise canceling headphones, these have a little "hum." Bose's headphones have a louder hum and they are much bulkier.

I first used it on my computer with the computer volume turned up 2/3 of the way and then used the volume on the cigar shaped control box to control the volume of the headphones. Tip: Turn the volume of your audio's source up then use the control box volume to determine how loud you want your audio to be. This is the best way to cancel out most of the noise around you. The more you turn the volume up on the control box, the more noise canceling you'll get. I had the volume on the control box up 1/2 way and tried snapping my fingers at arm's length and didn't hear much of a snap. The other litmus test for me was using the headphones at the Starbucks I frequent on Mother's Day with screaming kids and loud and obnoxious people and I must say they canceled out quite a bit of the ambient noise. I was listening to chillout music using my iPod and heard for the 1st time some background soprano layers on Dido's "Worthless" that I had not noticed before and was able to read my Sunday NY Times in peace.

Also, play aroound with how you place the ear pieces. A slight shift to the left or right makes a whole lot of difference. If you do not like things being hung from your ears, don't get these. You'll end up hating it.

The comfort as far as headphones go is pretty good. I'm a big fan or neckband style headphones and am used to the whole ear clip thing. If you think these are uncomfortable, you should have tried some of the early Sony models about 8 years ago.

One huge CON is there is NO instruction manual. The default setting when you get the headphones is with the power ON. I was trying to switch the unit off and for the life of me couldn't figure it out. There is a red LED light on the box and I was pushing and prodding but nothing would budge. I thought the volume was the on/off control. I finally got a hint from the Phillips website about the LED light being a reminder to switch off the power. I gave the panel next to the light a huge push and the light went off. So, the on/off switch is the panel next to the light. Push it towards the light and it'll turn off. It is a bit tight so be sure to use some strength.

Other than that, I am as happy as a clam with these headphones.

Since I'm not an audiophile like most people who buy noise cancelling headphones, I consider this product a great purchase. It is not expensive, has noise cancelling, and has superb sound quality. The sound quality on these are better than those found in the Sony Behind the Neck Sport Headphones. The "hiss" others have complained about I can not find. The noise cancelling is not noise isolating. You will hear loud noises. The low buzzy and medium ranges will not be heard.

Buy these if you want noise cancelling in behind the neck headphones but not BOSE headphones.

I base this opinion from flying over 3000 hours on a USAF surveillance platform with $1000.00 BOSE sets. I purchased these for personal air travel because, as those who fly can attest, the engine and environmental systems are deceivingly obtrusive. Instantly I found the sound quality exponentially finer than the standard on-the-ear and in-the-ear headsets I was using. Only a hardcore enthusiast will be able to discern the difference between these and more expensive models. As for the noise cancelling of these; the package claims 75% cancellation which seems about right. Try this test: sit in a room with a constant background noise. Turn off the headset and put them on but do NOT plug them into any sound source. Switch them on and note the difference in sound leakage. Try it in your car with the hum of the road as your noise source. After flipping the switch on and off a few times I think you will agree there is more to these headsets than just impedance adjustment and amplification. All in all for the price I paid ($25.00) they are worth it. There's better, but you will pay far more in exchange for little gain.

The volume control thing RIDICULOUSLY large. It's bigger than my mp3 player. I didn't think it would be a big deal so I ordered them anyway... the sound is great for the money... they're not as great as $300 headphones, but they're great for listening to music on the bus! I won't use them for much longer because of the giant volume controller. People always ask what the hell I'm wearing because it's so giant and ridiculous. Also, the ear strap is made of rubber and gets stuck to my hair and rips it. Ugh. Good concept, Phillips, but needs a LOT of improvements before it'll be considered a decent pair of headphones.

Please take a very good look at the technical specs again. Every thing you want to know about the device is listed.

Product Features

Noise canceling headphones

65% Active Noise Reduction

Neodymium magnet

1.2 meter single-sided cable

Audio jack, adaptor and batteries included

Technical Details

Component Type: Headphones

Audio Output Type: Headphones

Headphones Technology: Binaural

Headphones Form Factor: Behind-the-neck

Connectivity Technology: Wired

Audio Output Mode: Stereo

Audio Output Response Bandwidth: 40 - 20000 Hz

This will NOT cancel all the noise, its only rated for 65%. Perfect for listening to those annoying pilot updates while flying. Speaking of which, I am not sure how we could take this item on a plane, since it has a AAA battery (again please refer to the specs above). Works well with my iPod.

It does the job, so cant complain. satisfied with it. Shop arround you will find a cheaper deal. For the technically savvy, additional technical details from the product packaging follows (hey Amazon/Phillips, i am doing your job).

Audio Output Response Bandwidth: 40 - 20000 Hz

Active noise attenuation: 50-1500 Hz, >10 dB at 300 Hz

Sensitivity: 102 dB

Maximum power input: 500 mV

Pwer supply: 1 x 1.5 V Battery R03/AAA

I just purchased a pair of these locally in Fairbanks, Alaska.

I work running a Cat 330 Excavator w/thumb sorting scrap metal into classes.

Needless to say, it is a VERY loud environment, earplugs are generally required, but I love my music.

I owned a set of philips in-ear phones with the same passive static noise reduction & amplification for 2 years before these, always running Equipment, including jackhammers, loved them.

Well, rough work = stuff breaking so they finally gave out and I tried different reasonably-priced alternatives.

Finally settled on these, and I LOVE THEM.

The Biggest part I like is the nice earpads, none of the cheap-perforated-cloth-or-foam-over-flat-plastic job on these wonders, big fluffy circles, like around-the-ear studio headphones (but just on top of the ear).

The pads alone made it worth the $40 price in Alaska, normally, even with my in-ear set, I would only be able to listen to my music about half the day, on and off, due to it just getting uncomfortable over the long day.

I wear these all 10 hours of working, without even feeling them, much less them being uncomfortable.

On to the much-debated "Noise-canceling/reduction" part...

Well, I do agree with the people who say the buzzing is annoying, it can be...

BUT I think it works wonders on the equipment engine noise, and it really softens the metal-on-metal hammering that comes with throwing chunks of metal up to and larger than Semis, all the way down to sinks, kitchen appliances etc.

I actually will turn my music off if I get tired of listening to it, and still keep the switch on, it doesn't seem by itself (the difference between power on and off) to make it quieter per say, but it does wonders to kill the harshness of the 10 hours of clashing steel and iron.

After work, my ears don't hurt or ring from it anymore.

I do believe that the good seal provided by the pad offers quite a bit in the way of actually making it quieter.

Overall, I actually play these quieter than I did the same company/tech in-ear model, about 60-70 percent the volume, and hear it just as good, which is nice on my ears. And they're more comfortable for longer periods than any set I've ever worn in the sub-$50 price range.

I don't fly much, so I don't know about Jet engines,

But I would wholeheartedly recommend these to anyone working in the heavy equipment field, as Its still easy to hear the other employees through the music unless I have it blasting over 90%, and then it's just a matter of spinning the inline volume wheel and, presto.

I love the Phillips brand, its one of the best around today.

This are very good headphones, you get the noise cancelling advertised on the box, 75%, not 100%.

The only thing I dont like is the thing that doesnt go on top of the head, but on the back, I use them to listen to my dvd movies, and on my couch, I have to move around so im not uncomfortable.

I dont understand the other reviewers, you are buying $43 headphones, if you need ultrasuperb studio sound, buy profesional $300 plus headphones. Its like buying a chevy, and wanting to get the quality of a Mercedez, its just Not Going To Happen.

Overall, you get great sound, and quality, like all the phillips products.

These are the best noise-cancelling headphoneS for the money period. I have tried many. None compare. No, I do not work for Phillips. I wear these when I work out. I like the fact that you can turn the volume up really high. I am able to listen to my music in the gym, which is extremely overcrowded, without hearing any outside interference. The sound quality is excellent and the headphones can take on a lot of bass. I have had other headphones that either cut off or faded when I put too much bass on them. These can handle it and it doesn't sound like static. They are also comfortable and look at the price. This is my second pair, my sister took my other ones.

This product was in extremely good, brand new condition as was posted by the website. I was very happy when I received this product especially since it came well before Amazon's expected date of arrival. The only problem, which really isn't a problem, is that the over ear buds are slightly bulky. But they fit the ear well and produce QUALITY sound. The noise canceling system works like a charm as well. If you are reading this review, you are probably in the market and your search should stop here! Buy it! It is a great item.