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Audio-Technica's ATH-ANC3 QuietPoint earbuds cancel noise

For some, the passive sound isolation provided by many sets of in-ear headphones just doesn't cut it. But active noise cancellation is a bit difficult to find in an ultracompact package, such as that offered by earbuds. In fact, I can only think of two sets off the top of my head: the JVC HA-NCX77 and the Sony MDR-NC22. Now, I can add one more to my memory bank, Audio-Technica's new ATH-ANC3 QuietPoint earbuds. Unlike many noise-canceling headphones that only succeed in blocking out low frequency sound, the ATH-ANC3 uses a patented technology that matches environmental noise with … Read more

Medison Celebrity laptop: From MIA to KIA

You were right. I was wrong.

You--various Crave readers, Dan Ackerman, assorted acquaintances--said I was a fool to think I'd actually get the $150 Swedish laptop I ordered back in July. When the six-week delivery window came and went, I decided to give it one more month before pulling the plug. (While I may be a fool, I would like to point out that I was never out any cash; 2Checkout.com assured me that I wouldn't be charged until it had proof from Medison that my order had shipped.) After waiting another month on the hope that … Read more

JVC takes aim at Bose with more affordable high-end noise-canceling headphones

Every few weeks it seems someone's announcing a new pair of noise-canceling headphones that are designed to take on Bose's ultrapopular--and ultraexpensive--QuietComfort line of headphones. This week's entry is the JVC HA-NC250, the company's new top-end noise-canceling headphone.

The formula's pretty simple for creating--or at least attempting to create--a pair of Bose-killers. Make them sound good, look luxurious and comfortable, and then price them $100 less than the Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones, which sell for $300 (the smaller QuietComfort 3's go for $350).

This is what JVC has to say about the HA-NC250:

"… Read more

Slide show: Sony's noise-canceling MP3 player, up close

Earlier this month we wrote that Sony would be releasing an iPod Nano-style MP3 player in the US with a built-in active noise-cancellation feature. Well, the Sony NW-S705F is here, and CNET's review has just posted along with a slide show.

Sony releases its noise-canceling answer to the iPod Nano

Sony's NW-S705F Noise Canceling MP3 player is now on sale in the U.S. for about $199 for 2GB version and $169 for 1GB. You may remember when Crave reported on Sony's announcement of this player back in October. The big hullabaloo is that the NW-S705F has active noise-cancellation integrated into the player. Before you get too excited, the active noise-cancellation system will still require you to use Sony's proprietary earbuds. Even though the noise-canceling circuitry is in the player, microphones located on the outside of the earbuds are necessary for the function to work properly. The … Read more

Sennheiser cancels the noise

Sennheiser is clearly gunning for number one with its latest noise-canceling headphones. The PXC-450 is a set of full-size closed-back cans that make use of Sennheiser's brand-new NoiseGard 2.0 technology to make mincemeat out of ambient noise. But unlike a certain other brand (ahem, Bose), these will still work when the battery is drained. Another nice touch is a "TalkThrough" button on the right earcup, which lets you hear what's going on around you without removing the headphones. There are also volume and on/off buttons right on the headphones, and the detachable cable is … Read more