The Ultimate Headphone Guide For Ambient Sound Enthusiasts

When it comes to immersing yourself in the world of ambient sound, having the right headphones can make all the difference. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a frequent traveler, or someone who simply enjoys the tranquility of ambient noise, finding the perfect pair of headphones is essential.

	1. Sony WHXB910N	See Price On Amazon
	2. Sony WH-1000XM4	See Price On Amazon
	3. Sony WF-C700N	See Price On Amazon
	4. Bose QuietComfort 45	See Price On Amazon
	5. Sony WH-1000XM5	See Price On Amazon
	6. Sennheiser Momentum 4	See Price On Amazon
	7. Sony WF-1000XM4	See Price On Amazon
	8. Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen	See Price On Amazon

At Ambient Soundscapes, we understand the importance of quality sound and have curated a collection of headphones that excel in delivering an exceptional ambient noise experience. In this article, we will guide you through the key factors to consider with some helpful references to guide you in your search for the best headphones for ambient noise.

Whether you’re enjoying your favorite music, catching the latest podcast, or kicking back to some relaxing white noise, attaining a truly immersive listening experience comes down to finding the best headphones.

With so many options available and manufacturers releasing new products each month, it’s only wise to be informed when shopping for the best headphones for you. What you need will come down to your budget, preferred style, and desired function. But hey, don’t worry– we’ve done the digging for you already, and put together a list of 7 of the best headphones that you should consider upgrading to today!

We Found The Best Headphones To Buy

Your search is over–we put together a list of the top performing devices from all over the internet.

We took into consideration audio quality, fit, feel, and features when assembling our list of the best headphones that are available today, and only the top products that we found met the value based on their price point made it in. We think you’ll find exactly what you’ve been looking for among our top selections.

Since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, it’s our aim to inform you and provide you with our picks for the best headphones we’ve found across multiple different categories.

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Best Wireless Headphones: Top Picks

1. Sony – WHXB910N
Popular Choice For Ambient Noise

Specifications

• Dimensions: 7.27 x 3.03 x 9.94 inches
• Weight: 0.035 ounces
• Battery Life: 35 hours
• Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0
• Frequency response: 4 Hz-40,000 Hz
• Noise Cancelling: Yes

MSRP

$249.99

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Released in 2021, the Sony WHXB910N over ear headphones feature superb audio quality, with deep, rich bass and crystal-clear treble to create a truly immersive listening experience. Whether you’re enjoying your favorite music, watching movies, or playing games, the sound quality is simply phenomenal. The built-in 360 Reality Audio technology adds a new dimension to your audio, making you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.

The noise cancellation feature of these headphones is nothing short of impressive, utilizing feed-forward and feed-back microphones on the surface of the headphones catch more of the ambient sounds of your surroundings, so you can truly shut out the world around you and get lost in your music.

It effectively blocks out the external world, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the audio experience. Whether you’re in a noisy coffee shop, on a bustling train, or even in an airplane cabin, the WH-XB910N headphones provide a tranquil listening environment, free from distractions.

Sony’s care and attention to detail show in the the ergonomic design and plush ear cushions, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. They fit snugly over your ears without causing any discomfort or fatigue. Additionally, the lightweight construction ensures that you can wear them for hours without any strain.

With up to 35 hours of playback time on a single charge, and a 10-minute quick charge which gives you up to an additional 4.5 hours, you rarely have to worry about running out of power.

The WH-XB910N headphones also come with convenient features like touch controls on the earcups, which come with a learning curve, but allows you to adjust volume, skip tracks, and answer calls with ease. The integrated microphone delivers clear and crisp voice quality during phone calls, making them practical for everyday use.

These headphones provide the best overall bang for the buck, with some online stores offering huge discounts. If you’re able to find them, we highly recommend picking them up as you won’t be disappointed.

Find Sony WHXB910N On Amazon: Sony WHXB910N

2. Sony WH-1000XM4
Best All-Around Headphones

Specifications

• Dimensions: 7.27 x 3.03 x 9.94 inches
• Weight: 9 ounces
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0
• Frequency response: 4 Hz-40,000 Hz
• Noise Cancelling: Yes

MSRP

$349.99

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Read the full review here: Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones Comprehensive Guide

Our favorite on the list, the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-cancelling headphones deliver on their promises and more thanks to their comfortable, lightweight fit, remarkable noise cancellation, and long battery life.

While their appearance remains unchanged from the previous model, the WH-1000XM4 boast new features such as multipoint Bluetooth pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness, and speak-to-chat technology using an integrated sensor, making them a substantial upgrade.

A total of four microphones captures ambient noise and passes the audio to the HD Noise Cancelling Processor. Using a new algorithm, the HD Noise Cancelling Processor then applies noise cancelling processing in real time across a wide range of acoustic environments. The result is remarkable sound isolation while maintaining superb audio fidelity.

Read the full review here: Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones Comprehensive Guide

3. Sony WF-C700N
Best ANC earbuds on a budget

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Read the full review here: Sony WF-C700N Wireless Earbuds – Complete Breakdown

When it comes to truly wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds hit high marks in audio quality, features, and price point. All day comfort, small profile, and extended battery life packed into an affordable, enthusiast-on-a-budget package.

Customizable settings can be found in the Sony app, allowing you to choose from multiple preset equalizer profiles to fit your listening style and environment. The remarkable portability and additional charge time that the travel case provides makes these a great choice for traveling, enjoying music at the gym, or taking a walk through the park.

Read the full review here: Sony WF-C700N Wireless Earbuds – Complete Breakdown

4. Bose QuietComfort 45

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Bose’s QuietComfort 45 active noise cancelling headphones have been on the market for a few years already, but still find themselves among the best headphones in 2023.

The QC45’s rich sound quality coupled with the brand’s volume-optimized active EQ and TriPort acoustic architecture delivers high fidelity audio with ample bass and minimized distortion at both low and higher volumes. Flipping the toggle switch on the side of the headphones enables the Enhanced Active Noise Cancelling feature, which utilizes the six built-in microphones and a proprietary digital signal processor to effectively filter out background noise, providing you with clean, clear audio.

The fit and comfort have been finely tuned by leveraging quality materials that are both durable and lightweight. With minimal clamping force and the lack of wires, you barely notice you’re wearing headphones at all, although you can also use these headphones in a wired configuration using the included 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable.

5. Sony WH-1000XM5

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The new Sony WH-1000XM5 is a good step forward over previous models and is a welcome upgrade to any competing brand in most aspects. All of the features you expect such as noise cancellation, audio quality, and connectivity are all top of the line.

We can’t justify putting this as the #1 on this list, simply due to the high price tag. For those on a tighter budget and looking for all-around value, we’d recommend opting for the previous Sony WH-1000XM4 model. They still share most of the same great features and only the most astute listeners will be able to discern any noticeable differences.

Certainly a must have for anyone wanting to upgrade their listening experience to the latest and greatest.

6. Sennheiser Momentum 4

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Read the full review here: Sennheiser Momentum 4 – Complete Breakdown

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are a contender for the top spot on this list, and are jam-packed with tons of smart features and ease of use design elements. The pristine audio and high range of frequencies these cans produce will have you ready to jump up and bust a groove. You’ll do it in style as well, with a sleek new design made from quality materials, the Momentum 4 leaves nothing to be desired.

Within the app, you can fine tune the audio to your liking, providing you with controls over the ANC and a graphic equalizer. It also provides automatic updates for your software and firmware, and location based preset switching which automatically adjusts your headset to predefined audio zones.

Sennheiser decided to take a step forward design-wise compared to the Momentum 3 in terms of taking on a more conventional, high tech appearance, however walked back on portability by removing the ability to fold the headset. While this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, it may be a point of consideration if you’re an avid traveler constantly on the go.

Read the full review here: Sennheiser Momentum 4 – Complete Breakdown

7. Sony WF-1000XM4

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Great audio quality, battery life, and noise cancellation are major selling points for these buds, and while they’re not perfect, the Sony WF-1000XM4’s definitely earn their spot among other top brands competing for best truly wireless earbuds.

Sony’s buds feature a 6mm driver tuned for clarity to produce rich lows, warm mids, and vibrant crisp highs that overall give a natural sense to the audio. Compared to the WF-C700N‘s, you’ll get better frequency response at 20Hz-40KHz, although the 20KHz difference is beyond the level discernible to the human ear. Regardless, you can still fine tune all of the equalizer settings through the Sony app to get the perfect sound out of these earbuds for any genre of music you prefer.

Comfort is an area where the WF-1000XM4 start to lose their luster, with a weight of 1.45 oz and a protruding form factor, these earbuds can start to feel heavy in your ears after a while. The larger size of the “bulb” part of the earbuds take up more of the outer part of your ear and protrude a bit making it definitely noticeable that you’re wearing earbuds.

8. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen earbuds are a remarkable addition to Apple’s lineup of wireless earphones. Building upon the success of the original AirPods Pro, this second-generation model offers enhanced features and improved performance.

The earbuds boast a sleek and compact design, providing a comfortable fit for extended use. With active noise cancellation technology, users can immerse themselves in their favorite music or podcasts without any distractions from the outside world. The sound quality is exceptional, delivering crisp and clear audio across a wide range of frequencies.

The AirPods Pro 2nd gen also introduce spatial audio, creating a more immersive listening experience. Additionally, the earbuds offer seamless integration with Apple devices, allowing for effortless pairing and convenient control through Siri.

With their impressive features and Apple’s renowned attention to detail, the AirPods Pro 2nd gen earbuds are a top choice for those seeking a premium wireless audio experience.

Which Headphones Should I Buy?

Choosing the best set of headphones can be a challenging task, given the vast array of options available in the market. However, there are several factors to consider when making your decision.

Active noise cancelling, acoustic design, and wireless capability are all features worth considering when looking for a new set of cans. While it’s true you can’t beat the audio quality of wired headphones, some find the freedom and convenience of going wireless a worthy tradeoff that better suits their needs. Honestly, wireless technology has gotten to a point that unless you are a true audiophile, differences in fidelity between wired and wireless headphones are indiscernible.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is the most crucial factor to consider when choosing wireless headphones. Look for headphones that deliver clear, balanced, and detailed sound across all frequencies. If you plan to use your headphones in noisy environments, consider headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) technology. This feature can significantly improve your listening experience in noisy environments, and all of the products in this guide offer active noise cancelling.

Fit and Comfort

Comfort is another essential factor to consider when choosing wireless headphones. Look for headphones that fit comfortably and securely on your head and ears. Over-ear headphones tend to be more comfortable for extended listening sessions, while in-ear headphones are more portable.

Battery Life And Convenience Features

Additionally, battery life, connectivity options, and intuitive and easy-to-use controls are all design elements that should be taken into account when shopping around. Some headphones have touch controls, while others have physical buttons. Choose headphones with controls that are easy to use and understand.

How Much You Are Willing To Spend

Lastly, consider your budget when choosing a new pair of headphones. Wireless headphones come in a wide range of prices, so choose headphones that meet your budget while still offering the features you need. Use the links in our guide to find the top deals for the best headphones today!

Summary Of Our Picks For Best Headphones

	1. Sony WHXB910N	See Price On Amazon
	2. Sony WH-1000XM4	See Price On Amazon
	3. Sony WF-C700N	See Price On Amazon
	4. Bose QuietComfort 45	See Price On Amazon
	5. Sony WH-1000XM5	See Price On Amazon
	6. Sennheiser Momentum 4	See Price On Amazon
	7. Sony WF-1000XM4	See Price On Amazon
	8. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)	See Price On Amazon

Headphones With Ambient Sound Technology

The technology inside many of the best headphones today allows for ambient sounds to be greatly reduced or eliminated, allowing you to listen to your favorite music or podcasts without distracting background noise. This ambient sound reducing technology is referred to as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works best to eliminate constant, steady background noises such as the rumble of airplane engines, droning fans, or humming mechanical equipment.

In an ambient setting such as your house, ANC filters out sounds of air conditioners blowing, refrigerators buzzing, and running taps. You wouldn’t realize just how many ambient sounds there actually are inside your home until you try a pair of headphones with ANC turned on!

5 Criteria For Great Ambient Listening Headphones

When searching for a noteworthy pair of headphones and earbuds for ambient listening, there are 5 primary factors to take into consideration. The set you intend on purchasing should be scoring high in all of the following categories:

Noise-Canceling Technology

One of the most crucial features to look for in headphones for ambient noise is active noise-canceling (ANC) technology. ANC uses multiple tiny microphones to detect external sounds and generate inverse sound waves to cancel them out, allowing the audio to come through with less interference from background noise.

All of the best ambient sound headphones feature some form of noise cancellation technology, and if you’re wanting to eliminate constant buzzing, humming, or droning sounds, turning on the ANC feature of your headphones is the best solution.

While the tech behind Active Noise Cancellation was first patented in 1933, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that the familiar noise-cancelling headphone technology emerged. Dr. Amar Bose, the founder of Bose, created a noise-cancelling headset for the aviation industry in 1989 and soon introduced it to the commercial market as the original Bose QuietComfort headphones. Since then, noise-cancellation technology has advanced rapidly, becoming increasingly effective and more affordable to produce.

Active noise cancelling works by using small microphones on the headphone to pick up ambient environment sounds, and through digital processing, creates an inverse sound wave that when reproduced through the drivers, effectively cancels out the source sound wave in a process known as destructive interference.

While passive noise cancelling relies on fit and materials to insulate from outside sounds, the “active” nature of ANC uses digital computations and applies a counterforce to the drivers which comes at the expense of increased power consumption. Generally speaking, using headphones with active noise cancellation enabled will decrease the listening time and require more times to recharge or replace the batteries.

If you are looking for the best headphones that allow ambient sound to pass through, you should avoid using active noise cancellation, since any outside noises are mostly filtered out. Most of the time, ANC can be turned off which will allow ambient sounds like fans, the rumble of a plane engine, or other constant droning background sounds to be heard more clearly.

Sound Quality

To truly appreciate the nuances of ambient noise, high-quality sound reproduction is paramount. Look for headphones that offer a balanced sound profile, with clear highs, rich mids, and deep bass.

Frequency response is the term used to describe a range of sound in hertz (Hz) and is conveyed visually as a graph which shows the level at which all sound frequencies can be reproduced through a given audio device. With headphones for example, when a manufacturer says the frequency response is 20hz-20kHz, the claim is that the drivers can accurately reproduce sounds from 20 hertz, which is a low bass, all the way up to 20,000 (20k) hertz.

The volume at which these frequencies are heard is also important. For humans, 20kHz is the high limit to what the human ear can perceive. Only very young people with excellent hearing can perceive sounds at the top of the range, provided it is quite loud at that frequency. As we age, our hearing tapers down to a limit of about 16 kHz and often quite a bit lower still due to an individual’s hearing loss.

It’s important to note that there can be fluctuations with any of the frequencies in between, where the device doesn’t perform as well at say 500hz as it does at 1,000hz. The only way to get a full picture of what a given set of headphones is to find its fully tested frequency response. Rtings.com has a headphones frequency response database with hundreds of tested products which you can use to gather a full picture of the headphones or earbuds you are shopping for.

Comfort and Fit

Since ambient noise enthusiasts often wear headphones for extended periods, comfort and fit are crucial considerations. Nearly all headphones you find will come with adjustable headbands, cushioned ear cups, and lightweight designs, but what are some other circumstances where comfort and fit play a role?

For over-ear headphones, earcups with large diameters and depth are going to be more comfortable if you have piercings or typically wear earrings. On the other hand, a shallow depth might be beneficial if you wish to lay on your side while listening to ambient noise, however at this point, you might consider earbuds as a more comfortable option.

Obviously, we all have different head sizes and hair styles, so a one-size-fits-all solution is nice in theory, but in reality some will experience a better fit with certain pairs of headphones than others. A loose fitting headphone can slide off your head, and when the clamping force is not enough you won’t get a good seal around your ears, letting outside sound leak in and impacting the perceived frequency response.

Battery Life and Connectivity

For those who frequently use headphones on the go, battery life and connectivity options are essential. Wireless headphones with long battery life and reliable Bluetooth connectivity can enhance your ambient noise experience, and additional features like Alexa compatibility, hands free operation, and conversationally aware ANC, among others, can be the icing on top.

Many headphones come with the ability to control equalizer settings, geo-based sound profiles, and personalization through a separate app on your phone. Some people just want to listen to their music with the best sound quality without any of the bells and whistles. Others can’t live without having all of the latest fancy connectivity tech available. Find a pair of headphones that have features that you find useful for your own situation and use case.

Durability and Portability

Durability and portability are important factors not just for frequent travelers. Look for headphones with sturdy construction, foldable designs, and protective cases.

When not in use, store your headphones in their protective case to keep them free from dust and accidental mishaps that could damage your investment. Most of the materials used in headphone manufacturing today are durable and water resistant to an extent. However it’s best to keep them free from moisture, and to always clean them from any oils, dust, or dirt that may accumulate with use. Doing so can help with sound quality, and will help ensure your headphones stand the test of time.

In terms of durability, a common issue with over-ear and on-ear headphones that have been used daily is that the padding and material around the earcups and headband begin to break down. While these are typically inexpensive to replace, a good pair of headphones will last you for many years without needing to make any extensive repairs.

How To Listen To Ambient Noise With Headphones

Once you have found a good set of headphones, it’s time to connect to Ambient Soundscapes for the most relaxing white noise and settle in for pure ambience.

Always wear headphones for the best experience

While it’s perfectly acceptable to use speakers for ambient sound, headphones featuring good ANC support will transport you to another world, free from the stress and anxiety of daily life.

If your preferred headphones come with active noise cancellation, you’ll be more in tune to the calming sounds of white noise, and all of the distracting, unwanted sounds around you will completely disappear, leaving you truly immersed and able to focus, relax, or fall asleep.

Adjust the volume to the right level

The right volume for listening to ambient noise is important to protect your hearing, especially if you listen for extended periods of time.

The appropriate level to listen to white noise is around 50 decibels

The appropriate level to listen to white noise is around 50 decibels. That is the equivalent of a gentle flowing stream or a soft conversation. If you’re listening for extended periods of time at a level higher than that, you’re putting yourself at risk for permanent hearing damage. This shouldn’t discourage you though as it is safe to listen to white noise all night, just try not to exceed the recommended listening level.

Equalize the pressure in your ears

Have you ever yawned and suddenly realized you can hear better? When the air pressure outside is different than your inner ear, your eardrum isn’t able to vibrate as freely as it should. This causes you to experience a temporary hearing loss among certain sound frequencies. When you yawn, swallow, or blow air into your plugged nose, you can equalize the pressure on your eardrum, allowing you to regain hearing in the full range of frequencies.

There are many safe ways to pop your ears, and it’s such a simple thing to do that improves the quality of sounds so there really isn’t a reason not to try it.

When you equalize the pressure in your ears, you will be able to take advantage of the full spectrum of frequencies found in white, pink and brown noise.

Don’t wear headphones while driving

It is not safe to wear headphones while driving because they can significantly impair your ability to hear important auditory cues on the road. These cues include sirens, honking horns, and other vehicles approaching from different directions. By wearing headphones, you may not be able to detect these sounds, which can lead to accidents or delays in responding to potential hazards.

It is crucial to maintain full situational awareness while driving, and wearing headphones can compromise that awareness.

Conclusion

Choosing the best headphones for ambient noise involves considering factors such as noise-canceling technology, sound quality, comfort, battery life, connectivity, durability, and portability. At Ambient Soundscapes, we strive to provide a comprehensive resource for relaxing ambient noise enthusiasts, offering detailed articles and product recommendations to help you make an informed decision.

By understanding your preferences and requirements, you can find the perfect pair of headphones that will transport you to a world of immersive ambient sound.