I'm going to be living in a dorm this upcoming year and I know there will be lots of loud music and yelling and talking noise coming through the walls. I have had a huge problem with this in the past. If I hear absolutely anything (other than white noise) while i'm trying to study, I just can't do it. And forget about getting to sleep. Every time I hear a noise while i'm in bed, I just wait for the next noise, hoping it won't come. Needless to say, I won't get any sleep. I tried listening to music thru earphones but I had to blast it to the highest level to knock out the outside noise and that made my eardrums hurt and I didn't get to sleep anyway. I've tried earplugs but they're so uncomfortable and their constant presence drives me CRAZY!!
So I've been researching sound canelling headphones and the best value at the best price and comfort appears to be the audio technica anc7's. The problem here is that it's supposed to only cancel out constant noises (like ac or other white noise) and only muffles noises at the higher end of the spectrum like talking and sudden noises. That's b/c it takes a while for the circuitry to produce a destructive sound wave and usually it's too late and the sound has gone through. Does anyone know of any other comfortable headphones in the $90-$200 range that actually works well at cancelling out ALL noise, including talking?

You should try Bose. They are expensive, but the sound quality is very good and the noise canceling technology they have with them great. You can't hear a thing around you.

ill try them both out before i buy then. i do hear the bose breaks alot easier than the audio technica and im going to be sleeping with them so i guess ill try to decide btwn those 2.

I have the Shure E3 headphones. They fit in the ear canal so they comfortable enough to wear to bed. I got them primarily because my husband has to have a tv on to sleep. Plus he snores loud. My headphones and a little Enya do the trick.

I wear them during the day occasionally but have to make sure I don't put them all the way in otherwise I can't hear a thing.

I have the Shure E3 headphones. They fit in the ear canal so they comfortable enough to wear to bed. I got them primarily because my husband has to have a tv on to sleep. Plus he snores loud. My headphones and a little Enya do the trick.

I wear them during the day occasionally but have to make sure I don't put them all the way in otherwise I can't hear a thing.
i have heard of them and people do say that they block out noise completely. But i'm just worried b/c people all have different sized ear canals so it could end up super tight and be uncomfortable and you can't try those one ahead of time. Damn, it's hard to choose now.

Bose is the best. I used to have a pair.

Off of the headphone topic for a second, I personally use two specific high quality white noise machines in one room and the sound covers over even loud music.