Philips HN100 noise canceling headphones

Rating:
Summary: Please Read Before Buying
Review: As I was searching for a new set of headphones to purchase, I came across the Philips Noise Cancelling HN100 Headphones at Sears and I must say that they left me absolutely dissappointed. I would say that they would be okay for delivering the sounds of classical music, but FORGET about purchasing these headphones if you want to listen to any sort of Hip Hop, Rap, Jazz, or anything with any kind bass. If you want a pair of headphones to hook up to a portable DVD Player, DO NOT get these. These headphones have very poor lower frequency note reponse, and they cannot be played at any level of "loudness" without having the sound turn into a mess of sloppy distortion from crappy, overstressed, underpowered drivers. In fact, it seems that they do not even have the capability of playing too loud at all. Please, don't go with these headphones if you want a loud music/movie watching experience. I was surprised, begcause they seemed to have excellent efficieny ratings, but they are extremely crummy. As far as the Noise Cancelling feature of these headphones goes... it is okay. They do perform satisfactorily for reducing ambient noises. I hope this review was helpful!

Rating:
Summary: flimsy
Review: Heavy and uncomfortable. After a few weeks, I picked up the headset and found that the bracket that holds one of the ear pieces was broken. Tried epxoy and super glue but they wouldn't hold. Junk. I would give it a no star rating but the pull-down has the lowest at 1.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money.
Review: Heavy and uncomfortable. After a few weeks, I picked up the headset and found that the bracket that holds one of the ear pieces was broken. Tried epxoy and super glue but they wouldn't hold. Junk. I would give it a no star rating but the pull-down has the lowest at 1.

Rating:
Summary: These headphones are lousy!
Review: I bought a set of these Philips HN100 headphones about a year ago and used them on several long flights. While not the greatest, they worked OK. However, recently they simply broke - a poor design caused a crack in some of the plastic housing and the headphones are now useless. I filed a complaint on the Philips web site and got an email back with a phone number and a case code. When I called them, they seemed only interested in knowing the serial number, and were of no help whatsoever. In fact, the "help line" was a throwback to Dilbert.

My advice : Avoid these headphones, and anything else made by Philips. My experience with their helpline has sworn me off any and all of their products.

Rating:
Summary: Good sound, breaks a lot
Review: I bought these headphones, like most, because the Bose noise canceling headphones are way to expensive. I wanted a cheaper alternative. Like other reviewers, I quickly found why they are so cheap.

I keep and use my headphones at work, maybe about two or three times a week. One night, a co-worker was at my computer and put them on his head. When he put them on his head, they broke. He felt bad, and bought me a new pair. Since I've had the new pair, they have broken twice. Once in the same spot as my original pair, the second time in a completely different spot.

With the use of some JB Weld, I've managed to fix both breaks. So although the sound is ok, if you purchase these, plan on buying about $10 worth of some sort of epoxy to fix them after they break, because they will break.

Rating:
Summary: I love them, but they are fragile
Review: I bought three of these headphones in the past year.

Rating:
Summary: Too uncomfortable
Review: I purchased these head phones to accompany my iPod. After wearing it 6 times, it does not accompany anything anymore. They cancel out noise in reasonable manner (you can't expect miracles for this price), but it is so terribly uncomfortable. On my 7 hour flight I started off enjoying its noise-cancelling capabilities, but could not wear it for any longer than 2 hours. They are very tight and literally cause me headaches. It is just such a shame ...
If I could only return these headphones and purchase the Sennheiser PXC 250 (they are fab!!)

Rating:
Summary: Good for Flight
Review: I would never recommend these headphones to audiophiles, but who expects audiophile sound on a noisy airliner anyway? For $60 street, the Philips HN100's provide excellent low to mid background noise cancellation which works perfectly for the steady roar of the in-flight environment.

Rating:
Summary: Great headphones, and sound quality is well balanced
Review: I'm not sure why others' HN100's are breaking, however, I take extremely good care of my electronics. Might I say right away from reading others' reviews that if you do not take extensive care of headphones, do not get these headphones. Might I suggest the Sony MDR-G74SLs. A great set of powerful street styles, and in my opinion (I've tested over 20 different street style headphones, and owned about 3 different sets) are the best of them. However, don't get the G57 S2 street style, they suck, period.

Anyway, onto the main review. These headphones are great, they are extremely comfortable and the noice reduction is acceptable. Noise reduction IS NOT efficient in low-noise areas that you want to block out anyway. If you read a review that jsut says "noise reduction on these headphones suck," do not trust these reviews. On many occasions have I proven these people wrong, such as in stores and even my friends. You can't just sit there with the headphones, play music at a light volume, and turn on the noise reduction, then expect something extraordinary. The only way you'll get that is from the Bose Quiet Comfort series and a lot of Sennheiser models. Some Sony are great too, however, Sony has a reputation of overpricing things, so I tend to stay away from anything Sony unless it's so good that it's worth it. My point is, you need a loud environment, such as mine, like a school bus (works great). Don't judge me however, as I am in 9th grade... I am a good reviewer.

Moving on... the sound quality is really great, and I listen to an extensive variety of music genres. However, if I were to remodel these headphones, I would make the phones a little closer to the ear, maybe just about 2mm. With sound, anything can make a difference, especially when you want good headphone quality. I mostly listen to metal and there is usually a lot of great stuff going on (drums, bass, guitar, and singer, metal can get really instense at times). Don't get me wrong -- I'm not a fan of Korn on the Kob or Slipknot, I listen to swedish metal, Metallica, and metalcore. I would just like to say that so far, every song I've played is great.

One thing I REALLY love about these headphones is the balance. Low, Mid, and High range all come in PERFECT. I have a NOMAD Zen NX with EAX audio and I use a custom equalizer. I put the low range(100mhz frequency) up to 12. I turned on Black Eyed Peas - Hey MAma from the elephunk CD and I might add that this bass is truly a wonder when it comes to $30 ear-cup headphones. The high frequency output is really grea too, and midrange is perfect, it sounds like it's coming fro the inside of your head and doesn't seem liek there's just sound on either side of your ears (Sony G57 did that).

Also, with the noise reduction on and no music, there is very low static, and that's nothing to complain about. THat's actually normal, as my Bose Quiet Comfort 1's do that as well, but not the 2's. Anyway, with it on and the music going, is actually boosts the base and midrage, and the sound quality get a bit more centered and focusable. It really is great for 40 hour life on a AAA battery.

Might I also add that these are extremely comfortable when in the right spot. If anything, make sure the bottom of the phone don't put pressure on the earlobe adn you'll be comfortable for hours.

I HIGHLY recommend these headphones (...). Great deal, great sound, great headphones. Take care of them if you get them.

Also to note

Rating:
Summary: Great sound but HORRIBLE support
Review: I've owned two pairs of these headphones. The first pair broke within the retailer's return window. The second pair broke about 6 months later. This is when the fun began. I called Phillips who repeatedly told me "this is the department for that product, let me transfer you." Eventually, I was given the number for the Gemin corporation who supposedly supports these headphones. Unfortunately, they have not yet answered their phone.

Buyer beware!