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November 1

What is the difference between passive and active noise reduction in GA headsets?

Author: admin Category: Noise Reduction

Is there a noticeable difference in noise level?

passive is simply the old fashioned blocking out sound with material such as rubber, styrofoam and whatnot

active noise reduction means a chip analyzes incoming frequencies and emit the same one back to cancel it out before it reaches your ear.

There is indeed a noticeable difference in noise level, with active noise reduction being slightly better.

However, there are situations where the active noise reduction gadget doesn’t work so well, such as when there are many frequencies or when frequencies shift often and irregularly.

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4 Responses to “What is the difference between passive and active noise reduction in GA headsets?”

  1. anon
    November 2nd, 2009

    active noise reduction uses electricity to emit a frequency that cancels out the low pitch rumble of the engine….passive is just like earmuffs… nothing fancy it just covers your ears….trust me you will be able to hear the difference if your in the plane…
    References :

  2. David S
    November 2nd, 2009

    passive is simply the old fashioned blocking out sound with material such as rubber, styrofoam and whatnot

    active noise reduction means a chip analyzes incoming frequencies and emit the same one back to cancel it out before it reaches your ear.

    There is indeed a noticeable difference in noise level, with active noise reduction being slightly better.

    However, there are situations where the active noise reduction gadget doesn’t work so well, such as when there are many frequencies or when frequencies shift often and irregularly.
    References :

  3. jtk15sc15
    November 2nd, 2009

    they are correct, except i am pretty sure the ANRs emit the same frequency just an oscillation off so the waves "cancel" and the noise is reduced. learned it in physics last year. the theory is correct i am fuzzy on the words/vocab of it
    References :

  4. Joe B
    November 2nd, 2009

    When the batteries work, the difference is huge. I have a Bose X and I love it. But when my batteries die, its louder to have the headset on than with it off.
    References :

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