Anyone who has heard of the idea of noise-cancelling headphones would agree the idea sounds terrific. Anyone who has tried noise-cancelling headphones knows that “cancelling” is a generous description of the technology indeed. We think “noise-reducing” is more accurate. If you are not expecting miracles, then you may be pleased with Creative’s new offering the HN-700 “noise-cancelling headphones”.

They’re fairly comfortable upon your head, but any longer than 30 minutes or so and your ears start to get fidgety and sore. Flick the switch to engage the cancellation technology and at first you feel a disconcerting pressure change. Then you notice you can still hear people talking just as clearly as before, machinery clickety clack noises are immune to the cancellation technology too. In fact, most regular everyday sounds are as clear with, as they were without. What they do almost-cancel is background white noise. On a long flight these would truly be your best friend, effectively blocking that hideous engine rumble.

In certain environments any reduction in noise is a blessing, such as factory floors. The function of the HN-700s would minimise much of the background rumble, but still let you hear people talking clearly.

A spooky side effect of the design means that the noise you do hear comes from the headphones themselves. You could, for example, see someone break a glass on the other side of the room, but the sound source is only a centimeter away from your ears. It takes some getting used to.

For music reproduction the HN-700s do a fine job. The comfort factor make them a questionable option for long-term music enjoyment. The frequency range of 20Hz ~ 20kHz is perfectly adequate and within expectations for the price.