These Creative Aurvana ANC headphones will be familiar to those who like their noise-cancelling headphones to be “cups” with the option of noise-cancelling via a switch on one of the headphones and the ability to make calls when on the ground (or increasingly, in the air).
What’s new is the price – around £100 – and a good 40-hour battery life courtesy of a single AAA battery in one of the headphones (they work without the battery, this is just for the noise-cancelling).
The headphones look bulky, particularly in the classy carry case, but actually are very light (170g) and comfortable to carry and wear. The technology uses built-in microphones embedded in both earcups to monitor the levels of external ambient noise entering the ear and then cancel out external environmental noise so users enjoy only the desired audio coming from the headphone. This is very effective on board, and I tested them on two long-haul flights to Ethiopia and back from London.
They were comfortable to wear for long periods (perhaps because of the “ergonomic over-the-ear design with a lightweight steel headband wrapped in soft leatherette“) and also did block out aircraft noise.
The headset also features professionally-tuned 40mm Neodymium drivers that deliver the balanced detailed audio performance associated with the well received Aurvana line of headphones.
Verdict
I really liked these headphones, so much so that despite the bulky nature of the carry case I’ve found myself using them for shorter trips as well. They are good value, and so far seem robust as well.
Fact box
- Weight 170g (6oz) without cable and battery
- Cable Detachable 1.5m (4.9’) Braided Stereo Cable
- Connectivity 3.5mm (1/8”) Stereo Jack
- Noise Cancellation Multi-Mic Active Noise Cancellation
- Noise Reduction Level -18dB (87%)
- Battery Life 40 Hours
- Battery Type 1 x AAA Alkaline Battery
- Drivers 40mm Neodymium Magnet
- Frequency Response 20Hz – 20kHz
- Ear Cushion Leatherette Memory Foam Ear Cushion
- Microphone Inline Microphone
- Inline Remote Music: Play/Pause/Next/Previous Track
- Phone Call: Answer/End Call
- Included Accessories Audio Cable with Inline Microphone
- AAA Battery
- Airplane Travel Adapter
- Hard Travel Case (215mm H x 198mm W x 53mm D)
Price: £99.99 at www.creative.com