Because in this form factor it does not operate at all as most consumers probably think, and can be a letdown, I did not list the presence of active noise reduction as a benefit of headphones. When you put on these headphones, you won't experience complete silence like you would with active noise canceling vacuum headphones. Even though the headphones' open design means you can only listen to music at about two-thirds volume on the subway, the noise reduction works surprisingly well against monotonous low noise, like that of a subway or a vacuum cleaner. If you don't use the built-in noise cancellation, you'll need to crank up the volume to overpower the hum. It serves its purpose, but do not anticipate miracles from it. Because of the requirement to enter the headphones deeply into the ear canal to achieve effective noise cancellation, the open design is rendered meaningless. A picture of how to wear it "correctly" and how to wear it so that the noise reduction actually works is included for comparison. I can't even begin to describe the noise. It's not terrible; it just sounds like the same old songs. To my ears, nothing particularly remarkable; the sound was designed "to sound pleasant and not cause irritation." These headphones, like any TWS, are not suitable for audiophiles. Knowing your intended use for the headphones will help you avoid being disappointed with your purchase. If openness of design and long-term comfort while listening are your top priorities, I suggest you should get these headphones. That is to say, the headphones are most suited for people in need of a gadget that can be used in a variety of settings, including the workplace, when commuting by foot or bike, and at home. These headphones probably aren't for you if your typical use case involves something other than listening to music while commuting for long periods of time. They're perfectly capable of handling the workload; there are just better and cheaper alternatives available.
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