Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
Active Noise Cancelling indicates whether headphones use microphones and electronic processing to reduce unwanted sound reaching the listener.
The system senses noise and produces a cancelling signal through the headphone drivers. Its effect depends on frequency, fit and the changing noise around you. It is separate from passive isolation, which comes from the physical enclosure, pads or ear tips.
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) — Headphone
ANC can reduce the distraction of background noise, particularly steady low-frequency sounds, but it does not remove every sound equally. Voices, sudden noises and wind may remain noticeable. A yes/no feature entry does not quantify the amount of reduction or compare two headphones’ performance.
Check whether ANC is adjustable and which listening modes require battery power. The headphone may behave differently when the function is off. Do not treat ANC as a guarantee of a safe playback level or as a substitute for appropriate hearing protection in hazardous noise.