Panasonic Noise Canceling Headphones RP-HC500

I have done a long time research online for a noise canceling headphones. RP-HC500 is 92% noise reduction which I tested against Bose QC2 (80% reduction at double the price). The noise canceling of HC500 is noticeably better.

I got it for $200 in Bing Lee Sydney after negotiation (RRP is $299). This equals to the best price I can find from ebay. And it doesn't cost the postage fee as with ebay. So it's a deal to me.

As it is reviewed, it only cancels the noise, not the voice. Namely if someone nearby is speaking to you, you will still hear it. Which is good. I tried it on/near a very noisy road repair site. It pushed the 'site/noise' to at least 400~500 meters away from where I stood.

Many reviewers online said there is a constant hum or hiss when the NC is on, out of the circulate. Firstly, I noticed that there is a very very low sound between hum and hiss. I must emphasize it is very very low. I like this very much. I found this is very authenticate to the nature. I can remember my trip to the Central Australia - Ayers Rocks and Alice Spring. Standing in the wild under the beautiful starry night. was a most unusual experience in my life. And I believe it is the quietest place on earth. I can hear the 'quietness'. This 'quietness' is definitely NOT Nothing. It reminds me this subtle 'hum/hiss'. Which was exactly what was smoothing my mind there then.

Another NC headphones is JVC HA-NC250 seems a little bit better build quality at the same feature quality. But it is not available in Sydney.