Do you want to immerse yourself in your music, listen to a podcast on your commute, or find a little more peace in a busy everyday life? Then ANC is a feature worth looking for when choosing headphones.
At MIIEGO, we develop headphones for an active everyday life, where good sound can keep up with you. With active noise reduction, you can reduce disruptive ambient noise and enjoy a more focused listening experience—whether on the go, during exercise, or at home.
But what does ANC actually mean, how does the technology work, and what, for example, is the difference between ANC and Hybrid ANC?
What does ANC mean?
ANC stands for Active Noise Cancelling, which in Danish is often called active noise reduction. The technology uses built-in microphones and electronic signal processing to reduce unwanted background noise around you.
This can include the constant sound of a bus, train, or office ventilation. ANC helps dampen these sounds, making it easier to concentrate on the music, podcast, or audiobook you are listening to.
When is ANC beneficial?
ANC can be useful in many situations where you want to reduce distractions from your surroundings. This applies whether you are in everyday life, traveling, or exercising.
- On the go: Dampen constant background noise from trains, buses, and airplanes.
- At work or while studying: Make it easier to concentrate when there is noise around you.
- During exercise: Reduce disruptive noise from gym equipment.
- While walking or commuting: Enjoy a more focused listening experience when you want to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks.
- At home: Create a more peaceful listening experience when relaxing or immersing yourself in something.
ANC is particularly relevant if you are often in places with persistent background noise. If you primarily use headphones in quiet environments, the feature may be less important to your choice.
Is ANC a good idea for sports?
ANC can be beneficial during exercise, but it depends on the activity you do and where you exercise.
Indoors at the gym, it can be nice to dampen the noise from exercise machines and other people so you can better concentrate on your music and workout. It can also be beneficial on a treadmill or exercise bike, where you do not need to be as aware of the traffic around you.
Outdoors, the situation is different. When running, cycling, or moving through areas with traffic, it may be important to be able to hear cars, cyclists, and other people. In these cases, you should consider whether active noise reduction is the right choice or whether headphones with an open design better suit your needs.
Regardless of which type of headphones you choose, you should be aware of your surroundings and keep the volume at an appropriate level during exercise so that you are always aware of what is happening around you.
What is the difference between ANC and Hybrid ANC?
ANC is the general term for active noise reduction. Hybrid ANC is a more advanced version that uses microphones on both the outside and inside of the headphones to detect noise.
The microphones pick up sounds from different positions, and the headphones' electronics use this information to create sound signals that help reduce unwanted noise.
Hybrid ANC can therefore address noise detected both outside and inside the headphones. However, how effective the noise reduction is depends on the technology and design of the individual product.
At MIIEGO, you will find ANC and Hybrid ANC in several of our different models. This means you can choose the fit that suits you best without having to give up active noise reduction.
What is the difference between ANC and ENC?
Both ANC and ENC are about noise reduction, but they serve different purposes.
ANC reduces noise for the listener. The feature helps dampen the sounds around you, giving you a more focused listening experience.
ENC helps reduce background noise during calls. Its purpose is to make your voice clearer to the person you are talking to, even when there is noise around you.
Some headphones have both features. This includes, for example, the MiiBUDS X3 PRO, which combines Hybrid ANC for listening with ENC for calls.
You can read more about ENC here
Which headphones with ANC should you choose?
When choosing headphones with ANC, it is worth considering where you will primarily use them and which fit you prefer.
MiiBUDS X3 PRO - in-ear
Wireless in-ear headphones with Hybrid ANC and ENC. A compact choice for those who want noise reduction in a format that is easy to take on the go.
MOOVE 40 PRO - over-ear
Over-ear headphones with Hybrid ANC for those who prefer earcups that surround the ears. A relevant choice for listening at work, while traveling, or at home.
MOOVE 65 LUX - over-ear
Premium over-ear headphones with Hybrid ANC, long battery life, and replaceable batteries and ear pads. A choice for those who prioritize comfort and features for longer listening sessions.
The best choice depends on your needs. Therefore, consider not only noise reduction but also fit, comfort, battery life, and the features you will benefit from most in everyday life.
With the right combination, ANC can help you create a more focused listening experience—exactly when you need it.