Background noise is arguably the biggest single problem affecting music on the move. One can simply try to block it, of course, but active electronic noise cancelling looks the most attractive option.

let's get something out of the way immediately. the new sennheiser pxc 450 noisegard headphones are excellent, but they are too expensive- way too expensive. that's why they narrowly missed our editors' choice award. even so, bose's quietcomfort headphone series has finally met a worthy competitor.

Excellent noise cancellation; Comfortable fit; Deep low end; Great audio performance; Passive mode for music listening only

Very expensive; Quite large; Volume controls hard to use when in place

I use it for 2 years, and I'm not tired. Even if it does not offer perhaps the best "noise cancellation" of the market, it outperforms the competition in several ways. In particular, a remarkable musicality (this is a real headphone "audiophile" Sennheiser): no special coloring of the sound, not...

It might have been a brief look, but from what we heard, we are very impressed with the new headphones from Sennheiser. The only grumble we have in the lack of ability to detach the headphone cable, something that we've found really useful with the Bose when flying long haul, but at least the...

Runs on a single AA battery; noise cancelling very good; talk button

Sennheiser's PXC 450 noise-cancelling headphones claim to offer outstanding sound quality and optimum protection against ambient noise. At AU$799, they're aimed at a high-end consumer who's after terrific sound accuracy primarily when on the move, such as a business traveller - and those who are...

Sound quality; Noise-cancellation; Fold-flat design; Hard case included; TalkThrough feature

Price; Dance fans may want more bass; Noise-cancelling bypass switch instead of automatic cut-out

The Sennheiser PXC 450 is a fantastic set of headphones with the best noise cancelling we've heard, superb audio quality and outstanding build - but it comes at a price.

Price; Dance fans may want more bass; Noise-cancelling bypass switch instead of automatic cut-out

Sound quality; Noise-cancellation; Fold-flat design; Hard case included; TalkThrough feature

Meet the Sennheiser PXC 450s, a set of mid-range active noise-cancelling over-ears that are not only super-comfortable, but block out a decent amount of outside noise. While they may not appeal to the most discerning audiophiles, they will absolutely give inter-continental travelers good sound and...

With $799 you can buy a lot of things. It can get you 2663 soft serve MacDonald's ice cream cones for example, or 53 movie tickets. It also happens to be the price tag for Sennheiser's latest and greatest pair of noise-cancelling headphones, the PXC450.

Great clarity; crisp sound; nice mid and treble ranges; great noise cancelling

Bass is a little weak; expensive

These teutonic ear-coccoons will provide you with the long-haul comfort you so crave from a set of headphones. But can Sennheiser supply the audio excellence to complement the aural massage that the PXC 450s give you?

These noise-cancellers from German can-meisters Sennheiser quell background sound, from jumbo jets to buses, more effectively the any other headphones; The design is endlessly comfortable, even if it does make you look dorkish in the extreme, and it runs on a single AAA, so you don't need to worry...

Reviewing audio gear is a very subjective thing, but there is perhaps something a bit I too I pristine about the PXC 450′s sound; It's a little like being serenaded by the Pod people from Invasion of the Bodysnatchers – uncannily accurate but lacking in warmth.

I was thinking of beginning this review with a plug for Sennheiser, a company that has quietly been producing top quality headphones for many years, but rarely seems to grab the limelight. But every review I've ever seen seems to do that, so I won't. Oh, I did already? Never mind.