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.

These are the first jumbo sized headphones that I have ever bought. Previously I have had to replace the in-ear headphones every 4 months. This is because I tend to listen to my music at a fairly high level, and after a short time, they begin to produce a hissing sound when the base is high.

Superb sound quality

My get you a few looks on the train

It breaks our heart to think of all the engineering Sennheiser did on the talk-through button on the over-the-head PXC-450s, because it works pretty well. You're just never going to use it.

The PXC 450 is the latest from Sennheiser's travel line of headphones. "Portable" and "circumaural" generally don't see eye to eye due to bulk and issues with anchoring them to your head.

Sennheiser PXC 450 These headphones were reviewed in a roundup of noise-canceling headphones. --Dan Frakes View full product specs » $450 Sennheiser PXC 450 » Subscribe to the Best of Macworld Newsletter - Macworld is your best source for all things Apple.

Potentially crushing the BOSE QuietComfort headphones like a bug, the Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard headphones are available for ?￡299 (or just over ?￡200 if you shop around) and boast 20 hours use on one AAA battery plus the ability to function as normal headphones when that 20 hours expires.

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

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.