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

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.

Sennheiser's PXC 450 is part of this brand's high end.  With its closed design and active noise reduction technology, NoiseGard 2.0 (see box), it supposed to offer optimal protection against ambient noise.  In addition, it has a

Audio quality; Very complete package; NoiseGard 2.0 and TalkTrough; Finishing touches and comfort; Folding and transportable

Size and weight; Price

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

I bought these cans to punish Bose for their shoddy construction of my Triports that snapped into pieces repeatedly. I need a pair of headphones to get me through long transatlantic flights. These are my first impressions. The sound quality is good, I don't dispute those reviews.

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 Sennheisers have been our Award-winning cans for two years on the bounce, but they've now been beaten by the Bose QuietComfort 15 s, which sound better and are more adept at noise-cancelling. But the PXC-450s remain a great buy.

Sound far better than most rivals; snug; comfortable fit; effective

Not cheap

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

The circumaural PXC 450s, a higher pricer camera at $500.

Excellent noise cancelling; Roomy ear cups; TalkThrough featureThe circumaural PXC 450s; a higher pricer camera at $500

Expensive

I bought these through minidisc last year to help cancel out jet noise, as I was going to North Asia and Europe.