How Noise-Canceling Headphones Create Silence in Microseconds

How Noise-Canceling Headphones Create Silence in Microseconds | WSJ Tech Behind

Рет қаралды 480,164

Жыл бұрын

Noise canceling is a hallmark feature of top headphones across brands, from Apple AirPods Pro and Beats earbuds to Sony and Bose headphones. Behind these popular noise canceling headphones, though, is cutting-edge hardware running sophisticated algorithms. What kind of audio processing is necessary to eliminate background noise when listening to music or watching a movie?
WSJ dives into how noise canceling works, how the technology has changed and where things are headed.
0:00 A sound wave and its inverse
0:32 Destructive interference
1:30 Noise-canceling headphones’ origins
3:17 What background noise to remove
4:46 Transparency modes or aware modes
Tech Behind
'The Tech Behind' explores the amazing engineering, computing, science and algorithms that power our favorite tech.
#NoiseCanceling #Headphones #WSJ

Пікірлер: 286

@TonyVainosky Жыл бұрын

This is exactly why i loved shows like How Its Made - getting to see how the things we use and take for granted every single day actually work is just fascinating to me

@vahidh93 10 ай бұрын

It was my fav show as a kid as well.

@Djanthonymosley Жыл бұрын

It’s amazing how inexpensive these headphones are considering all that goes into it

@eduwino151 Жыл бұрын

economics of scale and cheap mass production technology

@santamariamarvy Жыл бұрын

Slave labor😅

@user-sj1om6mx8b Жыл бұрын

she is beautiful

@lewiskelly14 Жыл бұрын

Hahahaha they're not inexpensive

@rafaelrangel161 Жыл бұрын

Depends on where you are, here in Brazil I paid 2k (415 dollars) for my Airpods Pro first gen, back in 2020. Curiosity: In Brazil the Iphone 14 1tb costs 3219 dollars (june 2023).

@Sjalabais 11 ай бұрын

The Bose guy's frankness and clarity are exceptional, as well as the lady who worked at Dolby who speaks with such clear insight and an almost poetic structure in her arguments. These videos live and breath through a good choice of interview subjects and you nailed it here.

@i-kun_yeetpain Жыл бұрын

Human Intelligence truly knows no bounds. It's amazing, almost surreal that a simple desire, an annoyance, or a simple business thought can spur forth such intriguing technology.

@user-sj1om6mx8b Жыл бұрын

Humans are amazing

@romella_karmey Жыл бұрын

Anything is possible if humans are driven by the urge to earn tons of money

@nicolaswilliams8304 Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate y’all creating these “The Tech Behind” videos. Keep it up :)

@kandredfpv Жыл бұрын

Wow, I was really impressed by how well Poppy Crum articulated the importance of noise and the various stages of the cancellation technology.

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

Now I want a poppy seed crum cake

@ananthakrishnank3208 11 ай бұрын

Selectively cancelling out a particular type of noise is just another level. 👏👏

@pepsiman9688 Жыл бұрын

I’ve always wanted to know how this technology works and wow, I’m amazed!! Tysm for making this video!

@117gamerfreak Жыл бұрын

Such a fascinating video. I can’t wait until the successor to the Bose 700 comes out (hopefully sometime this year - surprised there have been no leaks at all)

@theinteloutside Жыл бұрын

after using my bose qc35 for the last 5 years,now i understand how this noise cancelling really works❤❤❤❤

@j.a.velarde5901 Жыл бұрын

WONDERFUL! - Thank you for your wonderful documentaries, and for sharing them online here on KZfaq. You have our support!

@CherylsCreativeWorld33 Жыл бұрын

This was really interesting, As someone who wears hearing aids. I find the idea of noise cancellation absolutely amazing, I’m in awe of the technology that we have these days!

@greatedges 11 ай бұрын

I so wish hearing aid manufacturers paid more attention to the extreme need for ambient noise reduction! Not that the top brands don't try...but this feature could be so much better and could make life more enjoyable for many people.

@CherylsCreativeWorld33 11 ай бұрын

@@greatedges I absolutely agree with you! It would make a world of difference!

@darealphantom Жыл бұрын

I appreciate these videos so much because I’m so curious how things like this are created science is amazing

@mjrsoccer85 11 ай бұрын

What a great video! Veo Very informative and insightful, thank you.

@gouravmisra2317 Жыл бұрын

Respected sir thank you very much for yours support and blessings

@maskinbeauty3734 Жыл бұрын

This Tech is amazing. Pure Magic.

@matthewong7060 Жыл бұрын

Looking forward to that selective noise cancelling technology as well as the code that was used to achieve it 😊

@muhammadshamsularfeen9330 11 ай бұрын

The posture on this guy 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

@aaronaustrie Жыл бұрын

Impressive tech!!

@registromalplena2514 Ай бұрын

Thought this is really well done and gave a really good explanation of how the technology works in a level that most people can understand what I do take issue with in this video though is that noise canceling technology of this type actually goes back to the 1960s with analog processing as opposed to more recently with both using digital signal processors.

@ZensGamma Жыл бұрын

Interesting information…nice content

@jesselam5867 Жыл бұрын

So THATs that the AirPods pro starting noise is for, and AirPods transparency mode is unbelievable, I still have no idea how two drivers in my ear can recreate direction in a real world. I can pinpoint where I hear sounds from and it pretty much sounds like I don’t have anything on at all.

@privacyhelp 11 ай бұрын

LOL because basically they just do nothing but just let everything in

@hummersd 11 ай бұрын

Love the behind the scenes look at the technology. The only error made was that you're saying "AirPods Pro" but showing the AirPods 3rd generation. Woh-wah.

@Samantha-vlly Жыл бұрын

I’ll wait for that selective noise cancelling wireless earphones. Surely helpful

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

I'm waiting for one that cancels out the sound of Tonald Dumps voice.

@_aidid 10 ай бұрын

This technology fascinates me after I have learnt about it in my highschool physics class. Beforehand, I used to wonder how do the pilots listen in such noisy environments

@rickintexas1584 11 ай бұрын

I have owned several pairs of Bose noise canceling headphones for years. I never fly without them. They are amazing.

@user-bn5bx6vd8l 11 ай бұрын

Does it completely block the engine noise during flight?

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

@@user-bn5bx6vd8l Almost. If you sit next to the engine at takeoff, it can overwhelm them and you will hear like static/popping.

@r3ttgaming177 Жыл бұрын

As a person who makes music I've come the the conclusion that music, noise and sound is magic. I also believe removing these waves is magic.... In summary, sound is magic so appreciate it. Side note, use some type of ear protection. You can only lose the hearing you have, so protect it!

@No_king1143 Жыл бұрын

not magic, science.

@TaoDeChing-ls5gz 11 ай бұрын

A lot of kids screaming at my hotel right now, that’s the opposite of magic Sir.

@FosFate 10 ай бұрын

"As a person who makes music-" 🤓☝️

@tinyfreckle 10 ай бұрын

Thought this comment was gonna go a different direction like "this is magic, in summary these people are witches, ready the pyre." 😂

@r3ttgaming177 10 ай бұрын

@@tinyfreckle This also happens to be true, and a fact!

@mattjereza6541 Жыл бұрын

Best Bose ad i’ve ever seen 😂

@donnagathers6979 Жыл бұрын

Very educational,

@FlorenzzaCantarechannelID123 10 ай бұрын

Terima kasih telah berbagi informasi penting untuk kami 🙏

@GyanPrakash Жыл бұрын

Love my BOSE HEADPHONES 😊

@subratkumarsahoo 11 ай бұрын

Mind-blowing😮

@Babyfaraz Жыл бұрын

I still remember the very first time i experienced ANC on my Airpods Pro. OMG, It was jaw dropping.. I was screaming like WUAATTTTT..

@romella_karmey Жыл бұрын

I have the Pro 2 and I rarely used ANC because it feels too clogged in my ears. Like the silence is caving in, it’s suffocating… It’s suitable perhaps on noisy environment but if you work from home and all quiet, I’m more inclined to use the Transparency mode 😅

@catatonicbug7522 11 ай бұрын

I use my Galaxy Buds+ to mow the lawn. I can listen to music, and it deadens the noise of my mower and other equipment. Would be nice if it could completely block the sound, but the fact that sound travels through my body too means that active cancellation would have to account for the stuff that gets to my eardrums via my soft tissues and bones as well as my ear canal. That seems like it would need to be calibrated to each person, in each unique situation.

@DACatface 11 ай бұрын

oh wow i didn't know the welcome come was a setup. i always turn my headphones on before putting them on!

@QuietStormX Жыл бұрын

I use Jabra wireless EarBuds and Sony Wireless HeadPhones. EarBuds all the time when out to hear notifications and health anouncements as I walk miles... Also on Subway rides and Bus too with one's really loud like at home..

@joshs3916 Жыл бұрын

Great video

@ronishshrestha7111 Жыл бұрын

I've worn boss headphones, I remember having good experience and good comfortably and good sound with good base

@GoodKingMort 10 ай бұрын

So could they potentially make a noise cancelling speaker? Have two speakers that also play the inverse of the sounds sounds around you 🤔

@HasanAli-kd2vx 3 ай бұрын

Someone please give an advise to choose a headphone for online meetings for background voice cancelling. Which one do you recommend?

@thatdudeoverthere7286 Жыл бұрын

absolutely briliant I have to say

@MoritzFischer Жыл бұрын

I am happy to see that even high tech companies have not figured out a solution to make markers work on whiteboards....😂😂😂

@peterrenzland1514 Жыл бұрын

Because of construction noise I've been using Apple's Max since they came out. After a few hours my inner ears hurt. I imagine it's because ANC cancels sound but produces (increased) pressure. Is that so, or am I also imagining the pain? :-)

@kurumitokisaki4844 11 ай бұрын

1:24

@takeuchi5760 6 ай бұрын

@@kurumitokisaki4844 That's the ideal case. In reality, I don't think ANC does perfect destructive interference, like the lady from Dolby mentioned - if the sound is not constant, the ANC can't do too much to those frequencies.

@divyamparmar96 Жыл бұрын

Give the bro some good whiteboard markers

@dop_96 Жыл бұрын

What I can not understand yet about active noise cancellation if also protect the people from louder environments. An example: if I work work near an industrial machine that requires earbuds for preserving my hearing, will the use of noise cancellation only reduce the noise I perceive or also effectively preserving hearloss? I never found articles about this.

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

They have ANSI approved noise cancellation headphones for gun shooting. Those should be ok. They have to be approved for OSHA work environments.

@privacyhelp 11 ай бұрын

they are not, because these small drivers did not have enough power to counter those heavy noise. passive noise cancellation is better for that

@JawadmansooriJawadumer 10 ай бұрын

Amazing

@dfsanche 10 ай бұрын

Is there a way they could use this for people suffering from tinnitus?

@mart1n287 11 ай бұрын

adaptive audio already exists on anker soundcore liberty NC4 which cost a fraction of the ipod pros

@Saurabh.Nikhade Жыл бұрын

jabardast

@0xDevelopers Жыл бұрын

Watching this on my XM5, its mind blowing how far algorithms have come through. I can literally meditate while having my headphones on

@auro1986 Жыл бұрын

so these are for military use ?

@sanders2378 11 ай бұрын

I have spent a fortune on different models but none can bring me silence from noisy neighbours 😢

@anniestumpy9918 11 ай бұрын

Same here, the overall performance is always disappointing.

@lucastarg 10 ай бұрын

no active noise cancellation is able to cancel out every single outside noise. for that, you need actual earplugs or IEMs (in ear monitors) with really good sealing and correct tips for your ears (fit and sealing are very personal. an IEM that fits and seals perfectly for me might not do the same for you). If you're really serious about this, you might wanna look into custom IEMs: they make a mold of your ears and create an IEM perfect for you (but they can get really expensive).

@sanders2378 10 ай бұрын

@@lucastarg thank you, I hadn't heard of IEMs.

@abhipatil4844 11 ай бұрын

Awesome

@aaronaustrie Жыл бұрын

Cool!

@Igor_Itkin Жыл бұрын

I have a specific question. He said that the brain interpretes the sound as 0 but is the sound still there and the ear drum is still vibrating even though the sound is canceled?

@lexogk1393 Жыл бұрын

That’s actually genius

@zhonzhonzhon Жыл бұрын

Can active noise canceling be used in outdoor speakers to counter traffic noise?

@sei408 Жыл бұрын

that’s actually pretty genius

@zhonzhonzhon 10 ай бұрын

@@sei408 i hope some people make it so I can sleep at night and concentrate while working.

@geraldarcuri9307 Жыл бұрын

I need a set of ear buds that eliminates leaf blowers sounds, which, in Southern California are ubiquitous and continuous. Annoying.

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

They do struggle with those

@sangeshpv7335 Жыл бұрын

John Rule make an option to turn off NC in qc45 or atleast give an option to keep Nc to low

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

Isn't there a button like on the QC25?

@sangeshpv7335 11 ай бұрын

@@justayoutuber1906 there is a button only to put it on nc or transparency mode

@meallion263 5 ай бұрын

It's a great technology but at the same time you really need to be aware of your environment. I have a crazy beat studio buds it's crazy at canceling noises but i still got an airpod pro because i need to be aware of my environment It's crazy dangerous these days and you need to be sharp and at alert.

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

I use my Bose over the ear headphones every day. They are awesome on planes.

@aylyi-huh9355 Жыл бұрын

such amazing technology. baby on plane: hold my milk

@auro1986 Жыл бұрын

how? reflecting sound

@noahway13 Жыл бұрын

Can it control OUT going sounds, like a jet would reduce it's noise for people on the ground?

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

There are little wavy things that are on the back of shrouds of Airbus 320 engines that create the same type of interference waves that make the jet noise quieter for those below.

@unknownduke 11 ай бұрын

I need to see this cancellation in actual water waves before I fully accept the concept

@hihi-by1me 11 ай бұрын

for those of you looking to buy an anc headset after watching this video, its best to do your own research and buying what feels best for you. if youre looking for earbuds with only the best anc and nothing else, the best you can get with todays money is the Bose QCII, and the best budget friendly ones are the Soundcore A40s. They are not only objectively the best, but also scientifically, in terms of decibels of sound reduced. However, theres definitely more you should look for in headsets, specifically audio quality, comfort and fit, mic quality, battery life, etc. Those saying the Sony is superior in anc technology are simply wrong. Bose has far more experience and expertise in it. But Sony does make better all rounded earphones :)

@papagen00 11 ай бұрын

they are good i use them but foam earplugs are still best.

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

I've done both. On an airplane the NC ones are nice. plus you can listen to a movie

@sdinesh4252 3 ай бұрын

When emergency sounds like vehicle coming to hit a person who putting voice control device as you said?

@AzVfL Жыл бұрын

Do ANC headphones also actually protect ears from loud noises?

@CannabisTechLife Жыл бұрын

So... You didn't watch the video?

@jomogo4644 Жыл бұрын

@CannabisCultureTechLife I think he is talking about decibels and my guess would be no apart for the device blocking some off the sound the ANC will not help you with sound that is to loud.

@JoySingh Жыл бұрын

Yes, it does protect ears from loud noises, but the high-end ones from Bose and Sony are great options for that

@privacyhelp 11 ай бұрын

no, because the driver is too small to counter heavy loud noise

@carbo73 9 ай бұрын

It will work for me when it blocks reaggeton played by as$#oles at top volume.

@lacuevadelvampiro 10 ай бұрын

i heard along time ago on AM coast to coast thats how jets are able to be silent…

@dryais Жыл бұрын

There are powerful and tiny DSP in 1986?

@Nick-pc9tf Жыл бұрын

How did Apple do it? It's processing it super fast and what determines what gets through? A dataset of sounds to passthrough? AI gate?

@JoySingh Жыл бұрын

watch the video

@Nick-pc9tf Жыл бұрын

@@JoySingh I did. There's more going on that what Bose has presented. I want to learn not assume.

@KaiayaRules Жыл бұрын

Honestly, it feels almost like apple is just embracing the fact that they can't cancel out sudden noises lol

@tonylancer7367 Жыл бұрын

Probably the same way as Bose, a mix of a dataset and super optimised algorithm, so the earphones can adjust accordingly. The algorithm probably checks for stuff that fall in the category of "loud noise - drill; cars on highway - people in dense city" etc, and adjusts when there is a sharp change (someone calling your name up close, you speaking/singing).

@justayoutuber1906 11 ай бұрын

licensed Bose technology at first...then copied it i presume

@jackelliot547 Жыл бұрын

. . . . .Why do my BOSE headphones do not last long and are broken quickly ?

@somekindofmonster3613 10 ай бұрын

I'm no expert and pardon my ignorance but do they have to predict sounds to cancel them. The headphones technically knows what is playing, cant they just try to eliminate every other frequency that is not inside whats playing? Doesn't this solve the prediction problem? I would love to hear from someone who knows this stuff

@kshitijoberoi1928 11 ай бұрын

It still seems odd to me why ANC technology has been forced via earbuds rather than neckbands and earphones where there is plenty of room to experiment and achieve more.

@jsbrads1 11 ай бұрын

My noise canceling head phones make wind noisier! Have to shut that program off when windy.

@nitsuanew Жыл бұрын

The man needs new dry erase makers

@Re_RAM Жыл бұрын

So what your'e telling me is all anyone had to do to defeat Black Bolt in Marvel's Inhumans was to wear noise cancelling headphones?

@sircolt8184 11 ай бұрын

Man I wonder how these work with merzbow albums.

@nikkivieler3761 Жыл бұрын

I have a very big issue with the "I don't wanna hear those things" consumer demands, it shows an atiitutde which is very unscientific...

@mikeyoung9810 Жыл бұрын

Can you generate an inverted gravity wave and cancel gravity?

@posthocprior Жыл бұрын

Gravity travels at the speed of light. So, it’s instantaneous. That is, sound travels at a measurable rate from the headphone speaker to the ear canal. Any inverse function requires a calculation. Because gravity travels at the speed of light, this likely wouldn’t be possible.

@posthocprior Жыл бұрын

Gravity is a wave. This can be proven in many ways: in the atmosphere or through a moving object. The point: gravity produces ripples that have amplitudes and this is used to calculate its speed.

@jtgd Жыл бұрын

Only if you can manipulate gravity without need of adding mass. Then you have to find the elementary force unit and be able to influence it

@jtgd Жыл бұрын

@@posthocprior plus, gravity waves can and have been observed in an astronomical scale

@jtgd Жыл бұрын

4:53 does it? Has been “noise canceling” For 2 months

@MrSteadiman 11 ай бұрын

Good AirPods ad 👌

@MDjahidHasan-dv3sl Жыл бұрын

❤❤❤❤❤

@sakilafridi9657 7 ай бұрын

❤

@metaforically Жыл бұрын

4:13 I'm sorry how does this visual connect to the video?

@JEEDUHCHRI Жыл бұрын

You’ve never been close to a humming neon sign? It’s like a droning sound, it’s even in the video.

@qingyuanyang3817 Жыл бұрын

is that a matlab?

@abdullahsiddiqui89 Жыл бұрын

I have never wore Active Noise Cancellation earbuds or headphones. Is it really worth it? You really never hear background noise like in a road or in a noisy market?

@dogukanbalta6021 Жыл бұрын

yes, it is crazy. I remember the first time i used one. It was an airpods pro of my friend, which has one of the best anc in the market. I legitimately felt like isolated from my surroundings. It was like your eyes telling you you are in a crowded place yet your ears tell you youre in your room in the middle of the night.

@samo6083 Жыл бұрын

@dogukanbalta6021 it doesn't completely shut off sound but when you have music playing to like 50% yes you can't hear anything

@kostasmira2933 Жыл бұрын

Me one day ago searching on KZfaq: What is the future of noise cancelling? Today youtube: How noise cancelling headphones create silence in seconds.

@AdrianVersusTheWorld Жыл бұрын

4:54 not AirPod pro. Those are AirPods (Gen 3)

@symphantic4552 11 ай бұрын

That dummy head has the appropriate expression for listening to trippy music while high. Nice

@christinakennon Жыл бұрын

v interesting

@willu842 Жыл бұрын

Woah

@7_years_and_ Жыл бұрын

There are hundreds of chinese companies selling same . atleast that is what they claim . noise cancelling . are they any good as bose or sony ?

@Scrappy-Youtube Жыл бұрын

no. ive tried many different cheaper anc products. The beats studio buds are already kind of expensive but the ANC is mediocre on them. They cancel a little bit of noise and its more for achieving some level of comfort in loud environments. Both and Bose and Sony earbuds (Quietcomfort II and WF-1000XM4) are wayyyy better and silence cars passing by two and i can hardly hear them

@7_years_and_ Жыл бұрын

@@Scrappy-KZfaq thank you for the information.