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When it comes to noise canceling, not all ANC is created equal. Whether you're zoning out on a plane or dodging construction on your daily walk, understanding the difference between Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Adaptive ANC will help you pick the perfect headphones for your lifestyle.
WHAT IS ADAPTIVE ANC?
The headlines are all talking about Skullcandy’s re-release of the classic Aviator: Aviator 900 ANC headphones featuring Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC).
ANC and what does it mean for me when I listen to music?”
Adaptive ANC is a system working continuously to automatically adjust to your surroundings. This system uses microphones to detect external noise and mute it for the user. Most headphones come with up to four mics and varying degrees of active noise cancellation, but the new Aviator 900 ANC wireless headphones boast six premium mics to increase the sound inputs that the adaptive ANC system can use. The result? The Aviator 900 ANC headphones adjust live-time to your surroundings, delivering uninterrupted and immersive sound wherever you are – it’s a personalized experience that cuts the engine hum mid-flight, softens street noise, and silences your surroundings at home.
HOW DOES NOISE CANCELLATION WORK?
“ANC is not deleting noise—it’s more like hitting mute on the chaos.” – Mad Thompson, Skullcandy Product Development Electrical Engineer
At it's core, Active Noise Cancelling uses built-in microphones to detect environmental noise, then generates sound waves that cancel out that background known as signal processing. In simple terms: ANC works continuously to suppress background distractions for an immersive listening experience at one set level, the best level for the headphones.
Then theres Adjustable Active Noise Cancelling. Adjustable ANC allows you to change the amount of background noise you hear by manually adjusting noise cancellation levels. In short, you control how much of that lawn mower you want to hear while you study.
Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling adds yet another level of intelligence. With high-end microphones and sophisticated processing, ANC continuously modifies cancellation based on what’s happening around you. No buttons, no settings, it reacts on the fly, so you don’t have to. If you turn on your favorite playlist before leaving your apartment – where it’s nice and quiet – and then head outside, walking through a construction zone on your way to the skatepark, ANC will leverage those mics and advanced algorithms to adjust the ANC’s intensity and mute new, louder sounds. In quieter settings, it lowers ANC intensity, still reducing noise but avoiding discomfort from excess pressure.
ANC VS. ADJUSTABLE ANC VS. ADAPTIVE ANC
We asked Skullcandy’s team of Electrical Engineers to break it down for us:
- ANC allows you to reduce unwanted background noise (at a pre-set noise cancellation level). There’s no need to adjust anything, it suppresses background distractions without the need to make any adjustments.
- Adjustable ANC is standard ANC with a dimmer switch—you pick the level.
- Adaptive ANC adjusts noise cancellation levels on the fly to match your environment. It is hands-off, kind of like ANC with the auto-brightness feature on your phone
Reminder: Don’t expect any ANC to make sound disappear—it minimizes it, not erases it (though it feels like magic sometimes).
WHAT TYPE OF ANC IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Now that you know the difference, how do you decide which ANC is best for your lifestyle? Here are the situations when different types of ANC shine:
- Active Noise Cancellation is perfect if you want effortless, always-on noise reduction. No settings to tweak, no learning curve.
- Adjustable ANC is ideal if you like dialing things in yourself. You control how much noise is blocked, making it great for customizing your soundscape.
- Adaptive ANC is the smartest option. It auto-adjusts moment to moment using advanced tech to match your surroundings. It is perfect for dynamic environments and on-the-go lifestyles and for comfort without an ear-pressure feeling.
WHAT DOES SKULLCANDY OFFER IN ANC?
Okay I've decided what type of ANC I want, tell me my options, please.
Skullcandy’s newest premium headphone, Aviator 900 ANC is outfitted with Adaptive ANC. It’s a re-introduction of the classic, statement-making Aviator, leveled-up. If you want the best, Aviator 900 ANC with Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation is worth it!
Skullcandy offers multiple products with Adjustable ANC, including over-ear headphones and earbuds: Crusher ANC 2, Method 360 ANC, Sesh ANC Active, and Push ANC Active
