I bought these to replace a smashed pair of PlaneQuiet noise-cancelling headphones, so I had a good idea what to expect. These headphones are comfortable and close firmly around the ears, so even when switched off they do a lot to protect you from unwanted sound. I use them for a very noisy bus journey, and they enable me to listen to radio programmes (speech) at low volumes during my journey, without missing a single word. They make a big difference to my life, and I recommend them.