We have written about them before, the gorgeous Blackbox M14 noise cancellation headphones from Kiwi audio technology company Phitek. At the time, we here at Toybox headquarters were pretty excited about their performance after testing them in our air conditioning cupboard.
But now, having tested the cans extensively on painfully long flights from Auckland to Stockholm and back, I am more than excited. Actually, I am now convinced that noise-cancelling headphones will help make the world a happier and safer place, making travellers less prone to wanting to strangle the person sitting next to them for taking up too much room, or the screaming child in front of them for depriving them of a few hours of cramped-up sleep.
With noise cancellation activated, I could enjoy the films and my music more.
Even when I wasn’t listening to anything I kept the headphones on, reluctant to go back to the noisy world around me.
I would go as far as crediting the good stretch of sleep I got during the flight to the headphones — the crying children in the next row didn’t disturb me at all. Thanks to the comfortable, soft fit, the Blackbox headphones don’t pinch my ears, which other headphones usually do when used for longer periods of time, especially when I wear glasses as well.
The AAA battery that came with the headphones lasted the whole trip and is still going.
The Blackbox headphones, which retail for $379, come in a nice travel case that also contains a set of adapters.
All design and engineering is done locally, while manufacturing is done in China, where Phitek has 25 staff.