Creative Debuts Two ANC Headphones

By Lisa Johnston -- TWICE, 2/13/2012

MILPITAS, CALIF. — Creative Technology unveiled two active noise-canceling headphones earlier this month.

The HN-900 ($99.99) feature 40mm neodymium drivers, in-line omnidirectional mic and the ability to work in passive mode. They operate for up to 40 hours on a AAA battery, according to the company. Frequency response is listed at 20Hz to 20kHz.

The second model, the Aurvana X-Fi 2 ($199), also has 40mm drivers. This model features three technologies meant to improve sound.

First, the X-Fi audio technology is said to improve sound quality and provide a virtual surround-sound effect. Second, the X-Fi Crystalizer technology reportedly uses such algorithms to make any digital audio sound better by intelligently and selectively restoring the highs and lows that were lost during MP3 or other compression. Finally, the X-Fi CMSS-3D virtually transforms stereo headphone playback into the more immersive listening experience of a surround-sound speaker system, Creative said.

Consumers can switch between these three technologies and active noise cancellation on the headphone controls.