5 tips for GDC Tip4: Headphones

23rd Feb 2017

The Airbus A380 is a magnificent beast and its noisy environment can be improved considerably with some decent noise-cancelling headphones. That goes for whether you are watching a movie on the in-flight entertainment system, listening to music, rehearsing your pitch, or even just trying to get some sleep.

For years I had over-the ear headphones, but a couple of years ago I invested in some Bose Quiet Comfort QC 20 in-ear noise cancelling phones. If you’re going to buy noise cancelling devices, you’re going to want comfort, excellent sound quality, good sound cancellation, and great battery life.

The QC20’s suit me well. They came with three different size fittings, and they stay in place without any issues.

I’m not sure about any health and safety issues – I don’t tend to read manuals when I buy gadgets – but I often leave them in and switched on but with no audio source when I’m trying to sleep on flights. To me it’s a great way of using the technology to arrive feeling a little bit more refreshed than being woken up every time someone accidentally presses the hostess call button as they try to get comfortable in their seat.

Making sure the batteries can last at least twelve hours is a good indicator of how useful they will be for a transatlantic trip, but with many makes and models you will be able to charge via USB while they are in use.

So sit back, relax, tune everything out, and have a great trip to GDC!