Sennheiser is expanding its line of noise-cancelling travel headphones with the CXC 700 ear-canal phone. The CXC 700, which was previewed at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, features Sennheiser's NoiseGard /digital system, which allows travelers to choose from three noise-cancelling modes to reduce low, medium, and high frequency noise.

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Mode 1 is designed for low-frequency noise in particular (100 to 400 Hertz), such as engine noise from trains, buses or small passenger planes. Mode 2 focuses on cancelling noise in the medium frequency range (400 to 3,000 Hertz), which is caused mostly by air-conditioning systems in large passenger aircraft or office buildings. Mode 3 has a wide frequency range (100 to 3,000 Hertz), and combines the noise-cancelling effect in the medium and low-frequency ranges. As a result, background noise with different noise components--such as that experienced in airports, railway stations or underground stations--can be dealt with, although with lower noise-cancelling performance than the first two modes.

To ensure that you can enjoy sound while traveling - even when the NoiseGard function is deactivated - Sennheiser claims a balanced, detailed sound image with a frequency response of 20 to 21,000 Hertz. Whether noise cancelling is switched on or off, the CXC 700 promises the same sound quality at all times. And when the battery life is diminished, the CXC 700 continues to operate as a traditional headphone for continuous listening.

The CXC 700 is operated using a control unit integrated into the cable. The control unit is used not only to select the three NoiseGard profiles and to regulate the volume but also to activate the Sennheiser TalkThrough function. This reportedly allows users to conduct a conversation with the person sitting next to them or with the cabin staff without the need to remove their earphones. Activation of the NoiseGard profiles and TalkThrough function are indicated by both an acoustic and a visual signal.

The CXC 700 includes a set of ear adapters in three different sizes to guarantee a perfect fit and excellent noise suppression. An in-flight adapter and a 6.35 mm jack plug adapter are also included for connection to both portable players and in-flight entertainment systems. The 4.5-foot-long (1.4 meter) cable offers sufficient freedom of movement.

The CXC 700 is now available at select consumer electronics retailers with an MSRP of $319.95.

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• Read more headphone news from Home Theater Review.
• Explore reviews for headphones in our Headphone Review section.