How Noise-Canceling Headphones Create Silence in Microseconds | WSJ Tech Behind

Noise canceling is a hallmark feature of top headphones across brands, from Apple AirPods Pro and Beats earbuds to Sony and Bose headphones. Behind these popular noise canceling headphones, though, is cutting-edge hardware running sophisticated algorithms. What kind of audio processing is necessary to eliminate background noise when listening to music or watching a movie?

WSJ dives into how noise canceling works, how the technology has changed and where things are headed.

0:00 A sound wave and its inverse
0:32 Destructive interference
1:30 Noise-canceling headphones’ origins
3:17 What background noise to remove
4:46 Transparency modes or aware modes

Tech Behind
'The Tech Behind' explores the amazing engineering, computing, science and algorithms that power our favorite tech.

#NoiseCanceling #Headphones #WSJ

[TonyVainosky]

This is exactly why i loved shows like How Its Made - getting to see how the things we use and take for granted every single day actually work is just fascinating to me

[Sjalabais]

The Bose guy's frankness and clarity are exceptional, as well as the lady who worked at Dolby who speaks with such clear insight and an almost poetic structure in her arguments. These videos live and breath through a good choice of interview subjects and you nailed it here.

[i-kun_yeetpain]

Human Intelligence truly knows no bounds. It's amazing, almost surreal that a simple desire, an annoyance, or a simple business thought can spur forth such intriguing technology.

[Djanthonymosley]

It’s amazing how inexpensive these headphones are considering all that goes into it

[nicolaswilliams]

I really appreciate y’all creating these “The Tech Behind” videos. Keep it up :)

[ProEray]

Even as an engineer who works on these algorithms, this video is useful to see the bigger picture

[kandredfpv]

Wow, I was really impressed by how well Poppy Crum articulated the importance of noise and the various stages of the cancellation technology.

[CherylsCreativeWorld]

This was really interesting, As someone who wears hearing aids. I find the idea of noise cancellation absolutely amazing, I’m in awe of the technology that we have these days!

[theinteloutside]

after using my bose qc35 for the last 5 years, now i understand how this noise cancelling really works❤❤❤❤

[rickintexas]

I have owned several pairs of Bose noise canceling headphones for years. I never fly without them. They are amazing.

[pepsiman]

I’ve always wanted to know how this technology works and wow, I’m amazed!! Tysm for making this video!

[gamerfreak]

Such a fascinating video. I can’t wait until the successor to the Bose 700 comes out (hopefully sometime this year - surprised there have been no leaks at all)

[ananthakrishnank]

Selectively cancelling out a particular type of noise is just another level. 👏👏

[j.a.velarde]

WONDERFUL! - Thank you for your wonderful documentaries, and for sharing them online here on Youtube. You have our support!

[hummersd]

Love the behind the scenes look at the technology. The only error made was that you're saying "AirPods Pro" but showing the AirPods 3rd generation. Woh-wah.

[registromalplena]

Thought this is really well done and gave a really good explanation of how the technology works in a level that most people can understand what I do take issue with in this video though is that noise canceling technology of this type actually goes back to the 1960s with analog processing as opposed to more recently with both using digital signal processors.

[matthewong]

Looking forward to that selective noise cancelling technology as well as the code that was used to achieve it 😊

[rttgaming]

As a person who makes music I've come the the conclusion that music, noise and sound is magic. I also believe removing these waves is magic.... In summary, sound is magic so appreciate it. Side note, use some type of ear protection. You can only lose the hearing you have, so protect it!

[jesselam]

So THATs that the AirPods pro starting noise is for, and AirPods transparency mode is unbelievable, I still have no idea how two drivers in my ear can recreate direction in a real world. I can pinpoint where I hear sounds from and it pretty much sounds like I don’t have anything on at all.

[Samantha-vlly]

I’ll wait for that selective noise cancelling wireless earphones. Surely helpful