Passive vs. Active Noise Cancelling

Not all noise cancelling is created equal. Some block sound the old-school way. Others use microphones and magic (okay, physics) to hush the world around you. Both work. Both have fans. But which ones for you?

Let’s break it down.

Passive Noise Cancelling is basically headphone-speak for “good old-fashioned silence.” It’s all about the physical design — the shape, the padding, the way the ear cups seal around your head. Think of it like wearing a super comfy pair of earmuffs that just happen to sound amazing. Our ov21 headphones do this beautifully, using plush materials and an acoustic seal that shuts the world out naturally — no batteries required.

Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), on the other hand, fights fire with fire. It uses tiny microphones to pick up ambient sounds (like airplane hum or loud coworkers) and then generates an inverse sound wave to cancel it out. Boom. Peace and quiet. Our ov202w headphones combine ANC with warm, detailed sound so you can tune out the chaos without losing the soul of your music.

So… which should you choose?

If you want a simple, battery-free way to block distractions — and still hear your music the way it was meant to be heard — go passive. If you commute, fly, or live in a world that never shuts up, ANC might be your new best friend.

Either way, we’ve got you. All our headphones are tuned to sound rich, real, and natural — no weird boosts, no gimmicks. Just sound the way the artist intended.

Check out our ov21 headphones that use passive noise isolation

Check out our ov202w headphones that use active noise cancellation

Sign up to our newsletter for perks, product news, playlists and more!