From pilot to passenger: A history of the noise-cancelling headphone

By Caleb Denison October 3, 2014

Looking back, it seems as if noise-cancelling headphones went from a technological novelty to a de rigueur accessory for frequent fliers in the blink of a red eye. But developing these noise-cancelling cans wasn’t nearly so swift. The brainchild of Dr. Amare Bose, noise-cancelling technology took well over a decade to go from concept to product, and even then, it wasn’t for consumers.

At an event held in New York celebrating Bose’s 50th anniversary, we got to witness the evolution of the active noise-cancelling headphone, narrated through accounts told by Bose employees. In our video, we take you through the timeline, from the first-ever noise-cancelers made for pilots flying around the world, right up to Bose’s just-released Q25.

Today, active noise-cancelling is a science employed by many headphone companies, but in our experience, none of them work quite like Bose’s. After all, the company wrote the book on the technology.

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Digital Trends Editor at Large Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched…

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The best wireless headphones for 2024 from Bose, Sony, 1More and more

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Best Bose 700 deals: Save $151 on the wireless headphones today

A man wearing Bose 700 headphones with a moody background.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, or simply the Bose 700, are among our favorite headphone models. They're an extremely popular option for those who are often on the go because of their comfortable fit, amazing sound, and fantastic active noise cancellation. The wireless headphones come with a premium price though -- $379 -- which is expected, considering Bose is one of the most trusted names in the audio industry. Fortunately, you can get them for cheaper than usual through the Bose 700 headphone deals that we've rounded up below.
Today's best Bose 700 headphone deals
It will be tough to find discounts for the Bose 700, but you can enjoy huge savings if you're willing to get them renewed or open-box. You'll receive assurances that these headphones will still work as intended, which is to provide you with an excellent listening experience while you're on the move, or in your home or office.

Amazon: Get the renewed Bose 700 in renewed condition , which is $151 lower than their brand-new price.
Best Buy: Get the Bose 700 in open-box excellent condition , for savings of $95 on their sticker price.
BackMarket: Get the Bose 700 in excellent refurbished condition , which is $89 in savings on their MSRP.