I’ve always considered myself a low-level audiophile — if you know any of my other Blogcritics' writing, you know I spill the majority of my proverbial ink here on music reviews — but I have to admit, I never understood the need for high-end headphones. I know a bad set of speakers when I hear them, but I always assumed that the earphones that came packaged with my iPod were fine. After all, I figured having all my music in one place was the ultimate listening experience. All those perceptions changed when I volunteered to review JVC’s HANC80 noise canceling headphones.

Over the course of two days last week, I used the headphones in place of my regular earphones on two significant trips - on a regional rail line into the city of Philadelphia from my suburban home and from Trenton to New York City on an overcrowded New Jersey Transit line. Each time, the noise-canceling feature alone (the headphones come with two settings: wide and low-frequency canceling, the latter is powerful enough for most uses) was a welcome relief from the ambient noise one normally has to deal with.

But simply cutting out the noise isn’t the biggest benefit in having these headphones. The sound rendition is extraordinary. Stronger bass and clearer overall quality combine to present you with your music like you’ve never heard it before. You can listen to a full orchestra or an acoustic set from a small band and you get the feeling that you are in the room. More to the point, the cushioned ear cups are so comfortable that you forget you’re wearing headphones.

The only complaint I’d offer about JVC’s design is that the headphones are pretty bulky, and you look just a bit ridiculous when you’re wearing them. Despite their size, though, they fold nicely into their carrying pouch.

Too many people think that the solution to locking out the sound of the world when trying to listen to music is cranking the volume up to 11, but all that does is damage the listener’s hearing and subject the world to their taste in music. With noise canceling headphones -– and the HANC80’s are a perfect set, doing everything you’d want and at an average price of about $40 -– you’ll be able to hear everything you’ve been missing while cutting out everything else.