ANC Vs ENC Comparing Noise Cancellation Technologies

In today's increasingly noisy modern society, we are constantly surrounded by a cacophony of sounds—howling winds, severe weather, airplane engines, traffic congestion, and bustling crowds. As society progresses, noise pollution continues to escalate. To enhance audio experiences in such environments, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) technologies have emerged. These innovations effectively eliminate or reduce unwanted ambient noise, allowing users to immerse themselves in pure music or crystal-clear conversations.

Modern noise-canceling headphones and earbuds primarily employ two technologies: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC). While both aim to reduce noise, their working principles and applications differ significantly.

ANC is the most commonly considered noise-canceling technology when consumers purchase audio products. It uses built-in microphones to capture ambient noise, then generates sound waves with opposite phases through a noise-canceling chip to counteract environmental sounds. ANC effectively reduces or eliminates ambient noise heard by the wearer, delivering a purer audio experience. This technology is particularly beneficial for music, podcasts, or audiobooks, creating an immersive listening environment by blocking external disturbances.

ENC focuses on improving call quality. Using microphone arrays to collect ambient noise, it employs algorithms to eliminate environmental sounds during calls, ensuring the other party hears the user's voice clearly. Even in noisy environments, ENC can filter out background noise while preserving speech. For instance, Belkin's Clear Call Quality technology exemplifies ENC, significantly reducing ambient noise during calls or video conferences.

ANC operates on the principle of sound wave interference. Built-in microphones capture surrounding noise, which is then analyzed by noise-canceling circuits to generate "anti-noise" waves with inverted phases. When these anti-noise waves meet the original noise waves, they cancel each other out.

ANC comes in three variants based on microphone placement and operation:

• Feedforward ANC: Microphones are placed externally to capture environmental noise more accurately, though this design is more susceptible to wind noise.
• Feedback ANC: Internal microphones near speakers monitor noise inside ear cups, offering precise control but potentially weaker noise reduction.
• Hybrid ANC: Combines both feedforward and feedback approaches for superior performance, commonly found in premium headphones.

ENC enhances call quality by focusing on eliminating ambient noise picked up by microphones. Unlike ANC, it doesn't reduce noise heard by the wearer but ensures call clarity for the recipient.

ENC typically uses microphone arrays and digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms, including:

• Beamforming: Spatial filtering that amplifies voice signals while suppressing noise from other directions.
• Noise Suppression: Algorithms like spectral subtraction or deep learning to remove noise components.
• Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC): Eliminates echo caused by speaker output being captured by microphones.

ANC is ideal for:

• Frequent travelers (planes, trains, buses)
• Students in noisy environments
• Professionals needing quiet workspaces
• Individuals sensitive to noise

ENC is ideal for:

• Remote workers on frequent calls
• Professionals in loud workplaces
• Home offices with background noise

When selecting noise-canceling audio products, consider:

• Noise reduction effectiveness: Measured by decibel (dB) reduction.
• Sound quality: Balance between noise cancellation and audio fidelity.
• Comfort: Weight, materials, and ergonomic design.
• Battery life: Especially important for wireless models.
• Additional features: Transparency modes, voice assistants, etc.

ANC and ENC serve distinct purposes—ANC optimizes personal listening experiences, while ENC enhances call clarity. Premium devices often combine both technologies. When choosing, prioritize your primary use case and test products for comfort and performance. As noise-canceling technology advances, consumers can expect even more sophisticated solutions to auditory challenges in our noisy world.