If you travel a lot or work in a noisy environment, then these will save your hearing. Without ANC, I would have to crank the volume up at least 50% more just to hear the music. And even then so much background noise would bleed in, it would be pointless to try and use "audiophile" headphones. Yes, I prefer the sounds of other headphones, but in a noisy environment, you can't beat the XM5's.
If you travel a lot or work in a noisy environment, then these will save your hearing. Without ANC, I would have to crank the volume up at least 50% more just to hear the music. And even then so much background noise would bleed in, it would be pointless to try and use "audiophile" headphones. Yes, I prefer the sounds of other headphones, but in a noisy environment, you can't beat the XM5's.