Tribit QuietPlus 50: Active noise cancellation on the cheap

The overall sound of these super-affordable headphones is good and the ANC is effective, though it noticeably reduces high-frequency reproduction.

- JON L. JACOBI

Tribit's $60 QuietPlus 50 headphones sound good in normal mode, and they do a good job of cancelling noise when active noise cancellation (ANC) is enabled. Unlike with pricier ANC headphones, however, noise cancellation robs a bit of the top-end frequency response in the process. Given that those pricier products cost many times as much, some listeners might consider the small drop-off livable.

DESIGN AND FEATURES

The QuietPlus 50 headphones come in a basic flat black on flat black. I personally find them attractive, but I'm unconcerned with fashion. If that means something to you, study the image carefully.

The ear cups are comfortable, but as with other Tribit headsets I've tried, I find the default fit a bit snug. That does help with the passive noise reduction, but the cups don't swivel, so the fit isn't perfect when you extend them. That said, I've certainly run across less comfortable headsets.