The RX-8, road noise, and noise-cancelling headphones
09-16-2018, 12:46 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
The RX-8, road noise, and noise-cancelling headphones
Anyone else do long distance driving while wearing noise-canceling headphones?
On long, droning interstate trips, I'll sometimes wear my Bose QuietComfort 25s and turn 'em on without listening to music, for noise canceling only. The difference is astonishing. Most of the cabin noise in our RX-8s comes from road roar over many different kinds of pavement. But whether concrete or newly paved, the headphones magically make most of the noise disappear. Of course, there's significant engine noise as well; much of that falls away, too. Yet one can still easily hear sirens, horns and any other non-low frequency sounds. You do have to crank up your stereo a bit to hit it well, but at 75mph, the overall effect is still more pleasant than without phones. After a five hour drive, you feel surprisingly fresh and alert. In fact, I think I read somewhere that noise-canceling phones were originally designed to help professional pilots not get fatigued from engine roar and wind noise while flying.
Mind you, I only do this on long interstate trips. Like you, I love hearing the Renesis and all the sounds the car makes on normal, shorter drives.
I realize the use of these phones is illegal while driving. To me, that's ironic, as their use keeps you more refreshed and alert – and you can still easily hear sounds you need to hear in order to drive safely. The laws no doubt exists to stop people from driving while blaring music loudly through their headphones, preventing them from hearing what's going on around them. If I'm ever stopped, I'll quietly explain that I'm not listening to music and just getting noise reduction. I'll probably be ticketed, but heck, it's a chance I'm happy to take.
If you'd like to feel more refreshed on a long drive, try a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
On long, droning interstate trips, I'll sometimes wear my Bose QuietComfort 25s and turn 'em on without listening to music, for noise canceling only. The difference is astonishing. Most of the cabin noise in our RX-8s comes from road roar over many different kinds of pavement. But whether concrete or newly paved, the headphones magically make most of the noise disappear. Of course, there's significant engine noise as well; much of that falls away, too. Yet one can still easily hear sirens, horns and any other non-low frequency sounds. You do have to crank up your stereo a bit to hit it well, but at 75mph, the overall effect is still more pleasant than without phones. After a five hour drive, you feel surprisingly fresh and alert. In fact, I think I read somewhere that noise-canceling phones were originally designed to help professional pilots not get fatigued from engine roar and wind noise while flying.
Mind you, I only do this on long interstate trips. Like you, I love hearing the Renesis and all the sounds the car makes on normal, shorter drives.
I realize the use of these phones is illegal while driving. To me, that's ironic, as their use keeps you more refreshed and alert – and you can still easily hear sounds you need to hear in order to drive safely. The laws no doubt exists to stop people from driving while blaring music loudly through their headphones, preventing them from hearing what's going on around them. If I'm ever stopped, I'll quietly explain that I'm not listening to music and just getting noise reduction. I'll probably be ticketed, but heck, it's a chance I'm happy to take.
If you'd like to feel more refreshed on a long drive, try a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
Last edited by New Yorker; 09-16-2018 at 03:45 PM.
09-16-2018, 01:18 PM
#2
Smoking turbo yay
I stay refreshed a lot longer on a sports car(RX-8, Corvette) than a family car/SUV(Corolla, X3).
I recall doing the same Sea-to-Sky drive last year in a BMW X3 and I had to take a few breaks because I can't keep my eyes open. Same drive this year in my 8, and it was a much better experience.
It's actually a bit weird, but another thing is that cars with I4 engines usually make me feel tired a bit more quickly. My old Accord Coupe V6 wasn't exactly a sports car, but I never felt as tired on a long trip in it.
Either way, if I feel tired, I usually just pull over for a nap somewhere.
I recall doing the same Sea-to-Sky drive last year in a BMW X3 and I had to take a few breaks because I can't keep my eyes open. Same drive this year in my 8, and it was a much better experience.
It's actually a bit weird, but another thing is that cars with I4 engines usually make me feel tired a bit more quickly. My old Accord Coupe V6 wasn't exactly a sports car, but I never felt as tired on a long trip in it.
Either way, if I feel tired, I usually just pull over for a nap somewhere.
Last edited by UnknownJinX; 09-16-2018 at 01:22 PM.
09-16-2018, 11:40 PM
#3
Registered
RX8 is the quietest highway car I have owned. I did a trip to VA over the summer, 14hrs there, two 10hr days back (took a detour). I felt normal afterwards, just tired after the 14hr drive. I had an S2000 before and would take a 6.5 hour trip probably once a month and felt terrible afterwards almost every time, even with a hardtop and some sound deadening. Before that I had a Protégé with filled motor mounts which really increased the noise but didn't really bother me.
The S2000 was just weird, I'd get a headache about 3/4 of the way through the drive. Then when I arrived I usually had a nauseous feeling for 30-45 mins. Sometimes I would get that weird feeling like I was still moving even when I was just sitting still. Car was completely stock.
The S2000 was just weird, I'd get a headache about 3/4 of the way through the drive. Then when I arrived I usually had a nauseous feeling for 30-45 mins. Sometimes I would get that weird feeling like I was still moving even when I was just sitting still. Car was completely stock.
09-17-2018, 01:39 AM
#4
Smoking turbo yay
RX8 is the quietest highway car I have owned. I did a trip to VA over the summer, 14hrs there, two 10hr days back (took a detour). I felt normal afterwards, just tired after the 14hr drive. I had an S2000 before and would take a 6.5 hour trip probably once a month and felt terrible afterwards almost every time, even with a hardtop and some sound deadening. Before that I had a Protégé with filled motor mounts which really increased the noise but didn't really bother me.
The S2000 was just weird, I'd get a headache about 3/4 of the way through the drive. Then when I arrived I usually had a nauseous feeling for 30-45 mins. Sometimes I would get that weird feeling like I was still moving even when I was just sitting still. Car was completely stock.
The S2000 was just weird, I'd get a headache about 3/4 of the way through the drive. Then when I arrived I usually had a nauseous feeling for 30-45 mins. Sometimes I would get that weird feeling like I was still moving even when I was just sitting still. Car was completely stock.
All the 4 bangers I have driven just tire me out more for some reason. Maybe it's just that sound? All the 4 bangers I have driven are stock.
As for quietness, I think my Accord Coupe V6 was quieter, but it's pretty quiet in general since it's stock, even when you rev it up to 6500 RPM.
The RX-8 kinda hits that sweet spot for me. It's not annoyingly loud at low-end, but the top-end makes some wonderful and clear sound. That's, of course, assuming you didn't mess up the exhaust.
09-17-2018, 07:48 AM
#5
Still doing this after 2 years, New Yorker? Must be good. 
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...phones-263749/
(saw that in the "Related Topics" below this thread)
BTW, isn't recommending illegal things also illegal?
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...phones-263749/
(saw that in the "Related Topics" below this thread)
BTW, isn't recommending illegal things also illegal?
09-17-2018, 08:08 AM
#6
I do 6-hour-ish drives every other month and never found the car obnoxious. Have poly motor mounts and a cat back, so it's definitely louder than stock, but all the same, never felt tired. I usually have music playing and if I'm alone I might sing along. I suppose if you don't have music and it's just road noise for hours, that might be more fatiguing?
I could never wear headphones while doing something, can't handle the loss of situational awareness. Even in public transit I usually have only 1 ear in.
I could never wear headphones while doing something, can't handle the loss of situational awareness. Even in public transit I usually have only 1 ear in.
09-17-2018, 08:33 AM
#7
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
+1^
Headphones while driving is a bad idea.
I made three 2000 mile road trips in my 8 last year and rarely noticed enough road noise to be bothersome.
Music or talk radio occupies my mind.
Maybe you need different tires.
Headphones while driving is a bad idea.
I made three 2000 mile road trips in my 8 last year and rarely noticed enough road noise to be bothersome.
Music or talk radio occupies my mind.
Maybe you need different tires.
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rotary#1082 (09-18-2018)
09-17-2018, 09:03 AM
#8
Registered
Thread Starter
Still doing this after 2 years, New Yorker? Must be good.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...phones-263749/
(saw that in the "Related Topics" below this thread)
BTW, isn't recommending illegal things also illegal?
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...phones-263749/
(saw that in the "Related Topics" below this thread)
BTW, isn't recommending illegal things also illegal?
Last edited by New Yorker; 09-17-2018 at 10:21 AM.
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