APOD and General Astronomy Discussion Forum
https://asterisk.apod.com/
Start inventing!owlice wrote:Necessity is the mother of invention; this is a necessity!
owlice wrote:Please, a whole-house noise canceling device, so that noise from outside the house (specifically and at this moment, bad music, loudly played) cannot be heard inside. I would buy such a device.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/phones-mobile-devices/mobile-devices/headphones/noise-canceling-headphones/overview/headphones-ov.htm wrote:
Noise canceling headphones that hush the world
Last reviewed: January 2009
Whether you want to escape the drone of a neighbor's leaf blower or the roar of a jet engine, the right headphones can offer relief. Any headphones that fit tightly over your ears or inside the ear canal will block some noise simply by creating a seal. Noise canceling headphones go a step further. Those battery-powered headphones use electronic circuitry to eliminate or at least reduce unwanted noise picked up by their tiny microphones.
We tested 10 headphones with active noise reduction. Our Ratings (available to subscribers) list five that stood out for noise reduction and sound quality. All use one AAA battery except the Sennheiser, which uses two. All but the Bose and Panasonic let you listen to music with noise canceling turned on or off. (When it's off, those units work without a battery.) Bose packs the battery and circuitry in the headset; in the others they are in a compartment on the cord.
Over-the-ear models
On-ear models
- Like earmuffs, these noise canceling headphones seal in sound, but you might miss things you shouldn't, like a smoke alarm. Some have openings in the ear cups that let in more sound.
The Bose QuietComfort2, a closed, over-the-ear model, had very good sound and noise reduction. It's a bit larger than the others, but you can use the noise-reduction feature to muffle ambient noise even when it's not connected to any audio source. The soft, leather-like ear cups fold flat.
Inserts
- Generally smaller and lighter than the over-the-ear type, they press on but don't enclose your ears, so they admit more sound. Most have an adjustable strap; some use ear clips.
The Sony MDR-NC40 was very good at blocking noise and had good sound.
- Insert-style earphones fit inside the ear canal, forming a seal that can help keep out extraneous noise. (Earbuds, like those included with iPods, sit in the bowl of the ear outside the canal.)
The Panasonic RP-HC55, a CR Best Buy, was tops for noise reduction and had very good sound. It has replaceable rubber ear tips that come in small, medium, and large sizes. The Koss QZ77 had good sound, is low-priced, and had excellent noise canceling. You pinch the ear cushions before inserting them, and they expand to fit.
Perhaps a more effective solution is a whole-house canceling device. Something along the lines of an RPG ought to take care of houses that output loud, bad music.owlice wrote:Please, a whole-house noise canceling device, so that noise from outside the house (specifically and at this moment, bad music, loudly played) cannot be heard inside. I would buy such a device.
It's a problem here, too. Between the wind in the aspens, the sound of the creek, a dozen different songbird species, the coyotes... well, the noise just makes you crazy! <g>geckzilla wrote:...For some perspective, the other day a car horn honked for half an hour straight. I don't know why. Car alarms that get stuck on are a monthly occurrence here. And I live right between LaGuardia and JFK so I get jets pathing over me depending on the wind direction. Toss in a few sirens and a guy who likes to speed down the street on a motorcycle which apparently has absolutely no muffler whatsoever at 3 AM and you've got my house. Oh yeah, and the trash trucks come by four times a day on trash day and trash day is twice a week.
Great tits are tweaking their tweets to be heard in noisy urban areas, but for their country cousins it is like they are speaking a different language.
[list]Oh the buzzin' of the beesbystander wrote:Birds in cities 'singing louder' | BBC NewsGreat tits are tweaking their tweets to be heard in noisy urban areas,
but for their country cousins it is like they are speaking a different language.
Oh.....so bystander was referring to a BIRD!owlice wrote:What a cute cute bird!
The song resembles a wren's teakettle teakettle teakettle. Oh, so cute!
neufer wrote:Code: Select all
bystander 3739 / 2.57 ppd since Mon Aug 28, 2006 / Inadvertant Bot Sire Neufer 3262 / 3.60 ppd since Mon Jan 21, 2008 / Quotidian Quotationist Chris Peterson 3103 / 2.26 ppd since Tue Dec 07, 2004 / Expert Cloud Angler Harry 2866 / 1.71 ppd since Fri Nov 18, 2005 / G'day G'day G'day G'day BMAONE23 2168 / 1.11 ppd since Wed Feb 23, 2005 / Commentator Model 1.23 makc 1768 / 0.82 ppd since Tue Oct 12, 2004 / Best Title in the Universe orin stepanek 1696 / 0.90 ppd since Wed Jul 27, 2005 / Resident Geezer apodman 1173 / 1.16 ppd since Wed Aug 15, 2007 / Teapot Fancier (MIA) geckzilla 1000 / 0.92 ppd since Wed Sep 12, 2007 / Ocular Digitator ........................................................................... Owlice 997 / 0.46 ppd since Wed Aug 02, 2004 / Hooter Girl RJN 853 / 0.37 ppd since Sat Jul 24, 2004 / Baffled Boffin The Code 818 / 1.70 ppd since Sat Mar 07, 2009 / Cosmic Skeptic Nereid 802 / 0.60 ppd since Thu Sep 28, 2006 / Science Officer emc 622 / 0.60 ppd since Tue Jul 17, 2007 / Equine Locutionist Qev 563 / 0.37 ppd since Wed Mar 08, 2006 / Ontological Cartographer Dr. Skeptic 507 / 0.36 ppd since Thu Jul 27, 2006 / Science Officer
Heh, yeah, they could also be singing just to hear themselves better! Another side-effect of bird city life is that the mocking birds often sing just like a car alarm.bystander wrote:Birds in cities 'singing louder' | BBC NewsGreat tits are tweaking their tweets to be heard in noisy urban areas, but for their country cousins it is like they are speaking a different language.
geckzilla wrote:Heh, yeah, they could also be singing just to hear themselves better!bystander wrote:Birds in cities 'singing louder' | BBC NewsGreat tits are tweaking their tweets to be heard in noisy urban areas,
but for their country cousins it is like they are speaking a different language.
Another side-effect of bird city life is that the mocking birds often sing just like a car alarm.
I googled very carefully for the photo, believe me!!neufer wrote: Oh.....so bystander was referring to a BIRD!
(I would NEVER have imagined that such a URL would be real!!!)bystander wrote:Yeah, mockingbirds are my favorite songbirds, their song is always changing. They always seem to sing a bar, repeat it twice, and then go on to something different. The first house I bought, mockingbirds nested outside my bedroom window every year. What a way to wake up in the morning with mocking birds singing to you. And, yes geckzilla, I've noticed they do imitate car alarms.
"De Veery's song sounds like a spiral."owlice wrote:
One of my favorite bird songs is that of the Veery; it doesn't sound great recorded, but oh, to hear it when one is walking (or biking) through the woods is entrancing! It sounds flat in recordings, but in the woods, it has resonance and overtones; it is very flute-like.
owlice wrote:
I was sitting out back doing schoolwork -- will head back out in a few after my laptop recharges a bit
-- and was delighted to hear the burbling of a House Wren.
Is that some kind of comment on those of us already past 1000?owlice wrote:Jabberwren, hmmm? Once I exceed 1000 posts, I may have to change my moniker, as Jabberwren would be a better fit!
Yes, I know. That's why I think they are so wonderful. Such a varied repertoire. It's never the same.owlice wrote:Mockingbirds also imitate other birds, which can be kind of annoying when one is birding!
Not at all!! How long did it take you to reach 1000 posts? I was quiet for years, commenting only a very very few times, with months, sometimes years between comments, and then.. WHAM!bystander wrote: Is that some kind of comment on those of us already past 1000?
Oh, yes, I agree with you! I think they are wonderful, too! It's just that sometimes, I hear what I think is one thing and am all excited, only to find out it's a mockingbird mockingme!bystander wrote: Yes, I know. That's why I think they are so wonderful. Such a varied repertoire. It's never the same.
owlice wrote:
How long did it take you to reach 1000 posts?
I was quiet for years, commenting only a very very few times, with months,
sometimes years between comments, and then.. WHAM!
The Jabberwren title ... well, seems I deserve it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hush,_Little_Baby wrote:
Hush, Little Baby is a traditional lullaby thought to be American
but the author and date of origin are unknown.
The lyrics promise all kinds of rewards to the child if he or she is quiet.
- . Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
. Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
. If that mockingbird don't sing,
. Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
. If that diamond ring turns brass
. Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass
. If that looking glass gets broke,
. Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat.
. If that billy goat won't pull,
. Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull.
. If that cart and bull turn over,
. Mama's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
. If that dog named Rover won't bark.
. Mama's gonna buy you a horse and cart.
. If that horse and cart fall down,
. You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
. So hush little baby don't you cry,
. Cuz Mama loves you and so do I.
No one having made me a similar offer ... ~~~~ sigh ~~~~ ... I suppose I shall have to keep posting.neufer wrote: The lyrics promise all kinds of rewards to the child if he or she is quiet.
