"Noise cancellation" is one of the most common features requested by B2B buyers. But not all noise reduction is created equal.
At JSY Acoustic, we get asked daily: "Should my product have ANC or ENC?" The answer depends on your use case, budget, and target market.
This guide breaks down the technical differences, cost implications, and strategic recommendations for B2B buyers.
| Feature | ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) | ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Improve listening experience | Improve call quality |
| User Benefit | Blocks noise for wearer | Blocks noise for caller |
| How It Works | Cancels external noise before you hear it | Cancels background noise during calls |
| Cost Impact | +$3-8 per unit | +$1-3 per unit |
| Battery Impact | -15-25% playtime | Minimal (-2-5%) |
| Best For | Travel, music, focus | Calls, business, fitness |
| Marketing Value | High (premium feature) | Medium (expected feature) |
Key Insight: ANC and ENC solve different problems. They can be used together, but serve different purposes.
ANC uses microphones to detect external noise, then generates inverse sound waves to cancel it out before you hear it.
Step 1: External microphone picks up ambient noise
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Step 2: ANC chip analyzes noise frequency and amplitude
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Step 3: Speaker produces "anti-noise" wave (inverse)
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Step 4: Noise + Anti-noise = Silence (or reduced noise)
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Step 5: User hears less external sound
| Metric | Entry-Level ANC | Mid-Range ANC | Premium ANC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise Reduction | 15-20 dB | 25-30 dB | 35-45 dB |
| Frequency Range | 100Hz-1kHz | 50Hz-2kHz | 20Hz-4kHz |
| Latency | 50-100ms | 30-50ms | 10-30ms |
| Power Consumption | 15-20mA | 20-30mA | 25-40mA |
Different ANC architectures offer different performance levels.
| ANC Type | Microphone Placement | Performance | Cost Impact | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedforward | Outside earcup | Good for high frequencies | +$2-3 | Budget ANC |
| Feedback | Inside earcup | Good for low frequencies | +$3-4 | Mid-range ANC |
| Hybrid | Both inside and outside | Best overall performance | +$5-7 | Premium ANC |
| Adaptive ANC | Both + auto-adjustment | Best + adjusts to environment | +$7-10 | Flagship products |
| Environment | Feedforward ANC | Feedback ANC | Hybrid ANC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airplane Cabin | 15-20 dB reduction | 20-25 dB reduction | 30-35 dB reduction |
| Office (HVAC) | 10-15 dB reduction | 15-20 dB reduction | 25-30 dB reduction |
| City Traffic | 12-18 dB reduction | 18-22 dB reduction | 28-32 dB reduction |
| Crowded Cafe | 8-12 dB reduction | 10-15 dB reduction | 20-25 dB reduction |
Note: ANC is most effective on constant, low-frequency noise (airplane engines, HVAC). Less effective on sudden/transient sounds (voices, doors slamming).
ENC focuses on improving call quality by reducing background noise during phone calls. It helps the person on the other end hear you clearly.
Step 1: Multiple microphones capture voice + ambient noise
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Step 2: ENC algorithm identifies voice frequency (300Hz-3.4kHz)
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Step 3: Algorithm isolates voice from background noise
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Step 4: Only voice is transmitted to the caller
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Step 5: Caller hears you clearly, even in noisy environments
| Environment | Without ENC | With ENC (Single Mic) | With ENC (Dual Mic) | With ENC (AI-Enhanced) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet Room | Clear | Clear | Clear | Clear |
| Office | Slight background noise | Reduced noise | Clear | Very Clear |
| Busy Street | Hard to hear | Difficult | Clear | Clear |
| Windy Outdoor | Unusable | Poor | Good | Very Good |
| Crowded Cafe | Very difficult | Difficult | Clear | Clear |
| Gym/Running | Very difficult | Poor | Good | Very Good |
| Feature | ANC | ENC |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Improve listening experience | Improve call quality |
| Who Benefits | The wearer | The caller (person on other end) |
| Microphone Count | 2-4 mics (for noise detection) | 2-4 mics (for voice isolation) |
| Processing Power | High (real-time cancellation) | Medium (voice extraction) |
| Cost Impact | +$3-8 per unit | +$1-3 per unit |
| Battery Impact | -15-25% playtime | -2-5% playtime |
| Marketing Value | High (premium feature) | Medium (expected feature) |
| Technical Complexity | High | Medium |
| User Noticeability | Very noticeable | Noticeable only during calls |
The answer depends on your product positioning and target use case.
| Scenario | Why ANC Makes Sense |
|---|---|
| Targeting premium segment | ANC justifies $80-150+ retail price |
| Focus on music/travel | Users want immersive listening experience |
| Competing with major brands | Sony, Bose, Apple all have ANC |
| Budget allows $5+ BOM increase | ANC adds cost but also value |
| Office/focus use case | Users want to block distractions |
Recommended Products: Over-ear headphones, premium TWS, travel-focused earbuds
| Scenario | Why ENC Makes Sense |
|---|---|
| Focus on business/calls | Call quality is the key differentiator |
| Budget-conscious product line | ENC is cost-effective (+$1-3) |
| Call center applications | Clear voice transmission is critical |
| Fitness/sports products | Wind noise reduction during outdoor calls |
| Retail price under $50 | ANC cost-prohibitive at this price |
Recommended Products: Budget TWS, neckband earphones, business headsets, sports earbuds
| Scenario | Why Both Make Sense |
|---|---|
| Flagship product | No cost constraints |
| Competing in $100+ segment | Both features expected at this price |
| Targeting frequent travelers | Need both listening and call quality |
| Business professional use | Meetings + music + travel |
| Premium brand positioning | Feature-complete product |
Recommended Products: Flagship TWS, premium over-ear headphones, executive headsets
We've implemented ANC and ENC across multiple product lines. Here are real examples.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| ANC Type | Hybrid ANC (35dB reduction) |
| ENC | Dual-mic ENC for calls |
| Driver | 40mm LCP dynamic driver |
| Battery | 30h with ANC off, 24h with ANC on |
| Target | Premium travel/lifestyle |
| BOM Impact | +$8 vs non-ANC version |
| Retail Price | $79-99 |
| Best For | Travel, office, music immersion |
Customer Feedback: "ANC blocks out airplane noise effectively. Call quality is crystal clear even in busy airports."
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| ANC | None |
| ENC | Dual-mic ENC |
| Driver | 10mm graphene driver |
| Battery | 6h earbuds + 24h case |
| Target | Budget fitness/call use |
| BOM Impact | +$2 vs base model |
| Retail Price | $39-49 |
| Best For | Calls, gym, everyday use |
Customer Feedback: "Great call quality. My colleagues say I sound clear even when I'm walking on busy streets."
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| ANC | None |
| ENC | Quad-mic ENC (AI-enhanced) |
| Driver | 12mm bio-diaphragm |
| Battery | 18h continuous playback |
| Target | Office/call center |
| BOM Impact | +$3 vs base model |
| Retail Price | $49-69 |
| Best For | All-day call comfort, office work |
Customer Feedback: "I wear these for 6+ hours daily for work calls. Battery lasts all day and callers say I sound professional."
Understanding the ROI of ANC and ENC helps with product planning.
| Component | Cost Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ANC Chip | +$2-4 | Qualcomm, BES, Realtek options |
| Additional Mics | +$0.50-1.00 | 2-4 mics required |
| Tuning/Calibration | +$0.50-1.00 | Lab time and engineering |
| Battery Increase | +$0.50-1.00 | Larger battery for ANC power |
| Certification | +$0.50-1.00 | Additional testing |
| Total BOM Impact | +$4-8 | Per unit |
| Component | Cost Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ENC Algorithm | +$0.50-1.50 | Chip-dependent (some include free) |
| Additional Mics | +$0.50-1.00 | 2-4 mics for voice isolation |
| Tuning | +$0.20-0.50 | Voice tuning for clarity |
| Total BOM Impact | +$1-3 | Per unit |
| Feature | BOM Cost | Typical Retail Increase | Margin Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENC Only | +$1-3 | +$10-20 | High ROI |
| ANC (Entry) | +$4-5 | +$20-30 | Good ROI |
| ANC (Hybrid) | +$6-8 | +$30-50 | Good ROI |
| ANC + ENC | +$5-10 | +$40-70 | Best ROI (combined) |
Key Insight: Noise reduction features have excellent margin potential. $5 BOM increase can justify $30-50 retail increase.
| Challenge | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning Required | ANC performance varies by fit and seal | In-house acoustic lab, iterative tuning |
| Power Consumption | -15-25% battery life | Larger battery, efficient chip selection |
| Pressure Sensation | Some users feel "ear pressure" | Adaptive ANC, transparency mode |
| Certification | Some markets require ANC safety testing | Plan certification early |
| Firmware Updates | ANC algorithms may need optimization | OTA update capability |
| Challenge | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Mic Placement | Critical for wind noise performance | Simulate and test multiple placements |
| Algorithm Licensing | Some chip suppliers charge royalty | Choose chips with included ENC |
| Testing Complexity | Requires real-world call testing | Test in multiple environments |
| Voice Quality Trade-offs | Aggressive noise reduction can affect voice | Balance clarity vs. noise reduction |
| Product Tier | Recommended | Rationale | Example Retail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (<$30) | ENC only | ANC cost-prohibitive | $25-29 |
| Entry ($30-50) | ENC + consider basic ANC | Depends on competition | $39-49 |
| Mid-Range ($50-100) | ANC + ENC | Expected at this price | $69-99 |
| Premium ($100-200) | Hybrid ANC + ENC | Must compete with flagship | $129-179 |
| Flagship ($200+) | Adaptive ANC + ENC + Premium Features | No compromises | $249-349 |
Q: Can I add ANC to an existing product later?
A: Sometimes. If the housing has space for additional mics and the chip supports ANC upgrade, it's possible. But it usually requires redesign (+$10K-50K tooling). Best to plan ANC from the start.
Q: What's the minimum ANC performance customers expect?
A: For $80+ products, customers expect 25-30dB noise reduction. For $120+ products, expect 35dB+. Anything less will receive negative reviews.
Q: Does ENC work for all languages?
A: Most ENC algorithms are language-agnostic (they isolate voice frequency, not language). But AI-enhanced ENC may need training for specific languages/accents.
Q: How do I test ANC/ENC performance?
A: ANC: Use decibel meter in controlled noise environment. ENC: Record calls in various environments and have third party rate clarity. We provide test reports with all ANC/ENC products.
Q: What chip suppliers do you recommend for ANC/ENC?
A: ANC: Qualcomm (premium), BES (mid-range), Realtek (value). ENC: Most modern chips include ENC. AI-enhanced ENC available on Qualcomm and premium BES chips.
Q: Does ANC affect sound quality?
A: Well-tuned ANC has minimal impact on sound quality. Poorly-tuned ANC can cause hiss or affect bass response. Always request samples and test before committing.
| Service | Description | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANC Tuning | In-house acoustic lab for ANC optimization | 2-4 weeks | Included in development |
| ENC Algorithm | Partnerships with Qualcomm, BES, Realtek | 1-2 weeks | Included in chip cost |
| Testing | Anechoic chamber + real-world call testing | 1 week | Included |
| Certification | Support for all major market requirements | 2-4 weeks | $1,000-3,000 |
| Sample Comparison | A/B testing of different ANC/ENC configurations | 1 week | Included |
Use this checklist when planning noise reduction features:
| Your Priority | Recommended Feature | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best music experience | ANC (Hybrid) | Blocks distractions for immersion |
| Best call quality | ENC (AI-Enhanced) | Isolates voice from background |
| Budget product | ENC only | Cost-effective, expected feature |
| Premium product | ANC + ENC | Both features expected at this price |
| Travel-focused | ANC (Hybrid) + ENC | Blocks travel noise + clear calls |
| Sports/fitness | ENC + IPX rating | Call clarity + sweat resistance |
| Office/work | ANC + ENC | Focus + meeting clarity |
| Maximum battery | ENC only | ANC reduces battery 15-25% |
Whether you need ANC, ENC, or both, JSY Acoustic can help you implement the right solution for your product and budget.
Contact us for:
JSY Acoustic – Your Noise Reduction Partner
Bao'an District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China
WhatsApp: +86-19120697674 | Email: bejell56@gmail.com
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Published: May 2026
Category: Technical Guides
Tags: ANC, ENC, Noise Cancellation, TWS, Headphones, OEM, ODM, Technical, Audio Feature