C Schomer wrote:
I still don't know if noise cancellation is only good for constant noise, like from engines or if it helps with all background noise. ..So is noise cancellation necessary or is plain-jane phones with good noise isolation quality effective
It is good for constant noise. A nice surprise is that I can hear my XM radio with them on ( a bit muffled), but background noises, like my ceiling fan, are dead silent. Whether they will cancel out your friends talking or their music is not clear to me. They will certainly lower the volume.
Is NC necessary? That's your decision. They are not 'overpriced' for what they do.