This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of open-fitting earbuds, closed-fitting earbuds, and over-the-ear headphones equipped with active noise control (ANC) and hear-through modes. Using a head-and-torso simulator, the devices were tested under varying pink noise levels and in real-world noise environments, such as airplane cabins and pubs. Through detailed analyses of frequency responses, 1/3-octave bands, and time-domain signals, as well as psychoacoustic metrics like loudness, sharpness, and roughness. The study reveals how these devices perform across different acoustic conditions. The results highlight the trade-offs between attenuation and
transparency: Closed-Fitting designs offer superior broadband suppression, while open-fitting devices provide more natural spatial awareness. Hear-through modes vary in their spectral shaping, which affects both perceived comfort and situational awareness. Importantly, the correlation between psychoacoustic features and user perception offers valuable insights for optimizing adaptive ANC and transparency strategies. These findings support the design of more effective and perceptually tuned hearables for diverse environments.
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