In my experience, noise isolating in-ear's cut more noise passively than over-ear's can do actively. While the music can be turned up to compensate, at least with the former, you have the ability to turn the music down if you want to.

That said, you could order the Sony's and return them if they don't do what you need them to, whereas it's more difficult with in-ears (although, I would have thought replacing the isolation part should be sufficient to ensure hygiene unless your ears are like a tub of vaseline!). I would add (FWIW) that a friend has the Sony's for flying and is very happy with them.

Last edited by Jeremy A-H; 2020-06-25 00:01.
Prolific music listener / Hi-Fi addict!