Tech & Electronics
How Active Noise Cancellation Works: Microphone Placement Defines the Three ANC Designs
Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses microphones and speakers to counteract ambient noise, with its effectiveness and design determined by microphone placement. The three primary ANC architectures—feed-forward, feedback, and hybrid—differ in where their microphones are positioned, influencing what noise they can detect and cancel.
Adam Kowalski·October 16, 2026