Active noise-cancelling only seems to work (in my very limited experience) with 'constant' noise though - predictable. Spoken conversations often aren't. But, I might've just had a bad experience with those in the store. I'll stick with passive noise cancelling / in-ear with foam things.
Currently working at a growing startup in Waterloo, it's an open office with a lot of people and it can quickly become very loud (picture 150 people in a big room).
I completely agree with you, without music, noise cancelling headphones are pretty much useless to help you focus by canceling 'asymmetric' noise.
My personal setup is to have a pair of earplugs in resina as a first layer, my headphones as a second layer, the noise cancelling option on and finally low volume music. With that setup I can't hear anything to the point where I get scared shitless if someone disturbs me. That's how deep in the zone I become!
>With that setup I can't hear anything to the point where I get scared shitless if someone disturbs me.
Solution for this was proposed in Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Engineers were working in big room, but they were so focused, guests had to use special protocol: stand beside desk and wait quietly until you are noticed.
Or, you know, tell people to be quiet.