Can Active Noise Cancellation Be Installed Afterwards?
3 Answers
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a noise reduction technology, originally one of the methods used in headphone noise cancellation, which can be installed afterwards. Below is relevant information: 1. The active noise cancellation function works by generating reverse sound waves equal to external noise through the noise cancellation system, thereby neutralizing the noise and achieving the noise reduction effect. Its principle is based on the fact that all sounds consist of certain frequency spectra. If a sound can be found whose frequency spectrum is exactly the same as the noise to be eliminated but with an opposite phase, the noise can be completely canceled out. 2. The three commonly used noise reduction measures—reducing noise at the source, during propagation, and at the human ear—are all passive. To actively eliminate noise, people invented the technology of 'active noise cancellation.'
Active noise cancellation can indeed be retrofitted, but it requires professional expertise and specific hardware support. I've personally worked on modification cases and found it quite challenging—similar to installing an aftermarket audio system in my car. You'd need to purchase a dedicated kit including microphones, processors, and wiring harnesses, and during installation, you have to dismantle interior panels and route cables to the trunk or dashboard. Compatibility is the key factor here; post-modification effectiveness depends on the vehicle's design. If the original car structure is complex, additional processor tuning may be necessary to match the audio system. While retrofitting can enhance sound quality, it carries significant risks—incorrect wiring could introduce noise or even affect the ECU system. That's why I often recommend consulting reputable professional shops for evaluation rather than attempting DIY, to avoid damaging components. Cost-wise, it's not cheap, starting at several thousand yuan, making it more expensive than full-vehicle soundproofing modifications but offering more proactive results.
I once tried adding active noise cancellation to an old car and consulted a repair shop mechanic. He said it could be retrofitted but would require electrical modifications. After evaluating it myself, I found the modification costs exceeded 5,000 RMB, and the car would need to be parked for half a day for disassembly and testing. After installation, wind noise was reduced, but tire noise still popped up occasionally, which wasn't ideal. Later, I switched to passive methods like adding sealing strips, which turned out to be more cost-effective and reliable. Post-installation maintenance was also troublesome—microphones easily accumulated dust and needed cleaning, and they interfered with the car's original radio signal. Overall, it's technically feasible but not cost-effective, and it's inferior to factory-installed noise cancellation systems.
