This is very much a personal preference and the more native you are to the digital lifestyle the more you are likely to enjoy ambient or even overly "intrusive" noise.

I work best when I have music playing loudly - heavy rock or heavy beat dance stuff gets my adrenaline going which in turn helps me to churn out code.

However, I understand other people don't work that way and need silence or close to that. So, what's the answer if you don't prescribe to the idea of headphones?

Making the decision one way or the other disadvantages one type of person. Even if you say that the majority of people prefer a quiet work environment, you're still affecting the productivity level of those who prefer loud music - you can't deny that.

When you factor in ambient music into the mix where it's not overly aggressive but instead is a subtle inclusion in the work environment, you get even more murky.

I think people have to be careful about forcing an artificial traditional environment on those who are used to a more lively environment. Younger people are now used to having TV almost constantly on in the background. They can carry on multiple conversations on phone, in person, on IM, while carrying out their workload of homework/assignments/paid work. Making them work in a quiet environment actually hampers their productivity because it's no longer a comfortable experience.

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