A noise cancellation apparatus comprising: a plurality of reference input sensors (05a-d) arranged around a perimeter of a spatial zone , wherein the plurality of reference input sensors generate a plurality of reference input signals (08a-d) in response to one or more noise sound waves generated by one or more noise sources ; a selection mechanism coupled to the plurality of reference input sensors, wherein the selection mechanism is configured to select a preferred reference input signal from the plurality of reference input signals (08a-d) and to provide a reference control signal based on the selected preferred reference input signal; a control unit in communication with the selection mechanism; an error input sensor proximate to the spatial zone within the perimeter, wherein the error input sensor is in communication with the control unit; and an output control transducer in communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to execute an adaptive noise control algorithm in response to the reference control signal received from the selection mechanism and an error signal received from the error input sensor, and wherein the adaptive noise control algorithm generates an output control signal for the output control transducer to generate a control sound wave configured to destructively interfere with the noise sound waves when the noise sound waves enter the spatial zone; the noise cancellation apparatus being characterized in that it further comprises a localizing microphone array , distinct from the plurality of reference input sensors (05a-d), in data communication with the selection mechanism , comprising a plurality of localizing microphones and configured to provide sound localization information; and in that the selection mechanism is configured to select the preferred reference input signal from the plurality of reference input signals (08a-d) based on the sound localization information from the localizing microphone array . a plurality of reference input sensors (05a-d) arranged around a perimeter of a spatial zone , wherein the plurality of reference input sensors generate a plurality of reference input signals (08a-d) in response to one or more noise sound waves generated by one or more noise sources ; a selection mechanism coupled to the plurality of reference input sensors, wherein the selection mechanism is configured to select a preferred reference input signal from the plurality of reference input signals (08a-d) and to provide a reference control signal based on the selected preferred reference input signal; a control unit in communication with the selection mechanism; an error input sensor proximate to the spatial zone within the perimeter, wherein the error input sensor is in communication with the control unit; and an output control transducer in communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to execute an adaptive noise control algorithm in response to the reference control signal received from the selection mechanism and an error signal received from the error input sensor, and wherein the adaptive noise control algorithm generates an output control signal for the output control transducer to generate a control sound wave configured to destructively interfere with the noise sound waves when the noise sound waves enter the spatial zone; the noise cancellation apparatus being characterized in that it further comprises a localizing microphone array , distinct from the plurality of reference input sensors (05a-d), in data communication with the selection mechanism , comprising a plurality of localizing microphones and configured to provide sound localization information; and in that the selection mechanism is configured to select the preferred reference input signal from the plurality of reference input signals (08a-d) based on the sound localization information from the localizing microphone array . <EOS>