Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

[jimmyboy]

Hi people, heard a lot about these headphones but there seems to be some division over the effectiveness of them. Can anyone make a suggestion on the best brand and model..I have seen heaps of secondhand qietcomfort qc-2 on the sellmystuff web site for $159 which seems like a good deal and I'm tempted to buy these but are the Bose headphones really as good as what people say? There are other brands I should be looking at..going to Madrid in a few months and dont wanna endue another noisy long flight without some kind of relief. Cheers Jim

 

[opusman]

A friend who bought them is very happy with them and says they work very well.

Unfortunately I have trouble thinking of BOSE as anything other than an acronym for "Buy Other Sound Equipment"

 

[NM]

If you want active noise cancelling headphones, then the Bose are about as good as they get. But they are very expensive and there are several other brands that are a lot less expensive but not quite so effective at the noise cancellation.

Be aware that active noise cancelling technology is most effective are removing low frequency constant noises such as air-conditioning, engine noise etc. It is not effective at removing dynamic sounds such as a baby crying.

Also consider sound isolation earphones as an alternative. They tend to be cheaper, much lighter/smaller for carrying, and much more effective at removing unwanted noises than active noise cancelling headphones. But some people find in-ear sound-isolation earphones uncomfortable, while others find them more comfortable then over-the-ears headphones.

I have been using Shure E3 in-ear units for several years and love them. Until I managed to misplace them and have not seen them for a while now. So I have been looking at getting the Shure SE530 as a replacement. The SE530s cost nearly as much as the Bose QC3, but the superior noise isolation, the small size/weight and no need to recharge batteries makes them a better deal in my view.

 

[dragonman]

Hi people, heard a lot about these headphones but there seems to be some division over the effectiveness of them. Can anyone make a suggestion on the best brand and model..I have seen heaps of secondhand qietcomfort qc-2 on the sellmystuff web site for $159 which seems like a good deal and I'm tempted to buy these but are the Bose headphones really as good as what people say? There are other brands I should be looking at..going to Madrid in a few months and dont wanna endue another noisy long flight without some kind of relief. Cheers Jim

In a word the QC2's are fantastic. In terms of flying and ipods etc - the best investment I ever made. Buying them in the US helps with the price, but IMHO they are definitely worth every cent. I am returning soon to the USA and will buy the new QC15's - supposedly even better.

You will get naysayers - but very few are Bose owners. Go to an Apple store and try them out. Can not speak highly enough of mine.

 

[Slats7]

BOSE are the best, they are worth the extra $.

 

[estate]

I've used QC15s (which are brilliant) and Sony's amazing new NC500Ds - MDR-NC500D : Noise-Cancelling Headphones : Headphones : Sony Australia

The Sony's are a bit better at NC than Bose, but are far more expensive. If money is no object I would suggest the Sonys as they're also easily the most comfortable over-ear headphones I've used, but the QC15s offer better value - far better if buying o/s.
I'd suggest buying the Bose ones from a shop in the States and having them shipped out. USD RRP is $300, AUD RRP is $500.

You may prefer a considerably cheaper pair - Jabra's C820s. You can get them for under AUD150 and most reviews suggest they're 80% the quality of QC15s for 40% the price.

 

[ashsta77]

I have the Jabra's as well. Wife and I are very happy with them. Managed to get them from a company in Queensland. I think it was $199 for two sets.
Choice rated them quite highly as well. I'd also much rather lose or damage a cheaper pair en route than some 'golden' BOSE ones!
They cancel out a good amount of noise and they help you enjoy the IFE a lot more.
As others have said, it doesn't cut out all noise but at least the repetitive background 'drone'.

 

[kiwial]

In a word the QC2's are fantastic. In terms of flying and ipods etc - the best investment I ever made. Buying them in the US helps with the price, but IMHO they are definitely worth every cent. I am returning soon to the USA and will buy the new QC15's - supposedly even better.

You will get naysayers - but very few are Bose owners. Go to an Apple store and try them out. Can not speak highly enough of mine.

I have had the QC2's for almost5 years now and whilst a significant investment, they are worth every last cent.

On the back of colleagues trying my headphones over the years, BOSE have made several additional sales.

There is no substitute for quality!

 

[Nutcase]

I have the Bose noise cancelling headphones and they are the best in my opinion. The sound quality from an iPod or from the in flight system is incredible. Ive slept most of the way from LA to Sydney wearing mine on several occasions.

If you can get them in the US - its a cheaper option

 

[sriver]

Before you go and shell out for the rather expensive yet effective bose noise cancelling headphones be sure to try them on in store.

Otherwise you may end up with a pair of very expensive high quality headphones that don't see much use because of how they fit on your head!

As for me I'm using some sennheiser hd 555 headphones, comfortable and rather good for their price.

 

[Joshua]

Picked up the Sony's myself not too long ago. I'd always like better sound quality but can't fault the noise cancelling. As other's have said, sound is a terribly subjective thing, so I'm always reluctant to suggest any. Take your iPod into the stores and try some out with your own music. Partly depends what you pay, there's definitely less effective one's out there. Consider the battery situation too, inbuilt lithium-ion is convenient and cheaper but running off standard disposable batteries has an advantage if you find yourself far from an airport lounge.

Remember if you're buying new, NC headphones are a good candidate for getting some GST back through the TRS and you can buy online once decided, getting the cost down a lot.

 

[russ]

Before you go and shell out for the rather expensive yet effective bose noise cancelling headphones be sure to try them on in store.

When I bought mine they had a money-back guarantee: if you didn't like them, just send them back for a full refund. I also bought them in the USA which was much cheaper.

BOSE also has great support. My Aviation Headset X that I use when I fly had a problem and they replaced it with a brand new one within a few days.

 

[cosi]

Have not tired the Sony, but have been very happy with my Bose . Must remove them to answer the flight attendant.

 

[Maca44]

On advice from a much earlier thread on this topic (several years ago) I purchased the Shure E3's in ear, and they are great. I have tried the 'over ear' headphones but found it difficult to sleep whereas with the Shure in ear they are very comfortable and really do a good job a sound isolation, and without the need for a battery. The information page for www.jands.com.au indicates sound isolating earphones reduce noise 30 - 37 dB. I think I paid about $180 for mine, but as I said that was years ago and they still work great and don't take up room when travelling.

 

[NM]

On advice from a much earlier thread on this topic (several years ago) I purchased the Shure E3's in ear, and they are great. I have tried the 'over ear' headphones but found it difficult to sleep whereas with the Shure in ear they are very comfortable and really do a good job a sound isolation, and without the need for a battery. The information page for www.jands.com.au indicates sound isolating earphones reduce noise 30 - 37 dB. I think I paid about $180 for mine, but as I said that was years ago and they still work great and don't take up room when travelling.

I too find the Shure in-ears more comfortable for sleeping. The Bose QC1 and QC2 I have used give me problems where I must only lie such that my head is facing forward. If rolling my head to the side, the microphones that detect the outside noise in order to cancel get covered by the pillow/cushion and result in pops and other noises as the active NC technology tries to compensate for the unexpected sounds. With the Shure in-ears, I can roll onto my side without any problems.

 

[Travel Guru]

I have had a pair of Bose QC2's for several years now, can't say enough about them, they're on my must take list whenever I travel, great value for money.

TG

 

[wtolmie]

I have a pair of Panasonic (over the ear) Noise Cancelling head phones I brought in Dallas last year. Model is HP-RC150.. Only had to change the battery once.. Sound is awesome.. Would be nice if they folded down a little.. From memory I paid US$129 at the airport.. Cant complain !!!

 

[pblackm]

for my first pair, I bought some Sonys, small but good, but they broke after a a couple of years. Then I had some Altecs given to me. OK, but large, the plastic was flimsy and they broke too. Then bought some really light Sennheisers and was really happy with them, but left them on a plane. Doh!.

Now I have some Bose, and they OK, but the sound quality is not brilliant (No highs, no lows, must be Bose) and the lack of an inline volume control is a nuisance. sometimes I'll turn the AVOD control to a minimum, and the Bose are are still too loud.

As with most over-ear headphones, none of the above can be worn comfortably when sleeping, unless sitting with face forward. Perhaps this is the reason that I've broken some.

Plus, apart from the Sennheisers, I'll have sore ears after a 14 hour sector. For this reason, I do think that the right in-ear units will be worth a try. NM uses Shure, and they are one of the industry leaders for musician in-ear phones, so the logic tells me that they are probably worth the money.

When my Bose break, or disappear, I'm going for the Shures.

 

[Maca44]

I too find the Shure in-ears more comfortable for sleeping. The Bose QC1 and QC2 I have used give me problems where I must only lie such that my head is facing forward. If rolling my head to the side, the microphones that detect the outside noise in order to cancel get covered by the pillow/cushion and result in pops and other noises as the active NC technology tries to compensate for the unexpected sounds. With the Shure in-ears, I can roll onto my side without any problems.

If you recall NM, it was on your advice several years ago that I purchased the Shures' and at the same time purchased several pair of Dockers never iron, and have never looked back.

 

[NM]

If you recall NM, it was on your advice several years ago that I purchased the Shures' and at the same time purchased several pair of Dockers never iron, and have never looked back.

A man of good taste, I see.