Does anyone own Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones?

[aggie94]

DH is looking at the QC2 but comments on the QC1 would be appreciated too. Just wondering how you like them and if they are worth the very steep price tag.

[SueK]

I got DH some for Christmas, although right now I can't remember which model they were. Anyway, he has used them on his flights the past few months and really loves them. He said they did a great job of blocking out all the noise.

[blazedog]

They do work but are bulky.

I have Etymotics 6ir Sound Isolator ear phones. They are very small and fit into the ear canal. The completely block out external noise and provide awesome music reception. They are great for travel because they are so tiny and portable -- the case is about 2 x 2. There are other makers of in-ear phones such as Shure but when I did the research, the quality of the Etyomitics in terms of reviews and user reports was very high and the price wasn't bad -- I got mine on amazon for about $90.

I wouldn't want to carry those big bulky things and frankly I wouldn't want to wear them :D

I also have some Sony earphones which are very good but not as sound isolating which I use when I am using my iPOD to run errands etc. because I want to be able to easily communicate with people if need be.

[aggie94]

DH won't wear earphones that go into the ear canal, but thanks.

[SandyM]

DH won't wear earphones that go into the ear canal, but thanks.

Not fond of those myself, Eva. I'll be watching this thread closely. :)

[Robyncz]

Hi Eva!

Davy got a pair for Christmas a year ago and he LOVES them. He wears them at work, to watch DVDs on his computer when he travels by airplane, and when he mows the lawn. The girls like them, too.

He (obviously) wears different headphones for workouts, runs, etc., but the Bose are his headphones of choice for everything else.

They are definitely bulky, but they come in a nice case that makes transport safe and easy. And I think they're more comfortable than most of the more compact models.

The noise reduction effect takes some getting used to, though. I found it a little disconcerting at first.

[bobmark226]

They do work but are bulky.

I have Etymotics 6ir Sound Isolator ear phones. They are very small and fit into the ear canal. .... I got mine on amazon for about $90.

I wouldn't want to carry those big bulky things and frankly I wouldn't want to wear them :D



Will you be getting your hearing aid at Amazon, too?

Bob

[blazedog]

Will you be getting your hearing aid at Amazon, too?

Bob

Thanks for caring. :D Actually because the sound quality is so good you listen to it at a LOWER level than other types of earphones so there is less possibility of autic damage. I was astounded at the low level of sound that I use but I am able to hear separate instrumentation and aspects of the music I hadn't heard on regular speakers.

[aggie94]

Thanks, Sue & Robyn. It sounds like these would be a good investment for DH. I will try to find a reason to buy them for him before our long trip in June. Thanks again!

[Aubergine]

DS travels monthly and we researched this quite thoroughly before deciding on a set for him. if you can easily afford the Bose, i guess i'd go for it. however, here's some more info about noise-reducing headphones, just for comparison's sake. we were going to buy the Bose and it convinced us to do more looking. he just first used the pair he got on a trip from CA-NYC today; i asked him to give me a report.

http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2003/0620.htm

[aggie94]

Any new opinions on this product? DH is still undecided on them but trying to make a decision before our trip.

[cangoss]

I sometimes look at the forums on Flyertalk - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/

A ton of people over there use them and love them. If you do a search on their forums, I'm sure you could find lots of opinions.

[Kismet]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE them - will never travel without them again!

A few years ago on a flight back from London, we got upgraded to business class, and that's where I first tried them. Since then, I couldn't imagine flying - especially on a long, international flight - without them! I find that the noise reduction really helps reduce the "hung over" feeling I used to get when arriving after a long flight. It also helps me sleep better on flights. I purchased a set for DH, and then, I couldn't imagine him having them and me not, so I bought one for myself, as well! :) I say, go for it!

[Gilgamesh37]

I'm curious--has anyone had trouble with airlines NOT allowing them to wear noise-cancelling headphones? A friend bought a pair for her husband, who travels extensively for business. I can't remember now which airline he usually flies, but whomever it was, they would not let him wear the headphones during take off and landing (which was apparently the portion of trips he most wanted them for). He wound up returning them and she was very disappointed. Wondering if this has since been changed, or was specific to that airline?

[aggie94]

I have been reading extensive reviews of them online and have come across numerous comments that airlines do consider these to be "electronic devices" and therefore cannot be used (at least the noise-cancelling feature must be turned off) during take-off and landing.

[emily]

Hi Eva :)

I used to have the Sony Earbuds and the noise cancelling was great but for longer flights uncomfortable. But as you said your DH won't wear those anyway.

Since I'm travelling so much this summer, I'm getting replacements and was considering the Bose, but they're so expensive for such a bulky item. But I think in the end it's worth it and I'll be buying some soon. But these Solitude ones (http://www.travelessentials.com/department/Electrical/iPod_And_Audio_Accessories/26500000011.html) look comprable for $100 less.

Ok, so that was no help at all :cool:

Em

[Sami]

i bought a pair after a trip with a screaming baby in front of me. It blocks out the noise, and I love them.

Sami

[mbrogier]

I'm curious--has anyone had trouble with airlines NOT allowing them to wear noise-cancelling headphones? A friend bought a pair for her husband, who travels extensively for business. I can't remember now which airline he usually flies, but whomever it was, they would not let him wear the headphones during take off and landing (which was apparently the portion of trips he most wanted them for). He wound up returning them and she was very disappointed. Wondering if this has since been changed, or was specific to that airline?

As far as I know, it must be specific to that airline. The majority of crashes occur during takeoff and landing. Evidently that airline decided that people death gripping their armrests and losing their hearing in the massive roar of engines will be more prepared in case of emergency than those slumped in their seats, wearing headphones, sleeping through the emergency instruction video. :p :rolleyes: There are no FAA regulations that I'm aware of that dictate this. I do believe it is illegal to listen to music through a headset in a car if you're the driver...

I know that these Bose headphones are available at Bose outlets. Eva, you might call the outlet near you to see if they have the two different ones so you can try them out. Rob's been interested in these headphones for a while, and I haven't actually seen them in that many stores.

[dgeevanson]

I love, love , love these. I have not had a problem with airlines not letting me keep them on during take off and landing. Last week we flew to New York and back and I slept virtually the whole way because it blocks out so much of the noise. Wouldn't fly without them. Darla

[aggie94]

Thanks for all the feedback. I was shopping at the outlet mall yesterday and stopped in to check these out at the Bose outlet. The noise-cancelling feature was very impressive. Plus, they had a discontinued color on sale, so I picked a pair up for DH. He played with them a little last night and seems to like them a lot so far. We'll put them to the real test in three weeks on our trip. :)

[Robyncz]

Color?!? They have discontinued colors? All the ones I've ever seen have been identical. I'll have to check that out!

[aggie94]

I think maybe just one color. I got him a pair of "champagne" ones. They are like these, kinda metallic-beigey:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/Bose_QC2_v1.jpg/200px-Bose_QC2_v1.jpg

As opposed to the regular old black ones, which were not on sale and more expensive, but the exact same thing. I believe the champagne ones may also be a slightly different version (last year's model?) - they're still the QC2, but a different edition. The guy assured me there are very few differences and nothing that would be notable to DH, who is not a bigtime audiophile. He doesn't care what color they are, as long as they're not pink or purple or some crazy bright color like that. He was just excited to get them. :)