Bose IE2 Headphones
Manufacturer: Bose Corp. Part number: IE2
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- While we've heard earphones that sound better for the money, Bose has improved its in-ear headphones so they fit--and sound better--than its previous in-ear model.
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CNET editors' review
Bose IE2 Headphones price range: $89.95 - $99.95
- Reviewed by: David Carnoy
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 10/19/2010
The good: Improved sound; earphones fit securely and comfortably; protective carrying case included; "open" design has its appeal; pleasantly full bass.
The bad: Fit may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer noise-isolating earphones; treble is a little on the harsh side.
The bottom line: While we've heard earphones that sound better for the money, Bose has improved its in-ear headphones so they fit--and sound better--than its previous in-ear model.
As the name implies, the Bose's IE2 earphones are the second-generation of Bose's in-ear headphones. Truth be told, we weren't impressed with the first iteration of this model, which some users complained didn't fit securely in their ears and caused Bose to issue newly designed silicon earpieces to help rectify the problem. But the company has made some tweaks to the design and we generally like the results, though not everything is rosy.
There are actually three versions of Bose's latest in-ear headphones:
Bose IE2 ($99.95): This is the base model, which is a standard pair of in-ear headphones.
Bose MIE2 ($129.95): Identical to the IE2, but adds a built-in microphone for cellphones and VOIP devices.
Bose MIE2i ($129.95): Identical to the MIE2, but with compatibility for iPod/iPhone controls.
Despite the feature differences, the sound--and design--of the earphones themselves are the same for all three models, so they should all exhibit identical sound quality.
The first thing you should know is that these aren't noise-isolating earphones. You don't jam a foam or rubber tip into your ear, effectively cutting off much of the sound from the outside world. Instead, these earphones sit slightly on top of the ear, similar the way hard earbuds do. A silicon cover directs the sound into your ear canal but the tip isn't pushed all the way inside. As a result, you don't get the tight seal like you do with a noise-isolating earphone but the upside is your ear canal gets some breathing room. This design will appeal more to some people than others, but it's also important to highlight the fact that this reviewer didn't have any trouble getting the IE2s to fit both securely and comfortable in his ears.
Part of the reason for that is Bose's new StayHear silicon tips, which have little wings to "nestle inside the bowl of the ear while also naturally conforming to the ear's upper ridge." In the package you'll find, three StayHear earpieces (S, M, and L) and three "original-style" tips (S, M, L) that don't feature the wings. Those wings are funky looking, but they do work and you should be able to find one size that fits your ears well.
While this style of earphone may not appeal to everyone, this reviewer liked their "open" quality and found it comfortable to wear the IE2s for long stretches without feeling the need to adjust them or take them off. That said, you'll definitely hear more street noise (or in the case of this reviewer, more subway noise) than if you were using a noise-isolation earphone.
Bose has improved the sound by adding an additional port that helps bulk up the bass, which we found pleasantly full, though not incredibly deep. That bass is probably the best thing about these guys; while the detail is OK, we thought the treble was a little on the harsh side, compressing the range between softer and louder sounds. In other words, these earphones don't really bring out the subtleties in your music quite as well as we might have hoped. Of course, you can't ask the world of $99/$129 earphones, but we have heard models in this price class that simply outperform the Bose.
If you're looking at either of Bose's mobile headset models, the MIE2 or the Bose MIE2i, we did make some calls while wearing the MIE2s and found the sound quality to be good and the people we called said we came sounded loud and clear. You'll pay a $30 premium for the headset feature, but if you plan on using these guys with a phone, it is convenient to be able to be able to make calls and talk without having to remove your headphones (on an iPhone, the music pauses when a call comes in and restarts when you hang up). Just make sure the phone is a recent model that uses the now-standard 3.5mm jack, not the smaller 2.5mm one found on older cell phones.
Comparatively speaking, at around $100, we like the Klipsch S4/S4i ($79, or $99 for the cellphone version), Etymotic 6i Isolator ($99.99), and Monster Mobile Jamz ($99.99), which have a built-in mic for making calls. All are noise-isolating earphones that you push into your ear canal. If you're someone who likes that type of very tight, snug fit, the IE2s may not cut it. But if you're someone who prefers your ear canals to have a little breathing room, you're more apt to really like the Bose.
Either way, the company does have a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can always try them and return them if the fit--or sound--doesn't appeal to your tastes.
Freelancer Steve Guttenberg contributed to this review.User reviews
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Perfect earbud for people who don't like earbuds!
by Spartan_JM on October 31, 2010
Pros: Very comfortable and secure fit. Sound quality among the best I have heard at this price for a non-noise-isolating in ear headphone.
Cons: Does not block external noise - which could be a pro for some.
Summary: I use these every day to listen to my iPod to and from work and I can definitely say these are a significant upgrade for anyone using standard earbuds, with ...
Summary: I use these every day to listen to my iPod to and from work and I can definitely say these are a significant upgrade for anyone using standard earbuds, with very good sound quality and a very comfortable fit. Brings out subtle details in music and improves bass response with a much more balanced sound. Most Bose products are arguably over-priced relative to the competition, but this is an exception. As noted these are not noise-isolating, which I actually prefer. In their category I think they are one of the best in-ear headphones out there. Highly recommended!
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great sound, poor quality
by BenjaminHeckscher on October 1, 2011
Pros: I have used Bose for about 5 years; I listen to music constantly and these are the most comfortable and best-sounding in-ears I have found.
Cons: In 5 years I have had to replace my headphones five times. The plastic sheathing on the wire cracks and splits very quickly at the junctures with other elements. The newer ones which I bought 9 months ago have cracks at the Y-junction and at the bast of
Summary: If the wire quality were better, I would be a lifelong devotee even with a higher price tag, but as it stands I'm looking for others with comparable sound ...
Summary: If the wire quality were better, I would be a lifelong devotee even with a higher price tag, but as it stands I'm looking for others with comparable sound and comfort.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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good could be better
by prashady on March 26, 2011
Pros: sound is good, fit is good, light and great for working out.
Cons: gets painful in ears after a period of time (for me about 30 mins) sound quality could be much better
Summary: if ur gonna spend a 100 dollars on earphones...DONT! save up a bit more and buy other bose headphones (the ones that go around ur ears AE2) the ones ...
Summary: if ur gonna spend a 100 dollars on earphones...DONT! save up a bit more and buy other bose headphones (the ones that go around ur ears AE2) the ones i want to buy after i try selling these ones :P
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awesome fit and sound!
by booch_21 on May 4, 2012
Pros: Great sound for earbuds. Fit my ears comfortably. Take this with a grain of salt as everyone has their own idea of fit and sound quality.
Cons: None so far.
Summary: I have plenty of full headphones in my arsenal as I do recording and audio work. I wanted something for when I work out or walk. I was torn between ...
Summary: I have plenty of full headphones in my arsenal as I do recording and audio work. I wanted something for when I work out or walk. I was torn between these and Sennheiser's. I settled for these. I have yet to have these move or come out.
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Best valued!
by ngtrunghuan on March 18, 2012
Pros: Beautiful sound breakdowns
Cool design
Comfortable
Smooth and soft bassCons: Prize differences between models
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Best headphones ever made
by maverickn90 on February 8, 2012
Pros: The sound is great way better that all the earphones in this price range I listened to.
Cons: I haven't found any cons for the moment but I'm a little scared of their weakness I take real good care of them but still they seem very fragile (got them for 5 months)
Summary: The sound is great the day I bought them I wasn't that satisfied by the sound of these earphones comparing to my others : technics. Then I got used to ...
Summary: The sound is great the day I bought them I wasn't that satisfied by the sound of these earphones comparing to my others : technics. Then I got used to them and now I can't listen to any other headphones than these ones.
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Definitely worth every penny
by rk_scott86 on February 7, 2012
Pros: Comfortable
Great sound replication (mid's, high's, and low's)Cons: There are none!!
Summary: In my opinion these are the best earbuds I've ever owned. True audiophiles know that Bose is the best in the business for great sound. The bass is rich ...
Summary: In my opinion these are the best earbuds I've ever owned. True audiophiles know that Bose is the best in the business for great sound. The bass is rich without being overpowering, like someone driving around with their subs turned WAY too high, and the mid's and high's are crisp with just the right amount of treble. Not one genre of music sounds bad played through these. I own both the IE2's and the Klipsch S4's, and hands down the Bose wins every category. With the S4's the bass is great but other frequencies are drowned out due to very very low treble levels, so sound reproduction just isn't very pleasing. While not noise-isolating, if you use the best sized cup for your ears you shouldn't have any issues with outside noise. For $70-$80 the Klipsch (for me anyways) just don't perform for the money. These IE2's, though, are well worth the price though. You always know what you're gonna get with Bose.
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Comfortable but disappointing
by sp3llv3xit on December 26, 2011
Pros: Nice earphone design. Lightweight. Sturdy cable.
Cons: Sound is disappointing. Harsh treble, weak bass. Audio is sharp but a bit noisy.
Summary: Pitted against the Klipsch s4 or s4i, these Bose buds pale in comparison. Considering the cheaper price label of the s4, Bose' IE2 just don't cut it.
Summary: Pitted against the Klipsch s4 or s4i, these Bose buds pale in comparison. Considering the cheaper price label of the s4, Bose' IE2 just don't cut it.
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Amazing, as you would expect in a Bose product.
by kingking29 on December 26, 2011
Pros: bass is amazing, sound comes out really well, light weight, stays in ears, comfortable,
Cons: None, just treating them to delicately...
Summary: These headphones are a great buy. You hear sounds in your music that you have never heard before, one interesting thing about these head phones is that some of the ...
Summary: These headphones are a great buy. You hear sounds in your music that you have never heard before, one interesting thing about these head phones is that some of the sounds in the music sound like their coming from somewhere in the room. They put out a wonderful amount off bass for their size. Way better than other headphones I've used. They also have a wonderful price 80$ for Bose sound that's a great deal!
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These are crap
by marcgossling on November 18, 2011
Pros: they look cool
Cons: absolutely everything
Summary: I went to best buy looking for something comparable to dr dre tours and the associates said these would be. So I decided to buy them, I left the store ...
Summary: I went to best buy looking for something comparable to dr dre tours and the associates said these would be. So I decided to buy them, I left the store and tried them out and after two minutes of listening to these sorry excuse for ear buds. I immediately returned them and exchanged them for the klipsch s4i's. The klipsch s4i's are absolutely amazing! Not as good as the tours, but for being cheaper than the bose ie2's they put bose to shame.If you don't want to spend the money for the dr dre tours, but still want absolutely amazing quality I highly recommend the klipsch s4's. For the price they are worth every penny, I honestly cannot believe how cheap they are for how amazing they sound. The tours are still my favorite, but the klipsch s4i's come in a very close 2nd
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Bose Corp.
- Part number: IE2
- Description: Bose IE2 audio headphones set a standard for sound reproduction that conventional earbuds can't match. Re-engineered from the inside out, they feature an enhanced acoustic design that helps music sound smoother and more natural. And the construction provides a more secure fit and improved durability.
General
- Width 1.2 in
- Depth 0.6 in
- Height 1.3 in
- Weight 0.7 oz
- Color Black
- Recommended Use Digital player,
Portable audio system,
Notebook - Additional Features TriPort acoustic headphone structure,
StayHear tips Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor In-ear ear-bud
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
Remote Control
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x Headphones cable - Integrated - 4 ft
- Included Accessories Clothing clip,
3 pairs of ear tips (small, medium, large),
Carrying case,
2 pairs of silicone ear tips Power
- Power Device None
- Battery None
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Bose Corp. products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Bose Corp.
- Address:
The Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701 - Phone: 1-800-999 2673
- Fax: 1-508-820-3465
