Bose QuietComfort 2

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Summary: The noise-reduction benefits aside, these are overall excellent headphones any which way you cut it. From an audio perspective, (which by the way, I once wrote reviews for an high-end ...

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Summary: The noise-reduction benefits aside, these are overall excellent headphones any which way you cut it. From an audio perspective, (which by the way, I once wrote reviews for an high-end audio equipment journal), they rank among the top headphones on the market today. Trust me, I have bought and tested countless number of headphones. For comparison here, I will use my Shure E5c inner-ear headphones (costs $500), my Audio-Technica CM-7Ti ear-bud headphones (costs $300), and my $120K reference high-end stereo system with both Wilson Watt/Puppy VI and Martin-Logan loudspeakers. So how good are the Bose? Both the top-end and the low frequencies are very extended with excellent resolution, even when you compare it to my 120K reference system. In particular, the mid and lower bass (the area where the Shure E5c also does a god job but the Audio-Techica CM-7Ti is extremely lacking in)is very natural although it's a little too exagerated and could be tauter. Soundstage presentation is excellent and you could hear the placement of musicians clearly in good recordings. Where the Shure E5c presents a more intimate soundstage, the Bose are big sounding, and you could even hear the width and depth of the musical venues in good live recordings. But most importantly, the mid-range, where most of the life and energy of music is contained, is also natural but a touch laid-back and could be fuller. Comparatively, the Audio-Techica is forward sounding while the Shure E5c is the most natural and correct sonically. The Bose is also slightly lacking but not very noticeably when it comes to overall transparency, especially in vocal projection. Voices are natural but just slightly veiled when compared to the other three but still far, far superior to many other very good headphones you can buy out there. The tonal balance is a touch towards the dark side of neutral. Relatively speaking, the Shure E5c is the most neutral while the Audio-Techica CM-7Ti is on the bright side compared to my reference system. In the areas of rhythm and control, the other two headphones have better pace than the Bose, and this I suspect is caused by the fact that the active equalization in the Bose headphones does something to the timing of the music. Overall, Bose made an excellent headphone. No, the Shure E5c is still my overall reference as far as headphones is concerened, but they are more expensive then the Bose. The Bose does most things right and some things amazingly well, and with noise cancelling an added benefit, they are a steal at $300. Highly recommended.

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Summary: Without a doubt the worst headphones money can buy. The folks at Bose should be truly embarassed to charge 300 dollars for headphones that produce lower quality sound than models ...

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Summary: Without a doubt the worst headphones money can buy. The folks at Bose should be truly embarassed to charge 300 dollars for headphones that produce lower quality sound than models other companies sell for 100 dollars. The only reason people buy these headphones is because they're suckered in by Bose marketing. These headphones are no more portable than a small stereo either. They are big and ugly, and will make you sweat.
Now, on to their sound quality. When I read the comments of people on here who say these are the best headphones ever, I don't know whether to laugh or vomit. People who say that fit into one of two categories:
1. People who have never listened to headphones costing more than twenty bucks before and therefore have absolutely no idea what good headphones are.
2. Employees of Bose
Yes, the bose headphones do produce sound that is better than the two dollar throw away headphones that come with an ipod. However, their bass is overstated and boomy, not in any way natural. The treble on the Bose headphones is also seriously lacking, there is little or no natural decay. If you like classical music, orchestra, or multi instrument latin music, forget about it, the Bose phones lack the precision to give you any sense of placement.
I now have a sad confession to make - a year ago, I was taken in by the Bose marketing, and without doing my research, wasted $300 dollars on these mobile pieces of dung.
As the owner of some electrostatic phones with a preamp, I was looking for something I could travel with. I quickly realized my error, and fortunately I was able to sell my crappy Bose phones to some moron on Ebay for about what I paid for them.
I then made the best decision I have made in a while. I got a pair of Shure e5c earbud phones, which provide a level of sound isolation equal to the noise canceling of the bose phones. They also don't have the sound distortion produced by the noise cancelling in the bose phones. Most importantly, they are actually studio quality, and while they can't match my $1500 electrostatic rig, they are really impressive, with dual drivers (a bass and a treble driver) somehow minaturized enough to fit into a little earbud thing.
Sensaphonics and ultimate ears also make good heaphones that are actually worth the money the cost. To repeat, if you are willing to spend a few hundred dollars on headphones, the absolute worst choice you can make is Bose.

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Summary: I'd rate these headphones as a "10" without hesitation if not for the substandard production standards obviously in use @ Bose.

Several reviews here refer to poor construction of these

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Summary: I'd rate these headphones as a "10" without hesitation if not for the substandard production standards obviously in use @ Bose.

Several reviews here refer to poor construction of these phones. I agree. I was at Logan airport, awaiting a flight to Shanghai when I pulled my trust 1+ year old Bose headphones out of their (nice) custom case. When I went to place them on my head, however, the right earpiece fell off in my hand. The plastic support for the ear piece had cracked and broken at the point where Bose embossed the model, patent and other information on the interior of the support! Fortunately, I was able to borrow about 6" of packing tape from a local TSA agent, so I wasn't totally deprived of their use en route China.

Bose tech support was pretty good, however. I was initially told I'd have to pony up $100.00 for a replacement set of headphones because my 1-year warranty had expired. The following week, however, when I chose to deliver my headphones to Framingham, MA directly, the friendly customer service person told me I was eligible for a free replacement set, because my problem was caused by an obvious manufacturing defect.

It's obvious by several posts here that mine wasn't an isolated problem. No doubt Bose has received several calls/complaints about the same issue. It boggles the mind that a company with Bose's reputation wouldn't go all out to resolve it.

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Summary: Bit the bullet and decided to try the Bose QC2 headphones for an upcoming European Biz trip. Lots of time in planes, trains and automotbiles was spent. Besides if they ...

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Summary: Bit the bullet and decided to try the Bose QC2 headphones for an upcoming European Biz trip. Lots of time in planes, trains and automotbiles was spent. Besides if they did not perform as advertised I could return them within 30 days.

Well, I'm back now, but these headphones will not be returning to Bose. I cannot imagine how I have been traveling without them. My world is a quieter place. $300 is a bit steep, but worth it for me.

I have used other NR headphones and earphones. (Sennheiser, Sony, Shure and Plane Quiet) all reduced noice to some degree, but none were close to the QC2 performance IMHO. The Bose are just superior for combination of sound quality and noise reduction. Here is my observation for each use situation.

Plane ride: immediate and significant reduction of engine and wind noise to less than half the the level. airline movies and music sound quality was the best I have ever experienced. Human voices and baby crying nearby very muffled and hardly noticeable.

High speed train: totally quieted the noice to low levels. if it was not for the vibrations you would not know you were moving. MP3 player sound was great.

Auto: stopped nearly all wind and outside rumble from road. Sound quality was again great on MP3 player.

Street noice: while sitting outside in street cafe, most auto and other street noices greatly reduced. Sirens and horns were muffled ( by ear cups mostly) but very low level to still enjoy music play.

Yes the Bose QC2's are high priced and other models are much cheaper, but you should still try them to judge yourself. The 30 day money back guaranted makes this possible to use in your real-life situation. You may decide to return them, but I am keeping mine.

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Summary: Rather expensive headphones. I would like to describe my experience with these cans. First I have to say that if you are looking for a set of headphones and you ...

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Summary: Rather expensive headphones. I would like to describe my experience with these cans. First I have to say that if you are looking for a set of headphones and you are considering spending 300+usd you definitely need to go to store and try these out before buying, every brand behaves differenly and you need to decide. This being said, I love the sound and bass it is outstanding and the distortion level is hardly noticeable at a very high volume. I spoke to a rep regarding the very weak parts (the sidebars) and I saw the old model and the new model and according to them the sides are now reinforced and would not break as easy as the previous model. According to them the new model came on Aug 2005 and the there is new material that will withstand more physical abuse. I saw both models and I have to agree with the sales rep. Regarding noise cancelation I had an unexpected test, my girlfriend loves to dry her her hair when I am listening to music, wearing the QC2 I did not even notice she was there until I saw her her hair flying (it was awesome). I have to say that I did try several more inexpensive models that claim high quality but in my opinion these are the best. If you are in the US buy them at 300+usd, if you are in Europe or Latin America you have to pay WAYYYYYYY MOOOORRRREEEE.. in Mexico they are about 450 usd

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Summary: These headphones are the best that i have had. Using them now for about 6 months, i won't go back to the Sony MDR-900's that i have been ...

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Summary: These headphones are the best that i have had. Using them now for about 6 months, i won't go back to the Sony MDR-900's that i have been using in the past. Being a music director, i listen to all sorts of music, and could justyify spending $300.00 on a pair of headphones to take with me when i'm on the train, or the bus, or even when i'm on a plane. Armed with the i pod, i have never been happier. Great Headphones if you got 300 lying around to blow. If bose could maybe slim them down a bit, and give them a more powerfull amplifier, i think that would cure a lot of problems for a lot of people

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Summary: if these were of sturdier construction i would have given these a 10 plus. the elimination of background sound is so amazing its almost disorienting at first! One reviewer said ...

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Summary: if these were of sturdier construction i would have given these a 10 plus. the elimination of background sound is so amazing its almost disorienting at first! One reviewer said he needed a pre-amp for his Treo in order to drive these? return your treo. My two Sony MP3 players drive these earphones wonderfully! Yes there are cheaper noise reducing earphones but the Bose are so far ahead of them forgetaboutit. save your time. get these. sit down. enjoy!

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