QuietComfort 15 may be the best noise canceling headphone out there!
Written: Oct 22 '09 (Updated Nov 01 '09)
Product Rating:
Pros: amazingly superior noise canceling, memory foam ear pads, single cable design, supports mobile phones
Cons: not wireless, plugged ear discomfort (personal issue), music playback requires headphone turned on
The Bottom Line: Bose's QuietComfort 15 may very well be the best noise canceling headphone ever as it dramatically reduces noise so much that it's unnoticeable.
maceyr's Full Review: Bose QuietComfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelli...
Please read and view my review here: http://bit.ly/FzXm7
Please read through the entire review plus the full detailed review ( http://bit.ly/FzXm7 )which offers photos, videos, test recording before going along with others' "Helpful" rating and rate the same. Thanks.
Those who have read my review of the Bose QuietComfort 2 ( http://urlm.in/dhmy ) would have known that I wanted to swap it (although I really loved it) and paying extra for the newer QC15 for the better noise canceling features. And it didn't disappoint. After a short while of using the QC15 headphones, it was quite apparent that the newer QC15 headphones were dramatically superior to the QC2 headphones in terms of noise canceling. While the QC2 headphones could do a decent job of reducing background noise, the QC15 almost eliminated it. The newer technology plus the addition of the microphone (3 holes on the side of the earcups) may have been the reason for the better noise canceling. Whatever it was, the difference was like night and day.
What they are
The headphones are "around the ears" cupping and covering the entire ears as opposed to the QC3 which is "on the ear" and lightly rests on the ears. I preferred the "around the ears" design because I believe that it will be much better to completely physically block out some noise even without the noise canceling turned on as opposed to the "on the ears" which won't be able to block the noise that bounces off other parts of the ear. The headphones come with an adjustable foam padded headband, soft memory foam earcups (QC2 and QC3 come with soft foam earcups), a fliptyle design carrying case, audio cable for listening to music on your audio source, and aan airline audio adapter. The earcups also fully rotate flat for storage in the carrying case to ensure it stores properly to prevent damage. Of course, being a "noise canceling" headphone, the main feature is its ability to "cancel" or actively block out background noise.
The acoustic noise canceling is done through its electronic technology. There's an ON/OFF switch on the right earcup to turn on or off the noise canceling feature. The package also includes a single AAA battery to power up the noise canceling. There's a battery compartment for the AAA battery located near the top of the right earcup. Press on the latch and flip up the flap to open it up and remove or insert a single AAA battery. Turn it on to turn on the noise canceling and when you want to listen to music.
Headphones can be used with or without audio cable
The headphone may be used by itself for noise canceling or you can attach the audio cable to the bottom left earcup and to your audio source (mp3 player, stereo, etc). Or, if you purchase the mobile communications kit (sold separately) you can also listen to music on your cell phone, smartphone or mp3 player. You may also be able to enjoy FM radio with those headphones if your cell phone supports this feature.
The Package
The package includes the headphone, audio cable, carrying case, and an airline audio adapter. What's missing compared to what was included in the QC2 (now discontinued) are the carrying strap, extension cable and 1/4" home stereo audio adapter.
The carrying case, compared to the QC2 is now a flipstyle designed case shaped similar to an omega symbol. The zipper starts from the bottom of one side and wraps all around the top to the other side bottom. The case opens flip style with one flap opening downwards and outwards, similar to flipstyle cases of most smartphones or cell phones. On one side of the case (opened flap) is a courtesy card holder with a few courtesy cards (word of mouth). Unfortunately the holder is now only made of soft translucent plastic with a pair of velcro strips on its back and it looks much cheaper compared to what the QC2 holder looked. The other side or flap of the case still offered the zippered mesh pocket for small items like batteries, earbuds. This was the same as what was offered on the QC2. Underneath is the pair of molded shapes meant to hold the QC15 headphones' earcups to keep it safely stored without much movement inside the case.
Also aside from the better noise canceling, the headphones also were equipped with memory foam earcup pads, as opposed to the already comfortable soft foam pads found on the QC2 and QC3. And, that may be part of the reason why I felt that the QC15 weren't as comfortable (keep in mind this is definitely a personal opinion) as the QC2, partly due to the memory foam pads, which may have collapsed too much and may have pushed out some air from inside. When putting on the QC15 headphones (again, this is my experience, yours may be different), my ears quite quickly feel like it's plugged (similar to the feeling on an airplane going up or down in altitude). At first, I didn't think much of it, but I ended up realizing that I didn't want to wear the headphones due to the discomfort. If I paid so much for the QC15 only to not use it, that totally defeats the purpose. So, with much thought, I decided to return it and swap it back for the QC2 and I've been very happy since. I really loved the QC15's amazingly better noise canceling but it didn't feel nearly as comfortable as the QC2.
* Our best headphones reduce more noise across a wider range of frequencies * Enjoy your music and movies even more, with clear and lifelike sound * Comfortable, around-the-ear fit * AAA battery: 35 hours average life * Ideal for frequent flyers
The headphones that pioneered an industry are now even better.
New QuietComfort 15 headphones feature exclusive Bose® advancements in noise reduction technology. You hear less noise than ever before, and even more of your music and movies. With the quality sound you expect from Bose. And a lightweight fit that stays comfortable for hours. It’s a combination of benefits unmatched in the industry.
Quieter than ever before
We were the first to introduce noise cancelling headphones over 20 years ago, for use specifically on airplanes. And we’ve continuously improved the technology since then.
New QC®15 headphones significantly reduce even more noise across the full spectrum of human hearing. Advanced electronics now use microphones both inside and outside each earcup to sense and reduce more of the sounds around you.
QC15 headphones also feature improvements to our proprietary ear cushion technology, further reducing unwanted noise. New cushion materials now block more noise before it enters the earcups, delivering an even quieter listening experience and a comfortable fit.
Significantly improved noise reduction across a wider range of frequencies. Proprietary Bose innovations now use microphones both inside and outside each earcup to sense and reduce more of the sounds around you. QC15 redesigned ear cushions further reduce noise
Redesigned ear cushions use new materials in a proprietary design to establish a critical acoustical seal—helping to further reduce noise while providing a comfortable fit. Bose noise cancelling headphones feature TriPort acoustic headphone structure
TriPort® acoustic headphone structure, another Bose exclusive, features tiny vents in the earcups to enable a tonally-balanced audio performance—including reproduction of deep, low notes—from relatively small and lightweight headphones. Active EQ electronically fine-tunes the headphones’ frequency response to deliver outstanding sound
Active equalization electronically tunes the headphones’ frequency response, enabling outstanding audio performance. Single, detachable audio cable for greater convenience
Single, detachable audio cable offers greater convenience than standard Y-cables. Fold-flat earcups for easy storage and portability in included case
Fold-flat earcups rotate 90 degrees for easy storage and portability in the included case. Portable carrying case protects your QuietComfort headphones and accessories
Slim carrying case helps protect headphones and accessories during travel.
Dimensions
Overall headphone dimensions
7.5″H x 6.5″W ( 19 cm x 16.5 cm ) Ear cushion outside dimensions
3.75″H x 3″W ( 9.5 cm x 7.6 cm ) Weight with cables
7.3 oz (207.5 g)
In the box:
QuietComfort 15 headphone
detachable audio cable
AAA battery
airline adapter
carrying case
Full review including videos, test recordings here: http://bit.ly/FzXm7
I've posted a video of the QC15 on Youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu6Lp0g0ue8
With a side by side comparison video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POBAxWBze3g
Also check out the full review for the test recordings: http://bit.ly/FzXm7
Again, without rehashing all the info that I've already written (plus a side by side comparison video of the QC2 and QC15) and test recordings of both the QC15 and QC2 headphones, please check out my Palm Discovery website for more info: http://palmdiscovery.com QC15 review: http://bit.ly/FzXm7
I Liked:
* better noise canceling feature * quality sound * soft memory foam on earcups * single cable design * airline audio adapter included * uses AAA battery
I Didn’t Like:
* must be turned on for music listening * not wireless * earcups seal too well * not all background noise reduced * earcups push too hard and uncomfortable * microphone picks up wind
Quickly running through the Likes: the QC15 offers much better noise cancellation compared to the QC2 (I even tested it myself with both) and it was amazing. Sounds that were still heard with the QC2's noise canceling on were practically reduced that it was hardly noticeable. The sound was also great. I was able to pick up nuances and other sounds I didn't hear before and that's for songs I've heard many, many times before! The soft memory foam feels very nice with that slow spring back feel. Those who love memory foam will enjoy this when putting on the headphones as it will contour and shape to the side of your head for a much better "seal". The single cable design with only one cable that runs from the left earcup ensures that I don't get tangled with the typical Y cable that most headphones come with. When traveling on airplanes, the supplied airline audio adapter is very nice so that I can use the QC15 headphones to listen to the entertainment offered by the airline. Unlike the QC3 which uses a propriety lithium ION battery, the QC15 much like the QC2 uses a single AAA battery which is lightweight, portable and you can get anywhere and bring along a spare if you need to. On the QC3, either you get another spare battery (costs extra) or you have to wait for it to charge. I really like this as I use a rechargeable battery to save money.
My Dislikes: The headphone must be turned on (using battery) to listen to music, even if I don't necessarily want or need the noise canceling. I am not happy about why there isn't the option of allowing us to listen to music without turning on the noise canceling and using the battery. While many headphones will allow us to listen to music without using any extra power source why can't the QC15? It doesn't make sense. It would be nice if the QC15 or other noise canceling versions would offer a wireless version so that I can listen and enjoy anywhere in the home or office without being wired. In this day and age or wireless connectivity, it seems a "no brainer". The earcups seem to "seal" too well which not only makes my ears feel hot after a while and which also may contribute to my discomfort with the "plugged ear" feeling. Whenever I put on the QC15, my ears tend to feel like it's plugged, similar to the feeling on an airplane when it's changing altitude. The microphone on the sides of the earcups which may be why the noise canceling is much better, unfortunately, also seem to pick up wind when it's blown at it, which can be irritating to listen to when using the headphones. With a test done of both the QC2 and QC15 while a fan is blowing on the earcups, it seems that the QC15 tends to pick up the rustling sound of the wind. Also, although the QC15 is much better at reduce noise, of course, not all noise is reduced (ie. crying babies and some voices).
Overall, I really like the QuietComfort 15 as it's superior to the now discontinued QuietComfort 2 headphones. Background noise that previously were not canceled out or reduced with the QC2 were dramatically reduced almost to a level that is barely noticeable if at all. Unfortunately for me, I felt some discomfort (I believe it is only limited to my personal preference) and had to go back to the QC2.
I'd strongly suggest you try out the QuietComfort 15 yourself at your nearest retail store and take advantage of their 30-90 day policy (depending on where you get it) to try it out and see for yourself.
Just don't expect these headphones to block out everything so that you hear NOTHING. It won't. What it will do is reduce much of the background noise to a level that is barely noticeable so that you can concentrate on whatever you're doing, whether it's reading, enjoying your music, etc.
Quieter than ever before, featuring exclusive advancements in noise reduction technology. Lifelike sound you expect from Bose. And a fit that stays co...More at Bose
Hearing is believing. Experience clear, lifelike sound that only Bose can deliver. The Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic noise-cancelling headphones deliv...More at QVC
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