Bose Headphones

[Blackhood]

I'm probably climbing attop a high and well worn hobby horse here but:

*Assume I know that BOSE products are at best slightly above average in quality and significantly over priced*

Please name an Aviation headset that is more comfortable, has better noise cancellation and better durability than the Aviation X.

Please name a home theatre DVD system that has more discrete speakers and multi-room expandability.

Follow that up with a company who produces Active Noise Cancelling headphones (on-ear only, not circumaurul) that work as well or better.

They are not audiophilie products. Never have been, never will. The fact remains that they do many things to a better standard than most.

Bitching at someone for buying their cheapest product is ridiculous. Bose products get hate for the same reason Boss does. "Specialists" can't stand the idea that the wider public might just have access to something good enough for their club.

Its not the best, but its also far, far from being the worst.

 

[Gus]

Not about Bose in-ear, But I bought the Bose noise canceling over the ear headphones in 2003. I traveled extensively and enjoyed their comfort for very long flights and how effective the noise canceling feature reduced fatigue on long-hauls. After about 2 years they cracked when someone sat on them. I stopped in at Bose store and they gave me a brand new pair. No problem. A year ago, my carryon bag got crushed and they had a crack. No Bose store around but I called Bose. They were way out of warranty but even then for under $100 ($75?) they replaced them with a brand new, upgraded model. They even sent them FedEx next day so I could have them for a trip.

So listening to headphones on a plane, I don't need the most pure sound, I need the most comfortable, reliable sound that reduces noise and Bose beats all the others that I have ever tested. Many over the ear or in the ear may sound better but aren't as comfortable and don't have the warranty and back-up that you get from Bose.

 

[audiophilia]

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

Not about Bose in-ear, But I bought the Bose noise canceling over the ear headphones in 2003. I traveled extensively and enjoyed their comfort for very long flights and how effective the noise canceling feature reduced fatigue on long-hauls. After about 2 years they cracked when someone sat on them. I stopped in at Bose store and they gave me a brand new pair. No problem. A year ago, my carryon bag got crushed and they had a crack. No Bose store around but I called Bose. They were way out of warranty but even then for under $100 ($75?) they replaced them with a brand new, upgraded model. They even sent them FedEx next day so I could have them for a trip. So listening to headphones on a plane, I don't need the most pure sound, I need the most comfortable, reliable sound that reduces noise and Bose beats all the others that I have ever tested. Many over the ear or in the ear may sound better but aren't as comfortable and don't have the warranty and back-up that you get from Bose.
+1 Amazing for frequent flyers. I even 'purchased' a one-box HT solution to install around the TV to aid in the condo sale. Of course, it sounds poopy, but civilians love the stuff. 'Is that included'. Yes! Sold.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

So listening to headphones on a plane, I don't need the most pure sound, I need the most comfortable, reliable sound that reduces noise and Bose beats all the others that I have ever tested. Many over the ear or in the ear may sound better but aren't as comfortable and don't have the warranty and back-up that you get from Bose.

+1. I pack mine for every flight. They have rescued me numerous times from many crying babies and excessively yapping passengers.

 

[Trompe le Monde]

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

Many over the ear or in the ear may sound better but aren't as comfortable and don't have the warranty and back-up that you get from Bose.

Comfort is subjective. But having a foam-fitted in-ear phone, without anything pressing against my whole ear, or weighing down on my head, is more comfortable for me.

On warranty, i've gotten full replacement from Shures. In fact, once they actually sent me 2 pairs as replacement. From where do you say other manufacturers are short on this aspect?

 

[senchao]

I would go insofar as to say that the Monster Turbines are a great selection for around $100.

Amazon.com had a sale a few times for the Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10s for $99.99 - that's just unbeatable at that price point - I own a pair of those and they're incredible

 

[Gus]

Originally Posted by Trompe le Monde

From where do you say other manufacturers are short on this aspect?

Most (didn't say all) don't have replacement after 30-90 days.

 

[Trompe le Monde]

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

Most (didn't say all) don't have replacement after 30-90 days.

most? from what sample?

the limited warranty for almost all reputable brands (shure, etymotic, audio technica, akg, grado, etc) are all quite uniform ... that is , 1 - 2 years coverage for manufacturers defect, yadda yadda yadda

i.e. no worse (and not necessary better) than bose.

just going off anecdotes, many people have had 0 problems getting full replacements for their products regardless of cause. and as a matter of my personal opinion, warranty is not generally a concern for any "niche" product

 

[Unregistered]

Why does the warranty for crappy earphones matter?

 

[ac_slater]

If you want some real headphones look at brands like Beyerdynamic, AKG, and sennheiser. Bose is crap really. Take it from a guy who's been producing music for over 10 years. And for those of you asking for "examples of a better headphone!" Here you go. http://www.headphone.com/headphones/...0---32-ohm.php Great entrance level headphone for those wanting to get serious about their music.

 

[MasterOfReality]

Whether Bose is crap or not is entirely subjective to the listener. Some people simply do not give a crap about acoustic processing, fiddling or enhancements, be it good or bad.

MY ears like the Bose sound, but my wallet isn't entirely sure. There are much better value products, but at the end of the day my ears tell me I like the Bose sound but I probably wouldn't buy a lifestyle system because they are overpriced.

I have a set of Bose on-ear headphones which like others have said, have given me great relief from screaming brats on planes on numerous occasions.

My only complaint is the leather on the cups is wearing a bit thin after 3 years.

 

[kungapa]

Originally Posted by MasterOfReality

Whether Bose is crap or not is entirely subjective to the listener. Some people simply do not give a crap about acoustic processing, fiddling or enhancements, be it good or bad.

MY ears like the Bose sound, but my wallet isn't entirely sure. There are much better value products, but at the end of the day my ears tell me I like the Bose sound but I probably wouldn't buy a lifestyle system because they are overpriced.

I have a set of Bose on-ear headphones which like others have said, have given me great relief from screaming brats on planes on numerous occasions.

My only complaint is the leather on the cups is wearing a bit thin after 3 years.

+1 on the AKG.

I run a pair of $100 K240 S with a decent amp.

Generally speaking, you are better off with a $100 headphone and a $100 amp than a $200 headphone.

 

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Blackhood

I'm probably climbing attop a high and well worn hobby horse here but:

*Assume I know that BOSE products are at best slightly above average in quality and significantly over priced*

Please name an Aviation headset that is more comfortable, has better noise cancellation and better durability than the Aviation X.



Lightspeed's Zulu Headset is far superior to Bose in every aspect. Has more options (bluetooth, aux inputs, sound control) , better decibel reduction in noise cancellation, Lifetime warranty (not sure if Bose does), and costs anywhere from $150-350 less than Bose Headsets.

 

[Unregistered]

Originally Posted by MasterOfReality

Whether Bose is crap or not is entirely subjective to the listener. Some people simply do not give a crap about acoustic processing, fiddling or enhancements, be it good or bad.

MY ears like the Bose sound, but my wallet isn't entirely sure. There are much better value products, but at the end of the day my ears tell me I like the Bose sound but I probably wouldn't buy a lifestyle system because they are overpriced.

I have a set of Bose on-ear headphones which like others have said, have given me great relief from screaming brats on planes on numerous occasions.

My only complaint is the leather on the cups is wearing a bit thin after 3 years.

Actually, it's an objective difference. The sound signiture between the Bose and better earphones is that the Bose normalizes the input signal to a far higher degree than others. Meaning, your frequency response range is also far lower in Bose products, thus you are not
obtaining something as close to the pure original source as possible. Granted yes each brand does have it's own signiture, even the monitor quality products, it woul be far closer. So yes, it is better and not just subjectively but in a quantitative manner.

 

[MasterOfReality]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Actually, it's an objective difference. The sound signiture between the Bose and better earphones is that the Bose normalizes the input signal to a far higher degree than others. Meaning, your frequency response range is also far lower in Bose products, thus you are not
obtaining something as close to the pure original source as possible. Granted yes each brand does have it's own signiture, even the monitor quality products, it woul be far closer. So yes, it is better and not just subjectively but in a quantitative manner.

Yeah true, objective difference when it comes to the actual product, although each listener's opinion on their sound would be subjective

I was sort of trying to get to something resembling what you said.