Pleasantly surprised by Bose headphones...

[spl23]

I have a set of Shure E500s, which are without doubt the best headphone I have heard. However, I do a lot of listening to music at work, and I am sadly in a job where I get interrupted on a regular basis - this means that every time, I have to remove at least one ear of the Shures, and then fit it again when I can get back to listening to music. This is just too much of a pain - it takes me a while to get the earpiece in snugly and to adjust the fit, and I end up just not bothering listening to music as it is too much hassle..

So I decided to get some over-ear headphones to use in the office - they needed to be closed, both to block out office noise and to avoid disturbing others. I don't like headphones that press on your ears, so I was looking for ones that fit around your ears, and I wanted something light and comfortable that didn't sound like a huge step down from my Shures.

I am a private pilot, and I use a Bose aviation headset in planes, and it is superb - miles better than anything else, and far more comfortable. So I tried the Bose around-ear headphones at £100 - to be honest, Bose don't have the best reputation in terms of hi-fi, so I wasn't expecting a great deal.

And I'm actually quite impressed. Yes, they don't have quite the detail of the Shures, and the bass sounds slightly artificial, but they have already revealed details I've not heard before on tracks I know well. They are exceptionally comfortable, and weigh very little for a full closed design. The only real quibble I have with them is the build quality - they feel rather flimsy; not what you'd expect for £100.

That said, if you are looking for a decent-sounding, lightweight closed headphone, I'd recommend them. I'm already contemplating a second pair so I can leave one at work and have one for use at home...

[Keiron]

Couldn't you have just got the PTH accessory for the Shures?

[spl23]

Originally Posted by Keiron

Couldn't you have just got the PTH accessory for the Shures?

Already got one - hate using it! Leaving aside anything else, it's a bit insulting for the person you are speaking to to be sitting there with earplugs in, pointing a microphone in their general direction... I also find it adds an unpleasant weight to the cable of the Shures, and I don't really like the sound of voices through it!

[Keiron]

Originally Posted by spl23

Already got one - hate using it! Leaving aside anything else, it's a bit insulting for the person you are speaking to to be sitting there with earplugs in, pointing a microphone in their general direction...

Originally Posted by spl23

I also find it adds an unpleasant weight to the cable of the Shures, and I don't really like the sound of voices through it!

I can imagine - it's a heavy and clumsy enough cabling system as it is.

On your original point re Bose, I admire your honesty. It's very popular to bash them (heaven knows I have done). I think if they didn't make such grand claims and charge such high prices they might get a little more respect. I have read elsewhere good comments about their headphones.

[spl23]

Originally Posted by Keiron

On your original point re Bose, I admire your honesty. It's very popular to bash them (heaven knows I have done). I think if they didn't make such grand claims and charge such high prices they might get a little more respect. I have read elsewhere good comments about their headphones.

Certainly in the aviation market, there is nothing but respect for them - the Bose Aviation-X headset is the most comfortable and lightest headset available from anyone, and the noise cancellation on it works very well for reducing one of the major sources of fatigue when flying. I occasionally fly aircraft which aren't compatible with my Bose, and I really miss it when I do so.

But leaving aside the noise reduction and comfort, I find the Bose aviation headset gives a much clearer rendition of voices than other aviation headsets - it makes it much easier to hear what the guy on the other end is saying. This makes me think that the fundamental audio engineering in the headsets is pretty good, and the audio headphones seem to bear this out.

I completely agree that they are overpriced, and the advertising fluff really doesn't help, but the headphones do actually seem to be pretty good in terms of quality. I'm tempted to try them with a headphone amp and see if they improve further - although they are 32 ohms, so the iPod's internal amp doesn't seem to struggle too much.

[Keiron]

Originally Posted by spl23

I occasionally fly aircraft...

Now you're just showing off

[andyUK101]

I really like my QC3's

Cant fault them in terms of comfort and noise cancelling ability although i prefer SE530 for everyday use

[soundstory]

Originally Posted by spl23

I have a set of Shure E500s, which are without doubt the best headphone I have heard. However, I do a lot of listening to music at work, and I am sadly in a job where I get interrupted on a regular basis - this means that every time, I have to remove at least one ear of the Shures, and then fit it again when I can get back to listening to music. This is just too much of a pain - it takes me a while to get the earpiece in snugly and to adjust the fit, and I end up just not bothering listening to music as it is too much hassle..

I've had a love/hate relationship with my humble e2c's.

Love the sound quality but had MAJOR fitting them.

Only the foam pads work for me but they get earwax on them (yes I do clean my ears, efore anybody starts !).

It wouldn't be a bad idea if they changed the colour !!

[Naqv]

Originally Posted by spl23

I have a set of Shure E500s, which are without doubt the best headphone I have heard. However, I do a lot of listening to music at work, and I am sadly in a job where I get interrupted on a regular basis - this means that every time, I have to remove at least one ear of the Shures, and then fit it again when I can get back to listening to music. This is just too much of a pain - it takes me a while to get the earpiece in snugly and to adjust the fit, and I end up just not bothering listening to music as it is too much hassle..

So I decided to get some over-ear headphones to use in the office - they needed to be closed, both to block out office noise and to avoid disturbing others. I don't like headphones that press on your ears, so I was looking for ones that fit around your ears, and I wanted something light and comfortable that didn't sound like a huge step down from my Shures.

I am a private pilot, and I use a Bose aviation headset in planes, and it is superb - miles better than anything else, and far more comfortable. So I tried the Bose around-ear headphones at £100 - to be honest, Bose don't have the best reputation in terms of hi-fi, so I wasn't expecting a great deal.

And I'm actually quite impressed. Yes, they don't have quite the detail of the Shures, and the bass sounds slightly artificial, but they have already revealed details I've not heard before on tracks I know well. They are exceptionally comfortable, and weigh very little for a full closed design. The only real quibble I have with them is the build quality - they feel rather flimsy; not what you'd expect for £100.

That said, if you are looking for a decent-sounding, lightweight closed headphone, I'd recommend them. I'm already contemplating a second pair so I can leave one at work and have one for use at home...

How dare you. Wash your hands this very instant of the muck that you have typed.

I only had the opportunity to experience Bose Triport OE and they were the most comfortable headphones I have ever used, however, the sound was absolutely dog tripe, with too much bass and no clarity.

[Reano]

Originally Posted by Naqv

How dare you. Wash your hands this very instant of the muck that you have typed.

I only had the opportunity to experience Bose Triport OE and they were the most comfortable headphones I have ever used, however, the sound was absolutely dog tripe, with too much bass and no clarity.

Bose are too expensive and in most circumstances you will be able to find something with better sound than them. However I do love my bosedock version 1) great for hotels, use in smaller rooms and even the bathroom.