BoseŽ Around-Ear Headphones for Personal and Portable Listening

by Bose

Product Details

• Item Weight: 5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000MMWT9Q
• Item model number: 42244
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (138 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 12, 2007

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Enhance your personal listening experience with acclaimed Bose around-ear headphones. Use them with your portable media players, computers, orhome stereo--you'll notice the difference the moment you slip them on. Bose technologies help deliver remarkable audio clarity and tonal range you might not expect from headphones this lightweight and comfortable.

Enhance your personal listening experience.

Hear the Difference

With Bose technology you don't have to compromise sound quality when listening through headphones. These around-ear headphones feature TriPort acoustic headphone structure--available only from Bose--to provide full-range sound from lightweight earcups. Deep low notes are faithfully reproduced without the artificial bass boost found on many audio devices. Highs and mids remain clear and distinct. Additional Bose acoustic equalization techniques help bring out audio details conventional headphones often fail to replicate.

Comfortable Fit

Bose around-ear headphones are also ergonomically designed so you can wear them easily for extended periods of time. Weighing just five ounces, they're so light and comfortable you may even forget you have them on. The soft-cushioned earcups gently surround your ears and swivel for a better fit. You can also adjust the sleek headband up to three inches in length.

Carry Bag Included

Slip your phones into the included drawstring carry bag for easy transport.

What's in the Box

Bose Around-Ear Headphones With Attached 5-Foot Audio Cable, 1/4-Inch Stereo Plug Adapter, Drawstring Carry Bag

Product Description

Bose around-ear headphones can be used with portable media players, computers, or home stereo. Bose technologies help deliver remarkable audio clarity and tonal range you might not expect from headphones this lightweight and comfortable.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

187 of 200 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bose Around Ear Headphones - Good Sound But Costly With Sub-Par Build Quality - Review Other Options, November 5, 2008

By 

Mark "Technology, Music and Movies" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)   

This review is from: BoseŽ Around-Ear Headphones for Personal and Portable Listening (Electronics)

The BoseŽ around-ear headphone set is the base model in their line-up, but is in the middle price range of such sets from most other brands. Some would say you are paying a premium for the brand name here, and they would be right. The sound is good, though not great. This unit is cheaply constructed and has some qualities of low end headsets. Because of the questionable durability, these will definitely be good enough for personal use but may not be durable enough for true portable listening over time.

PRICING, QUALITY, PERFORMANCE

Only Bose could produce an entry level set of headphones in the $140 price range. The average sound quality means that demanding and experienced users will most likely find the sound to be mediocre. Those who are not audiophiles will find little to complain about in the sound quality without points of comparison given the brand name. And these will certainly sound better than your average entry level set. Then again, your average entry level set will cost one fifth of the price of these. So it's still not a fair comparison.

Still, the main knock on this set is the durability and build quality which leave much to be desired. Good thing Bose has a great warrantee and reputation because there is a pretty good chance you are going to have to make use of it.

This unit is not terrible by any means. Some people may rail against this unit more than it deserves because of the high price and Bose name. That's understandable.

But to be fair this set will meet the needs of some. Those who are super brand conscious, or are purchasing these as a gift for such a person, are highly attracted to the Bose brand. That's how these came into my life originally. Somebody I knew just could not live with any set other than Bose.

It should be noted that I've performed testing over a 7 month period before posting my thoughts here. The first set I tested is still functional, but the wear and tear is obvious even after that short a time. I've tested 2 other sets since then and they all have similar qualities. The sound improves slightly over time, but the body of the unit suffers wear and tear easily. These are good enough for a home set but for travel or portable use I would not even consider them.

Once again, if you must have Bose paying the premium for these won't be the worst you've ever done. You just have to know what you plan on using these for.

THE ALTERNATIVES

The list of sets you should consider instead of these is long and varied. Several of the sets that have to be considered are also made by Bose. That is more than a little ironic. Specifically, the "Quiet Comfort" series, such as the BoseŽ QuietComfortŽ 2 Acoustic Noise CancellingŽ Headphones or BoseŽ QuietComfortŽ 3 Acoustic Noise CancellingŽ Headphones have active noise cancelling features. They are about twice the cost of these but at least offer more performance for your money. After all, if you're going to pay a premium it may be better to pay it for better quality as opposed to brand alone.

The Audio Technicas, particularly the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones, also deserve to be considered. The performance with noise cancelling enabled is very good. For less than these over-the-ear passive headphones, you get an active noise cancelling set that is more durable and with better sound. Similarly, the Sennheiser PXC 250 Active Noise Canceling Headphones, Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard Active Noise-Canceling Headphones, Sony MDR-NC50 Noise Canceling Headphones and Sony MDR-NC60 Noise Canceling Headphone all offer more features and quality in a very wide price range depending on your budget and needs. Any of these certainly stack up well against the QC2 and QC3 and would far surpass the Bose around the ear headphones. So they definitely should be considered here.

But for those who don't want the additional noise cancelling and think the quality of these is good enough, there are countless models by Sony, Panasonic and others that should be considered. Even the very low end Sennheiser HD201 Headphones deserve to be considered for less demanding users, especially since you could buy and replace 7 sets of them for the same price as these.


PROS
+ Good gift for basic headset for those that must have Bose brand name
+ Earphone is decent quality for a basic headset
+ Comfort of design is good; pinches less than others
+ Extra long cord is convenient for home computer use
+ Sound quality is still generally *good* if not great
+ Sound leakage is bearable, allowing you to not disturb those around you as much
+ Some internal components (drivers, magnets, etc) are better quality, unlike the casing
+ Each ear canister easily swivels for comfort and versatility
+ The Bose warrantee is very good, but you will likely need it
+ The company track record of honoring the warrantee is great

CONS
- The pricing is high, mostly due to the Bose brand name rather than quality
- The headphones are made from low grade plastic and not very durable
- The hard wired cable doesn't provide the option for some devices that require an integrated microphone (3 channel audio) such as the iPhone
- These sometimes sell for less than the list price of $140 in local stores
- The sound sensitivity and range are only average and wont satisfy audiophiles
- Durability is questionable; the wires and connectors are your basic cheap grade and won't last heavy abuse
- The plastic head strap and can hinges are cheap and
- Fabric over the ear cushions is cheaper *pleather* type material that will wear away with time
- Many other design flaws add up to make these sub-par overall

CONCLUSION

If you or your loved ones do not have audiophile needs and simply must own the Bose name, you may be satisfied with these. If don't mind the wired connection, this set is worth a look.

If you are willing to expand your search, you may find much higher quality alternatives at better prices. An inexpensive set for infrequent use or a noise cancelling set for more heavy travel use can easily be had for less. If you plan on using your headphones often and don't mind spending a little more, look into the Audio Technica set or other alternatives.

For my money, the build quality is simply too low to justify this price. I will update this shortly with more detailed testing information and alternatives.

Enjoy!

99 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pricey, comfortable, nice sound, but ... you can do much better, April 23, 2007

By 

D. B. Spalding (Korova Multimedia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BoseŽ Around-Ear Headphones for Personal and Portable Listening (Electronics)

Original review:

As I've posted elsewhere, these are my favorite choice for quality listening. They don't tire your ears out (like plugs) and they isolate you from all but the most intrusive environmental distractions. Superb bass response.

2009 update:

In 2006 I was sent a replacement for a broken model that had faulty headband design. So far's I know, the current model has the redesigned, sturdier component.

2010 update:

After regular use in the office, the ear pads of one of my pairs has begun to wear. Replacement earcups should be cheap, right? THINK AGAIN. Bose wants $35 for a set of these simple, cheap earcups. Combine that with the superior sound that you can get for equivalently priced 'phones (start with Grado), and the high price that Bose commands begins to pale by comparison. At one time, the Bose Triport (now called "around-ear") headphones were a very light and crisp sounding value proposition, but in this day of excellent on-ear or around-ear phones, as well as terrific in-ear monitors (IEMs), $149 for these is just too much money. Same with the Bose Triport IEMs (which I also own), for their MSRP, you can buy Shure SE110s or Etymotic Research HF5s, or (a spiffy newcomer) Thinksound TS01s or the more balanced Thinksound Rains for half the price.

Whether you want over the ear escape, or in-ear convenience, you can do better for less money.

68 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really good item, September 26, 2007

By 

J. Keeling - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BoseŽ Around-Ear Headphones for Personal and Portable Listening (Electronics)

These headphones are light and comfortable. Sound reproduction is outstanding. You will hear instruments and supporting vocals you did not know were on your CD or iPod. The around-the-ear design filters out all but the loudest background noise enhancing your listening enjoyment. But, you have probably heard all that. Try these out at a local Best Buy or Target. You will not be disappointed. Cost? You get what you pay for.