Customer Reviews

QC®15 Communications Kit

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been looking for a noise canceling headphone with a mic so that I get the full benefit of using them with my blackberry while traveling. Just received the Bose QC-15 headphones and the mobile communications kit. The mic is too exceptional, it is very clear for any one on the other end of the phone provided there is no background noise. The mic picks up everything, unless you are in a very quiet environment people on the other end of the call hear everything and more clearly than if they are in the same room. It does not take much background noise to make this mic unusable. I can not use them in my vehicle and I suspect a noisy environment like an airport terminal would be much the same.

I've had a set of QC2's for about 5 years - simply can't travel without them - addicted. Just bought the QC15's BTW - less is less right? I have a set of Skull Candy earbuds for my Samsung Instinct phone - nice buds, good phone, but I had to max out the volume and still couldn't hear conversations if a plane came overhead or a car came by - annoying. I got these last night, and after some quick repair work (below), I tried them out - fantastic! I immediately turned my phone volume down from 8 to 4 and the conversation was superb. WRT the other review, I had no problem hearing myself - just like talking while your QC2's are on - not an issue with me. The one issue I DID have - when it showed up, it wouldn't seat into the connector base of the headphones. I discovered the insert has a small (1/4") notch up one side - apparently to seat with newer QC2's(?). Well, my QC2's have no "innie" for that "outtie" - so I filed it off in about 2 minutes. Seats perfect and sounds perfect. Without the notch issue, this is a 5 star piece and a GREAT add for anyone who wants perfect conversations. Comes with 4 phone jack adapters - I have a 3.5mm jack insert on my phone - that's standard - no need for the adapters. Nice touch though...

I thought that this kit, like other Bose products, was going to be high speed. I was wrong! Bose missed the mark by not including the audio video remote control buttons/functions along with the mic. Not only is the housing for the microphone huge but it doesn't even include the play, pause, stop, forward, rewind, or volume controls. Unlike the sleek, slim, and highly handy, dandy, and oh so functional remote on iPod/iPhone ear bud headsets, this kit only offers a bulky microphone. The Hi/Lo switch is also missing on the headset side which negates the output control option. I returned mine today and highly recommend that you hold off until they correct such a grievous technical oversight!

When speaking on the phone you cannot hear yourself speak over the headphones. Others can hear your clearly, you can hear others clearly. BOSE support told me that this product lacks 'sidetone' - and therefore there is no audio from the microphone to the headphones. It is more than a little annoying that the BOSE website, and the product packaging, fail to mention this drawback. BOSE has let me down with this product, and specifically their less than upfront product information.

The cord works fine for how it is designed. However, I can only give 3 stars because they have shortened the cord from the original and it does not provide a hangup/answer the call button. Bose really should do this especially since a majority of cellphone screens timeout and you must hit the "on" button to even view your "hang-up" button on the device. Also, I agree with others that have commented that it is disconcerting when you do not get a side-tone of your own voice as you speak. So for me those 3 issues keep this from being the excellent product that it should be.

People can hear me great. I can hear them great. I can't hear myself talk at all - it does not play your voice over the headphones. Not a deal breaker though, I still like these a lot for sitting in an airport talking on the blackberry or whatever.

For 10% the price of the headphones you bought, this is a no-brainer.

This product is for stereo listening. Beware: stereo headsets have four segment jacks that simply wont work with many cellphones and wireless phones - all of which have 3-segment jacks.

We attempted, we begged, Bose to tell us where we could buy an adapter 4- to 3-segment. No luck. Bose is determined to ignore this market. They know more than their public!

Pity to be so headstrong IMHO.