BOSE(R) QCZ/GB Triport Headphone

by Bose

Product Details

Product Manual [1.01mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006LK1O
• Item model number: QCZ/GB
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 17, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Bose's most affordable headphones are designed to prove that high-performance sound can come in a lightweight package (just five-ounces, including ear cords). The Bose TriPort glacier-blue headphones deliver the full spectrum of your music, whether you're plugged into a computer or on the go with a portable media player. Their ergonomic design keeps them remarkably comfortable and lightweight, even as proprietary Bose headphone technology conveys the rich acoustical landscape of your music.

Bose's acoustic equalization techniques aim to deliver the rich nuances of your music--details that conventional headphones often lose. The TriPort headphone technology faithfully reproduces deep, full low notes without requiring the artificial bass-boost function found on many portable players.

Based on the results of decades of audio research and headphone acoustical study, Bose identified ways in which normal listener sound perception changes when people wear headphones. That led to the development of Bose's proprietary acoustic equalization techniques, which have fine-tuned the frequency response of the TriPort headphones for exceptional performance.

The headphones' soft ear cushions gently fit around your ear for comfortable listening. A thin, adjustable headband offers several head-size settings, and the earcups swivel for a better fit. The headphones include a generous, five-foot extension cable and a handy carrying pouch.

What's in the Box
Headphones, an extension headphone cord, a .25-inch stereo adapter, a headphone plug, a user's manual, a warranty card, and a drawstring carry bag.

Product Description

Bose Triport Stereo Headphone - Digital sound offers superior frequency response and accuracy. Most headphones can't reproduce all those sounds. Bose has developed a headphone that can deliver all those sounds and you can use it at home or with your portable stereo or MP3 player. Bose delivers excellent sound and Triport technology offers no compromise in comfort and quality whether you're listening indoors or outdoors. Carrying bag (included) is a convenient way to carry your headphones wherever you go Overall dimensions - 7.5H x 6W Ear cushion outside dimensions - 3.8H x 2.9W Weight with cable - 5 Ounces Color - Blue Grey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

117 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Criminally overpriced - please audition other gear!, March 15, 2005

By 

Owen Oyer "q3catscratch" (NJ aka Hellhole) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BOSE(R) QCZ/GB Triport Headphone (Electronics)

Well, you may not necessarily believe that, with all the hype that surrounds Bose, these headphones would be anything other than stellar. They are, unfortunately, very subpar. In truth, these are rather cheap headphones, utilizing very light construction with a predominance of plastics, and very cheap diaphragm materials. The "Tri-Port" technology is nothing more than a plastic shield over the diaphragm with three asymmetrical cutouts that capture the sound at different parts along the diaphragm. I suppose that this does help in making a very cheap diaphragm sound better, but it is not a substitute for better materials and higher-quality construction. I expect the Triports cost no more than $20 to make.

Many consumers walk into the local Best Buy, try these headphones out, say "hey, they're great!" and walk home with a brand new pair. Why is that? Because most people haven't heard higher-quality systems, and compared to what is commonly available at Best Buy, yes, these are a notch above. However, there are several things you should know:

1) There are much better sounding headphones that are much cheaper.

2) The Triports are defective. The headband design is very flimsy, and is almost guaranteed to break after several months of use. I several friends who own these, and their headbands ALL broke after a few weeks.

3) Most of the phones to which these are compared are really terrible. The Sony MDR-V700, against which the Triports are often compared, is a very poor quality phone that isn't designed for home use - it's designed to offer DJ's lots of bass without any regard for detail and clarity. Saying that the Triports are better than the V700's isn't saying much at all.

I don't want to tell you that you're all wrong and that I'm all right. I want to say this: use your own ears. Audition real, high-end headphones before you spend $130 or whatever on these, and then decide for yourself what you want to buy. You owe it to yourself to get the best when spending this much money.

Here are a few models that I urge you to look at instead of these:

1) Sennheiser HD555, 590, 595, and 280 Pro. The HD580, 600, and 650 receive a lot of well-deserved praise, but they need expensive amplification in order to shine, and are in a different league that the Triports, hence, comparing them directly is unfair.
2) Sony MDR-V6. Not the MDR-V600! These are very different phones. The MDR-V6 is an older, discontinued model with different drivers that sounds fantastic, unlike the V600, which is very subpar.
3) Grado SR-60, SR-80, SR-225. All Grado headphones sound exceptional. The SR-60, at $69, will blow the Triports out of the water.
4) Audio-Technica ATH-A500, A700, and A900. These are exceptional Japanese headphones. They're hard to find in the US, but online you can definitely buy them. They compete directly against the Triports, and offer stunning sound quality for the money. They're also very well built and reliable, if slightly bulky.
5) If you can, listen to a Stax system. Granted, these systems cost as much as $3,000 for the headphones alone, but this will tell you what a hi-fi pair of headphones SHOULD sound like. Stax headphones are some of the best.

For portable headphones that will be used with mp3 players, I suggest that you look at:

Etymotic Research ER-4P, ER-6i; Shure e2c, e3c, e4c, and e5c; Westone UM2; Sharp MD-33; Sony MDR-EX51 and EX71; Audio-Technica ATH-CM7 and CM7ti; Koss KSC-35, KSC-75, and PortaPro; Sennheiser HD-25, PX-100 and PX-200; and last of all, Stax SR-001 Mk II, which while hard to find and expensive ($239 Japanese street price), is the best sounding portable available, period (and is the only portable electrostatic headphone in the world). Keep in mind that it needs a mini-to-mini interconnect, since it requires the use of an amplifier (which is included).

Use your own ears! I've told you where to start research. Please take the time and finish it. You will be rewarded with a quality product, and you will be grateful for the time that you spent researching the information.

For questions, please look at www.head-fi.org. It is an excellent source of information on anything and everything headphone-related.

I sincerely hope this helps.

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Hope This Helps, November 1, 2002

By 

Robert (SugarLand, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BOSE(R) QCZ/GB Triport Headphone (Electronics)

I'm not the type to take a chance on expensive headphones that hve no professional reviews, but since I had a GC and needed a good pair of headphones I went for these. They retail about the same everyhere (see the page you're viewing for price). They're Bose, but like most Bose products you ultimately get what you pair for. First thing I noticed is that they were a little cheap looking. Trying them on however they felt very comfortable, something I could definitely get used to having on my head (and I see no reason why they won't hold together as time goes on). A lot smaller and lighter than studio headphones, they still provide a deep rich quality sound. Living at college, I've seen students with headphones bigger than these walking around campus. Don't get me wrong, they're definitely stereo phones meant for indoors (especially since you're gonna wanna crank these and other people are gonna hear it loud and clear). However, they are certainly not heavy duty and not a huge nuisance at all to travel with you somewhere. Also, though it doesn't isolate others from your music very well the headphones do a wonderful job of isolating you from a good deal of outside sound. I really wish I had some Sennheiser or Grado to compare with, but I can say for sure that these really rule over those sony 600's studio monitor headphones right at the triple digits. All in all, I can't compare to the headphone brands known for quality, but I CAN say for sure that I can't think of any complaints for these headphones nor how music could sound any better than this. Expensive, but I don't regret the purchase at all. They are cheap looking but obviously well constructed, comfortable, fit great, and sound flawless. I have nothing great to compare to so I can't tell you if they're superior to your Grado's but for those who haven't invested in a great set of headphones but are looking to, you'll enjoy these a whole lot. I really hope this helps people like me looking for reviews.

63 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Headphones, November 24, 2002

By 

J. Zarris (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BOSE(R) QCZ/GB Triport Headphone (Electronics)

The Bose Triports are my third attempt at trying to find quality headphones. I first tried the Sony MDRV700DJ. They had amazing sound, bass and were free of distortion even at very high volume. But they are very uncomfortable and get quite hot. That is because they are designed for DJs in loud setting and are very close to the ear. They were not made for home use. I should have realized that before buying.

I then tried the Sennheiser HD570. The were comfortable, but the sound quality was horrible unless you only listened to classic music in a quiet room. These were not designed for music with ANY bass. I should have known that too, but I decided to try one more time.

After trying out the Sennheiser HD570 and Sony MDRV700DJ headphones, I turned to the Bose Triport. Finally! These combine the sound quality of the Sony and the comfort of the Sennheiser. Amazing sound, bass and no distortion except at very high volume. They are comfortable and shield a lot of outside noise out. I am very happy now and can't recommend these headphones enough!