Customer Reviews

Bose On-Ear Stereo Headphones

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I wanted to get the Bose QC3s for sometime now,[...] I just liked the supra-aural style better than the original Triport headphones. I was hoping that Bose would come out with a non-noise cancelling version of the QC3, and these are it! As soon as I learned that Bose had released these headphones, I quickly placed the order for them.

I got these last week and have been listening to music like crazy with them, both on my computer and on my iPod. These phones are not noise-cancelling models, but they still block out a noticeable amount of noise. You can wear these in a room and block out the noise of cars outside, the A/C, etc, while still being able to hear someone speak to you. I think these would work ok on a flight, but definitely not the best; that's what the QCs are designed for. I'm no audiophile and the only time I've ever tried Bose headphones before these were the demo Triports and QC2s at the Apple Store, so I can't say anymore about the sound than that it is terrific. It definitely is a balanced sound, with the bass at a perfect level and not too-overpowering. The trebles also come out pretty clear too. I was pleased with the sound over my old Sony EX-81 earbuds, which have a muddy and hissy sound compared to these. The bad thing about the sound quality is it really emphasizes how badly compressed some of my mp3s have become, which may not be a good thing if you don't have the original CDs for some of your music. I would give the sound quality five stars, but I warn you again that I'm no audiophile.

The fit of the headphones takes some getting used to, as Bose's design is quite unique. These phones are on-ear being that they are designed to be worn like those cheap headphones that you would get with your walkmans and portable CD players back in the days before mp3 players. However, Bose put cushioned leatherette pads which conform to the shape of your ear; when you put them on, you need to allow several seconds for the pads to adjust and form the perfect fit for you. Once this is done, you are all set to go. The phones do not press on you ears hard; I think they are very gentle and should be good for prolonged use without having to take them off once in awhile. I also wear eyeglasses, and the cups definitely don't press down hard on my glasses. I would give fit 4 1/2 stars.

These headphones come with a semi-hard zipper case similar to what is included with the QC models. The case is nicely padded on the inside and is custom-designed to hold the headphones when folded. There is a little mesh like pocket on the back of the case which can probably hold an iPod nano comfortably, though not a video iPod. Two cords are included: a short cord if you are plugging the phones into a wired remote control, like the iPod radio remote or similar; as well as a long standard sized cord. The cord attaches to only one cup and is detachable, so you don't have to worry about tangles. I would give the features and extras 5 stars.

And now the big con: build quality. I've read the reviews about other Bose headphones having poor-quality headbands which snapped after several months of use. Having tried the original Triports and the QC2s, I don't think Bose made much of an adjustment on strengthening the band of this model. Well, the band is definitely much stronger than the Triport, which has a thin, flimsly and skinny metal band wrapped in cloth, similar again to the cheap walkman headphones of the 90s. The on-ear's headband is very much like the QC3s: thicker than the original Triport, slightly more durable and covered in both leather and cloth. However, I still feel like after a few months these could break easily, just like people have experienced with the QC3s (and even QC2s). They do feel kind of stiff and I'm afraid already that if I pull the cups too far apart that the band would snap instantly and without warning. Therefore, I have to give the build quality 2 1/2 stars.

So my final verdict: I think these are a great design. They fit very well without any alterations or "custom fit kits" like those needed on premium earbuds. They have great sound, which I would expect for a pair of Bose phones. However, I'm not pleased with the build quality. I feel like I have to be patient and move slowly when handling the phones for fear of breaking them; not how I would act for the average pair of headphones. I am only in the 2nd week of my 30-day trial, so I'm going to see how this works out. But I am fearful of breaking a wonderful yet expensive and fragile piece. I'll update this review if I do decide to return this at the end of the 30 day trial. Overall, I'll give these headphones 4 stars. The sound and fit quality are impressive, and the bundled extras plentiful.[...]

---EDIT: 12/29/06---
Ok, so I am updating this much later than I should have. After testing the phones for the full 30-day period, I did indeed return these and ended up getting a pair QC2s on eBay. I was still uncomfortable with the fragility of the band, but that wasn't the only reason for the return. As I said, I wear glasses and discovered that after a few hours with these phones on, I did feel some discomfort in regards to my ear being pressed down on my glasses. I should say that I haven't gotten such discomfort with the QC2s, but that's my judgement; each person will have their own opinion on this matter. However, do not let me dissuade you from purchasing these. These definitely have amazing sound quality (again, from a non-audiophile's perspective) which improved as I broke-in the pair I used. I would not hesitate purchasing this as a gift.

I just got these very recently after trying for 2 years to find the headphones of my dreams for both my audio system at home and my iPod.

These allow you to take off any bass booster eq and really hear what's going on. My previous headphones were pretty good, but just missed the range around female voices. These have NO such problems.

I am an audiophile and these would be considered on the "bright" rather than rich side, but it does very well in that. Hey, it's from Bose, so that's what you would expect, to some degree.

The sound is very accurate in that I could tell (for the first time) that a drummer was using a set of nylon brushes rather than metal. That's a bit esoteric, but it does give a description of how accurate these headphones are in that range.

I can not comment on durability yet as these are new to me. Bose does provide a semi-rigid case for them, so if you are good at putting things in their cases, it should be OK. If you just like to take your headphones off and let them drop, these are probably not your best choice.

For me, it was between the Triport AE (around the ear) and this one. To my ears, these OE's are clearly less muddy, especially in the mid to high freq range. They are occlusive enough so that I could go around vacuuming with my iPod without being at full volume. That's pretty not bad, especially for non-noise cancelling headphones.

If you realy can't tell the difference, I wouldn't spend the $180. If you can, these are certainly worth a listen.

The biggest problem now is that I might have to go back and re-rip my CD collection using a lossless format versus MP3. That's not a bad problem to have.

damn this things are amazing, i put off buying these for a while because YES, They are very expensive, however i decided to buy them about 2 weeks ago and they are amazing, i dont even miss the money!!!! everything sounds absolutely fantastic with these, bass is superb and so are the mids and highs, crystal clear sound. they seem sturdy enough to carry around but the carry case is portable enough if you wish to carry them in your backpack to skool or work or watever. You will not regret buying these babies they are fantastic. it is also worth mentioning that they are not noise cancelling but because of the super-confortable memory foam cushion material that adapt to the shape of your ears, THEY DO BLOCK OUT ALOT OF OUTSIDE NOISE, i live in NY so blocking out traffic,horns,and people screaming on the streets is essential, and these sets brings all of those obsructions down to super minimum volume. 100% RECOMMENDED.

p.s: if you are upgrading from those terrible ipod headphones you are in for one BIG improvement here, you will not believe the sound!!!

_________EDIT___________

i forgot to mention something really nice about these headphones, the CORD is perfect length and it comes off right at the top of the headphones' left earcup meaning that if you accidentally pull it (and it takes force to pull it off) it will disconnect and not break the actual cord which means that if you were to BREAK the chord you can simply REPLACE it with a new one without compromising the headphones!!!! i accidentally SAT on the plug and it broke off at the tip where it connects to my mp3, with any other headphone the whole thing would have been ruined but with THESE BOSE i just replaced the cord with a new one!......and good as new!!!! im on my 9th month with these babies and i havent had any problems, they are still sturdy as the first day i bought them and i take them with me everywhere, they have survived rain, snow, heat and super cold weather and still function fantastic and ear-cushions are still in excellent condition. HOPE THIS HELPS! BYE

-------EDIT2--------------

year 1 1/2, still sound amazing, the cushions are showing a bit of tear around the middle, but this is expected because of EXTREME heavy use, i take these EVERYWHERE and use them EVERYDAY, this hasn't compromised any part of the sound. I AM STILL EXTREMELY HAPPY WIHT THESE HEADPHONES. still recommended, i would buy them again.

------EDIT3---------------

2 years, more tear on the cushions no need to have them replaced yet though they still sound amazing!, top head band is also losing some of its nice cushion material because of heavy use and i rarely use the carrying case. these things still sound amazing, survived the winter storms and snow, had to replace the cable again, so $5 more dollars, i ordered 2 just in case. its to be noted that i use these things ALOT! everyday ! and still sound as good as new, they look worn but its not a problem for me, i might get the cushions replaced next year but i see no need for that yet. STILL AMAZING !!! would STILL buy them again.

I just got the on-ear triport headphones. I've owned the Shure E3c ear buds for about a year and a half. They're both expensive and they're both great prodcuts with certain situations in which they're ideal.

The Shure's provide "noise blocking" in that they form-fit to the inside of your ear canal which virtually eliminates any sound entering your ear except sounds produced by the buds. The clarity of the E3c's is superior to that of any product I've sampled. The mid and high frequency sounds are near perfect. Shure provides 7 differnet size ear bud covers to guarantee the perfect fit for any user. (personal note: I have odd ears; one canal is larger than the other. Not a problem with the Shures since you're free to mix and match the covers). The only problem with the E3c is that there is virtually zero low end response.

The Bose, on the other hand, provide a great mix of sound at all frequencies. While the top end frequencies don't rival that of the E3c, they are more than capable of handling any reasonable amount of bass. (note: I don't listen to any rap, so don't get angry at me if you buy these and they don't thump enough for you). But, from heavy metal to jazz I find the Bose is able to handle the low end.

Both headphones immerse the listerner in the music. I give the bose the edge in the comfort department. Lets face it, having padded leather ON your ear is more comfy than having rubber jammed IN your ear.

Convenience? The E3c would have to get the edge. They're small and can be easily wrapped around an iPod or shoved in a pocket. I'd also be more likely to use them during a workout. If I'm sitting around the house relaxing I'll alwayse use the Bose.

So, consider your personal preferences. If you want comfort, bass, and relaxing listening sessions get the Bose. If you want noise reduction without batteries, crystal clear sound and don't mind sacrificing low end for portability go with the E3c.

One last note: I'd say I'll use the Bose for more than 75% of my listening. Either way you'll be making a solid purchase. Look at it this way: $300.00 for an iPod. Hundreds if not thousands on music. You've spent all that money on your music collection. What could be more imporatnt than having a high quality product to deliver that music to your ears? The only tough choice is picking the Shure or Bose. I'll leave that up to you.

I was on a recent buisness trip and purchased the Bose OE Triports to use with a new Sansa MP3 player. I listen to more jazz than anything presently and wanted something that would give excellant performance as well as good isolation. I purchased these grudgingly because of the price and my dislike of Bose marketing and pricing. But I thought that I would give these a try. I too found that the bass is excellant, better than most that I have heard. The midrange and highs were buried beneath the bass!! I thought only the younger generation who crave bass heavy music would enjoy these. I planned to return them at the end of my trip. I even stopped at more stores along the way to compare them against the $499.00 Shure earbuds (I forget the model)as well as some others. The Shures sounded more open, as I perferred but were expensive. I arrived home and let others listen to them and they agreed that they were bass heavy (Still hadn't made the return because of time restraints).

It happens that I feel asleep with my player going. I awoke, removed the headphones, left the player going (by mistake) and went back to sleep. By some miracle, the next time that I put the headphones on, I couldn't believe the improvement in the sound quality, the openess, and the seperation!! I listened very intently over the next few days to countless tracks and tried to find something that I didn't like. The midrange, highs and bass response were all there. I think that the total listening time between the period that I really disliked the phones to the sweet spot was 15-20 hours. I don't know if headphones require breakin like speakers but I have no desire to make a return. I look forward to listening to my entire collection of music. The Bose are here to stay.

They sound pretty good, and are fairly comfortable. The problem I have with them is the cord running from the audio source to the headphones. After about 3 months the cord starts to loosen up from the plug and the audio will constantly cut in and out in both ears. Your left trying to pinch the wire against the plug to get sound, which is not very effective. I'm Currently on my THIRD replacement wire, and I've had the headphones about 10 months.

I would also like to point out that this is from normal wear--I dont wear them to the gym or while running. I just wear them walking around, or sitting at my computer. I have cheap (7 dollar) headphones that I've worn while running, at the gym, in the sauna, and everything in between for 5 years that are fine.

Bose does have good customer service, when the first wire started to head south on me they paid for me to ship back my headphones and sent new ones to me in a couple days. Right now im waiting for my replacement wire and its been over a week, so they're not as good this time.

Perhaps Bose has fixed this problem for newer headphones--I dont know, but you might want to think twice before you spend 180 bucks.

I bought these headphones to replace a pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones which I had worn out, and like them much better. (I don't like the noise canceling because there is a constant background hiss, and sometimes it hurts my ears as if the volume is too high, even when there is no sound at all.)

The sound quality on these headphones is very good. The sound seems to be identical to the around-ear model, and is better than any other headphones I have heard, although I haven't tried high-end audiophile models. The detail is excellent by my standards. My only complaint about the sound is that the bass is a bit stronger than I would like. By the way, the cord comes in several segments which plug into each other, and when you use the phones for the first time you need to make sure that the segments are securely connected, or else the sound will be terrible.

These headphones are also very comfortable. Soft leather pads rest lightly on the ear. I can wear them for hours without noticing. The around-ear version is a bit less comfortable but blocks out more noise. (I own the around-ear model as well, and which one I wear depends on how much outside noise I want to be able to hear.)

Some reviewers have pointed out that the part where the earphones attach to the headband is a bit fragile, and I am inclined to agree. These headphones might not be so good for you if you want to be able to toss them in your backpack frequently. An excellent protective case is provided, and this is good for occasional travel; however it would be a pain to pack and unpack the phones in this case on a regular basis. Since I don't transport them much, this is not a problem for me.

I collect headphones as a hobby, and I've reviewed a number of them here on Amazon. To make things easier(and my review more objective), I've created a six-song test with a rating scale, where 0 - 2 is abysmal, 2.1 - 4 is poor, 4.1 - 6 is mediocre, 6.1 - 8 is above average, and 8.1 - 10 is excellent.

The songs I used were chosen for the wide range of musical genres they represent. They were "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac, "Every Planet We Reach is Dead" by Gorillaz, "Concerto Grosso no. 26 in D Major" by Handel, "I Know You Are, But What Am I?" by Mogwai, "Afro Blue" by Triplexity, and "The Patient" by Tool. All songs were encoded in Ogg Vorbis at 192 kbps or higher, and played from a Cowon iAudio 7 with all sound effects turned off and the equalizer set to flat.


Sound Quality(4.5/10)

The Chain(6/10) - decent sound stage, decent highs, but too much bass. Muddy and bland mid tones.

Every Planet(7.5/10) - decent sound stage, decent highs, good bass, but weak mid tones.

Concerto(3/10) - muddy with a subpar sound stage. Very bland overall, with neither crisp highs nor rich mid tones.

I Know You Are(3/10) - muddy with noticeable distortion. Overpowered lows and highs. Decent sound stage.

The Patient(3/10) - muddy with noticeable distortion. Decent sound stage. Unimpressive treble and mid tones, but nice bass. Terrible separation of instruments.

Afro Blue(5/10) - nice, smooth bass, but small sound stage and bland, muddy mid tones. Highs sound fairly crisp, but music is a bit muddy outside of that.

Overall Sound(4.5/10) - Sound quality is borderline between mediocre and poor. Lows are moderately overpowered but fairly clean. Distortion was present at higher volumes, and in songs with a large amount of bass, but overall it was kept fairly low. Mid tones are bland; severely lacking. They seem to be less emphasized than the bass and the treble, perhaps because some consumers perceive quality through exaggerated bass and highs(which may appear to make the music sound crisp). Highs are somewhat bright, but otherwise unimpressive.

Some sound stage, but still very lacking. Music occasionally seemed to be coming from "outside the headphones", but this didn't happen often. Instrument separation is slightly muddled, although not terribly. These seem to be best for listening to musical genres which emphasize bass, but even so, better headphones in this price range can be easily found for this purpose.


Design(9/10)

Attractive, modern styling. They look sleek and contemporary, but not so much that they appear tacky. Compact, supra aural design that can fold up and be placed inside an included case. Relatively sturdy. Lightweight body, adjustable headband, and generous padding makes them comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The casing containing the diaphragm is made of plastic, but seems quite solid.


Noise Isolation(5/10)

Moderate noise isolation effectively blocks out most ambient noise in a suburban setting. Louder foreground noise, however, still comes through only slightly muffled. Noise leakage is also an issue with these headphones, as it is fairly easy to hear music from them when they're playing at only a moderate volume.


Bottom Line(4/10)

Low overall value. While these headphones were attractive, comfortable, and mobile, I don't feel the low sound quality can be justified at this price. However, opinions on headphones vary wildly according to personal taste, and I always recommend listening to many different pairs before buying. Listen to the Bose, but also listen to Grado, Denon, Sennheiser, Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic, AKG, etc. before choosing a set to purchase.

I had been searching for the right pair of headphones for my Ipod Touch for weeks on end, reading the reviews and published opinions in all the audio/video forums. I already own the UE Super.fi 5 Pro canal phones and they are great indeed, but I was wanting a set of headphones for both work and home that were easier to put on and take off. You have to fidget with canal phones to get the seal right. I decided based on reviews to buy the Sennheiser HD555. I was interested in the various Bose headphones, but they just seemed way overpriced. In the end, however, I was very disappointed in the HD555's - so much so that I went right out and purchased the Bose On-Ear headphones. The Bose On-Ear headphones are very similar to the Quiet Comfort 3's, but without the noise canceling feature and are about half the price. In comparing the Bose to the Sennheiser, I played an orchestra/vocal mp3, "Gollum's Song", with Emiliana Torrini, recorded at 320 sampling rate, and the HD555 sounded better than the Bose, richer midrange, more clearly defined...But. The Bose did quite well with this and other orchestra pieces too and just gave such a more well-rounded performance on all different types of music than the HD555 did. Amongst many other songs, I listened to the Beatles' "Come Together" and the HD555's disappointed badly there, and I had to turn the EQ bass booster on to get any satisfaction at all from it. The Bose were very nice with no EQ, just the right amount of bass, both felt and heard. Not muddy at all, but deliciously warm. You know, I think that the Bose On-Ears have more weaknesses than the Sennheiser HD555's, but it is sometimes more helpful to describe the way a headphone's sound makes you feel rather than a technical breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of a particular set, and in that way I would say that the Bose On-Ear's are a kind of comfy chair that satisfies emotionally; and even if the chair is not perfect you are feeling very good in it, and you lounge and sigh with contentment. In comparison along the same emotional lines, the Sennheiser HD555 is an evenly padded chair, firm and not uncomfortable and no doubt has all the things in it that should make it a better chair than the Bose. But somehow it doesn't. If you are using an IPod, I think you'll be happier with the Bose On-Ear headphones than most other phones. They are good for the office too because they are small, they only leak a little sound and they block outside sounds quite well. And yes, they seem very comfortable too. I found the right ones for me.

So i'll write the review today, 24 hours after purchase, and i'll update in a month - in case there's a difference.

For me, the tell sign of a good headphone is whether or not my ipod sounds good with it. I don't mess with default EQ levels on my ipod - but i find an ipod with ear buds - even my shure E2c's - to sound incredibly horrible. IMHO you need over the ear head phones at a minimum for bass assist. In any event, that's the bar with which I measure the sound - i'm not looking for my $2k stereo system and $5k speakers on my head.

I like the sound of these. Another reviewer wrote that they block a fair amount of noise and he's right. My office is just in front of the office printer and i rarely noticed it there today. I also didn't hear the delivery guy dropping off a package, asking me to sign. That was interesting. Walking to the breakroom to get water I was aware of my own foot steps - something i usually experienced with my QC's on the airplace.

A couple of things I noticed, especially after reading other reviews here:

1. Quality/construction: i'm used to using my studio headphones - Sony's - which are amazing, awesome, but heavy. Often, on flights to europe from california i find i have to take them off and give the top of my head a break - and it's not that they're on too tight or some such - they're just heavy. Here, with the Bose, i'm finding i'm welcoming the lighter weight. Yes, they feel .. "flimsier?" than the studio phones - but i don't think they'd fall apart. We'll see what 1 month shows.

2. Sound: for me, this really should be sound/size. I really held off buying an ipod shuffle because it seems rediculous to put it on the other end of huge sony monitors. :) These are still bigger than i wanted - i really want over ear sound in ear, which isn't going to happen - but the fold up - a plus - and have a case - a double plus - and the bass is good. Yes, it's Bose - and yes it's $179 - but considering Shure in ears can't give you the same sound ON AN IPOD for twice the price - i'm happy with the sound.

3. Ear squishing: When I put them on, it never occured to me i'd have to pull the ear pieces down. My head is fairly small and i've always used the smallest settings on headphones - these were the first that i had to pull down a notch. I'd suspect that'd make the ear piece on my ear "tighter" - i'd expect them to be looser as you elongate the extension/plastic bar to make the head piece bigger. I haven't noticed a problem at all. Squishing is not a problem - until i read it here, i'd not have even thought of it.

Overall i dont doubt i'm paying a premium for the brand, but i don't know of anything else comparable at the same size/form factor. We'll see in a month how they hold up.




July 6 2007 Update
-------------------------

I re-read the review and I still believe everything in it is accurate. My ears get a little warm after working with them - but to be fair, that's at least 5-6 hours of straight use. On an airplane where i might be stuck for 8-12 hours i wondered if that's a good thing or not - but you're supposed to get up and walk around every 2. That short break on the plane - or for me, to the breakroom for more water - was more than enough to put them back on and be comfortable. My ears weren't burning, like another reviewers - just a bit warm. I think they're superb. I think they make my ipod sound like the $499 investment it was and not the crap it is without these headphones. I highly recommend the product.