QuietComfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones

Other products by Bose

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 6.5 x 7.5 inches ; 7.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B002M38I2U
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Headphones > Noise-Canceling Headphones
  #64 in	Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories

• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 20, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Bose - Better Sound Through Research

Dedication to research and excellence. It's been the Bose approach to better sound since Dr. Amar G. Bose founded the company in 1964. Since those early days, Bose engineers have kept their focus on creating better technology. You'll find that focus exemplified in the QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones, with advances that ensure premium performance and convenience.

The headphones that pioneered an industry are now even better.

QuietComfort 15 headphones feature exclusive Bose advancements in noise reduction technology. You hear less noise than ever before, and even more of your music and movies--with the quality sound you expect from Bose. And their lightweight, soft-cushioned fit stays comfortable for hours. It's a combination of benefits unmatched in the industry.

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Ideal for frequent flyers

Full Spectrum Noise Reduction

Quieter Than Ever Before

Bose invented noise cancelling headphones over 20 years ago, for use specifically on airplanes. And the company has continuously improved the technology since then.

QC15 headphones reduce even more noise across the full spectrum of human hearing. Advanced electronics now use microphones both inside and outside each earcup to sense and reduce more of the sounds around you. The headphones also feature improvements to proprietary Bose ear cushion technology, further reducing unwanted noise. Soft, new cushion materials now block even more noise before it enters the earcups, delivering an even quieter listening experience and a comfortable fit.

Hear less noise than ever before, and even more of your music and movies

Concert Hall Sound--or Peaceful Sanctuary

QC15 headphones also feature proprietary Bose signal processing and audio reproduction technology to deliver quality sound--including deep low notes--from relatively small and lightweight earcups. You enjoy well-balanced and detailed audio, all made clearer by advanced noise reduction.

Even when not listening to music, you can use these headphones to quickly leave the noise behind--and relax.

For Travel, Work and Home

When you fly with QC15 headphones, engine roar fades even further away. When you listen at home or at work, fewer distractions get in the way. When you're on the move, an optional mobile kit lets you use these headphones with a cell phone, too.

Audio cord, airline adapter, AAA battery and carrying case included

QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones Highlights

Significantly improved noise reduction across a wider range of frequencies. Proprietary Bose innovations now use microphones both inside and outside each earcup to sense and reduce more of the sounds around you.

Redesigned ear cushions use new materials in a proprietary design to establish a critical acoustical seal--helping to further reduce noise while providing a comfortable fit.

TriPort acoustic headphone structure, another Bose exclusive, features tiny vents in the earcups to enable a tonally-balanced audio performance--including reproduction of deep, low notes--from relatively small and lightweight headphones.

Active equalization electronically tunes the headphones' frequency response, enabling outstanding audio performance.

Single, detachable audio cable offers greater convenience than standard Y-cables.

Fold-flat earcups rotate 90 degrees for easy storage and portability in the included case.

Slim carrying case helps protect headphones and accessories during travel.

What's in the Box

• QuietComfort 15 headphones
• Detachable audio cable
• AAA battery
• Airline adapter
• Carrying case
  
  

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  Similar Bose Products to Consider

  QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones--For those who prefer a compact on-ear design and a rechargeable battery, QuietComfort 3 headphones offer a proven combination of Bose noise reduction, audio performance and comfortable fit. Enjoy full-spectrum noise reduction that dramatically reduces engine roar--and fades background distractions at work and at home, too. Bose quality sound reveals nuances in your music you might have missed. And the soft-cushioned headphones stay comfortable for hours. Earcups fold flat for easy storage in included case.

  
  
  
  

Product Description

The headphones that pioneered an industry are now even better.

QuietComfort 15 headphones feature exclusive Bose advancements in noise reduction technology. You hear less noise than ever before, and even more of your music and movies--with the quality sound you expect from Bose. And their lightweight fit stays comfortable for hours. It's a combination of benefits unmatched in the industry.

Quieter than ever before
Bose was the first to introduce noise cancelling headphones over 20 years ago, for use specifically on airplanes. And the company has continuously improved the technology since then.

QC®15 headphones significantly reduce even more noise across the full spectrum of human hearing. Advanced electronics now use microphones both inside and outside each earcup to sense and reduce more of the sounds around you. The headphones also feature improvements to proprietary Bose ear cushion technology, further reducing unwanted noise. New cushion materials now block more noise before it enters the earcups, delivering an even quieter listening experience and a comfortable fit.

Concert hall sound--or peaceful sanctuary
QC15 headphones also have proprietary signal processing and audio reproduction technology for quality sound--including deep low notes--from small, lightweight earcups. You enjoy well-balanced and detailed audio, all made clearer by advanced noise reduction.

Even when not listening to music, you can use these headphones to quickly leave the noise behind--and relax.

For travel, work and home
When you fly with QC15 headphones, engine roar fades even further away. When you listen at home or at work, fewer distractions get in the way. When you're on the move, an optional mobile kit lets you use these headphones with a cell phone, too.

What's in the box
--QuietComfort 15 headphones
--Detachable audio cable
--AAA battery
--Airline adapter
--Carrying case

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shut off the World, August 27, 2009

By	K. Jones (Lummi Island, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Frankly, I think these new Bose headphones put the QC-2 to shame!

I've owned both QC-2 and QC-3 headphones for for a couple years, and their predecessor before that. My home is in a rural area that over time has become increasingly noisy with automobile traffic, chain saws, weed whackers, air travel, boats, etc, so have become a great fan of noise-cancelling headphones, which for me provide respite against all this sonic assault.

When I read the specs of the QC-15, I thought, if these are an improvement over the QC-2, I'll have to try them. This in the face of feeling sheepish about blowing another $300 for what I feared might be a trivial difference in quality.

I needn't have worried. When I turned on the QC-15, it was like shutting off the world. The loud rushing sound emitted by the air filter running 15 feet away became nearly inaudible, the low rumble of distant boat, air, and automobile traffic disappeared altogether. The background hiss generated by the QC-15 is noticeably quieter than the QC-2, and the noise cancellation, as Bose advertises, covers much more of the audio range. My QC-2 headset doesn't do nearly as good job at cancelling the white noise from the air filter as the QC-15, for example.

As for sound quality, the QC-15, to my ear, has better response in the deep bass, from 25-35 hz, and les resonance in the 80-150 hz range. The bass is generally tighter as well. If you're used to the mild boominess of the QC-2, as I was, it might take you a bit of listening to appreciate the difference. In higher frequency ranges, the QC-15 seems comparable to the QC-2. My 64 year-old ears cut off arount 8 khz, so I'd defer to the judgement of younger listeners in this area.

All-in-all, I'm very happy with the improvements manifest in this new version of the Bose headphones and feel that even at $300 they're well worth it.

The only negative criticism I can make so-far is that the headphones emit a rather loud click when you turn them on, compared to the QC-2. This is not a big deal- I just make sure to throw the ON switch before putting the phones on my head.

By the way, many users of Bose (and other) noise-cancelling headphones complain , sometimes bitterly, about he sensation of "ear pressure" when the noise-cancelletion is activated. This is an illusion that arises because actual pressure on un-equalized eardrums (as when climbing or descending in an aircraft) has the effect of reducing the low frequency response of the eardrums. That loss of low-frequency sensitivity is read by the brain as pressure, which, in the case of altitude change, it actually is. Noise cancelling headphones drastically attenuate ambient low frequency sounds, many of which we register unconsciously. The brain interprets this as pressure on the eardrum, even though this is not actually the case. The sensation of pressure produced by noise cancellation is actually an indication of just how much very low frequency background sound we tolerate under normal circumstances. Research indicates that such low-frequency sounds can actually be a source of low-grade anxiety. Hence you may find that these headphones attenuate your nagging anxiety along with the background rumble generated by the pervasive combustion of fossil fuel all around us.

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blissful Solitude, August 25, 2009

By	Bob Dole (WA United States) - See all my reviews

Exec Summary
- I highly recommend these headphones.
- Good in any situation where you need to concentrate. I could have really used these when I was in college for studying in dorms, libraries, etc.
- Battery life is excellent. I am pretty sure I have used them more than 24 hours on the original battery that came in the package and it is still going.
- Music sounds great. I have just started running thru my mp3 library but have hit on several songs that I know push the drivers pretty hard and they sound pretty damn good.
- Detachable cable. If you just want the noise cancelling, you can detach the cable and be cable free.

If you want to know why I am giving such a positive review after only having the headphones for 6 days, read on.

I spent a long time (weeks) researching Noise Cancelling headphones after getting moved to an office across from a computer lab with over 1000 rack mounted servers and right under its very large ceiling mounted HVAC unit. I tried a friend's QC3's for a day and things were better (I could concentrate and not get headaches), but I found the on-ear not as comfortable and not as good at blocking the sound as I had expected for the money. Then last Wednesday, I happened to read a Gizmodo article about how Bose was updating its Headphone lines and the 15's were arriving in store on Thursday. So first thing Thursday morning I dropped by the local mall and tried out a pair. I was sold after five minutes of wearing them and went straight to work to put them to work. After installing the battery I turned them on without the cable connected and put them on. Ah, quiet - Even the high pitch whine of the server fans was reduced by 90%. I was able to play some background music at a very low level and I now I could hear no environmental noise what so ever. I was still feeling guilty about spending $300; however I fell ill on Friday and had to be hospitalized. I was placed in a room that was right next to the nurse's station (great for service, awful for noise levels). Luckily I had brought along my Zune and my QC15's. I spent most of my three day hospital stay listening to E-Books in blissful silence. No bells, whistles, intercom pages, visitors talking, next door neighbors coughing, etc. Needless to say, it's the best $300 I have ever spent.

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bose Ups the Ante, August 22, 2009

By	Paul Noble - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The QuietComfort 15 looks virtually identical to the 2. Only visible difference: mic holes on the chrome accents, green LED instead of red when on, different molding on the 3.5mm jack and a distinctively sculptured case of slightly different overall dimensions. Otherwise absolutely identical to the eye.

Performance improvements, per the PC Magazine and C/Net reviews: noticeably better noise cancellation (several db better suppression of an AC unit is my only test to date), tighter bass. I believe the rated battery life is better. There does seem a tad more negative pressure.

Certainly not a huge upgrade over the already excellent 2, but noticeable. If you can find a new home for your 2, no downside to upgrade. If you are a first time Quietcomfort buyer, a no brainer, at the same price, and superior to the 3 in my view: less comfortable to wear and I see rechargeable as a real negative - when you get on the plane and find your headphones need recharging - especially when the 15 lasts over 30 hours on a single AAA. I always carry a couple of spare AAAs in the case.

Hot Tip: I am now using my 2 on my treadmill. My issue is my LCD TV doesn't have a headphone jack, only line out (RCA). I researched headphone amps and they are expensive to very expensive and volume control is of course on the amp itself. Bose makes an RCA to 3.5mm jack extension cable for their Wave unit, that includes volume control at the headphone end. $15. Works perfectly! Product code: 029100. Style code: HSACQA. Our local Bose store said they are in short supply, so if you like the idea, buy now!