Bose QC15
Bose QC15
Bose QC 15 Quiet Comfort Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
Oct 30th
Introducing a Revolution in Personal Listening
Listening to a movie or your favorite mp3s when you are stuck at 30,000 feet in an overcrowded commercial airliner has never been the easiest thing in the world to do, trust me I have spent far too many hours in the straining to hear the movie on my laptop or having it turned up so loud it gives me a headache. The obvious answer to this problem is a good set of noise canceling headphones and I have tried many of them. Recently, I decided to order a set of Bose QC 15 Quiet Comfort Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones as a friend recommended them.
In this review I will cover the technical aspects of the Bose QC 15s as well as my personal feelings about how well they are made, how well they worked and then sum it all up at the end.
What You will Find in the Box when it Arrives
Whenever I mail order anything, I always want to know exactly what I am going to find inside the box when it arrives. Once you get the box and open it, you will find the following inside:
- QuietComfort 15 headphones
- Detachable audio cable
- AAA battery
- Airline adapter
- Carrying case
You get everything you will need to use the headphones including a battery; this is something that you do not get with every set of noise cancelling headphones. The first thing that I noticed and really liked was that the ear cups turned a full 90 degrees so that they folded flat inside the thin case, even with the cord and adaptor inside, the case fit in my laptop case quite easily.
Silence is Golden
Much as I like to listen to a movie or my favorite music, the biggest reason for these Bose QC15 QuietComfort headphones was to get rid of the noise from the outside world. Since they are noise cancelling headphones, you should be able to put them on and be able to enjoy peace and quiet. Once you put the QC15s on you are going to feel like you are in a bubble, this is the first pair of headphones I have found that once the noise cancelling feature is turned on really cancels the noise of being in a crowded airplane. The headphone muted the noise to the point where I could have easily fallen asleep and slept through anything that was going on.
How Do They Sound?
Of course while the silence is wonderful, I bought these to listen to music or a movie on my regular long flights. As soon as I turned on a selection of my favorite music, I noticed that the Bose QC15 headphones offers excellent base response that is nice and tight instead of mushy like so many different headphones that I had tried. Mid range response is superb and the treble is exceptionally crisp. No matter what volume setting I used the sound was very clean, far better than many of the other headphones I have tried.
Comfort for the Long Haul
As stated I bought these for long international and cross country flights and wanted a pair of headphones that I could handle wearing for hours at a time. As much as I really wanted to be able to relax and not hear the noise of the outside world, I needed to be comfortable in them or the headphones would be of little use.
The fit and padding of the ear cups is ideal and the headband puts just enough pressure on them to keep the cups sealed around your ears and no more. I can wear these for an 8-10 hour flight and they never bother me a bit. The removable cord means I can even leave them on to go to the restroom and keep the noise out.
Battery Life is Critical
Because they are a noise cancelling headphone the Bose QC15 QuietComfort headphone rely on a single AAA battery for the noise canceling microphones and electronics. Unlike many rechargeable models and a large number of other replaceable battery modes, the QC15 headphones provide outstanding battery life, lasting up to 35 hours on a single battery. This is perfect for someone who spends a great deal of time traveling.
What Bose Has to Say about them
As the original manufacturer of noise cancelling headphones in the 80s Bose has continued to work on improving the quality of their noise cancelling headphones. The result is the QC15 and is one of the most advanced sets of Bose headphones designed to date. These headphones have been designed specifically for air travelers and work well to reduced engine and cabin noise using microphones both on the inside and outside of the ear cups to detect and eliminate noise.
The Bose QC15 QuietComfort headphones feature signal processing and audio technology that is proprietary and will deliver exceptional sound quality from the deepest low notes to the peak trebles notes with little to no distortion and great sound reproduction.
What I Found
As with any new set of headphones I have tried, I read what the company has to say about their product with an open, if slightly skeptical mind. I have bought far too many products based on what the manufacturer has to say only to be completely dissatisfied. I have to admit when I put the Bose QC15s on and switched the noise cancelling on, the world went away. This was enough to sell me on them even if the sound quality wasn’t top notch.
Being a Bose speakers fan for many years, I expected at least decent sound. I was delighted with the quality of the sound. The entire spectrum of musical reproduction was great and I never watch a movie in flight that I can’t hear even when the actors are whispering. All I can say is these are awesome and well worth every penny of the almost $300 I paid for them. If you travel via air, bus, train they are perfect for you. Of course if you work in a noisy environment or want to shut out the kids for a while the Bose QC15 QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones are just what you need.
| What I Really Liked | What I Didn’t Like So Well |
| Outstanding noise cancellation, the world disappears as soon as you turn them on | Loud pop when turning on the noise cancelling feature. As long as you turn it on before putting on, this is not a problem |
| Great battery life – up to 35 hours on a single AAA | Could be built a little stronger in construction |
| Very comfortable, even for the longest flights | Cost – Doesn’t everyone wish that the price of everything was less though? |
| Fantastic sound quality |
Technical Specs
Dimensions
Overall headphone dimensions
7.5″H x 6.5″W (19 cm x 16.5 cm)
Ear cushion outside dimensions
3.75″H x 3″W (9.5 cm x 7.6 cm)
Weight with cables
7.3 oz (207.5 g)
Bose QC15: View it before you buy it
Nov 29th
The Bose qc15 unboxed. The headphones that pioneered an industry are now even better.
Bose QC15 or Bose QC3?
Dec 7th
They are both noise canceling headphones. The Bose QC15 is an around the ear design so the ear cups are bigger than the QC3 which is an on ear design.
Visual Example of Noise Cancelling Headphones
Feb 10th
Visual example of how noise cancellation works.
Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 17th
Paul asks…
Help me sleep at night!?
I live near a central street in s big city and the apartment I live in is not particularly sound proof. That results in me not being able to sleep and rest at night. I can only sleep soundly when I am so exhausted I don’t mind the noise. The noise consists of motorbikes speeding, large cars moving and dogs from nearby balconies barking their hearts out. Sometimes I also hear footsteps or speech from other apartments. When I’ve slept over at friend’s houses, who also live near central, noisy streets, I had no problem. I suppose it’s the building’s lack of sound proofing that creates it. So, what do I do to mitigate the sounds? Moving is not an option.
I have researched on the internet and found two methods: noise-cancelling headphones (but are they appropriate for sleeping in?) and white noise masking. Does anybody have any white noise mp3s or links to them? And what are other alternatives?
Thanks 
answers:
I had the same problem and I found out the if I don’t go to bed and try to sleep before I am ready to sleep, I won’t sleep.
People that are truly tired will sleep through almost any outside noise unless someone is trying to break into your home.
This is something you have to raise above. It is not the noise that is keeping you awake. I don’t mean to be offensive but that is only a convenient excuse.
It is all the other problems and concerns in your life that are going on right now that are keeping you awake.
Anxiety, worries, lack of sex, worrying about your job or paying the rent will all affect your sleep.
You have to learn how to just turn it all off like a light switch when you climb into bed.
I forced myself to learn how to do It and you can to.
You just have to say to yourself, Hey, I can’t do anything about now. I’ll deal with it in the morning.
Try it, It works for me.
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 16th
George asks…
How do noise cancelling headphones work?
I heard noise cancelling headphones, how do they work?
answers:
Noise-cancelling headphones reduce unwanted ambient sounds (i.e., acoustic noise) by means of active noise control
Active noise control (ANC) (also known as noise cancellation, active noise reduction (ANR) or antinoise) is a method for reducing unwanted sound.
(ANC). This involves using one or more microphones placed near the ear, and electronic circuitry which uses the microphone signal to generate an “antinoise” signal. When the antinoise signal is produced by the speaker driver in the headphone, destructive interference cancels out the ambient noise as heard within the enclosed volume of the headphone.
Noise cancellation makes it possible to enjoy music without raising the volume excessively. It can also help a passenger sleep in a noisy vehicle such as an airliner.
Retail noise cancelling headphones typically use ANC to cancel the lower-frequency portions of the noise; they depend on more traditional methods such as soundproofing to prevent higher-frequency noise from reaching the ear. This approach is preferred because it reduces the demand for complicated electronic circuitry and at higher frequencies, active cancellation is less effective. To truly cancel high frequency components (coming at the ear from all directions), the sensor and emitter for the cancelling waveform would have to be adjacent to the user’s eardrum, which is not technically feasible.
Check full resource here:
http://www.noise-cancelling-headphones-reviews.com/how-do-noise-cancelling-headphones-work-here-are-answers/
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 14th
Ken asks…
forever 21!?
i have 200 left over from my income tax and I want to buy some summer clothes. My favorite store is forever 21, and I was wondering if you could find some cute clothes for me from this store, or stores with the same style, THANK YOU!
answers:
Http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=dresses&product%5Fid=2046925179&Page=all#
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp;jsessionid=FE4A1F34BE25EC3D8BFA8BCEF41C7160.app12-node7?itemdescription=true&itemCount=10&id=13826490&parentid=W_APP_DRESSES&sortProperties=price&navCount=56&navAction=poppush&color=01
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=60&id=14490635&parentid=W_APP_DRESSES&sortProperties=price&navCount=70&navAction=poppush&color=72
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=60&id=13963541&parentid=W_APP_CAMIS&sortProperties=price&navCount=112&navAction=poppushpush&color=66
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=60&id=13435177&parentid=W_APP_CAMIS&sortProperties=price&navCount=154&navAction=poppushpush&color=12
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=fashiontop&product%5Fid=2046784311&Page=all
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 13th
Laura asks…
Where can I buy these headphones?
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-ANC7-QuietPoint-Noise-Cancelling-Headphones/dp/B000OMKR8E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1219535289&sr=8-8
I want to buy a pair of headphones much like these, but I don’t really want to pay more than $30. They must be good quality.
answers:
Ummmm sony! Here is a link:
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/CategoryDisplays?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&categoryId=100128&navigationPath=46881
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 12th
Ken asks…
Can’t decide between these two headphones?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Able+Planet+-+True+Fidelity+Noise-Canceling+Headphones/9563956.p?id=1218125331241&skuId=9563956
http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd280-pro/4505-7877_7-30235462.html
They both look really nice. Have never heard of Able Planet though. Opinions?
answers:
I’ll go with the first one
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 11th
James asks…
Anyone heard of wireless noise-canceling/reducing earphones? Noise sensitivity problem.?
I have very sensitive hearing. About two years ago, I went to a shooting range and fired some guns. Even though I was wearing ear protection, it did some sort of damage and now most movie theatres, bars/clubs and school classrooms are too noisy. I have seen plenty of doctors and am running out of options.
I want to figure out a way to reduce environmental sounds without completely blocking them out, so earplugs are not an option. I have to still be able to hear people speak. Does anyone know if wireless noise-canceling earphones are an available product? A Google search revealed nothing. Over-ear headphones are too conspicuous.
Has anyone tried this or have a similar problem and figured something out?
I’ve already tried earplugs. They block out too much noise.
answers:
I have seen some Bose, but they
were like $1000.
I recommend the sonys. No they
aren’t wireless, because the processor
and battery take a lot of space to
put in an ear.
Sennheiser makes at least two that
should meet your criteria.
I can not navigate Sennheisers website
on this phone, or I would post a link.
Wireless changes the equation.
I think I would get the wired Sonys for
about $100, and place the discrete
wired powercord nearby. It is
small and discreet.
If you have to have wireless,
you might also look at the shure
wireless noise isolating(passive,
not ANC).
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 10th
Thomas asks…
Noise canceling headphones for church.?
We have just started doing recordings at our church and I am looking for some decently priced headphones…something strong enough to block out all the sound coming from the live music performance enabling us to hear just what is coming through the headphones…any advice?
answers:
A better solution is to locate the recording equipment in a place far enough away from the music so that you can monitor your recording. If you run balanced cables, you can locate the recording room pretty much anywhere in the church. In my church the recording room is around 100 feet away from where the music happens.
Even the best noise cancelling headphones will not be able to completely overcome the sound from a loud band. I would just get a good pair of over the ear studio monitor type headphones:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50S-Studio-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299520973&sr=1-1-catcorr
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 9th
Carol asks…
FaceBook ?? ……….?
How do u no if someone visited u on facebook or saw ur pics?
i have the new version of facebook but i cant find that thing D:
answers:
You can’t they won’t be notified nor will you be notified if they saw your pictures or profile or vs that the beauty of facebook
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 8th
Lizzie asks…
Bose noise canceling headphones v.s Beats by Dr. Dre?
I tried both headphones in the store, and I really like the Beats headphones because of the bass .
I listen to hardcore, metal, and some hip hop, these genres are really heavy on bass, I felt like i was actually at a show.
The Bose headphones really do cancel out noise. I literally couldn’t hear anything around me once the music was playing. The audio quality is just as good but not as strong on the bass. When you turn off the noise canceling button it seems like a regular pair of headphones.
I was told by a salesperson that while both cost the same The Boss is better because it will last longer and has better technology, while the beats headphones are of lesser quality, the price is marked up 50-60 percent than what it is actually worth, and doesn’t last as long.
So which headphone is actually better? 5 points to whoever gives a good answer
answers:
Bose was founded in 1964, but Monster (which makes Dre stuff) was founded in 1978. So Bose has been around longer.
Bose makes all kinds of audio equipment and is known for their quality, whereas Monster mainly focuses on waaaay overpriced AV cables which in-the-know people will tell you are no better than stuff that’s much, much cheaper.
BUT… Bose is still also kind of overpriced for what you’re getting, since their name commands a premium too.
Still, given the above, and given what you said yourself, the Bose headphones are better. The only reason to go for the Dr. Dre instead is if you really want all that bass.
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Bose Quiet Comfort 15
May 7th
Linda asks…
Too much noise…?
I’m a college student and I’m currently living at home with my mum and aunt. However, my aunt gave birth to twins a few years ago and now they’re at that terrible age of toddler-hood. Being both boys, they run, fight, scream, wake up extra early and sleep late and in all the meanwhile I can hear all their constant screaming, cursing and arguing through the thin walls.
I’m trying to study and the noise is irritating to no end; I feel like I’m going on the brink of madness. And she’s a lacking mom who is either not present or won’t enforce any authority so no one deals with them. If I try, she’ll yell at me for “harming her sweet innocent kids” (who are anything but). Ideally, I want to move out and escape, but unfortunately financially that’s not possible at the moment. What else can I do to top the noise? I thought of noise-cancelling headphones, but apparently that doesn’t work on voices… please help! For my sanity!
answers:
Try ear plugs I use to live with a person who would watch tv. 24-7 and I had ajob were I had the swing shift so I had to sleep when he was up watching tv, so I started wearing ear plugs and that worked out great I got plenty of sleep and she was able to do just what ever and I never heard a thing.
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