Bose QuietComfort 15 Review

The Bose QuietComfort 15 has been around since the middle of 2009 and has been touted as the best noise cancelling headphones released to date. It has gotten some mixed reviews, but has, for the most part, lived up to the hype. Essentially, it all depends on what your needs are. If you are a big audiophile, then perhaps you might find some of the features a little bit lacking. However, if you are an ordinary person or someone with only a slight interest in headphones, then you may want to take a look at the specifications of this particular headset.

Click here to buy the Bose QuietComfort from amazon with free shipping.

Things we love about the Bose QuietComfort 15

Significant noise reduction

The Bose Quietcomfort 15 is the best noise cancelling headphone in the market. It offers better noise reduction across a wider range of frequencies than most other devices. It uses an innovative new setup that utilizes microphones both inside and outside the earpieces. The design lowers noise levels, as well as frequency ranges, making it the superior choice. The design is so effective that it is able to do away the incredibly loud sounds of airplanes taking off and other sounds of the same magnitude.

These particular headphones are specifically advertised for people who travel but it is very nice to know that people who work in particularly loud environments can also find good use for it.

TriPort® acoustic headphone structure

The TriPort acoustic headphone structure is a Bose exclusive. It uses tiny vents in its earpieces to ensure that the sound quality is tonally-balanced. It makes sure that the audio performance is excellent and that the headphones are able to reproduce even deep, low notes.

Active equalization

The sound quality on these headphones has been given midline rating by most of the reviews found online. Some have criticized the audio performance because it produces significantly less bass than its predecessor. However, it lies mainly on listening preference. The active equalization on these headphones is supposed to electronically tune the headphones’ frequency response, thus enabling it to produce a better sound quality. Consensus does state that the audio quality is superb on safe to midline levels. The audio is crisp and clear and there were no discernible distortions. However, the quality droops considerably once you turn the volume up to the higher levels, making the speakers ‘thump’ and the bass is noticeably weak.

Again, the bass is more a matter of preference, and if you are more of a rock or jazz listener, then you should not have any problems with it.

Interchangeable audio cables

The package also offers the option of interchangeable audio cables. It has one for general use and another one designed exclusively for use on Apple products. I think it’s great that there are two kinds of cables, because it is a major hassle to have to find adapters for Apple products, and the more commonly used Y-jacks are not all that sturdy or reliable.

Inline microphone

The inline microphone of the Bose QuietComfort 15 is a new feature that has been added to allow the hands-free use of iPhones and a selected number of voice programs in other Apple products. I do not know of many people who would use headphones as big as these for hands-free iPhone conversations, but it is nice to know that the option is there, just in case you are caught unawares at the bus stop and do not have your Bluetooth headset on hand.

Inline three-button remote

The inline three-button remote is used for switching between calls and music. There are, of course, also buttons for volume controls and track selection. It can even be used on select applications on Apple products. However, the buttons are a bit small and the design makes it a bit hard to use. It is always great to have a remote on your headset, particularly because not all devices you plug your cans into have adjustable volumes. The volume control makes it easier to adjust sound volumes, in the rare cases that your device plays music too loudly.

Redesigned ear cushions

One of the most well-received aspects of this new headset is the fact that it has opted to emulate the design of the previously released QuietComfort 2s. The design is simple and straightforward, and is one of the reasons why Bose headphones became popular in the first place. The ear-cushions are of a decent size, easily covering the ears and muffling sounds. The ear cushions are well padded, and so is the band of the headset itself. All the parts of the headset that usually become uncomfortable after a while, have been padded to make sure that the user can wear the headphones for a prolonged amount of time with the utmost comfort.

Fold-flat earcups

Another great thing about these headphones is that they fold flat into each other for easier storage. Since these are particularly large headphones, the fact that it folds into itself so you can put it neatly into its carrying case or tuck it snugly into a drawer or a bag, is a wonderful feature in and of itself.

Slim carrying case

The carrying case that comes with the QuietComfort 15 is something that should be appreciated. It is a plain case that only comes in one color: black. However, the case is very sturdily made and even comes with a nylon strap at the top that you can hook your finger into. The case has a hard shell and even has a small pocket in the front where you can put your iPod or other gadgets into.

Included Accessories

The headphones come with the following:

• carrying case,
• the inline remote and microphone cable, as well as the detachable audio cable
• Airline adaptor, which is an excellent addition considering how this gadget is recommended for frequent flyers.
• The last thing it comes with is a single AAA battery that can tide you over with thirty-five hours of music playback.

Pros

There are a lot of things to love about the Bose QuietComfort 15. Reviews online have been mixed, but they have been unanimous on one aspect: these headphones offer the best in noise cancellation performance. Various tests have been done using the QuietComfort 15 and other brands that aim to do the same function, but these babies have left them all in the dust. The sound quality is also very good, although numerous accounts have also said that it has a weak bass. The earpieces are also quite comfortable, well-padded and close off all sounds. The noise cancellation feature can also be turned on or off via a switch on the earpieces, which is great if you are just sitting in an apartment and have no use for it.

Cons

One of the biggest cons of this product is that it feels flimsy. The materials used for the product leave much to be desired and most consumers feel like they should be getting better quality from something of this cost. The battery also poses as a bit of a drawback because there is no option to recharge it, and you will have to carry spare AAA batteries with you when you are going on a particularly long trip. The bass may also be an issue for some users, especially if they are more inclined to listen to rap and RnB. The cables are also quite thin, so some people may have issue with it, especially those who lead active lifestyles. Another thing to note is that there have been complaints that this product is a little hard to wear while dancing or doing any other type of strenuous activity.

Consumer Ratings

Ratings for the Bose QuietComfort15 range from four to five stars on Amazon, and while it does have its weak points, it is generally agreed upon that it is still a very good product. The things that it can do, it does extremely well, so the shortcomings can very well be forgiven. All in all, if you are an audiophile, this headset is probably not for you. However, if you travel frequently, or have a need for a headset that has excellent noise cancelling properties, then you have found your match.

Final Verdict

This product is not cheap by any means but if you want the best noise cancelling headphones in the market, then you will have to pay the price. Continually amongst the top best sellers for years, the Bose QuietComfort 15′s long-standing track record is enough to justify the price and give you that much needed nudge to finally move along with this product’s purchase.

Click here to buy the Bose QuietComfort from amazon with free shipping.