Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - BOSE NOISE REDUX HPHONES ON CX

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CX does not have anywhere to plug your Bose headsets into in the FC seat.

The seat does have noise canceling headphone but there are no where as good as the Bose.

Don't even get me started on the crappy headphones in the NBC.

On my last CX flight from SFO to HKG (and v.v.), I complained to the ISM that the so-called noise-reducing headphone they had in First Class was simply chintzy and out-of-place on an otherwise classy cabin. At the minimum, CX should allow us to disconnect this crap and connect our own. She wholeheartedly agreed and suggested that I write this down on their comment sheet which she says CX pays a lot of attention to, particularly from FC passengers.

May I suggest that all of us who find the el cheapo headphones on CX to be a pet peeve to do the same: write a sentence or two on the comment sheet and hand it to the ISM.

Someone on FT once wrote that they were able to disconnect CX's headphones albeit difficult and use their own Bose headset.

I think it was Guy Betsy....

I myself have seen that headset unplugged from my NBC seat to replace with a new one. It was malfunctioning.

I was able to use my BOSE headphones last year on the 744. The FC FA's knew how to remove the cover (just a piece of plastic with velcro IIRC) on the seat where the headphone jack is located so that I could use my headphones. Once I knew how to remove the cover, I had no trouble. Be aware that the you only need to use 2 of the 3 jack openings. The BOSE only plug in 1 way.

Also note that in Y, CX use 6.5mm (1/4") jacks on their headphones. I carry a few adapters for my Sony NC20's for stereo 3.5mm and dual mono 3.5mm jacks. But I normally don't carry the 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter since I have not seen an aircraft that uses these before. Next time I will carry all my adapters. I did not enjoy 13 hours in Y with the headphones CX provides.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Chiangi:
I think it was Guy Betsy....

I myself have seen that headset unplugged from my NBC seat to replace with a new one. It was malfunctioning.</font>

No, it wasn't me. I did however write in to Customer Relations to say that the headphones are not really Noise Cancelling and therefore they should not be called that. A F/A once told me that CX paid over $100 for each headphone. I told her and Customer Relations that in that case, someone has cheated CX and is laughing all the way to the bank. (The headphones are made in China).

Customer Relations did write back to me and I promptly threw away the letter because it was basically explanations etc etc about how their Engineering Dept has tested the headphones etc etc and 'found out' that 60% of outside noise can be cancelled simply by having a cushioned 'cup' over it. It went on to say that 'mechanics' worked on the rest.

Obviously they have never seen a real Noise Cancelling headphone up close before. I gave up on that.

Yes, the ones used on CX are not real Noise Cancelling headphones.. but they do just fine. I simply will not be so obnoxious as to remove the armrest cover just to fit in my own headphones even though I do have them. If CX intends for us to have this option, they will do so, maybe one day.

I think CX will only act upon such complaints when a significant number of MPO members write in.

[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 08-12-2003).]

Hmmm.... I was most probably mistaken. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

In any case, this is another helpful thread on this subject.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum85/HTML/001357.html

I had no problems using my own headphones on my last couple of trips in F on CX on A340s with suites.

Just pull back the plastic cover where the wire goes into the seat (it's held in place with velcro). You can then unplug the CX headphones and plug in your own.

This is gross, but the CX headsets in F make my ears real sweaty. I don't have this problem on the carriers with BOSE headsets. Sorry for too much information! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I've got a trip coming up in J from the US thru
Hong Kong and then Australia. From what I have
been reading the noise reductions headsets provided by CX leave a little to be desired.

Has anyone had any luck in using their own headsets in CX J class.


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CO Infinite - DL MM

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chuck1:
This is gross, but the CX headsets in F make my ears real sweaty.</font>

Yes - they are awful. And after making you sweaty the foam pads start to disintegrate, leaving little black flecks all over your ears and the side of your face. These headphones are a truly awful part of what is otherwise the best First Class in the air.

I just sat in seat 1A on a 744 configured for 3 class operating as a 2 class flight from HKG to NRT (CX508) last week. Maybe the headset manufacturer is getting wise or CX is experimenting, but the NC headsets had Bose labels on them. They were definitely of better quality than earlier flights I've had in F on CX. That said, they still had the buried 3-prong connector that made it difficult to remove and plug in my own.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by michswiss:
I just sat in seat 1A on a 744 configured for 3 class operating as a 2 class flight from HKG to NRT (CX508) last week. Maybe the headset manufacturer is getting wise or CX is experimenting, but the NC headsets had Bose labels on them. They were definitely of better quality than earlier flights I've had in F on CX. That said, they still had the buried 3-prong connector that made it difficult to remove and plug in my own.</font>

Either they are the real thing.. or BOSE is really not involved.. (there is such a thing called 'labelling' you know). Maybe it's a way to fool us... .but we know better right. I'll check when I'm on a flight at the end of the month.

my flights this week did not have bose headsets in F.

Received this from CX in response to my comment card regarding the noise noise reduction headphones:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Dear Mr. bp888,

Thank you for your comment card regarding your experiences whilst travelling with us on board CX xxx from xxx to xxx on xxx.

We always appreciate any feedback that passengers like yourself can offer, as it provides improvement guidelines for the standard of service expected from us. Your comments regarding the noise reduction headphones are indeed very valuable to us, and please rest assured that I have forwarded your comments to the relevant department for their review.</font>

Once again I encourage you to fill out the comment card next time you're on a CX flight and mention that the fake noise reduction headphones have to go. Thanks!

Can anyone confirm if CX now has Bose headsets in J. I have a trip coming up in Oct and would prefer using either my own Bose headset or a real Bose headset provided by CX over what I have read CX has been previously providing in J.

If your aircraft has New Business Class, there will be those 'fake' Bose. If it is Old Business Class, no noise-cancelling headsets.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jnwind:
Can anyone confirm if CX now has Bose headsets in J. I have a trip coming up in Oct and would prefer using either my own Bose headset or a real Bose headset provided by CX over what I have read CX has been previously providing in J.</font>

Basically it's quite hard to get your own set up. I know its a pain, as I have the BOSE sets too and its far superior to the ones CX has. But I've learnt to keep quiet about it. CX cabin crew are NOT happy to have to cater to people who demand on using their own headsets... A couple of cabin crew have told me about it when I asked them about the current noise cancelling headsets. I'll spare you the details..!

Six months later, any changes in First? Should I just leave my NC20s at home and adjust to CX's version of "Bose"?

Last I heard is that Bose was taking action against CX for advertising in a leading travel magazine in the UK that advertises itself as having Bose Noise Cancelling headsets in J and F.

So I don't think you'd be using BOSE anytime soon. Best to stick with CX's vcersion. They're not the best, but it suffices if you turn up the volume enough.

Those fake Bose headphones are terrible! They make my ears sweat and worse, instead of reducing ambient noise, they produce awful fidelity... it makes the movie audio feel like you're in a tunnel. There is simply no excuse for the best airline in the world not offer the best headphone technology available. Heck, a bottle of consummable champagne is mor expensive than a medium-term investment in a real Bose headset.

So on my upcoming FC flights, I will make it a point to ask the ISM to plug in my own real noise-canceling headphone (in my case I prefer the in-you-ear style and portability of the Sony NC-11) and write about it in the comments card. If enough ISMs receive this request from FC passengers, I'm sure they too would chime in with their complaints.

I hope I'm not being obnoxious about this, but ever since I discovered the pleasures of NC headphones from reading about it here on FT, I've been on a mini-crusade to let more passengers know about NC headphones. It simply makes the difference between a tiring long-haul flight and a restful one.

You're not being obnoxious, but rather a pain in the xxxx. It's very un-asian to do that..

I don't think it's "un-asian" to quietly and respectfully ask that a service be provided, especially where that service can be provided without much effort. CX is not an "asian" airline; it's an international airline which has proven its mettle in the market by being responsive to its business flyers who provide it with a substantial portion of its profit.
While working 10+ years in the legal department of a large Seattle-area software company which shall remain nameless, I traveled often to Asia on business, and often on CX. I discovered that almost anything can be provided if the request is asked in the right way. Here, there is no safety compromise by removing a small plate so a passenger can use his headphones. This is not an example of the "ugly American" syndrome.
I say, go with the Bose....

You really wouldn't know what it means unless you're asian , I guess.

But it would be a cause to have tongues a-wagging in the galley!

I'm not saying don't do it at all. But it's just bothersome I guess. Yes you paid for your travels. Yes, you're important, and you want a service to be provided. But this is an example of atypical occidental behavior that many asians in asia frown upon.

Ladies and gentlemen we obviously have a true Old China Hand among us!

Indeed, we wouldn’t want “tongues a-wagging in the galley” now would we? Perish the thought!

Cultural sensitivity is always to be encouraged but let’s not get overboard. Cigarboyee is absolutely right.

Having worked in hotels operations in Hong Kong for 5 years I sincerely doubt that this kind of “behaviour” would be frowned upon. And even if it was, the fact is that any Asian working in the tourism/service industries would be aware that non-Asians, or even Asians who have spent a long time outside the region, would have a different culture mind-set than themselves. This is especially true for CX FA’s which have a superb training and service attitude.

Of course ladies and gentlemen I could be wrong. The act of asking someone to help you plug in a set of headphones is probably on the same level on the insult scale as yelling at them at the top of your voice in front of their subordinates, colleagues, and extended family!


[This message has been edited by B Watson (edited Feb 23, 2004).]

I'll let you know what happens on CX888 tomorrow.
The thought of flying to JFK with crappy headphones on the wedge bed is already making me feel tired.

I fly CX about 25% of the time. I'm surprised to hear that what should be a relatively simple request could cause consternation. After all nearly everyone on this board raves about the service.
I guess (with gross generalisation) that the service is good , as long as it is straightforward . Once you ask for something else it becomes too hard?

Explains why I have had truly memorable trips (both good and bad) on QF and BA. On SQ and CX I have had - good service....

Let's be clear here - the headphones are far better than any other non-Bose headsets that I have ever come across on a plane. It is absolutely incredible to me that BA gives you such cheap phone sin First, and now has the gall to package them with an invitation to buy BOse headsets at $200+.

I have always had very good responses on CX to any other out of the ordinary request, they just seem to have a company-wide mental block aboutthese headsets which, for some reason, they believe are superb and canoot conceive when anyone would want to use something else.

Bumping an old thread...

Anyone know if there have been any changes in the last few years on the headphone front?

Next month I'm flying YYZ-HKG-NRT in J, and want to know if it's worth shlepping my own Bose headseat, or if I should "make do" with what CX provides.

They have the same "noise-cancelling" headphones they have had for the last several years. But depending on the crew you get you simply may not be able to use your Bose headset with the in-flight system - it will require the co-operation of the crew to access the socket, and I think they take a non-standard plug.

The ones they provide aren't that bad.

Bumping an old thread...

Anyone know if there have been any changes in the last few years on the headphone front?

Next month I'm flying YYZ-HKG-NRT in J, and want to know if it's worth shlepping my own Bose headseat, or if I should "make do" with what CX provides.

Same old, same old I'm afraid, as Christep has stated.

Contrary to what some on this thread have said however, it's pretty straightforward (fiddly the first time, but a doddle after that) to plug in your own set in either J or F, and you certainly don't need assistance from an FA to accomplish the task. I've been doing it with my QC2s for a couple of years now - remember to bring both adaptors that Bose provides. You'll need the double pin most likely, but if you're unlucky enough to have a switch to an RBC-fitted hull for the intra-asian leg, it could be either two-pin or 1/4" single pin.