Travel Technology - Bose QuietComfort vs. Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones

I am thinking about purchasing one of these. (I can get the original for about $150 and the new (QC2) for about $299.)

I know that the QC2 is more compact less bulky (no control box).

I just would like some nice noise-cancelling headphones that will be comfortable on a long flight, and that I could use around the house too. I am not an audiophile, but I would like nice sound.

For half price, is the QC1 a good buy? Or should I spring for the QC2?

For the savings, I like the older ones. I have them both, well I gave my GF the QC2's. She likes the compact, I actually prefer the sound of the QC1 and don't mind the littel sack that they fit into going in my briefcase. Woudln't go anywhere without them. I think the QC2 form factor is nicer, but I prefer the sound on the older and if I were to buy a pair today, I would get the older ones and save the 100$

Yesterday I stopped by the *NO SALES TAX* Delaware Bose store (I-95 & Rt 7) and bought the QC-2 for $299. I noticed they had a sign selling the older Bose QC for $149 until Oct 12 and was almost tempted to get them.

MisterNice

I've had both and prefer the new ones.

Two drivers for me, both have to deal with space/size. The new model takes up a lot less space in your bag/briefcase. I also like not having to deal with the external battery pack.


[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 10-10-2003).]

How do the new Bose headsets compare to the popular Sony one? I too liked the original Bose but found it too bulky, and sometimes felt like the unit was too big when wearing it, etc.

Sony NR headphones are not comfortable or comparable. I used the Sony's before, and my head felt like it was stuck at high altitude even on land...

Is it just me or do the Bose 2 seem to have a shorter battery life?

Of course the Bose 2 uses only one battery vs two of the Bose 1, but it seems like the Bose 2 drains that battery at a rate that is well more than twice of the Bose 1.

I just returned on a mileage run to SIN and used the Bose 2 for over 30 hours and the battery is still going. I have no experience with the original set.

nmenaker mentioned some sound quality issues with the QC2.

Any other thoughts on that comparison?

d

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UALOneKPlus:
Sony NR headphones are not comfortable or comparable. I used the Sony's before, and my head felt like it was stuck at high altitude even on land...</font>

I tried both Bose models and 2 Sony models and although the Bose might work a little better, I like the Sony NC11s. I like the fact that I can turn and lay my head sideways on an airplane without the headset getting in the way.

The QC2 uses AAA batteries, correct?


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nedk:
I just returned on a mileage run to SIN and used the Bose 2 for over 30 hours and the battery is still going. I have no experience with the original set.</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MeLike2Travel:
The QC2 uses AAA batteries, correct?


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QC 2 uses a single AAA battery in the headset.

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PB

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Jim Phillips:
Is it just me or do the Bose 2 seem to have a shorter battery life?

Of course the Bose 2 uses only one battery vs two of the Bose 1, but it seems like the Bose 2 drains that battery at a rate that is well more than twice of the Bose 1.</font>

I have used the QC 2 on its first single AAA battery for at least 50 hours so far and it is still going fine for me.



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PB

I bought the QuietComfort 2 last week and received it today ($299 plus sales tax). I was expecting to be in a world of near silence after installing the battery and switching the unit on because of Bose's claim,
"Our premium headphones dramatically reduce unwanted noise"
My TV set (which was on normal volume) was about 5 yards away and the volume went down to about half volume but I could still make out most of the words of the reporter.
So, (a) perhaps I'm not using it properly, (b) perhaps my set doesn't work properly, or (c) perhaps it doesn't do much in a home but is still a good buy for airplane use. It did a nice job of blocking noise when I had a CD player's music coming through the phones.
I didn't feel any more noise reduction than one would get from the headphones of a $25 radio that plays through headphones (with the radio switched off).
I remember the story about the Emperor's new clothes and I don't want to be in a situation when I think that it must be doing a good job and I'm wrong to have expected a dramatic noise reduction."
Have you found yourself in a world of near silence when wearing your Bose headphones?
Thanks, Mark (Dallas)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MarkinDallas:
I bought the QuietComfort 2 last week and received it today ($299 plus sales tax). I was expecting to be in a world of near silence after installing the battery and switching the unit on because of Bose's claim,
"Our premium headphones dramatically reduce unwanted noise"
My TV set (which was on normal volume) was about 5 yards away and the volume went down to about half volume but I could still make out most of the words of the reporter.
So, (a) perhaps I'm not using it properly, (b) perhaps my set doesn't work properly, or (c) perhaps it doesn't do much in a home but is still a good buy for airplane use. </font>

As I understand it they work by taking the frequency and intensity of the ambient noise and offsetting it with an equal but opposite 'white noise.' This allows them to be very effective at reducing repetitive or frequency type noises like jet engines, air conditioning, mechanical humming and the like. They do much less for noise or sounds that are not repetitive like speech.

I have a pair of QC1 that I use religiously. Occasionally on board aircraft I can hear fellow passengers talking because the ambient background noise drops much more dramatically that the sound of their voices.

I still think that they're the greatest ‘thing since sliced bread’ for frequent flyers.

mpc1

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just my 2 cents worth

Do they ship the QC2 with the air adapters? Like Sony does with some of their models.

If you are speaking of the two pronged plug for some airline audio ... the answer is yes.



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PB

I vote QC2. I have both.

Can you give your reasoning? I know many people like myself would value it. I'm trying to justify spending the extra money for the QC2, but have been unable to do so yet.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by toddo:
I vote QC2. I have both.</font>

Bumping this. Opinion seems fairly uniform on QC2 vs. the old ones. Even at the current price differentials? Is there any difference other than compactness and the internalized power source?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MeLike2Travel:
Can you give your reasoning? I know many people like myself would value it. I'm trying to justify spending the extra money for the QC2, but have been unable to do so yet.

</font>

They fold
There is no external battery case (everything is in the headphones)
You can remove the headphone cord (perfect if you just want noise cancelling and want to sleep
No more "white noise hiss" when there is no input

I recetnly bought from Ecost.com:
MDR-NC11 NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES (Sony)
$89.95
Previously I had the original Bose. The Sony unit appears to cancel out much less sound than the original Bose. Also the Sony uses earbuds that you must stick in your ear. I would be tempted to try the new QC2. One thing I really found awckward about the original Bose was the size of the whole package so I would normally bring it only on very long trips.

Because I start and end almost every trip on a Brasilia 120 (VERY noisy), I switched from the Sennheisers that I bought earlier this year, to the Bose QC2s. Perhaps it is the "over the ear" design, but the QC2s are MUCH better at blocking ambient noise.
They are a larger package, but I can also store my MP3 player and extra memory, as well as a few spare batteries, in the case with the heaphones.
I really appreciate having the battery in the earpiece, as well as the ability to disconnect the cord all together.
My vote is for the QC2 - I really like mine.
Kate

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skofarrell:
I've had both and prefer the new ones.

Two drivers for me, both have to deal with space/size. The new model takes up a lot less space in your bag/briefcase. I also like not having to deal with the external battery pack.

</font>

What he said!