Travel Technology - Bose Headphones New & Improved - NOT!

Someday I hope to learn what Coke learned in 1985.

After several trouble-free years of flying with my original Bose Noise-Cancelling headphones, I Ebay'd them off and got the new 2nd-generation model. I was taken in by promises of an improved design that would allow for less bulky storage.

Unfortunately, as it turns out, they're nearly useless. Reason: they're not loud enough.

The old HP's had a switch labelled "Hi/Lo", to allow for differences in output level from playback devices. There's a wide variation in ouput between different CD players, MP3 players, etc. Even between different CDs (older CDs tend, for whatever reason, to be mastered at lower levels).

Since everyone from cellular phone makers to Apple (maker of the iPod) is afraid they'll get sued if they allow their devices to be played too loud, none of them have enough output. The old Bose phones allowed for this -- that's why they took two (2) AAA batteries, unlike the model 2's that only take (1). I guess compactness overrode all other considerations.

Very disappointing to find this out after spending another $300 plus shipping. I don't know if it's even possible any more to get a brand new model 1. Maybe somebody knows?

I see a lot of model 1's on e-bay.

yes (http://tinyurl.com/2zfrz) They are discontinued, but still available from Bose for a limited time.

[This message has been edited by UALOneKPlus (edited Jan 05, 2004).]

Other than the problem with the audio output, how do you find the overall unit? E.g. the noise cancellation, and new design? Also does it not help at all to turn volume up on the device you are listening too? I say this because at least 50% of the time I would use mine just to have silence while sleeping, etc. I too sold my old one on Ebay a while ago, and am considering the new Bose. I just got the ear bud Sony model, but I don't think it cancels out as much noise as the Bose.

The model 2 has a two-position level control as well. You might want to check your owner's manual since it is "hidden" on the part that fits into the ear-piece.

Sorry to hear about your disappointment with the new Bose QC2s. I recently upgraded from the original QCs to the QC2s and I haven't noticed the volume being any lower on the QC2s. If you look in the Travel Technology forum just below this one you'll see several threads about the Bose headsets. So far I haven't seen any complaints about the volume.

A couple of suggestions, if I may:

- As another poster pointed out, the hi-lo switch is still there on the new model, its just hidden in the port where you plug in the cord. Obviously make sure this is set to high.

- Have you tried using them with multiple sources? I use mine with both my iPod and my laptop frequently. I find that with the iPod (the original model) I need to turn up the volume to about the half-way point for reasonable listening on an airplane with the QC2s set at high. With the laptop (a Fujitsu) its quite a bit lower than the mid-way point.

- Have you tried calling Bose technical support? They might be able to help you out - maybe there is a problem with your unit. If thats the case I'm sure they'd be happy to send you a replacement.

Hopefully one of these will work for you. Good Luck!

PS: The moderators might consider moving this thread to Travel Technology.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Always Flyin:
The model 2 has a two-position level control as well. You might want to check your owner's manual since it is "hidden" on the part that fits into the ear-piece.</font>

Right you are!

Don't I feel like a f**kin' idiot. When I first unwrapped them, I looked and looked but couldn't find that little switch. Guess I'm just not as observant as you.

Thanks!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter:
Other than the problem with the audio output, how do you find the overall unit? E.g. the noise cancellation, and new design?</font>

The design is a little sleeker, but for me the audio is about the same as model 1. I've always had a problem with the tendency for both models to distort and bottom out (rattle/rumble) at higher volumes. The distortion is no doubt caused by the somewhat cheesy, battery-powered amplifier necessitated by the noise-cancelling design. As a lifelong user of passive phones (e.g., Sennheiser), I'm not used to headphones distorting on me for any reason.

The new hard case that comes with model 2 should help with the wear and tear (the earcups on my model 1's came off), but it's more work now to fold up and put the phones to bed (used to just stuff the old 1's into the bag). Life's full of trade offs.

moving this to Travel Technology, see ya there!

--richard, moderator

what?

Well I just got my QC2 in the mail today, and I love it already! The audio is amazing, and works great with my MP3 player. I can't wait to try it out on a flight I have 1/24.