Travel Technology - My Bose QC-2 keep breaking...

Hey All,

I absolutley love my Bose Quiet Comfort 2 headset, but I am soon to be on my third pair. I was an early adopter, buying mine back in June. After three months of use, the left headband piece broke (the black plastic piece that the metal band slides in & out of). I had used them daily, so I figured I must have been a little rough on them. I called BOSE and they sent me a brand new pair, and a box to return the broken ones. I then treated the new pair with "kid gloves". I was extra careful when wearing them, always returned them to the case, etc. Last week, when I was putting them on, the new ones literally broke in half in the exact same place as before. Further investigation of the other side shows a hairline crack in the same place...the point of the most stress on the plastic. This time I have to return them for repair, but it is still covered under warrantee. This really bums be out, as they are a lifesaver on flights & the train I take to work.

Has anyone else experienced this? Do I just have an extremely large head? :p

Yikes! Just checked mine and the left side is cracked almost all the way through, right where you said. They're about 6 months old. Agghhhhh..... :mad:

Just checked mine, and they're fine. I've logged a few hundred hours on them. I'll keep an eye on them though. Thanks for the heads up.

Just checked mine and the left side is cracked almost all the way through, right where you said

Give them a call...if you are still under warraty they will fix them...

I just dont know how I could treat mine any better without locking them in a custom foam case! I didnt "man handle" them, etc.

It looks like a design flaw to me.

I wonder if this is something that affects the QC1s. Anyone know?

I recieved my headphones back from repair today...except they werent repaired...it's a brand new set! They told me to only return the headphones...no cables, case, etc...but they shipped me a brand new pair, including case & accesories. ^

On a side note...a co-worker saw my box and asked about them...I told him the story. He then asked for the phone number as he said his were broken as well. When I asked to see them, guess where they were broken...the exact same place.

Beware QC-2 owners...

Thanks for the head(phone)s up!

I have been checking my QC2's carefully and all seemed well. Today between MSP and SAN a plastic part went zing, and they broke. I did a temporary fix with masking tape and a sticky-back postage stamp. Dumb design, putting thin ABS plastic in tension rather than a metal band supporting it.

MisterNice

I suspect that Bose knows of this problem by now. My co-worker (mentioned above) bought his at a Bose store, and lost his reciept. When his broke he thought he would be SOL. He called the number, and to Bose's credit they sent him a brand new pair via RMA without any proof of purchase.

I wonder how long before we see a QC-2.1? ;)

I called the Bose 800 number, and they looked up my old order and said send them in and they would repair them and return in 7-10 days. I sez not good enough as I have 3 trips coming up. So I went to the local Bose store and said these black Bose broke in less than 5 months. The guy reached for a new box, asked if he could keep the cardboard box to return mine to the factory, and handed me a brand new QC2 headset. He said they had no returns until 3 days ago and then 3 people brought in Broken Bose's.

I imagine a lotta of refurbed QC2 Bose will be showing up on ecost.com or ebay.com in the near future. Better check your QC2 now!

MisterNice

ouch - just happened to me. did some quick to searching to see if it's a common defect and ended up here. sadly, i'm in prg right now, not returning stateside until sept. just lovely...

My QC1 broke after two years of use, developed static sound on the right side. I took it into a Bose store and they replaced it without question. They even allowed me to pay the current difference for the QC2, at the time it was only $50.

I've had the QC2 for almost a year now and haven't had any problems. I have medium size head (have to pull the metal part out only a little on each side), so I might not be stressing the joint very much.

I considered the Bose but I have always been wary of their tied selling procedures. Seems almost anti-free market. Nice to hear they have good customer service - they can afford it, I guess.

Anyway, I sprung 40 Euros for a set of "on-the-ear" phones in Spain and liked them. They fold up to about one fifth the volume of the Bose.

Howvere, my wife liked them even more than me, so I gave her my pair and bought the Sony in-ear (earbud) noise-reducing phones. They are truly tiny.

If you don't mind earbuds (some love 'em, some hate 'em) they are great. Can be found for $50 refurbed, $100 new. I've been using them for two years (not just flying, either as they are so easy to take along) without any problems.

I guess that I am lucky that I have a small head and never need to pull out the metal portion of the BOSE QC-2. I,too, converted from the original design to QC-2 when they first came out and love them! Just to be sure that there was no damage to these stress points, though, I pulled out my headset from my backpack. They are in PERFECT condition (but keep your fingers crossed!)

I watch DVDs on the plane two days a week and "don't leave home without them!"

I guess that I am lucky that I have a small head and never need to pull out the metal portion of the BOSE QC-2. I,too, converted from the original design to QC-2 when they first came out and love them! Just to be sure that there was no damage to these stress points, though, I pulled out my headset from my backpack. They are in PERFECT condition (but keep your fingers crossed!)

I watch DVDs on the plane two days a week and "don't leave home without them!"

After reading this post I carefully checked my QC2 before each trip, but saw no cracks. Unfortunately mine cracked without warning. I now travel with 10" of masking tape in case the new pair breaks. I cannot imagine flying any distance without them.

MisterNice

After reading this post I carefully checked my QC2 before each trip, but saw no cracks. Unfortunately mine cracked without warning. I now travel with 10" of masking tape in case the new pair breaks. I cannot imagine flying any distance without them.MisterNice

Thanks for the heads up! I just put some masking tape in my back pack!

After reading this post I carefully checked my QC2 before each trip, but saw no cracks. Unfortunately mine cracked without warning. I now travel with 10" of masking tape in case the new pair breaks. I cannot imagine flying any distance without them.

MisterNice

Yes...when the plastic stresses, it goes from "cracked" to "broke" in about two uses. :(

My current pair (#3) are holding up well. I treat them like fine china! <fingers crossed>

Having read several posts about QC2 today, am leary of buying QC2 -- notwithstanding apparent benefits, it seems like there's a quality issue that needs to be resolved before I buy. What other options do we have? Other alternatives to QC2?

Having read several posts about QC2 today, am leary of buying QC2 -- notwithstanding apparent benefits, it seems like there's a quality issue that needs to be resolved before I buy. What other options do we have? Other alternatives to QC2?

While I'm getting a little paranoid about my QC2's from these posts, I'd say the ringing endorsements from those that had to replace them speaks for itself. Bose clearly stands behind their product and will replace it if it breaks, that works for me. I absolutely love these things and get off of long airplane rides feeling so much more refreshed than before I ever had them. I, too, will likely start packing a little tape in my bag, just in case the worst happens, but it won't stop me from using them.

If you do want an alternative, just do a search on noise or headphones or a similar word and you'll find quite a few threads out here.

Having read several posts about QC2 today, am leary of buying QC2 -- notwithstanding apparent benefits, it seems like there's a quality issue that needs to be resolved before I buy. What other options do we have? Other alternatives to QC2?

Well...with all of the above that has happened, I would still buy them again. I have tried a few others, and the Bose are head & shoulders above them IMHO. I dont like ear-buds or "on ear" headphones.

If they break (again)...I'll just send them back (again) for repair/replacement.

Keep in mind many airports have some type of Bose store in them (MSP, LAX etc). I carry a copy of my QC2 receipt and (crossing fingers) hope/assume they will trade the broken ones for new ones right there. If not, I will purchase new ones for immediate airborne use and return the old ones for refund after my trip (12 mo warranty plus AMAX cc extra 12 mo).

These things are the Best In Show, but with the $300 price tag, I would expect nothing but excellent after-sale service from Bose.

MisterNice

Well...with all of the above that has happened, I would still buy them again. I have tried a few others, and the Bose are head & shoulders above them IMHO. I dont like ear-buds or "on ear" headphones.


I agree! Been there, done that! Just give me the Bose QC-2 any day!

I wasn't sure what plastic part was breaking on everyone's headset from this thread originally, but have now found out the hard way on my return from NRT. Fortunately, I had some plastic ties with me (use it for the luggage these days) and that worked very well to keep the headset useable. I went through LGA (it's a short hop, I don't carry them with me for this trip) and stopped at the BOSE kiosk the other day to ask if they do the switch or I had to mail them in. They told me to just stop by with the broken set and they'd switch them for me, no problem ^ . My temporary fix is actually working very well, so I'm not in a rush to switch them but it's good to know that I just have to stop by a kiosk to get it taken care of.

Like others have posted on this thread, bummer that they break but I still consider the headset to be great and will continue to use them and recommend them. :-:

Boy, am I glad this thread was bumped up. Just got my QC2s a little over a week ago. So far no problems and I love 'em, but I'm going to start being extremely careful with them, which to be honest I haven't so far.

This is why I love FT. Mine just broke in the exact same place (left plastic part), but at least now I know what to do with them, and I don't have to worry that my receipt is in another state.

I had this problem as well. I also said to myself, "Who on earth would design the plastic to take that kind of stress?" When I called to RMA them they claimed they'd not seen this problem very much. Based on this thread I doubt that. My first pair lasted just under a year. I sent back just the headphones and the case but got back a complete kit with a new cord, etc.

I had my Bose QC2's break about 3 months ago. This was a very big issue, but in my opinion, they did great by me by making them easily returnable. The guy on the phone told me that that wanted to get all of the ones with the bad design out of the market. I sent mine back and received a new kit too. It was the right thing for them to do and it made me a customer for future pairs too.

I hope this means that they've been redesigned. I didn't notice any difference in the new pair I have. Perhaps I didn't look closely enough at them.

This is why I love FT. Mine just broke in the exact same place (left plastic part), but at least now I know what to do with them, and I don't have to worry that my receipt is in another state.

Receipt? Definitely not needed. I ended up going to a BOSE store at a nearby mall instead of the airport kiosk. I walked into the store, said hello gave the rep my QC2s showing them the break. He immediately grabbed a new box, handed me a new set after popping in the new battery - offered to switch the case and I was set to go. I think it was about 4 minutes in the store total (significantly less time than it took for me to find a parking spot!). Definitely a positive customer service experience!!

I've had the same breakage problem on both QC1 and QC2s. I guess it's the downside to having a "big head". :(

With that being said, I cannot believe that Bose is not aware of this problem!

I hope this means that they've been redesigned. I didn't notice any difference in the new pair I have. Perhaps I didn't look closely enough at them.


I was thinking the same thing. They didnt look any different to me but hopefully they have changed to a newer stronger plastic or something. I havent had any problems since and did get mine early in the game. My wife got her pair in the fall and no problems so far. I am just worried about a problem after the warranty expires. If it happens after the warranty expires I would hope Bose would replace still seeing as there was an existing problem and obvious defect.

With that being said, I cannot believe that Bose is not aware of this problem!

Based on my experience and the discussion with the CS rep at Bose, they are definitely aware of it, and it's been a huge problem. But they are definitely handling it in the right way, as I mentioned earlier.

Well, I just got mine last weekend when in BOS - I'll obviously be very careful with them and hope that if there is a new design, that mine are new enough to have it.

Perhaps someone 'in the know' could enlighten us as to if there is indeed a new design or not? Hope Bose in the UK are as helpful as in the US.

I emailed BOSE to enquire and this is the reply I got. Hopefully those of you who've bought new ones recently or exchaged for a new set won't have a problem in the future.

---

Dear Neil,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Bose has made improvements to the headband design of the QuietComfort 2 headset. These improvements have made the headband more sturdier so you should not experience issues with the headband breaking through normal usage.

In the unlikely event that you do experience issues with the headband on your headset, please bring this to our attention.

Thank you for contacting Bose Corporation.
Product and Technical Support Team
-------------------------------------------------
Bose Corporation
US Telephone: (800)367-4008
International Tel: (508)766-1900
Email: http://www.bose.com
Fax: (508)766-1919
Telephone Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-8:00PM, Sat 9:00AM-3:00PM (EST)
Walk-In Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:00PM

From my experience, the best way to "fix" your QCII's is with black electrical tape. You can put the various bits of plastic parts back in their correct position and then tightly wrap the whole assembly with the electrical tape. The tape stretch when you wrap and keeps the whole assembly together under tension. The only issues is that a little bit of the adhesive eventually extrudes from the edge of the tape, making it a bit stickly. But the color matches so the repair is not too obvious.

You can usually get a roll of electrical tape at any convenience store for about $1. If the new factory units are no better than the old ones, this fix is good enough that its not worth the hassle of sending your QCII's back for repair, IMHO.

I'm sure the electrical tape works well enough, but who wants to put their expensive Bose headphones on in the plane and have electrical tape holding it together. It'd certainly be entertaintment for others.

I had my headphones fixed last year for this problem and have not had any problems since but my wifes pair which we got in August of last year using Amex points just broke in the same way as mine did. I had hoped the poorly designed models would have been out of tye system by the time we got hers but guess not.

Posted this (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=457665) in the SAS EuroBonus forum earlier.

---
I've had a pair of Bose QuietComfort 2 for two years now being very satisfied with them! Travel is simply so much more enjoyable with them.

Anyway, some while ago the black plastic covering the arch above the earphone on the right side suddenly cracked up. Inspecting them closer I saw small cracks developing on the left side as well.

What I wanted to share was that I had them (19 months old) exchanged for brand new ones by Bose with the only cost of shipping my old ones to their office in Sweden. I was very impressed of how they handled it. No hassles, no need to see a proof of purchase, nothing. Just shipped them over and got new ones a couple of days later.

I have seen people that have experienced the same thing. The other week on SK946 one guy sat a couple of rows forward with his QC2s taped on both arches. If anyone else has experienced this, don't tape them. Get in touch with Bose. And do it dispite the fact that your phones may have passed warranty time. It paid off for me.
---

My first pair cracked on the left side at about 9 months. The replacement unit had a problem on the left side. If you applied even a slight pressure on the earcup, something would flex and a very audible "tick" would be heard. My best guess was that the microphone was not firmly attached and the slight flex was detected, amplified, inverted and sent into the speaker to cancel the non-existant noise. I hope the third pair holds up better than the first 2!

i have the qc2's i was wondeirng whether those plane quiet solitudes are any good

My Bose QC2 purchased on 11/02/2003 broke on Saturday, August 6th (2005). I called and spoke with Patrick at Bose support today. Patrick noted they were out of warranty but due to a re-design and change they would extend the warranty to cover the replacement with a brand new set. Patrick inidcated it could be 2 to 4 weeks from arrival of the old pair to receving the new pair. They are going out today and I will see how long it takes.

The left side was completely fractured through the L - cut the letter in half and the pieces fell into my lap. I was able to get them to work for the balance of the trip by jury rigging it - but the replacement - as long as it is truly re-designed and engineered will be appreciated.

Patrick inidicated the serial number provided to Bose the information as to when the product was produced and whether or not the warranty would be extended. It is disturbing to see that some replacement QC2 are also breaking - you would think on an exchange they would only ship re-designed.

I will see and post when new set arrives.

I bought 5 sets when they first came out in 2003 and gave 4 pairs out as gifts.

In mid 2004, mine started showing signs of cracking on the sides of the headbands. Then a friend whom I gave a pair to also showed me the same thing.
I called Bose and they said to return them to be replaced with brand new pairs.

In late 2004, another pair I had given to another friend also showed the same signs of breakage. I returned that too and another set was sent out. The telephone representative advised that they know of the problem. I told them that this is what they get when they make plastics in China!

Anyway, in March of this year, my replacement set which was sent to me in 2004 started showing the SAME cracks. I called BOSE and said that this is getting ridiculous.

They asked me to mail this set in too so that I may get another set.

I wonder if this is stil ongoing...

My Bose QC2 purchased on 11/02/2003 broke on Saturday, August 6th (2005). I called and spoke with Patrick at Bose support today. Patrick noted they were out of warranty but due to a re-design and change they would extend the warranty to cover the replacement with a brand new set. Patrick inidcated it could be 2 to 4 weeks from arrival of the old pair to receving the new pair. They are going out today and I will see how long it takes.

The left side was completely fractured through the L - cut the letter in half and the pieces fell into my lap. I was able to get them to work for the balance of the trip by jury rigging it - but the replacement - as long as it is truly re-designed and engineered will be appreciated.

Patrick inidicated the serial number provided to Bose the information as to when the product was produced and whether or not the warranty would be extended. It is disturbing to see that some replacement QC2 are also breaking - you would think on an exchange they would only ship re-designed.

I will see and post when new set arrives.



Shipped broken set August 8th to Bose in SC, received by Bose August 9th. Replacement headphones shipped to me on August 12th (processed 11th) from Phoenix, AZ. Delivered to my house, August 17th.

The replacement set appears to be of a more refined design in the expansion joint area. Of course, performance over time will inidicate whther or not this is true.

Customer Service and response very much appreciated and acceptable.

Well lo and behold, after reading this thread earlier this year and being thankful my QC-2's were still intact, the headset band split on the way home last night. Thanks to Flyertalk, I knew this was a somewhat common problem and the warranty might be extended.

I bought these QC-2s in 2003 (and have probably sold 20-30 pairs for them -- 3 co-workers bought sets within 24 hours of seeing mine). When I called customer support, though, I wasn't even asked when I had bought them. The Bose rep looked me up in their database (I had purchased from a Bose store) and said he would send a replacement as soon as I returned these.

Awesome customer service!

Bit off topic, but someone mentioned that there are Bose shops at major airports such as LAX (maybe also SFO, I'm not sure). If you purchase at those stores and you are not a US resident do you have to pay the additional tax on top of the $299 retail price or can you buy them tax free if you show them an international ticket?

In every other country I don't pay taxes as a traveller, but I never claimed tax back in the US...maybe because that doesn't work there? :confused:

Where exactly is this Bose store at LAX (or SFO) as I'm heading off to the US next week and hope to get my hands on one of those things. Price in Australia is US$450 incl GST. :eek:

Sydfly, unfortunately, if you buy from the Bose shop you will have to pay the local sales tax - ~8% IIRC in SF/LA. I don't believe they sell any Bose products in the duty free...if someone knows differently please correct me.

Re: the OT - I'm on a second replacement pair (this latest acquired around May 2005) and it seems finally to be holding up better than the last two sets. In any case, Bose customer service has been perfect and the QC2's are great.

I got a pair of QC2s from my credit card (free gift). Since there is no "purchase" involved, am I SOL?

I got a pair of QC2s from my credit card (free gift). Since there is no "purchase" involved, am I SOL?
Absolutely not - I've yet to be asked for a receipt when doing an exchange. Go into any BOSE office or booth at the airport and they'll handle the exchange for you.

...With that being said, I cannot believe that Bose is not aware of this problem!

I'm sure Bose is. But the last thing there are going to do is advertise that fact. Why do you think they are quietly, without asking any questions replacing the broken phones? Walk-in with a bad pair, walk-out with a new pair. This is definitely good PR and they know it. Bose wants to keep these customers to spread the good word. If only all our replacement experiences with other companies could be so good!

I don't have a pair of the Bose, yet, but am leaning in that direction. I've always been a fan of the in-ear types (Etymotic, ER-4P, ER6i), but find that on long trips ear fatique can set-in. Thankfully, I don't take many long trips. Everyone I've seen using the QC/2 have nothing but good things to say about them. Maybe someday....

redjr...

Absolutely not - I've yet to be asked for a receipt when doing an exchange. Go into any BOSE office or booth at the airport and they'll handle the exchange for you.

What if I don't even have the box anymore?

What if I don't even have the box anymore?
I sure don't have one anymore ... I brought in the case and phones and walked out with a new set. Fini

Really, just bring them in, you don't even need the case (I took a new one once time and kept the case I already had the other) ... this is a simple exchange and they shouldn't give you any problems at all.

Not sure why but Bose offer Tax Refunds for goods bought and shipped out of the US. It seems that Bose honour the refund themselves as it is not a governmental refund such as in Canada!

From what I have in front of me (given to me by a Bose SHop Assistant):


Send a copy of the sales reciept (If you are taking the product out of the US make sure that the reciept is stamped by customs).
If this is for a tax-exempt organization, send Bose a copy of the Tax-Exempt certificate.
Make sure to send Bose your mailing address so they know where to send your refund.


Mail to:

Bose Corporation
Corporate Tax Dept
The Mountain, MS #6B1
Framingham, MA
01701-9168

Or fax: (508) 766-7146

When I went to the Customs Desk at SEA the agent laughed at me wanting my receipt stamped to claim the tax back! Until a colleague sided up beside him and told him I could indeed claim it back from Bose. He then stamped it.

Not sure how they refund it as a US $ Cheque would prob cost a lot in fees to bank in a UK bank. I haven'y sent my claim in yet.

Rich


Bit off topic, but someone mentioned that there are Bose shops at major airports such as LAX (maybe also SFO, I'm not sure). If you purchase at those stores and you are not a US resident do you have to pay the additional tax on top of the $299 retail price or can you buy them tax free if you show them an international ticket?

In every other country I don't pay taxes as a traveller, but I never claimed tax back in the US...maybe because that doesn't work there? :confused:

Where exactly is this Bose store at LAX (or SFO) as I'm heading off to the US next week and hope to get my hands on one of those things. Price in Australia is US$450 incl GST. :eek:

Off track a bit, would Bose take my QC1 in trade for the QC2 - and how much $$$. Can I try at an airport kiosk? :confused:

Thanks

I walked up to the Bose booth in MSP airport and showed them my broken QC-2's. I was handed a card with the Bose 1-800 number and told to call the factory for a replacement. The guy didn't quite push me out of the booth but his hostile attitude didn't make me want to hang around !

The Bose factory agreed to replace my units (no questions asked) but would not ship the replacements until after I send the broken units in. I protested that Apple gave me an advanced replacement for a defective iPod in exchange for a credit card number in case I didn't return the defective one. They told me that they didn't offer that sort of program - sorry.

So I sent my unit in and the replacement came the next week. As a final interesting note to the whole affair, the box that the replacement came in had obviously been through a fire ( smoke / soot all over the outside( and the label had been cut from the burned box and moved to a newer box.

Incidentally, they seem to have changed the design, changing the geometry of the arms so that there is less pressure on the weak points.

Keep in mind many airports have some type of Bose store in them (MSP, LAX etc).
MisterNice

Last week I´ve been trying to purchase the QC2 from LAX but in the end I gave up looking for a Bose store or booth at LAX. I´be been to Terminal 1, 7 and Tom Bradley without success and was told that no store would sell them there...

My last chance would be next week on my way through SFO. Does anybody know the exact location of the Bose store at SFO? I don´t want to spend another hour trying to locate a store that sells the Bose product...

I still can´t believe that there is not enough demand at LAX for them to carry the Bose QCs. You would think that there´d be enough business for them at such an international gateway...

Having bought my QC2s in 2003 and used them regularly with no problems, I too thought I was immune from broken earpiece syndrome. Then, somewhere over the Pacifc while en route to the U.S. for Christmas, while putting on my QCs to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory during the meal service, there it was - a fracture on the right side ear piece and a hairline crack on the left. No problem, I thought based on the experience of others posted on FT, just go to the Bose store near my parent's house and walk out with new pair.

I thought I was home free as the sales clerk pulled a new box of QC2's from under the counter after looking at my broken set. But then came the questions. When did you buy those? About a year ago. Do you have your receipt? No. Please give me your name so I can look it up in the computer. My name is Mumbri. Oh, Mr. Mumbri, your headphones were purchased in August 2003. Wow, longer than I thought. (To the manager: Can we replace headphones purchased in 2003?) Manager comes from other end of store, looks at computer screen, looks at broken headphones. I am sorry, Mr. Mumbri you'll need to call customer service. We can only replace headphones purchased within the last year. Here's the number.

I explain that I live out of the country and am leaving in two days. No dice. I try calling the Bose customer service 800 number about a dozen times in the two days before departing the U.S. The number is constantly busy.

I'll try an email to Bose to see if they offer a replacement. For what it's worth, the salespeople at the store explained that new version was out and that QC2s were now considered a discontinued model.

What new style? :confused: The bose.com website is still selling the QC2 model.

I was hard pressed to see any difference in the store (admittedly from afar) but the salesperson explained that the "new" model has a slightly different colored earpiece and two pieces of plastic instead of one in the area prone to cracking. I believe they are still called QC2 though. And the box he almost gave me with replacement headsets, which he said was the last, was clearly labeled "discontinued model."

I bought my QC2s at the beginning of 2004 and ever since this thread started, I've been waiting to see the cracks. Used them almost every week with no problems until I took a two-month break with no flights since xmas - opened up my set last week to see cracks in both sides of the headband. I don't use them and they crack - go figure! Bose in Singapore said they would swap it for a new pair.

I bought my QC2s at the beginning of 2004 and ever since this thread started, I've been waiting to see the cracks. Used them almost every week with no problems until I took a two-month break with no flights since xmas - opened up my set last week to see cracks in both sides of the headband. I don't use them and they crack - go figure! Bose in Singapore said they would swap it for a new pair.
I bought mine at the end of 2004. No problems yet, but I am glad to hear that Bose in SIN are willing to swap them if anything does break.

Noticed mine had begun to crack quite badly last Tuesday as I flew from LHR-JFK. Moreover, the thin panel above the earphones on the inside had managed to pop itself out, and no amount of manipulation or unscrewing the small screws would put it back.

I'd bought them in the Time Warner building on Columbus Circle at Christmas, 2004, and only really use them on planes (maybe 30-40 flights a year) Had they received a right going over I might have sighed and resolved to buying a new pair, but I felt a bit aggreived; they should, let's face it, last longer than 14 months of very occasional use.

Had an hour free so nipped up there and then. Shop deserted. One female sales assistant. I outlined my problem in a pleasant, more-in-sorrow-than-in-anger, English way. She was entirely unsympathetic, but just as I was about to steer another course her manager arrived and enquired as to the nature of the problem. On telling him, he immediately whipped out a virgin pair of QC2s out of a white box and asked me to accept them in exchange with his compliments.

At no point did I suggest that I was after a new pair - although, of course, I was - and was hugely pleased to be given a new set.

The slightly offish assistant did seem a bit narked that her boss had cut her off at the knees, though.

In one of my former lifes, I was a materials scientist. The failure is a classic case of stress corrosion cracking. Takes a bit of stress, and the right chemical to cause corrosion(may not cause harm under normal conditions), and a crack occurs.

In tne same former life, Amar Bose was a dorm mate of mine, and I knew him. MIT was about the last place on earth that had sound labs and studies in the 1950's in the physics department. Bose was really a dedicated scientist to the physics of sound. He probably got his ideas for his first speakers(called the 9 somethings or something like that) from the MIT sound lab. They had this huge sonically and vibration isolated lab or room with two matrix of speakers. I would guess a pair of 9 x 15 matricies of 12" speakers on one wall.

I do not like bose headphones, but only because the over the ear is so hot when they turn the plane temp up to 110 to make everybody go sleepy, and because they do not cover screeming babies.

Given up on my QC2 for shure E5 (you can get them on ebay brand new for half the $500 retail)

After using QC2 for 2 years no comparison. The shure sound isolation is better than the bose active noise reduction (you cannot hear a thing when being talked too). You do not have to lug around a big box and you can sleep with them ear-to-cushion.

Another advantage since they are small I actually use my IPOD not only on flights anymore.

Bose are very good for customer service and will replace any problem no questions asked.

After almost two years of gentle use, the headband on mine cracked mid-flight (NRT/MSP) (oh noo!) I was able to keep using them for the duration of the flight and added a trip to the Bose store to my list of things to do once I was back in the States. A trip to mall with my old phones (and case) yielded a complete exchange in less than 10 minutes. Although I am not happy that they broke (and that Bose is now having things made in China) I cannot fault the ease with which they were exhanged.

The comments and suggestions on this thread are much appreciated: an example of the value of FlyerTalk. Given what I've learned, I'm going to try the Shure E5 first. The suggestion about Ebay is appreciated. Thanks.

This is timely for me as well. I have been shopping for a deal on the Bose QC-2s but maybe I will consider the Shure. I have a small head, though, and won't need to extend the headphones at all.

The comments and suggestions on this thread are much appreciated: an example of the value of FlyerTalk. Given what I've learned, I'm going to try the Shure E5 first. The suggestion about Ebay is appreciated. Thanks.

Be forewarned. Shure are coming out with a new model known as the E-500 that are supposedly improved over the already awesome E-5s. You should be able to find some bargains as people sell and upgrade.

Be forewarned. Shure are coming out with a new model known as the E-500 that are supposedly improved over the already awesome E-5s. You should be able to find some bargains as people sell and upgrade.
Given the shure's are in-ear versions, a used pair doesn't sound particularly appealing to me :(

Given the shure's are in-ear versions, a used pair doesn't sound particularly appealing to me :(

If you couldn't replace the eartips that'd be a problem, but Shure has new ones readily available. When they were demo'ing the E500s at CES, they had a huge bag of new eartips and were replacing them for each person who wanted to try them out.

I love teh QC2 headphones. My third pair fell apart last night. For $300, they should not break so easily. It seems to be a very serious design flaw. My previous headphones, a pair of Sony Studio Monitors, lasted over 15 years and are still in good shape.

I love teh QC2 headphones. My third pair fell apart last night. For $300, they should not break so easily. It seems to be a very serious design flaw. My previous headphones, a pair of Sony Studio Monitors, lasted over 15 years and are still in good shape.


I'm on my third pair also, but I have to hand it to Bose for customer service.

My first pair were about 2 years old when they broke last year. Called customer service and they mailed me a replacement pair. That pair broke last week. Since I had another trip coming up this week, I stopped by the Bose store. The clerk at the desk was going to look up my original purchase to check when I bought them and see if they were under warranty, but as soon as I mentioned "I've heard that some collagues had the same problem...", the manager said "no problem, let me just give you a new pair - which he did."

This may be my third pair but as long as they keep replacing them for free, I cannot complain.

Had mien since september and so far no breakages! I sleep in them, wear them msot days, planes, trains and buses! Still un broke! :D

Chris

My 2nd pair of QC2s broke (same place, 4 pieces on left side, crack on right) between using them at the MLL in YYZ and taking them out to use while everyone boarded a flight to DEN. The AC FAs were amazinly nice getting me some masking tape to wrap around them for the duration of the flight.

I brought them to one of the Bose booths on the DEN B concourse and the sales person gave me the service card with the 1-800 # to call as they do not carry "That SKU" (pointing at my QC2s) anymore.

I've shipped it out and should see my 3rd pair (and hopefully not those QC3s) next week.

Joy!

I've given up on QC2s and am now on QC3s, which I like!

My QC2s broke recently, pleased to say the the Customer Service in the UK was very good. I got a brand new pair in exchange within a week of sending the broken ones back.

Regards

John

Hey all...since starting this thread, lo those many years ago, I am now on my fourth pair! It seems that Bose has finally figured out the problem however. Since my headphones are long out of warranty, I took a different tactic. When speaking to a customer rep I mentioned that I heard they had a "recall" due to the breakages. The rep insisted there was no recall, but that they were replacing broken ones free of charge anyway. ;) Specifically the rep asked what color my phones were...Grey or Champagne. I never noticed before but there is subtle color difference. Evidently the Champagne colored ones have a reinforced headband, as that is what I recieved.

Once again Bose came through with a brand new pair. I still love my QC2's and the company that continues to stand behind them.

Hey all...since starting this thread, lo those many years ago, I am now on my fourth pair! It seems that Bose has finally figured out the problem however. Since my headphones are long out of warranty, I took a different tactic. When speaking to a customer rep I mentioned that I heard they had a "recall" due to the breakages. The rep insisted there was no recall, but that they were replacing broken ones free of charge anyway. ;) Specifically the rep asked what color my phones were...Grey or Champagne. I never noticed before but there is subtle color difference. Evidently the Champagne colored ones have a reinforced headband, as that is what I recieved.

Once again Bose came through with a brand new pair. I still love my QC2's and the company that continues to stand behind them.

My original QC2's (purchased 2+ years ago) were champagne. The ones that replaced them recently after cracks developed in the headband are grey/silver. I hope they sent you the right ones . . .

My original QC2's (purchased 2+ years ago) were champagne. The ones that replaced them recently after cracks developed in the headband are grey/silver. I hope they sent you the right ones . . .

Hmmm...champagne/silver/grey...I never actually had the two side by side to compare colors, but the headband area on the new ones are definitely beefier. :confused:

As for the actual color, the wife says I'm color blind anyway. :p

I've been very careful since these are my 3rd pair. Lately, I've noticed hair line cracks along the band.. and I thought, oh no, not again. So I have been careful.

Today I brought the headphones out and the headband literally split in two as I tried to put the QC2s on my head.

Why oh why do these things keep falling apart...?

Champagne colour? H*ll, I can't see the difference.

Do you think BOSE will still replace mine? This pair lasted just over a year...

I purchased 5 pairs when these were launched in 2002. I've had to replace 3 of these individually as I gave them out to friends. I don't know about the other 2 pairs as I lost contact with my friends.

But out of these 3 sets... mine, my brother's and a friend in Paris... I've had to call BOSE in US to replace the one in Paris twice, my brother's 3x, and mine 3x too. I've exchanged mine with BOSE Canada since I've relocated to Canada. BOSE US so far has honored all replacements not much questions asked. But it is becoming embarrassing for me to have to keep calling. I have never had to produce a receipt as BOSE would still have my 'information' on their computer.

They still sound good.. but the head/ear piece plastic is just too cheap for words.

I love teh QC2 headphones. My third pair fell apart last night. For $300, they should not break so easily. It seems to be a very serious design flaw. My previous headphones, a pair of Sony Studio Monitors, lasted over 15 years and are still in good shape.

SONY = Made in Japan.

BOSE QC2 = Made in China.

You get the picture.

SONY = Made in Japan.

BOSE QC2 = Made in China.

You get the picture.
I doubt even the Sonys are made in Japan. My latest Sony NC headphones (MDR-NC11A), bought in NRT airport, are made in Malaysia.

It is clearly a design problem, not where they are manufactured.

Do you think BOSE will still replace mine? This pair lasted just over a year...
My experience is Yes. I have only bought one pair several years ago and have had no problems getting them replaced.

It is clearly a design problem, not where they are manufactured.

Exactly. Mercedes are being built in Alabama. Levi's are made in Mexico. Fender Guitars are made in all three (Japan, Mexico & USA).

It's all in the design, not the location of the assembly plant.

I doubt even the Sonys are made in Japan. My latest Sony NC headphones (MDR-NC11A), bought in NRT airport, are made in Malaysia.

It is clearly a design problem, not where they are manufactured.


BOSE didn't envisage the size of the average head that put too much stress when stretched even on average?

I just called BOSE and they did say that they will exchange my current ones with newer QC2s. Except that they're waiting for new stock to come in and I'm going away in a weeks' time for a couple of months. So they gave me an order number and said that to call when I get back.

Good on Bose. ^

BOSE didn't envisage the size of the average head that put too much stress when stretched even on average?

I just called BOSE and they did say that they will exchange my current ones with newer QC2s. Except that they're waiting for new stock to come in and I'm going away in a weeks' time for a couple of months. So they gave me an order number and said that to call when I get back.

Good on Bose. ^
Apparently, the problem wasn't so much head size as the proper curing of the plastic used in the headband's side pieces. There certainly seems to be some variability in the frequency of the problem; I had my QC2's for a year and a half before cracks showed . . . I used them 3-4 times a week, and my head is hyoooooooge. On the other hand, there are others that had theirs crack in less than 6 months.

When you exchange your broken QC2s, insist that you do NOT get the champagne/goldish color ones, but instead look for the ones that are more silvery. Those are the reinforced ones. The first pair I replaced were replaced only with the champagne ones. The second time I asked, I got the silver ones.

I've shipped it out and should see my 3rd pair (and hopefully not those QC3s) next week.

Well, my newest pair of QC2s arrived on Tuesday. They feel a little snugger and the ear forms on the new case seem to keep the foam/leather padding of the headset from squishing better than the last case. Other than that (oh and the new "courtesy" cards), they look identical to my last pair, with the same thin black plastic plate over the metal slider parts.

Bummer.

SONY = Made in China.

BOSE QC2 = Made in China.

You get the picture.

Fixed it for you.

My brother had a pair of the older QC2. He did not use them as regularly as most people around here, but I used them once and the headband cracked. I was in Chicago in March and walked into the Bose store there. I did not have the headphones on me at the time. Initially they did not want to help, as the headphones were not purchased from them directly and they had no record. I spoke to the manager and they referred me to the 800 number. I protested a bit since they could not tell me how much the repair would be, etc. I also said I knew there had been a redesign. The manager was nice enough to offer to exchange them for me. I went back to my friend's place and grabbed the headphones and they swapped them for me.

^ ^ ^ Bose. Thanks!

As an aside, I did see the QC3 in the Bose King of Prussia store. They seem nice and compact, but I like the passive noise reduction provided by the around the ear design of the QC2. Not sure which I would choose for myself, especially since the QC3s are an extra 50 dollars... Also seems easier to just keep an extra AAA battery around!

fuzz

I bought my QC2s at the beginning of 2004 and ever since this thread started, I've been waiting to see the cracks. Used them almost every week with no problems until I took a two-month break with no flights since xmas - opened up my set last week to see cracks in both sides of the headband. I don't use them and they crack - go figure! Bose in Singapore said they would swap it for a new pair.

Bah...5 months after I got the new pair as a replacement, I was just thinking last week how sturdy the new headband is. Guess what happens? I take it out at the beginning of a 12-hour flight yesterday to find that the battery compartment cover had snapped off :mad:

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread ^

My QC2's are 3 years old and just started developing cracks which caused the ear cup completely fall off on my flight two weeks ago and was left hanging by the wire :eek: As I had a 6 hour flight last week I brought a role of scotch tape with me to make them last one more trip. I got a few odd looks but at least I couldn't hear what they were saying :cool:

Anyways, I am going to phone Bose on Monday to get mine replaced. It's always good to have a back up thread like this to email them for any reason I encounter a problem ;)

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread ^

My QC2's are 3 years old and just started developing cracks which caused the ear cup completely fall off on my flight two weeks ago and was left hanging by the wire :eek: As I had a 6 hour flight last week I brought a role of scotch tape with me to make them last one more trip. I got a few odd looks but at least I couldn't hear what they were saying :cool:

Anyways, I am going to phone Bose on Monday to get mine replaced. It's always good to have a back up thread like this to email them for any reason I encounter a problem ;)

Let us know how it goes. Im in about the same situation and if they replace them I will take mine into a store to try to get them replaced. Mine cracked a little within the first year and I just taped them. They were fine for a couple of years like that then they just shattered.

Mine cracked a little within the first year and I just taped them. They were fine for a couple of years like that then they just shattered.

EXACTLY what happened to mine.

I'm going to be in Edmonton tomorrow and they have a Bose store in West Edmonton Mall and I am going to see if I can just them replaced there otherwise I will try phoning Customer Service from the hotel Monday night

Replaced in the store ^^^

The manager was very aware of the problem and the only thing that gave her a moment of pause was how to balance her inventory because I had the old champagne tinted ones people have talked about. I didn't realize mine weren't silver until I saw the new silver ones :o

If anyone is in the same situation the manager dug through her inventory codes in her computer and found a different code for the old headphones.

It was actually quite amusing to see their faces when they saw my taped up set and how they commented they hadn't seen this model in a while :D

I have to concur with someone else who said their new ones seem quieter. I know it sounds insane but I wore my old set last Friday and tried these new ones tonight in my hotel. I couldn't hear my TV when my ipod was turned on. YMMV :)

Great customer service as everyone else here has mentioned. I didn't even have to show my receipt which was dated Feb 28, 2004!

cattle

I had exactly the same experience at the Bose store in YVR. Exchanged with no problems. Great customer service ^^

mpc1

cattle

I had exactly the same experience at the Bose store in YVR. Exchanged with no problems. Great customer service ^^

mpc1

Considering the age of the first posts on this thread.. Great customer service would be to QUIT producing a defective product. This is treating the symptom not the disease! IMHO Great Customer Service means the product works as designed without me having to replace it!

Considering the age of the first posts on this thread.. Great customer service would be to QUIT producing a defective product. This is treating the symptom not the disease! IMHO Great Customer Service means the product works as designed without me having to replace it!
It took them awhile, but they finally reengineered the plastic piece that kept breaking. Mine were replaced about a year ago with the new and improved version.

Took mine to the store closest to me. The manager told me he wouldnt replace them because they didnt carry the champagne ones anymore. Gave me a business card and told me to call a toll free number on it and give them the serial number of mine. He said they would then give me instructions on how to send them in for repair. He said that since they werent under warranty they would charge me although it "wouldnt be too much". I am really pissed off. :mad: :mad: :td:

Bummer. I just had my champagne ones break and had them replaced for the silver ones at my local store no questions asked. The salesperson originally thought I would have to pay a $30 difference (between the MSRP of the champagne vs. the silver) but when I spoke with the manager he just repriced the champagne ones $30 higher & did an equal swap.

A friend of mine in the midwest had a problem with his store wanting him to mail the QC back to Bose in MA instead of swapping them on site. He got around that by asking a lot of pointed questions about their "30 day return" policy and offering to buy a new set while figuring out exactly what day he would have to return them out loud. They decided just to replace his :)

Bummer. I just had my champagne ones break and had them replaced for the silver ones at my local store no questions asked. The salesperson originally thought I would have to pay a $30 difference (between the MSRP of the champagne vs. the silver) but when I spoke with the manager he just repriced the champagne ones $30 higher & did an equal swap.

A friend of mine in the midwest had a problem with his store wanting him to mail the QC back to Bose in MA instead of swapping them on site. He got around that by asking a lot of pointed questions about their "30 day return" policy and offering to buy a new set while figuring out exactly what day he would have to return them out loud. They decided just to replace his :)


I had to go into Manhattan for a martial arts lesson and afterwards hauled uptown to the Bose store there. Freezing my YouTubes off on the way I should add. I went in the store and told them what happened. They said they couldnt replace them because they had no way to deal with the inventory in their computer. But, they gave a phone number and said that I should call it and tell them I have the "champagne" ones and they would replace them with a brand new pair. But I had to mail these in. He said it takes about a week, sometimes less. I asked if there would be a charge and he said no, it was a known issue. I reminded that some stores just replaced them. He offered to have me speak to the manager and I accepted. The manager told me that they had talked to their corporate office and been told not to do them in the store, but to have the replacements handled at their corporate office. He reiterated that it was a known problem and that there would not be a problem getting them replaced.

So while not thrilled about the hassle of mailing them in, it isnt too bad. IF they actually do what these guys said. My real concern is that they arent correct and that corporate is not going to do anything or try to charge me. Time will tell. Unfortunately, Im out for 10 days or so in the UK so I may not get to find out for a few weeks.

The manager told me that they had talked to their corporate office and been told not to do them in the store, but to have the replacements handled at their corporate office. He reiterated that it was a known problem and that there would not be a problem getting them replaced.

This seems to be the latest manner that Bose is dealing with the issue. My champagne pair broke about 10 days ago. I called Bose but I didn't have the headphones with me so I couldn't give them the serial number. They stated that if they were the champagne colored version they'd replace them free of charge, but if they were the silver ones they would repair or replace them for $100. I have a 3 trips in the next 2 weeks starting this Friday so I needed to get them swapped quickly.

I went to the Bose store in Marlton NJ. They told me that there was no way they could do a swap in the store and that I had to mail them in. I pleaded that this was a known problem with the champagne version and that I had to get the issue resolved quickly. They wouldn't budge :(

I called Bose again last Friday and they stated that if I FedEx them the old pair and give them the tracking number they would ship the replacement pair immediately. 20 minutes later I was leaving the FedEx store calling Bose again with the tracking number. They said that as soon as they verify it they'd start the process of shipping my new pair.

I called Bose the following Monday afternoon and they stated that the new pair would arrive "tomorrow". Sure enough I had them Tuesday afternoon :) 4 day turnaround over a weekend ^

The new pair is silver colored. The plastic part that broke on the champagne version has been re-designed and appears to be made from a different type of plastic. So I'm out $13 for shipping, but overall I'm satisfied.

I called Bose and they had a special number for me to call about a replacement. I gave them my name and they had a record of the headsets (I bought them at a Bose kiosk) and said if I sent the old ones in they would send me new ones. They said they would be silver, not champagne colored and while the head band looked the same it was a different material so it wouldnt break. So I sent mine in last week and upon arriving home this evening found, buried in the snow, a new pair of QC2s. ^ While not pleased that they broke Im very pleased at Bose sending me a new pair, well out of warranty (although the initial cracks were while under warranty).

I gotta say, these web forums are amazing. If I hadn't stumbled on this site, I would have not noticed the hairline cracks that had developed on my QC2. I got them as a gift and had no receipt and they are over 1 year old.

Bose customer service is just awesome. They asked for the serial number and asked a few questions. I have to send the entire unit and case and they tell me that once they get it, they'll ship out a brand new pair.

Very impressed. I'll report back once I get the new pair. :)

I gotta say, these web forums are amazing. If I hadn't stumbled on this site, I would have not noticed the hairline cracks that had developed on my QC2. I got them as a gift and had no receipt and they are over 1 year old.

Bose customer service is just awesome. They asked for the serial number and asked a few questions. I have to send the entire unit and case and they tell me that once they get it, they'll ship out a brand new pair.

Very impressed. I'll report back once I get the new pair. :)
Welcome to FT! Although it was quite a while between when I first read about the cracks and when my first pair broke, I wasn't stressed at all when it happened as I knew Bose would take care of the issue as soon as I got to a store thanks to this thread and the various posts on FT.

I have a "champagne" pair of QC2's. The Right earcup snapped off on my last flight. I have used some black tape to repair it and they work ok. Have just contacted Bose customer service in the UK and spoke to a helpful CSA who said that there had been a design fault on them and in the past, where they would have simply replaced them there is now a "new" policy operating where they will replace them with the current QC2's for £125 or I could have the newer QC3's
for £175.... saving £100 either way.

Will be in the USA next month so will see if the policy is still to just swap one for one. Alternatively, with the exchange rate the way it is I may be able to buy new buy and still save a few $$'s on the UK deal.

Exraf

I gotta say, these web forums are amazing. If I hadn't stumbled on this site, I would have not noticed the hairline cracks that had developed on my QC2. I got them as a gift and had no receipt and they are over 1 year old.

Bose customer service is just awesome. They asked for the serial number and asked a few questions. I have to send the entire unit and case and they tell me that once they get it, they'll ship out a brand new pair.

Very impressed. I'll report back once I get the new pair. :)

Welcome to Flyertalk. Glad it was helpful.

I have a "champagne" pair of QC2's. The Right earcup snapped off on my last flight. I have used some black tape to repair it and they work ok. Have just contacted Bose customer service in the UK and spoke to a helpful CSA who said that there had been a design fault on them and in the past, where they would have simply replaced them there is now a "new" policy operating where they will replace them with the current QC2's for £125 or I could have the newer QC3's
for £175.... saving £100 either way.

Will be in the USA next month so will see if the policy is still to just swap one for one. Alternatively, with the exchange rate the way it is I may be able to buy new buy and still save a few $$'s on the UK deal. Exraf

Three possibilities:

1) The international policy just changed in the last day or two. See the comment above from someone that they were being replaced free very recently.

2) US policy is different than UK policy.

3). The person you talked to made a mistake. When I took mine to the store in NYC the manager told me to be sure I told them they were champagne, because they charged $100 or something for the others and another manager at another store told me that they would charge even for the champagne ones. See posts above for more detail.

I would invoke the age old mantra of FT here. It you dont like the answer, politely thank them, hang up and call back later to get an answer from someone else. You might also try writing a letter to Bose UK.

I gotta say, these web forums are amazing. If I hadn't stumbled on this site, I would have not noticed the hairline cracks that had developed on my QC2. I got them as a gift and had no receipt and they are over 1 year old.

Bose customer service is just awesome. They asked for the serial number and asked a few questions. I have to send the entire unit and case and they tell me that once they get it, they'll ship out a brand new pair.

Very impressed. I'll report back once I get the new pair. :)Bose will also "cross ship" if you're in a hurry, i.e. they'll send out a new pair and charge your credit card, but will credit back the charge when they receive your old pair.

Salve, Brother Pullo! (I loved Rome and regret that it's over -- it was the best thing HBO ever produced).

I have a "champagne" pair of QC2's. The Right earcup snapped off on my last flight. I have used some black tape to repair it and they work ok. Have just contacted Bose customer service in the UK and spoke to a helpful CSA who said that there had been a design fault on them and in the past, where they would have simply replaced them there is now a "new" policy operating where they will replace them with the current QC2's for £125 or I could have the newer QC3's
for £175.... saving £100 either way.

Will be in the USA next month so will see if the policy is still to just swap one for one. Alternatively, with the exchange rate the way it is I may be able to buy new buy and still save a few $$'s on the UK deal.

Exraf

That's similar to what Bose is doing in the US, though we're getting a better deal. My wife's QC1s finally gave up the ghost. Bose replaced them with the new "silver" QC2s (replacement to the "champagne" QC2) for $100.

I just had mine replaced in London at the Regent Street store, and no questions asked. I just took in the old pair [about 2 years old], and they swapped them on the spot. Great customer service, BOSE! :-)

Just took my 4-year old QC-2s (champagne color) with broken right headband into my local Bose store (Flatirons Mall - Broomfield, CO) and they exchanged on the spot no questions asked. The new silver design has a beefed up that part of the headset so hopefully it won't break again. Big ^ to Bose for their customer service and to FT for spreading the word that this is a design issue with the older QC-2s and to get it replaced rather than buy a new one.

Bose will also "cross ship" if you're in a hurry, i.e. they'll send out a new pair and charge your credit card, but will credit back the charge when they receive your old pair.

Salve, Brother Pullo! (I loved Rome and regret that it's over -- it was the best thing HBO ever produced).

Vorenus, is that you? Salve! I apologize for not replying sooner. I agree, it was the best produced show AFTER the Sopranos. :)

Just phoned Bose UK for a pair Ibought 18 months ago in US. No hassle they will replace at no charge. They are sending me a shipper to return them in then will send new pair. Great service if it all goes to plan.

Mine just went!

I noticed the replacement ones have "RoHS" labeled on the box.

Anyone have electronic failures due to the (presumed) tin solder used in them?

Just called on my 2 year old QC-2's. I was just watching TV late one night a few weeks ago and pop went the left connection. Finally got to calling and the CSR stated that it would be $50 to replace them and I mentioned that I know that this is an issue with these and perhaps maybe I should not have to pay the $50. The CSR stated that usually manufacturing issues pop up in the first year, ie the one year warranty, but that he would make an exception. Very nice CSR, did a great job with me. I figured of course Bose was going to most likely give it up at no charge to stand behind their product and I do tell all of my friends that these things are some of the best headphones I have ever owned, so word of mouth advertising for them is free of charge to them :) Anyways, be kind and just explain your situation and perhaps they will waive the fee. I did register them immediately so they knew the history on my 'account'. Thanks Bose! Here's to many more years of more enjoyable flights and late night TV watching!

WOW, so I have 2 pair of the old QC2's that both broke about a year ago, for some reason I just couldn't throw them away, and then I stumbled across this thread and called Bose customer service this morning. Got the $50 replacement pitch, was real nice and had her look at my Bose profile, I have a number of Bose products around the house. She checked with a supervisor who approved replacing them both free of charge.

Flyertalk saves the day again!

Of course I already replaced 1 pair with the new QC3's, so someone I know is going to get a nice gift.

Anyone have electronic failures due to the (presumed) tin solder used in them?I think the plastic will go long before anything else.

I recently had my QC2s replaced for the second time. I simply went into a Bose store and asked. The first clerk asked for my warranty info. I was explaining that I was in the middle of a long trip and didn't have the info when the second clerk told her to just replace them. Apparently the first time they replaced them they gave me another in the "champagne" color. The ones that have been redesigned so as not to break are officially "silver."

I took my champagne QC-2 into the Valley Fair store near SJC just this week for the same broken piece that my wife's QC-2 had back in May.

Clerk charged me $50 to exchange for the new one, even though my wife wasn't charged for a similar exchange in May. He explained that Bose "just recently" changed the policy on free in-store exchanges out-of-warranty due to the increase in such requests.

Anyone else been told a similar story in recent weeks? Do I have any recourse to recoup the $50, like with Customer Service?

When I called the 1-800 customer service line on 10/29/07 I was told it would be $50 to exchange a pair of broken champagne colored headsets, when I mentioned that I had heard others were getting the exchange for free and that I was a loyal Bose customer they waived the fee.

Is it better to

Buy earphones that the manufacturer will replace every time they break, or
Get a set that don't break in the first place?
Hmmm.

My opinion (which is shared by a large number of very technically savvy folks) is that Bose sells overpriced junk. YMMV.

Is it better to

Buy earphones that the manufacturer will replace every time they break, or
Get a set that don't break in the first place?
Hmmm.

My opinion (which is shared by a large number of very technically savvy folks) is that Bose sells overpriced junk. YMMV.

Your opinion on the choices in quality circum-aural noise-cancelling headphones available in 2002 would be enlightening. Irrelevant, obviously, but enlightening.

People purchasing the Bose today most likely do not need to fear them breaking as the original QC2's did, since they've been redesigned. That said, considering other options is always a good thing, and there are other quality manufacturers competing in this market space. Today.

The above wasn't the case 5 years ago when I obtained my QC2s. They were the best available then, and still rate quite well against the competition today. While the rest of Bose's product line may be "overpriced junk," (a sentiment I agree with, for the most part) I certainly feel as though I got everything I paid for from my QC2s and have not regretted for one second my decision to get them.

do these really cut out external noise well? my walkman style, over the ear headphones aren't really cutting it anymore, but i like how small they are. are these Bose headphones, which i'm seeing advertised EVERYWHERE late, worth the extra space in a carry on bag?

do these really cut out external noise well? my walkman style, over the ear headphones aren't really cutting it anymore, but i like how small they are. are these Bose headphones, which i'm seeing advertised EVERYWHERE late, worth the extra space in a carry on bag?

Five years ago, I tried some Jensens that I paid forty bucks for, just to see how they compared with the high-priced spread. I'd give them an 8 on noise suppression, but only about a 6 for audio quality. They had the same booming lows that Bose is famous for, and the high frequencies played forte contained audible distortion. I do like the fold-up design of the headband though, and I wish more manufacturers would follow suit.

I've used my Sennheiser HD414 cans since the mid-70s, and they still deliver the most transparent sound I've ever heard. Today. So the next step, a few months after the inconclusive Jensen experiment, was the HDC451 that cost about $150. I'd give them a 9 on suppression, but their frequency response and lack of distortion leaves Bose in the dust. If you're listening to MP3s, you probably don't know from audio fidelity anyway, so Bose would be okay for you - at twice the price of this grownup hi-fi equipment. They're an "on-ear" design, so stray conversation and wailing babies come through, although somewhat attenuated.

My latest aquisitions were Shure E2c and Altec-Lansing/Etymotic IM616 to see how various in-the-ear-canal designs worked. Shure has the most comfortable fit, but Etymotic's sound is a grade above. Both are fitted so that ALL ambient noise is suppressed (since they're basically earplugs with transducers in them, this should come as no surprise). For audio, both of them beat Bose hands down, at one-tenth of the cost - I got each of them for $40 delivered from Amazon and buy.com following links ScottC posted a couple of months back.

you've given me a lot to ponder. on my flight the other day, the guy next to me insisted I try his Bose headphones on, after we were chatting about them, (he had the ones that cover your whole ear, not the newer on the ear model) but for the few seconds i was wearing them, they did seem to block out quite a bit of sound. i didn't get to hear the audio sound quality, though, but since i will use them for casual listening, i suspect they will be high quality enough.

The Shure E2c and Altec-Lansing/Etymotic IM616 models sound interesting, but as a person who really doesn't like the iPod earbuds, and even the sensation of wearing earplugs, i'm hesitant to go that route.

When I called the 1-800 customer service line on 10/29/07 I was told it would be $50 to exchange a pair of broken champagne colored headsets, when I mentioned that I had heard others were getting the exchange for free and that I was a loyal Bose customer they waived the fee.

After the earpiece snapped on a year end trip, I just exchanged my 2-3 year old champagne QC2s for brand new ones at the Bose Century City store (L.A.) and was charged $50 (would be $100 to swap for QC3s. Not a bad deal but I told the salesman that apparently I was being penalized for being so careful with mine that they didn't break sooner. He still took my 50 bucks!

After the earpiece snapped on a year end trip, I just exchanged my 2-3 year old champagne QC2s for brand new ones at the Bose Century City store (L.A.) and was charged $50 (would be $100 to swap for QC3s. Not a bad deal but I told the salesman that apparently I was being penalized for being so careful with mine that they didn't break sooner. He still took my 50 bucks!
One of my associates didn't know that there was any type of exchange option. After I told him, he went last week and was charged the $50 fee. Given how much he had worn them down so much (it was the original pair from when they first came out), he considered it a great deal.

I exchanged mine last year at some point and was not charged the fee ... must have slipped in before the change took place.

One of my associates didn't know that there was any type of exchange option. After I told him, he went last week and was charged the $50 fee. Given how much he had worn them down so much (it was the original pair from when they first came out), he considered it a great deal.

I exchanged mine last year at some point and was not charged the fee ... must have slipped in before the change took place.

My QC2's were worn down really nappy especially at the bottom of the earmuffs where my razor stubble at my sideburns chafes against them.

Even so, when Bose tried to hit me up for $50, I contested that I shouldn't be held accountable for a defect they well knew about, and they relented by waiving the $50 and covering shipment of the replacement as well as return-shipping of the defective.

Just opened up FT, homepage and I notice a thread that says
"My Bose QC-2 keep breaking". Wow, must be my lucky day.
After years of loyal service, but the last year heavily padded
with tape to hold it together I retired my QC-2 and bought
a Sure product. Nearly threw the Bose away. Now I read I
can possibly exchange them. I wrote E-mail to Bose some
months ago but never got a response. I don't know if they
do this here in Japan, their Japanese website is not available
in English, so I guess I will have to wait until I am back in
the States. Thanks FT for coming thru......AGAIN^

If you can wait I would recommend using Bose's 1-800 number, they replaced two pair of QC2's for free at the beginning of December, they were the first generation champagne units that I had in storage for a couple of years until I read this thread. I received them a couple weeks ago. As I posted earlier you may need to push the CS rep to do it for free.

I can wait. Just hope the program isn't discontinued by then.

I had my QC2s for about three years and they broke a month ago in the same place everybody is talking about here... the plastic on the left band. I used a bandaid (ridiculous looking) to fix them until I had a long enough break to send them back for a new pair, but they still didn't make it on time and I had to fly a trip without them, which made me miserable. I had been careful with them all along but used them heavily. I thought it was my fault from pulling them aside to hear flight attendants asking me questions on flights but apparently its a defect lots of you have had. They said I could exchange them for $50 or upgrade for $100... I chose the upgrade. They just arrived and I'm very happy with the slimmer case but haven't given them a real shot yet for listening.

They said I could exchange them for $50 or upgrade for $100... I chose the upgrade. They just arrived and I'm very happy with the slimmer case but haven't given them a real shot yet for listening.


I just called Bose about my 3 year old QC2's. My left headband had cracked. They no longer replace them for free but will do an exchange for $50.00 or $100.00 upgrade. ( the rep said most people stay with the QC2s rather than going for the QC3s, he said he liked the 2s better ) The reason for this, I was told was to keep people honest, apparently people were intentionally breaking them to get a new pair.

I did not have a receipt but I did have an account with Bose. The Rep said they were aware of the problem and the new ones had been redesigned and had a couple of new features.

I paid with my credit card and was given an RMA number, an email was sent with a prepaid UPS ticket - shipping is covered both ways, you also get a 1 year warranty.

Not Bad !, wish it was free though.

Quick follow up. I decided since now being aware of the exchange
option, I did not want to wait until I get back stateside later this
year. Shot out another E-mail to Bose USA and this time received
an answer ( I knew now what to ask for, so it helps to be specific ).
They hooked me up with Bose Japan. The whole exchange process was painless, sent in the broken QC-2, today received brandnew pair, free of charge. Thanks FT.

I just called Blose, my QC2s broke.

Was offered an exchange for $100, not $50...and an upgrade for $150.

I'm thinking of heading over to the store.

The store in Frisco, Texas replaced by broken, 4+ year old QC2 for $50. I was amazed. No receipt, no nothin'. Was not offered the "upgrade" but wouldn't have taken it anyway. I went there hoping for some "mercy", perhaps $50 OFF. Awesome CS in my opinion.

I just called Blose, my QC2s broke.

Was offered an exchange for $100, not $50...and an upgrade for $150.

I'm thinking of heading over to the store.

Remember the old FT wisdom : If you don't like the answer you get
from one agent, hang up and call again. Last resort would be to go
to a Bose store and try there. If someone else gets the $ 100.00
reply, would you please post here?

Remember the old FT wisdom : If you don't like the answer you get
from one agent, hang up and call again. Last resort would be to go
to a Bose store and try there. If someone else gets the $ 100.00
reply, would you please post here?

Just called the store in Century City (L.A.) and was told I would be charged $100 to replace my QC2s. Bought them about a year and a half ago. I've been lazy as they've been broken for about three months, and of course tomorrow I am flying on a transcon and could really use a functioning set :rolleyes: At first they directed me to the phone helpline but when I pressed the issue I got the $100 exchange offer.

<<Edited to add>> Well the motto "call back and you may get a different story" applies here. Just called the Glendale Galleria Bose store and was told the exchange cost would be $50 for QC2 -> QC2 and it would be $150 for QC2 -> QC3. They did make a distinction between champange and silver color, and honestly I can't tell the difference. Apparently the champange color are eligible for in-store exchange but the silver aren't.

Planning to head up to Glendale; will let folks know how it goes.

That is good news instead, I was reading your post pre-edit and
was sort of bummed out. I did not even know that they had a
silver and a champagne colored set until I read it here on FT.
The color surely won't make a difference, so let us know how
it went. Hope you can do the exchange before your trip. Good
luck.

Well, good news from the Glendale Galleria...they were more than happy to exchange my broken QC2s (chapmagne color) for a new set at a reasonalbe $50 cost. In fact as soon as I walked in the store with my headset in its case, they said they knew what I was there for...

^ to Bose with another satisfied customer! Happy to hear these success stories.

Five years ago, I tried some Jensens that I paid forty bucks for, just to see how they compared with the high-priced spread. I'd give them an 8 on noise suppression, but only about a 6 for audio quality. They had the same booming lows that Bose is famous for, and the high frequencies played forte contained audible distortion. I do like the fold-up design of the headband though, and I wish more manufacturers would follow suit.

I've used my Sennheiser HD414 cans since the mid-70s, and they still deliver the most transparent sound I've ever heard. Today. So the next step, a few months after the inconclusive Jensen experiment, was the HDC451 that cost about $150. I'd give them a 9 on suppression, but their frequency response and lack of distortion leaves Bose in the dust. If you're listening to MP3s, you probably don't know from audio fidelity anyway, so Bose would be okay for you - at twice the price of this grownup hi-fi equipment. They're an "on-ear" design, so stray conversation and wailing babies come through, although somewhat attenuated.

My latest aquisitions were Shure E2c and Altec-Lansing/Etymotic IM616 to see how various in-the-ear-canal designs worked. Shure has the most comfortable fit, but Etymotic's sound is a grade above. Both are fitted so that ALL ambient noise is suppressed (since they're basically earplugs with transducers in them, this should come as no surprise). For audio, both of them beat Bose hands down, at one-tenth of the cost - I got each of them for $40 delivered from Amazon and buy.com following links ScottC posted a couple of months back.

Wow. Thanks for the info. I now not only know which one to buy but also where. I love this board.

Thanks to all of you on this thread for your advice about upgrading. I also had a problem with my QC2s breaking just above the left earpiece. I bought these three years ago. Decided to give it a shot and went to the Time Warner Center store in NYC and they immediately took care of my problem. $50 to upgrade to the new ones, no receipt required and and one year warranty to boot.
Cheers.

I've still got QC-1's, which I have had to put down as they drop consistent black dust and foam on me when I wear them.

I will be going in or calling for an exchange shortly and will post my results...

Received the $100 offer from Customer Service (for the upgrade to QC-2). I asked if I could make the exchange "in store" and was told 'no.'

I was told that it would take two weeks, but I'm hopeful that it will be less than that.