Travel Technology - What should I replace my QC2s with?

About 10 months after I got my QC2s, which was the first Christmas after they were released, the headband cracked. I was on a UA flight from NRT-JFK at the time and the purser taped them up for me. They have lasted until now, well out of warranty, but a week ago the headband basically crumbled. So while I might be able to tape it back up in some fashion Im thinking of getting a new pair of noise reduction headphones.

Options seem to be:

Try to wrangle a free pair of Bose since they have this problem

Buy another pair of Bose QC2s. I like the sound but honestly am a bit ticked off about the breaking and concerned that the new ones will do the same.

Buy another pair of NC headphones. There are some new Panasonics that are out that offer 18db of noise reduction and are about $199. Im thinking of those or are there others that people would suggest? Does anyone know anything about the Panasonics?

What about Sony or other brands of active NC headphones?

What about around the ear headphones that are passive noice canceling, any recs?

I dont think I want to pay more the what the QC2s cost but Im completely willing to go that high. I want something compact with a good case for traveling of course.

Things that I wont get so please dont bother suggesting are QC3s, Etys, Shures etc. I have a pair of ER6is and a pair of non-NC AKGs. I use them both but sometimes I want the NCs.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Etymotics or Shures. Pretty widely recommended around here. I have the etymotics and am very happy - even use them at home when the toddler is crying (and the monitor is on).

About 10 months after I got my QC2s, which was the first Christmas after they were released, the headband cracked. I was on a UA flight from NRT-JFK at the time and the purser taped them up for me. They have lasted until now, well out of warranty, but a week ago the headband basically crumbled. So while I might be able to tape it back up in some fashion Im thinking of getting a new pair of noise reduction headphones.


Why didn't you take them to Bose when they snapped the first time?

/E

Bose replaced my QC2 after the warranty time expired. I suggest you take them to a Bose store and mumble about the high price you paid and they fell apart etc rather than deal with the 800 number folks.

MisterNice

My brother had a pair of the QC2s from a few years ago. The headband cracked well out of warranty. I stopped in the Bose store when I was in Chicago with the headphones and after a little discussion, they did swap them out for me.

Worth a shot if there is a store near you...

fuzz

I agree with the other posters. Had a similar experience with the Bose 2, went into a Bose place at an airport and walked out with a new pair, gratis and no questions asked. Plus a very warm feeling towards Bose.
But I also travel with an old pair of Sony noise cancelling earbuds and trade them off with the Bose during the trips. They are also very good and much more compact and easy to carry, but after a while the ears begin to get sore. Life's just like that...

My husband just returned from a long trip last night with a broken QC2 headset (the problematic plasic headband part). I called today and they are sending a new pair...no questions asked.

My husband just returned from a long trip last night with a broken QC2 headset (the problematic plasic headband part). I called today and they are sending a new pair...no questions asked.
Out of curiosity, do they require you to send the broken Bose QC2s back into them? And, if you do, do they cover the shipping costs?