Travel Technology - Move over Bose - there is a new king in town

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=439&product=16975

Unbelievable headphones. They have better noise canceling than the QCII's, with (IMHO) twice the sound quality. The X-Fi feature makes sound come to life unlike anything I've ever heard. I've always preferred in-ear passive noise canceling, but I'm going to switch over to these ones now.

I'd never travel with anything other than in-ear phones, because everything else takes up too much space in my bag. At the end of the day, I've never heard of an active noice cancellation system that can do better than -20dB. Foam earplugs like the Shure tips can do -30dB or better (a standard yellow foam earplug properly inserted rates a 33 NRR), and I feel they do a better job across the spectrum of noise you hear in the airplane cabin.

That said, it's not hard to beat Bose's sound quality. Go to head-fi, and you won't see many Bose users. "Better sound through marketing" is not the way to go.

Copying is the sincerest form of flattery. If they didn't say X-fi on them, one could barely tell the difference. Even the ad with the guy on the plane looks the same as the bose ads, and the form factor (flipping earcups) and the carry case. Very funny.

Copying is the sincerest form of flattery. If they didn't say X-fi on them, one could barely tell the difference. Even the ad with the guy on the plane looks the same as the bose ads, and the form factor (flipping earcups) and the carry case. Very funny.

Yeah, they do have a familiar "look and feel" to them :D

Man, I wish I had $300 to spare -- I'd love to try these.

Copying is the sincerest form of flattery.

I just hope they don't break like the Bose qc2.. I just got a new pair I should of tried these. Mabey I will take the bose back and try them..

I just hope they don't break like the Bose qc2.. I just got a new pair I should of tried these. Mabey I will take the bose back and try them..

But will they have the same level of Customer Service as Bose?

Your QC2's broke? OK, we'll just send you a brand new set!

Even out of warranty.

Cheers,
Rick

bose is no longer just giving a free set, at least not after warranty. Having bought probably 20 pair in the past 10 years, I had to have two pair -bought for friends repaired/replaced when the design flaw headpiece band broke (you know the one!)

Originally, they wanted 100$ a pair to replace. I got it down to 80$ for both, plus tax, but it wasn't just NQA replacement. It is still a GREAT policy and indeed with the design flaw issue, it is clearly required. It is money well spent, but not AS GREAT as it was before. I think it is appropriate given the state of peoples use (and sometimes abuse) of things.

But will they have the same level of Customer Service as Bose?

Your QC2's broke? OK, we'll just send you a brand new set!

Even out of warranty.

Cheers,
Rick

My old set was lost. It was replaced once though. They are good with CS but I don't know why they don't redesign them:confused:

Thanks fpr the tip about this. Wish they had an "on the ear model" though. One of the reasons I love my Bose QC3

Fly more & get a better seat

I'm all about in-ear headphones. Too bulky to take on trips.

I'm all about in-ear headphones. Too bulky to take on trips.

I agree with you. I have the Shure SE210 (http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.105181400) headphones and love them.

I wonder if the top of the line SE410's (http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.105434000) are worth $349?

I agree with you. I have the Shure SE210 (http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.105181400) headphones and love them.

I wonder if the top of the line SE410's (http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.105434000) are worth $349?

The SE420's aren't the top of the line. The SE530's are. IMO, they were worth the money.

I wonder if the top of the line SE410's (http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.105434000) are worth $349?

The SE420s are definitely worth the cash. Running an iPod, Apple Lossless (ripped using EAC), with Red Wine iMod makes for something rather close to the real thing...

(oops - gone waaayyyy OT)

The SE420's aren't the top of the line. The SE530's are. IMO, they were worth the money.

Indeed they are. The 530's cured me of my need to upgrade earphones.

Everything I've ever had from Creative has been 2nd rate (Muvo, Zen), while everything from Bose (we don't actually have many Bose items*) have been really good. I'm not prepared to pay the same amount for the Creative brand as a Bose branded item. Especially when Creative steal the Bose design, even down to the carrying case, and plastic packaging. How is that "creative"?

Plus I would also rather support a US based company like Bose or Sure (which is based near my hometown).

* 20th Anniversary Macintosh speaker system, Bose companion 5 computer speakers, QC1, QC2, speakers in my Infiniti FX45

These are only SG$399 (http://sg.creative.com/) (US$260) in Singapore at the moment.

There doesn't seem to be much difference between these and QC2s in terms of sound quality.

Also, you can redeem QFF miles for the Bose QC2s (https://www.awardstore.com.au/pages/SOR/AwardDetails.aspx?AwardId=21091) or QC3s.

Although they don't beat the Bose in terms of sound quality, you budget-minded folks mind want to seriously consider the Phillips SHN9500s. They are light, comfortable, and have a very good sound quality overall (especially for their price). They include a Mute button and a detachable cord, so you can use them for just noise-canceling. They have a smaller profile than the Bose QC2s so they restrict head motion even less, and I've found that the noise-canceling is robust enough that it doesn't suffer when one of the mics is partially obstructed (which can be a problem with other headphones).

Costco was carrying these for $60 for some time, but they "deleted" the item and it's very hard to find stock any more (the SFO store had a bunch at the end of September, but that's as recently as I've been there). However, you can still find them for as little as $54.88 through Amazon.

I've tried on a lot of NC headseats, including but not limited to the Bose QC2 and QC3; the Brookstone over- and on-the-ear sets; the Phillips SHN9500 and HN110; the Sony MDR-NC50, MDR-NC60, MDR-NC40, and MDR-NC6; and the Monster Beats (Dr. Dre co-branded). The Monster Beats and Bose QC2 had the best sound quality, but were also the most expensive. The Sony MDR-NC60 is quite close, but still somewhat out of my budget at over $120. The Phillips SHN9500 was the best "sweet spot" in terms of functionality, sound quality, and price.

For those with money to spend, the $300+ headsets are definitely nice... but for those on a budget, I strongly recommend the Phillips (or the Sony MDR-NC60 if you want a step up).

I have the audio-technica QueitPoint ATH-ANC7 and won't fly without them.

I bought these based on a David Pogue review. David Pogue is the technology columnist for the NYTimes and he did a column comparing several brands including the Bose models.

He basically said that the audio-technica's were Bose quality without the Bose price.

Right after his article came out they became impossible to find, but eventually I got them for about $100!

I have the audio-technica QueitPoint ATH-ANC7 and won't fly without them.

I bought these based on a David Pogue review. David Pogue is the technology columnist for the NYTimes and he did a column comparing several brands including the Bose models.

He basically said that the audio-technica's were Bose quality without the Bose price.

Right after his article came out they became impossible to find, but eventually I got them for about $100!

I have been a QC2 fan for some time but if I was buying now....this is exactly what I would be buying. Best bang for the buck if you ask me.

You can all save your $ on the noise canceling headsets. There is a new player on the market. A Denver company, Able Planet. has a nifty set that beats the Bose I bought, tried and took back within 30 days. Also have Altec Lansing and two Sony. AP beats them all and they are a lot more reasonable I paid $79 at Costco on line. And now they are $20 off at Costco on line.
They are over the ear and quite comfortable from SFO to NRT. The noise is an almost total block. Better than the QC. And the cord fits my IPhone without the Apple additional plug.
bartpapa

I just buy the 20 USD Sony in ear's.

After losing an original QC and a QC2 over the last 10 years someone is trying to tell me to stop carrying the extra junk in the bag.

Scott: How is battery life on the Creative one?

I have the audio-technica QueitPoint ATH-ANC7 and won't fly without them.I bought a pair of these and they were so loose on my size 7.5 head that they fell off every time I moved.

Anyone else suffer the same problem?

Move over Bose - there is a new king in town

You mean a new king of marketing hype with crappy sound quality?

Looks like artificial dynamic range expansion (dbx anyone?) and comb-filtered fake "3D" sound. Any digital manipulation I've heard (with the exception of the Tact RCS 2.0s) sounds "punchy" and "alive" (as I've heard it described) on first listen, but quite fatiguing and annoying over a long listen. Kind of like the salesman at the local "stero store" cranking up the treble and bass (or the good 'ol Loudness control) in the showroom.

I'll give them a listen if I ever run across them, but for that money I'd be very very surprised if my Sennheiser HD600's aren't miles ahead in sound quality - I'd just turn them up a bit on a plane. And I'd much rather stick with with in-ear Shures or Etys when flying, simply for the size, convenience, weight, etc.

But, as I said, I'll give them a listen if I see them. I swore by my ER-6's for a long time until I was surprised by the latest generation of Shures, so there are always surprises out there.

I have the audio-technica QueitPoint ATH-ANC7 and won't fly without them.
I bought these based on a David Pogue review. David Pogue is the technology columnist for the NYTimes and he did a column comparing several brands including the Bose models.


Bought as gift for my 24 yr son who travels btw Asian countries and he actually liked them :)

I want accurate sound, not "improved" (yeah, right). Etymotics in-ear are the best I've found for that, but they don't do noise-cancelling. Using them as players under the Bose for noise-canceling works best.

As far as sound quality goes, "No highs, no lows: must be Bose."

I want accurate sound, not "improved" (yeah, right). Etymotics in-ear are the best I've found for that, but they don't do noise-cancelling. Using them as players under the Bose for noise-canceling works best.

As far as sound quality goes, "No highs, no lows: must be Bose."

Etys don't do noise-cancelling, they do noise-isolation in the 35dB range. Using them under a Bose is like having belt and suspenders

I bought a pair of these and they were so loose on my size 7.5 head that they fell off every time I moved.

Anyone else suffer the same problem?

I generally wear a 7 3/8 ball cap and the ANC7s seem fit my head just fine. My only complaint is that there's some hard plastic underneath the foam that covers the ears (not in the ear cup, but over the drivers) that sometimes make for a sore ear after a long flight.

The Creative's are using the same exact storage case as my AT's - wonder if there is some manufacturing tie in? Be interesting if Creative and AT have a relationship and how AT may be partnered to exploit that with a new model of the ANC 7s.

I generally wear a 7 3/8 ball cap and the ANC7s seem fit my head just fine. My only complaint is that there's some hard plastic underneath the foam that covers the ears (not in the ear cup, but over the drivers) that sometimes make for a sore ear after a long flight.

I like my ANC7s, but I do not find the sound quality as good as say a Grado SR60, non-NC headphone. They may be good compared to other NC headphones, especially for the $$, but nit-picky audiophiles will hear some deficiencies.

I agree on the comfort thing on long flights. It is tolerable and I would buy them again if I had to.

Therre is anew player in the noise canceling field. Able Planet, a Denver company has an over the ear model that is comfortable from SFO-NRT and works better than Bose in my opinion at blocking out extraneous noise. I have two Sony, one Panasonic and one Altec -Lansing This is better. Tried Bose and returned them within the 30 days as no improvement over the ones I already owned.
The Able Planet are much, much less expensive also.

Therre is anew player in the noise canceling field. Able Planet, a Denver company has an over the ear model that is comfortable from SFO-NRT and works better than Bose in my opinion at blocking out extraneous noise. I have two Sony, one Panasonic and one Altec -Lansing This is better. Tried Bose and returned them within the 30 days as no improvement over the ones I already owned.
The Able Planet are much, much less expensive also.

Didn't you already say all of this in post #21? ;)

bose is no longer just giving a free set, at least not after warranty. Having bought probably 20 pair in the past 10 years, I had to have two pair -bought for friends repaired/replaced when the design flaw headpiece band broke (you know the one!)

Originally, they wanted 100$ a pair to replace. I got it down to 80$ for both, plus tax, but it wasn't just NQA replacement. It is still a GREAT policy and indeed with the design flaw issue, it is clearly required. It is money well spent, but not AS GREAT as it was before. I think it is appropriate given the state of peoples use (and sometimes abuse) of things.

I bought my pair at a kiosk at DEN in 2005. Then over a year later (after repeated use on flights), they broke and I was heartbroken. I knew that they were replacing them out of warranty for free, but I at that time I just couldn't be bothered with the whole rigmarole and let them sit on my shelf collecting dust until last week when I returned them, paid $100USD, and got a new pair. (YAY! :D )

Did they not fix the famous defect i.e. I thought they made the joint where the earpiece and band meet, stronger?

Anyway, I am still very happy with the QC2's. I was contemplating on the QC3's as a replacement but was never a fan of on the ear because it starts to get uncomfortable after a couple of hours. I sometimes like to sleep with them on during a long flight...

If you're on a budget I recommend the Sennheiser PXC 300 (http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/accessories/0,39100116,39195390,00.htm) I've had these for a couple of years, and Mrs Infrequent has the PXC250's both excelent, but we still use the Bose that AA provide when we fly transatlantic, but as they were half the price of the Bose the've been very good. Also small and light enough to use at the gym etc.

I'm all about in-ear headphones. Too bulky to take on trips.I find those annoying to take in and out of my ears when the FA comes by to ask a question.

For those that are interested, the ATH-ANC7 is $95 at Amazon right now, and the Bose QC2 headphones are $270. Both seem like good prices.

The SE420s are definitely worth the cash. Running an iPod, Apple Lossless (ripped using EAC), with Red Wine iMod makes for something rather close to the real thing...

Has the iPod improved it's audio hardware from the 5th gen (video) models? If not, the iPod has cr@p audio, irrespective of the compression scheme.

Go from zero volume (amp off) to the lowest level and I can hear the noise from the amplifier (with no active audio). It's blatantly obvious on my Ety 6i headphones.

Of course my hearing is "normal", meaning much better than most people my age.

Has the iPod improved it's audio hardware from the 5th gen (video) models? If not, the iPod has cr@p audio, irrespective of the compression scheme.


I don't know about the current iPod Classic, but my understanding is that the audio chips the iPhone 3G is using are supposed to be pretty good.

The SE420s are definitely worth the cash. Running an iPod, Apple Lossless (ripped using EAC), with Red Wine iMod makes for something rather close to the real thing...

(oops - gone waaayyyy OT)

willy, why not invest in a pair of in-ear monitors? I'm on the verge of taking the plunge on a set of UE's or LiveWires.

Cheers,

-Andrew

I bought a pair of Etymotics er6I based on some recommendations on this board. You can call it noice cancelling, noise isolation, or whatever, but once I put these in and turn on some tunes, the rest of the plane (essentially) disappears. And nothing is more comfortable than those foam inserts for long flights.

If the FA wants me that badly, she'll have to give me a nudge 'cause I won't be able to hear her...

I find those annoying to take in and out of my ears when the FA comes by to ask a question.

For those that are interested, the ATH-ANC7 is $95 at Amazon right now, and the Bose QC2 headphones are $270. Both seem like good prices.

No more annoying than pulling the Bose headphones off your ears.

No more annoying than pulling the Bose headphones off your ears.

:confused: Not sure why anyone would find that annoying. Moving the earcup is a one-handed operation and takes only a second. And hitting "pause" on the audio source (or unplugging the jack) usually eliminates the need to move/remove an earcup entirely.

I generally wear a 7 3/8 ball cap and the ANC7s seem fit my head just fine. My only complaint is that there's some hard plastic underneath the foam that covers the ears (not in the ear cup, but over the drivers) that sometimes make for a sore ear after a long flight.

I would like to second this, the AN7 hurts the ears after a while, so I switched to QC2.

If you're on a budget I recommend the Sennheiser PXC 300 (http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/accessories/0,39100116,39195390,00.htm) I've had these for a couple of years, and Mrs Infrequent has the PXC250's both excelent, but we still use the Bose that AA provide when we fly transatlantic, but as they were half the price of the Bose the've been very good. Also small and light enough to use at the gym etc.

I bought the PXC250s because of their form factor and found the sound ok, but the over-ear pieces were so small they kept slipping off my ears (I'm a small woman, my ears aren't THAT big). Having lost them recently I plan to try etymotic type in-ear plugs.

Yeah in-ears for me. Can't imagine flying without them. Wear them all through the flight, so I sleep with them, whether the iPod is playing or not.

Once, I lost a foam plug on a cheap pair of Sonys which were my first in-ear phones and I spent an afternoon in Rome looking for a replacement but couldn't find them. Was a difficult return flight.

My Shures do get uncomfortable after awhile. Sometimes, I take my AKG on-the-ears and wear them for a couple of hours and switch back.

Has the iPod improved it's audio hardware from the 5th gen (video) models? If not, the iPod has cr@p audio, irrespective of the compression scheme.

Google iMod - which provides a bypass to the indifferent (not crap) audio on the iPod.

willy, why not invest in a pair of in-ear monitors? I'm on the verge of taking the plunge on a set of UE's or LiveWires.

Cheers,

-Andrew

At some point, you have to make a decision on the diminishing improvements in sound quality for the $$ spent. The SE420s are about that point for me. :)

I have the audio-technica QueitPoint ATH-ANC7 and won't fly without them.

I bought these based on a David Pogue review. David Pogue is the technology columnist for the NYTimes and he did a column comparing several brands including the Bose models.

He basically said that the audio-technica's were Bose quality without the Bose price.

Right after his article came out they became impossible to find, but eventually I got them for about $100!

I did some research before pulling the trigger and went with the AT's. $200 less expensive and very happy with them.