Originally Posted by JDiver

OK, this is on topic... Bose shot themselves in the foot with the QC-2, IMO. There is a built-in weakness in the hosung for the band holding the ear cups which makes it quite easy to break the headphone set, and AA has had a number of them broken in this way (not to mention yours truly, though to give credit where it is due, Bose promptly replaced the two sets of broken QC-2s we sent after securing the RMA, in spite of the fact they were both beyond warranty.)

AA also had Bose modify the QC-2s used on AA: the volume control (on the cord plug where it fits into the ear cup) was set to "high" and permanently fixed in the plug housing. This meant that you could not adjust the volume to a very low background listening level when listening to in-seat sources, requiring you do without audio or buy a supplemental volume control like Radio Shack's in-line potentiometer volume control.

If AA enters into a deal with Bose for the QC-3, I hope Bose (especially) and AA pay close attention to the lessons they may have learned from the QC-2 experience. Though Bose is known to love the idea of planned obsoloence, I think the emeregnce of the QC-3 this soon may indicate the design weakness of the QC-2 was recognized and made into an opportunity for redesign and to raise the price. Caveat emptor...