Last edit by: JDiver
This thread was for discussion of the switchover from Bose QC15 to B&O H9i noise reduction headsets on select AA longhaul flights in First and Business classes.
As these B&O headsets have been moved out through the fleet, theres a new thread for further discussion, etc. relating to the B&O H9i Beoplay corded headset here: Bang & Olufsen H9i NR Headset Discussion, Issues (master thread)[
Moderator
As these B&O headsets have been moved out through the fleet, theres a new thread for further discussion, etc. relating to the B&O H9i Beoplay corded headset here: Bang & Olufsen H9i NR Headset Discussion, Issues (master thread)[
Moderator
ARCHIVE: AA Drops Bose NR Headset for Bang & Olufsen (as of March 2019)
#106
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 67
My Bose traveling companion
Fortunately, I always travel w/my trusty 6+ year old Bose QC15 in Blue. They are superior in every way to the B&O!
...and no, I dont work for Bose (just a happy customer).
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,114
Just got a pair of these new Bang&Olufsen Headsets on my 321T lax-bos in F. The Fa still referred to them as boses, and I really wish they were.
First these have an on/off button. But after turning them on, any rubbing of the headset against my pillow results in really annoying high pitch noises. They were so bad I had turn the headphones to off, which disables the noise cancelling. Did anyone at AA test these things?!
Anyone else had to deal with these?
First these have an on/off button. But after turning them on, any rubbing of the headset against my pillow results in really annoying high pitch noises. They were so bad I had turn the headphones to off, which disables the noise cancelling. Did anyone at AA test these things?!
Anyone else had to deal with these?
I'm wondering if ON switches over the battery and turns on the noise canceling in the standard headphone. Since these are specially modified 3 pin units without batteries, the noise canceling works in OFF as a bypass.
#108
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
By contrast, my last couple of international flight seemed to have lots of problems with the Bose headsets. On one flight they had to seriously search around for a replacement pair for me because 7 other people had also had problems. I assume this is mostly just end of life problems as they're not repairing/replacing the Bose anymore, but it's probably good they're getting some new inventory based on recent experiences.
#109
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
Seems like maybe you had a bad pair? I've had the B&O headphones on three flights and not had any experience like what you're describing.
By contrast, my last couple of international flight seemed to have lots of problems with the Bose headsets. On one flight they had to seriously search around for a replacement pair for me because 7 other people had also had problems. I assume this is mostly just end of life problems as they're not repairing/replacing the Bose anymore, but it's probably good they're getting some new inventory based on recent experiences.
By contrast, my last couple of international flight seemed to have lots of problems with the Bose headsets. On one flight they had to seriously search around for a replacement pair for me because 7 other people had also had problems. I assume this is mostly just end of life problems as they're not repairing/replacing the Bose anymore, but it's probably good they're getting some new inventory based on recent experiences.
#110
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 736
Just tried these on the DFW-HNL route and they were great. FA said it was the first time for the headsets in our flight, so they were brand new.
#112
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA, Marriott
Posts: 209
having used these 5 or 6 times now, I dont think the switch does what it says it does. If I turn it ON, the noise canceling stops. When in OFF, they seem to do noise cancelling.
I'm wondering if ON switches over the battery and turns on the noise canceling in the standard headphone. Since these are specially modified 3 pin units without batteries, the noise canceling works in OFF as a bypass.
I'm wondering if ON switches over the battery and turns on the noise canceling in the standard headphone. Since these are specially modified 3 pin units without batteries, the noise canceling works in OFF as a bypass.
#113
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere near a Airstrip
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 647
Still old Bose QC15 on flights in/out of PHL. in both the directions, the first one offered did not work - needed to hunt for a replacement and it also died (Poor Battery) after a while.
Also what's with not offering the 2 Pin converter - both the times had to flag down a cabin crew to get one.
Also what's with not offering the 2 Pin converter - both the times had to flag down a cabin crew to get one.
#114
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Amb Elite & LT Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,230
Had the new headseats on fly 20 DFW to LHR. Didn't work at all. FA swapped them our 4 times nothing, no sound. But when I puled my earbuds into the jack I got sound. Had to give up. Mrs. Deac83 had the same problem. We both used our earbuds for the flight. On/off switch did nothing. There is no light on these to indicate that they are in fact on, and assuming it has a batter that it's still good.
I also found them uncomfortable, just used them to block noise while I as sleeing, but my ears were sore and I had to fiddle with the head adjustment.
I also found them uncomfortable, just used them to block noise while I as sleeing, but my ears were sore and I had to fiddle with the head adjustment.
#115
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 474
The light on my B&O headphones didn't work, and the on/off switch seemed reversed. When I switched it off, the noise cancelling stopped. I would have expected the opposite.
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,114
I posted this above, but this is consistent across the 3 pin B&O - my speculation is the "on" toggles battery mode for normal B&O headphones; as these do not have batteries it just doesn't work. "Off" works as the power is coming from the 3rd pin on the aircraft.
#117
Which is all a long way of saying that the quality of the Bose product has gone significantly downhill lately. I'm willing to give B&O a shot.
#118
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 368
Used the new B&O headphones on AA72 SYD-LAX yesterday when my Bose QC35's ran out of power. They initially had this nails-on-a-chalkboard screeching sound — probably defective wiring in the left speaker — which went away eventually. Aside from that, I thought the ambient noise cancellation to be okay but the comfort to be a hinderance: my small ears just did not fit wholly inside of them the same way they do with Bose headphones. This became pretty uncomfortable and I stopped using them as a result.
#119
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
I did the same last year for Black Friday at half off. (Actually Sunday, but it was still marked on the Friday price.)
No complaints, and Sony has really upped their game. I still use my in-ear monitors more often though. Mainly from the size difference.
No complaints, and Sony has really upped their game. I still use my in-ear monitors more often though. Mainly from the size difference.
#120
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Bang & Olufsen uses advanced noise cancelling technology to automatically silence the Baclay's pitch. It's amAAzing!
Not really, but it would be cool.
Not really, but it would be cool.