About 6-8 months ago my then 6-8 month old QC2 developed the nasty poorly-designed headband cracks (you know the story). I called the Bose 800 number and they said send them in and they would send out a new pair in 1-2 weeks. That was too long so I took them back to the nearest Bose store and they swapped them out for a new pair in 5 minutes.

Last week I noticed 2 fine cracks developing about where the other 2 pair of QC2 cracks developed. So it was back to the Bose store and after 10 minutes the nice girl swapped them out for a new pair. She said they had a new design (and I noticed it), a slightly different color (this was tougher to discern) but no carry strap (she said keep the old one). I suggest you get out the microscope, the magna-flux or whatever so you dont get caught with a non-functioning pair of pricy QC2.

MisterNice

I have read so much about the "headband cracks" - but fortunately have not had any in the one that I have owned for over a year now.

But I am just scared that I might have something happening and not know the problem. Does anyone have pictures of these cracks so I can see what the issue is?

My pair I got last year for Christmas were fine for about 7 months, then started developing small cracks along the struts that run from the actual earphones to the headband. At first, it was just one small crack, which I covered with some tape... but then many more cracks developed.

Basically, the plastic would develop crasks near the pivot point next to the earmuffs, as well as near the opposite end of the plastic struts. Apparently, the force of the metal that lies underneath is just too much for the plastic to handle. Eventually, one side of mine also completely broke around the screws that hold the strut together.

I asked the Bose guy at DEN about the problem, and he gave me the contact info to call and send them in... which, like many people, I didn't want to do. So I went to the local Bose store in Tyson's Corner and mentioned the problem, and the guy said, "Just bring them in, and we'll swap them out!" (of course, I had them with me).

I got the "redesigned" model. The old ones had that bronze color to them, whereas the new ones are completely silver. The key structural difference seems to be that the struts have been reversed, so that the inside (toward the head) surface is molded in one piece with the two sides, with a plate screwed down on the outside surface. Hopefully, this will give the inside surface enough additional strength to resist breaking from the stresses placed along the inside edge from normal wear.

I know the QC2s have been around. My brother loves his.

Does anyone know if a QC3 is to be released anytime soon? Obviously, it's something they're working on, but I did not know if anyone had info... I'm going to be taking a trip abroad soon, and considered ordering before I leave.

fuzz

P.S. Before I get flamed, I did check out this thread from a while ago:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...&mode=threaded

I bought my second pair of QC2's in November. The assistant asked why I bought them and she said they were probably different to the pair I purchased in summer '04.

My pair just broke yesterday with this problem. If I send them into Bose, am I going to get the old type (champage color) or the new, redesigned ones? Will I have a better chance of getting the stronger ones if I bring them to the Bose store?

I tried recently to exchange a cracked pair at Newport beach store. associate asked for my reciept and refused to exchange without reciept, mind you he had a crate of QC2's on the floor. What an ....

Update:

After asking the question I decided to call up the Bose store near where I live before potentially spending time getting out there. They said that they CANNOT return/exchange stuff purchased online as they are separate divisions. They told me they could ship it back, though for me. I opted to spend the 10USD and ship it myself so I could get it sooner.

When I exchanged mine last year, I did it by calling. It was quick and efficient. I don't think it took longer than a week. I am so glad I called. The service level was what we usually expect from companies, but rarely receive.

After reading all of the glowing reviews, I'm highly considering adding a pair of these to my briefcase (to go along with the laptop, various chargers, ipod, and airborne). If I make the pruchase now, will I find that in 3-4 months Bose has come out with a QC3 or will this redesign be around for a while?
Thanks.

I've had my QC2's for more than 2 years, and noticed last week that the infamous cracks were starting to appear (guess I've been luckier in that respect than many; I've heard of the cracks appearing in as little as 6 months). I decided to take a chance this evening and brought them to the Bose kiosk at the Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee. I told the gentleman manning the kiosk that I was having a problem with my headphones and was looking for some guidance.

He immediately admitted that this was a chronic problem with that model and that they were swapping them out with the new improved QC2 design. He handed me a brand new box, logged a quick transaction into his point of sale system, and sent me on my way. At no time was I asked for a receipt or even when or where I'd bought them.

Interestingly, the updated QC2s seem more comfortable; the ear cushions are "cushier" and easier to get around my Dumbo-sized ears. They also seem to do a better job of sealing against my head.

I'm quite pleased!

I too, have had to have mine replaced but I live in the Boston area and took them back to CS in Framingham, MA. Thankfully, as was your experience, there was absolutlely no hassle-factor, the exchange took less than 3 minutes with an apology.
bb

While we areon the subject ---- I have a question for anyone who has used both the QC! and QC2. I have both. I use the "2" because the packaging is so much more convenient for travel - more compact. However, the QC1 Sound Dampening capabilities is much better than the 2. The obvious disadvantage is the constantly connected cord. Has anyone else used both and do you also agree that there is a major difference between the two models?
bb

What I've heard with regard to the diffferences between the two versions, from doing a lot of research before acquiring mine:

• Fidelity is slightly better with the QC1s
• There's a slight but noticeable hiss with the QC1s
• Noise cancellation is virtually identical in both
• Battery life and appetite is dramatically improved with the QC2s

I rarely use my QC2s when I'm not flying, but I fly every week. I seriously doubt the difference fidelity or hiss would be noticeable in the air with a circumaural headphone like the QC series.