Using entertainment devices with audio in public areas without headphones or earbuds
Jun 23, 2019, 10:25 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
Bose seems to be the most common one I see with FF. I use the in ear versions. I’d love to hear (ha) what people say is the real best ones. I’ve even tried shooting ear pro that really blocks sound and Bluetooth connects to iPads. Not as good as the Bose overall, but better at blocking sound.
Jun 23, 2019, 2:21 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Jun 23, 2019, 3:27 pm
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
Posts: 783
Bose seems to be the most common one I see with FF. I use the in ear versions. I’d love to hear (ha) what people say is the real best ones. I’ve even tried shooting ear pro that really blocks sound and Bluetooth connects to iPads. Not as good as the Bose overall, but better at blocking sound.
Jun 23, 2019, 3:27 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: UA 1K, LH FT, Marriott Plat, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PPlus
Posts: 72
although a little off topic: I've had the Bose and Sony (both over the ear) and found Sony working considerably better when it comes to cancelling out dynamic not-so-white-noise
Jun 23, 2019, 4:14 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,162
Bose seems to be the most common one I see with FF. I use the in ear versions. I’d love to hear (ha) what people say is the real best ones. I’ve even tried shooting ear pro that really blocks sound and Bluetooth connects to iPads. Not as good as the Bose overall, but better at blocking sound.
I've wanted Bose for probably close to a decade (never feeling like spending that much on myself) -- my wife bought me a pair of QC 25s maybe 5 years ago and can't imagine going back. Bose's customer service has also been awesome -- the right side stopped working near the end of the warranty period, Bose sent out a completely new retail boxed pair. A couple years later and well out of warranty I killed the right side again (this time figuring out I over-rotated it and likely broke one of the wires connecting the two halves) -- wrote Bose CS asking if there were [paid] repair options and they exchanged my pair for a factory refurb pair at no cost (they even paid shipping both ways).
About three months ago I saw the symptoms of the failure again and bit the bullet to buy a new pair of the QC 35 Mk II while my QC 25s are on my bench waiting for me to be bored enough to open them up and solder things back together. I blame my own rough handling more than Bose craftsmanship for the failures -- especially since their case is clipped to my bag bouncing around at the end of a carabineer.
The QC 35 Mk II has been wonderful in the 25kish miles they've been used so far -- excellent at passive (power off) DYKWIA cancellation, even better at active (power on) cancellation with supplementary masking from Bluetooth. I can't imagine leaving them on if I actually wanted to hear anything in the environment which leads to awkward one-ear-asied or completely off moments when PAs are being made, meal orders taken, etc. But does an excellent job of silencing idiots who can't be bothered to use their own earphones when playing games or listening to voicemails
Jun 23, 2019, 6:50 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
This is one thing I love about my Sony WH-1000XM2, a hand/touch to the right hand earpiece instantly bypasses the noise cancellation and actually amplifies the ambient sounds for just this situation.
Jun 23, 2019, 9:59 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
1) Having to *lean* on the volume down button every time I plug them in because they are that much better at blocking out the background noise, and
2) Having to replace the ear pads because they wore out after approximately 4-5 years.
I got them on sale for a price significantly below that of the Bose options.
Jun 24, 2019, 12:26 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PNS
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA
Posts: 700
The funny thing is I work in commercial audiovisual consulting and have many colleagues that joke Bose is an acronym for "Buy other sound equipment" but...
I've wanted Bose for probably close to a decade (never feeling like spending that much on myself) -- my wife bought me a pair of QC 25s maybe 5 years ago and can't imagine going back. Bose's customer service has also been awesome -- the right side stopped working near the end of the warranty period, Bose sent out a completely new retail boxed pair. A couple years later and well out of warranty I killed the right side again (this time figuring out I over-rotated it and likely broke one of the wires connecting the two halves) -- wrote Bose CS asking if there were [paid] repair options and they exchanged my pair for a factory refurb pair at no cost (they even paid shipping both ways).
About three months ago I saw the symptoms of the failure again and bit the bullet to buy a new pair of the QC 35 Mk II while my QC 25s are on my bench waiting for me to be bored enough to open them up and solder things back together. I blame my own rough handling more than Bose craftsmanship for the failures -- especially since their case is clipped to my bag bouncing around at the end of a carabineer.
The QC 35 Mk II has been wonderful in the 25kish miles they've been used so far -- excellent at passive (power off) DYKWIA cancellation, even better at active (power on) cancellation with supplementary masking from Bluetooth. I can't imagine leaving them on if I actually wanted to hear anything in the environment which leads to awkward one-ear-asied or completely off moments when PAs are being made, meal orders taken, etc. But does an excellent job of silencing idiots who can't be bothered to use their own earphones when playing games or listening to voicemails
I've wanted Bose for probably close to a decade (never feeling like spending that much on myself) -- my wife bought me a pair of QC 25s maybe 5 years ago and can't imagine going back. Bose's customer service has also been awesome -- the right side stopped working near the end of the warranty period, Bose sent out a completely new retail boxed pair. A couple years later and well out of warranty I killed the right side again (this time figuring out I over-rotated it and likely broke one of the wires connecting the two halves) -- wrote Bose CS asking if there were [paid] repair options and they exchanged my pair for a factory refurb pair at no cost (they even paid shipping both ways).
About three months ago I saw the symptoms of the failure again and bit the bullet to buy a new pair of the QC 35 Mk II while my QC 25s are on my bench waiting for me to be bored enough to open them up and solder things back together. I blame my own rough handling more than Bose craftsmanship for the failures -- especially since their case is clipped to my bag bouncing around at the end of a carabineer.
The QC 35 Mk II has been wonderful in the 25kish miles they've been used so far -- excellent at passive (power off) DYKWIA cancellation, even better at active (power on) cancellation with supplementary masking from Bluetooth. I can't imagine leaving them on if I actually wanted to hear anything in the environment which leads to awkward one-ear-asied or completely off moments when PAs are being made, meal orders taken, etc. But does an excellent job of silencing idiots who can't be bothered to use their own earphones when playing games or listening to voicemails
AeRo
Jun 24, 2019, 12:29 am
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,324
Thanks for this. I've asked passengers to put on headphones and even offered a spare unused set I keep in my carry on. Only once have I had someone fight me even if they were annoyed by me. BUT, I have also gauged the room and just asked an FA to say something if I felt it would result in a difficult situation. I've also noted a likely problem and just asked the FA to make an announcement -- works well, I don't know why it isn't just a standard line these days given what a common problem it is. (Today at a bar I had to ask a guy to turn it down/off -- was listening to music videos at full volume trying to compete with the already loud music in the bar... and then the lady on the other side of me decided to listen to her voicemails out loud. I really don't get it. I feel like such a cranky old man, but, geez, not annoying people around you seems like basic courtesy 101.)
Until later when it happened again, and my GS companion mentioned it to the same FA. "I already spoke to them once. Maybe you can ask them this time."
UA apologized and gave us each a voucher.
Jul 10, 2019, 9:54 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
I had a flight recently where passengers behind us wouldn't use headphones. I mentioned it to an FA, who talked to them, and that seemed to resolve it.
Until later when it happened again, and my GS companion mentioned it to the same FA. "I already spoke to them once. Maybe you can ask them this time."
UA apologized and gave us each a voucher.
Until later when it happened again, and my GS companion mentioned it to the same FA. "I already spoke to them once. Maybe you can ask them this time."
UA apologized and gave us each a voucher.
Yes, it's petty and passive-aggressive, but I'm not listening to somebody else's garbage on a 12-hour NRT-IAH flight.
Jul 10, 2019, 10:00 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 856
Ah, these people. I have a special "trick" for situations like this. I usually pull out my phone, turn it to maximum volume, and find the most stupid and annoying video/song I can find. I press "play" and keep it going until they "get it."
Yes, it's petty and passive-aggressive, but I'm not listening to somebody else's garbage on a 12-hour NRT-IAH flight.
Yes, it's petty and passive-aggressive, but I'm not listening to somebody else's garbage on a 12-hour NRT-IAH flight.
Last edited by swiftaw; Jul 11, 2019 at 2:47 am
Jul 11, 2019, 1:50 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,218
This x 10!
On my EWR-PUJ flight yesterday both the pax (1A and 1B) opposite me watched the entertainment on their personal devices without headphones for the whole 4 hours. It was fine if i had my headphones in so I could not hear them but why should I have to use headphones to block out someone else's entertainment? It is called personal for a reason. No I did not say anything but kept shooting them annoyed looks (not that this made a difference).
How are others so clueless or not caring of other people around them?
Jul 11, 2019, 5:43 am
#29
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
On a flight the other day a very young child was playing audio. A FA saw this, and made an announcement "as a courtesy to your fellow passengers, headphones should be used for all devices and this policy applies to passengers of ALL ages".
Good job.
Good job.
Jul 11, 2019, 5:51 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
Ah, these people. I have a special "trick" for situations like this. I usually pull out my phone, turn it to maximum volume, and find the most stupid and annoying video/song I can find. I press "play" and keep it going until they "get it."
Yes, it's petty and passive-aggressive, but I'm not listening to somebody else's garbage on a 12-hour NRT-IAH flight.
Yes, it's petty and passive-aggressive, but I'm not listening to somebody else's garbage on a 12-hour NRT-IAH flight.
The irony is palpable… ��