Bose QuietComfort 15 Headphones

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Qantas frequent flyer just sent an email saying the new Bose QC 20s in-ear noise cancelling headphones are available on the Qantas online store.

And, for a limited time only, you get, wait for it, a FREE AIRLINE ADAPTER with your purchase!!!!! WOW!!!!!! Hurry - don't miss out!

You're doing Qantas a disservice calling it an adapter, its an "Airline Accessory Kit".

Bonus Bose Headphone Accessory Kit
The Bose headphones accessory kit is suitable for airline audio systems with dual or single 3.5 mm output jacks. Simply plug the headphones cord into the adapter and insert it into dual output jacks. The movable plug pivots into place for single jack connections. For use with QuietComfort® 20/i and QuietComfort 3 Noise Cancelling headphones.



When I saw it as a kit, I thought of some awesome product that lets you be a back sea tpilot or so..but no, its just an adapter you can get off ebay for $3 (or for free if you were the next person sitting in my seat after my last flight from Perth)
 
I think it's more that the world has too much to offer. Generally loud noises= hearing damage, other's inane conversations, babies crying.

That's exactly what noise cancelling headphones are for.
I was tossing up between the QC15 & QC3 for a while. End up buying the QC3 today.
 
Anyone else recommend above link to replace pads?

Seems expensive?

Alternative recommended?

Other charging $5 compared to his $35!!!!
 
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Anyone else recommend above link to replace pads?

Seems expensive?

Alternative recommended?

Other charging $5 compared to his $35!!!!
I'm also looking for replacement QC15 ear pads - Chinese knock off versus more expensive genuine or similar like the ones above?
 
Once you have the pads are they easy enough to change yourself? Assume they either come with instructions or is a video on YouTube somewhere. Mine are on the blink after 5 years or so.
 
I've just picked up a second hair pair of QC15s for $100, the sound cancelling is just as good as I remember!

But, the ear cushions and headband are starting to peel as expected.

Are the el cheap ebay replacements any good or not? How are they for comfort, anybody who has fitted them?
 
I've just picked up a second hair pair of QC15s for $100, the sound cancelling is just as good as I remember!

But, the ear cushions and headband are starting to peel as expected.

Are the el cheap ebay replacements any good or not? How are they for comfort, anybody who has fitted them?

Did mine a month or so ago - absolutely fine, no difference at all. Plenty of videos on YouTube showing you how to do it too.
 
Once you have the pads are they easy enough to change yourself? Assume they either come with instructions or is a video on YouTube somewhere. Mine are on the blink after 5 years or so.

Are the el cheap ebay replacements any good or not? How are they for comfort, anybody who has fitted them?

**Bump**

Have just replaced mine, which were peeling, and leaving my face with black spots after use:
IMG_20180124_191758.jpg

Removing them is simple - pinch the old pad between your thumb and forefinger and pull inwards. Insides look sleek, especially after some vacuuming. Inside filter was easily removed, take as much of the sticky stuff with you as you can as well.

IMG_20180124_191857.jpg
Replacements come in two parts - mesh for the speaker, and the outer pad. As you can see there's a stiff ring around the inside of the new pads, and a nook on the mesh.

IMG_20180124_191810.jpg

The back of the mesh has two sticky tabs to remove.

IMG_20180124_191834.jpg

Line the nook up with the deeper of the sides and press down to stick. I went with the deeper (nook) side first.

IMG_20180124_191849.jpg

In the next step, the stiff ring of the new pads will need to clip underneath these clips around the outside of the housing.

IMG_20180124_191937.jpg

It may be tricky at first. I suggest clipping one side under, working around as you would with a bike tyre, and then firmly pressing either side of each clip to make sure it's completely underneath. Gently pull back the pad to check. As you can see in this case, the clip isn't visible so it's not clipped under properly yet.

IMG_20180124_192147.jpg

But once you're done, they look like new.

IMG_20180124_192329.jpg

I got these ones from ebay, which claim to have come from Darwin, and took about a week to deliver to WA. Much happier spending $7 than $35.

Have ordered a replacement top cushion as well and will report back on the repair process for that!
 
A timely tutorial and new link to the parts... MrGlider's QC15 earpads have separated all around the edges so the foam is sticking out and the black soft plastic is all flappy. He really really wants to buy QC35's but now I've bought him new earpads that's a $300 saving! I'm sure he'll be delighted (in a disappointed way) ;)
 
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There's plenty of sellers of QC15 (and other headphone) parts on Taobao/AliExpress too. There seems to be two types of headband replacements. One is a zipped cushion, which I have put on my QC15s. Basically you unscrew the little brackets at each end of the cushion, then CAREFULLY (the wire is hidden in the cushion) cut the skin of the old headband cushion and it comes off pretty easily. Throw the old one away, then wrap the new cushion on the headphones and zip it up. There should be a pair of brackets with the zip up cushion (the new cushion is too big for the original brackets), but I either didn't get them or lost them and just left the cushion "floating". Still works fine without them and the cushion doesn't really shift around much. Plenty of videos on YouTube to show you how to do it.

The other option is to buy a exact replacement of the original cushion. While it looks a bit better, the main problem is that because of the way the wire is set up to link the two earphones, you will need to solder off the wire were it connects to put the cushion on, then solder it back on once you're done. Might try that when I get a new pair of QC35s or similar and have the QC15s as a backup.
 
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