NOISE Cancelling Headphones- best quality?

[TonyHancock]

Which quiet comfort are better please...the 15's or the 3's

I have QC3's MrsH has QC15's. I'm a bit of a no hoper when it comes to sound quality and I can't pick a difference between them. The QC3 case is a little smaller, which suits me, but I think if I bought headphones today I might go for the over ear QC15's. Really not a strong preference though.

 

[Blackbird]

Agree with jetlagger and tonyh - there isn't a lot between them.
As jetlagger said go to a store and try them out for yourself.
I personally found the 15s more comfortable and for me had better noise cancelling.
I don't see carrying a spare AAA battery an issue as it fits in the case.

 

[Justinf]

I have a pair of Panasonic RP HC700-S. I am currently attempting to sell them on ebay. To say I am disappointed with these is a complete understatement. They are comfortable, sturdy and great looking, but the noise cancelling aspect of them is rubbish. They claim to be 95% effective, but I can barely tell the difference when it's on or off. Others have reported the same problem, so it's not just a case of faulty goods.
If I can get rid of them on ebay (which I doubt I will), then I will be buying Bose QC15, although I don't like the fact that the noise-cancelling (and therefore the battery) needs to be on all the time otherwise you can't hear anything. That annoys me.
Actually, I might keep digging around. Stenheiser looks to have some good products.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The battery life with the QC 15's is actually very good and the little pouch in the case stores ample spares.
They are the best NC headphones I've ever owned and well worth $300 US IMHO

 

[Justinf]

I have also owned a set of TDK NC-350. These are only $50 and are in-ear buds, but the noise cancelling I found was very impressive for in-ear headbuds. Unfortunately I dropped them and stood on them while in Perth a few weeks ago, but I find a good set of buds for shorter journeys and for work in the office like these AND a good set of proper over-ear headphones for longer plane and train/bus trips is the way to go.

 

[Justinf]

I am going to buy the Bose QC15s on ebay. For $200 and given that they are new and still in the box, I think it's a pretty good deal.

 

[jetlagger]

I am going to buy the Bose QC15s on ebay. For $200 and given that they are new and still in the box, I think it's a pretty good deal.

Good decision Justin.. Excellent price too.. As Princess Fiona mentioned, the battery life is superb. I usually get around 15+ hours from alkaline batteries for the QC15's

 

[jdlover23]

I am going to buy the Bose QC15s on ebay. For $200 and given that they are new and still in the box, I think it's a pretty good deal.

Just b careful my pair off eBay turned out to be fake - they still did the job but once I needed them repaired Bose looked at them and told me they were fake

 

[TonyHancock]

Good decision Justin.. Excellent price too.. As Princess Fiona mentioned, the battery life is superb. I usually get around 15+ hours from alkaline batteries for the QC15's

I usually get MEL-SIN-LHR out of the rechargeable battery for the QC3's.

 

[Justinf]

Just b careful my pair off eBay turned out to be fake - they still did the job but once I needed them repaired Bose looked at them and told me they were fake

Hmmmm. This bothers me.

 

[Ewing]

I recently purchased Bose QC3s and find them quite comfortable. While I haven't owned QC15s, I generally find around/over the ear headphones become uncomfortable after an hour or two which is why I went with the QC3s.

I purchased them from the Bose store in Sydney, so no chance of them being fake

They also now come with an iPhone mic and controls - which also work with my Mac laptop (and of course iPad). If you buy old/used stock from eBay/etc then they may not come with this.

 

[jdlover23]

I purchased them from the Bose store in Sydney, so no chance of them being fake

My current QC15's were also bought from a Bose store in the US, I learnt from my previous mistake

 

[Justinf]

Well when things seem too good to be true, they usually are. I hate turning this thread into all about poor me, but I am still thinking of purchasing them. Anyone wanna talk me out of it?

NEW IN BOX QUIET COMFORT QC 15 ACOUSTIC NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONE | eBay

NEW IN BOX QUIET COMFORT QC 15 ACOUSTIC NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONE | eBay

 

[Princess Fiona]

Well when things seem too good to be true, they usually are. I hate turning this thread into all about poor me, but I am still thinking of purchasing them. Anyone wanna talk me out of it?

NEW IN BOX QUIET COMFORT QC 15 ACOUSTIC NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONE | eBay

NEW IN BOX QUIET COMFORT QC 15 ACOUSTIC NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONE | eBay

I wouldn't, seller of toy cars in Malaysia.
Best to either buy here or in US, mine were bought from Amazon US before they closed that nice little deal

 

[TonyHancock]

I wouldn't, seller of toy cars in Malaysia.
Best to either buy here or in US, mine were bought from Amazon US before they closed that nice little deal

Can still be done if you take up the MyUS.com address. Not sure if Amex is still offering free membership.

 

[Justinf]

Thanks Fi.
And yep, fair enough. For $200 there would have to be a catch.

 

[atreides]

I've got a pair of Sennheiser PXC 450 that i've been using for about two years now. I've found them to be excellent and worth every cent.

Personally I prefer full enclosure headphones so that they can be used on the quiet European trains or in the lounge without disturbing others, while listening at considerable volume.

Another advantage of this unit is the disposable batteries. I previously had a pair of rechargeable Bose NC headphones until they were stolen, however I can recall several flights where I would run out of batteries mid flight. The Sennheiser case also has a holder for two spare AAA batteries.

All in all I weighed up the Bose vs the Sennheiser and found they suited my needs the best. The biggest disadvantage is the bulk of these headphones, but saying that it has never really bothered me and they fold up into a very compact size.

 

[paxman]

another vote for dr beats. you really notice the lack of quality in others after these and by quality I mean sound reproduction.

 

[Cynicor]

Sennheiser PXCs are great for those who value decent sound and want the abiltiy to play music without needing a battery in the cans. I am bad at remembering to charge or replace things and I already had a few sennheiser products.

 

[Justinf]

Am gonna wait until I am in the States in late November to buy the QC15s. Portland ans SLC both have Bose stores. I'm not pay A$399. That is ridiculous.