Noise Cancelling Headphones

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My first pair of NC Headphones were the Jabra ones which were great value for money, $89 at Dick Smith. Then Bose QC15 and now BOSE QC25 which I bought at Sydney Airport Duty Free for a crazy special about a year ago for $229 or close to that. The QC25 are great and perfect for flights.
 
Just thought I'd post an update on my Sennheiser MM 550-X.

They're now about 3 years old and I still find them excellent. The only gripe I do have is that the ear cushions have compressed marginally, but certainly not very much. Nothing has broken, the sound reproduction is still very good (IMHO) and the NC works pretty well (Twotters certainly give the NC capability a run for their money and I'm pretty happy with it). Bluetooth is the only way to go for me, although VA ife does not support the bluetooth function even on my own devices. All buttons and functions still work (although the printed text has largely rubbed off...but I know which buttons are which) and I can say they do get a workout.........rough estimation 200 - 250 flights (so about $2/flight so far....and reducing monthly). All in all, I recommend them, but I wish they had gone slightly bigger with the earcup size as they are not what I'd call overear.....on ear is more of a correct description.

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For info, Choice have a review of Noise Cancelling Headphones this month.
Following tested in order of overall score starting at the top 79% to 49% down the bottom.

Bose QuietComfort 20
Bose QuietComfort 25
AKG N60NC
Beats by Dr. Dre Studio
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H3 ANC
Philips NC1
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H8
Philips SHB8850NC
Sony MDR-ZX770BN
Plantronics Backbeat Pro
Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear Wireless
Sony MDR-ZX110NA

I currently have both the Bose QC20 and QC25 and very happy with both of them. The QC25 is the goto set but you cannot sleep with them on and they look a bit stupid in most public situations (excluding on planes, trains etc). I have had the QC2 and QC15 in the past as well.

The QC35 look very nice but it is difficult to justify $400+ when I have a perfectly good set of QC25 in my bag.
 
That choice review is very sus. My Sennheiser PXC 450s are 6 years old and still strong too. Amazing things, best on market for sound and NC is decent.
 
The QC20 airline adapters are a PITN for me as I keep losing them. Anyone know of a way to keep it attached to the C20 plug?

I have lost a few over the years. At least two have found there way into the inner workings of the QF Skybed I seats.

Just buy a few off eBay (about AUD2.00 each for the better quality ones) and treat them as rotable parts.
 
I have lost a few over the years. At least two have found there way into the inner workings of the QF Skybed I seats.

Just buy a few off eBay (about AUD2.00 each for the better quality ones) and treat them as rotable parts.

...and here I was, thinking a rotatable part was a prop........(maybe that belongs in "you know you are a frequent flyer" .......when common terms seem to translate automatically into aviation context.......:shock:)
 
Now you can buy premium headphones inc. QC25 from machines at airports:
 

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Which airport is that Foreigner?

I am contemplating and contemplating whether I can justify the QC35s with a couple (or more) Amex credits from the Bose store... I can't get myself to 'yes' at the moment, but working on it.
 
SAN - San Diego a modern airport, far less chaotic than LAX.
 
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Hey get the QC35'S and review em for us.... Off to YouTube for reviews at the moment.....
 
QC 35 was released a week or so ago in the US. I'm planning to buy it in Sydney once it's released locally.

USB charging for unit.
 
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Just purchased a pair of QC35s at the Bose store in Sydney for $499 across 3 Amex cards with the spend $100 get $30 back offer, so well get $90 in credits and $45.36 back in GST through TRS so total cost will be $363.64 - pretty happy with that!!!
 
Just purchased a pair of QC35s at the Bose store in Sydney for $499 across 3 Amex cards with the spend $100 get $30 back offer, so well get $90 in credits and $45.36 back in GST through TRS so total cost will be $363.64 - pretty happy with that!!!

Tyvm for this info. I bought my QC35 just now at the same store. I wish I had 4 or even 5 amex cards. I would have bought a surge protector with 2x USB ports to get over $500 mark.
 
I currently have both the Bose QC20 and QC25 and very happy with both of them. The QC25 is the goto set but you cannot sleep with them on and they look a bit stupid in most public situations (excluding on planes, trains etc). I have had the QC2 and QC15 in the past as well.

The QC35 look very nice but it is difficult to justify $400+ when I have a perfectly good set of QC25 in my bag.

I lasted all of two weeks (since the post above) and picked up a shiny set of silver QC35 this afternoon from the Bose Store.

Paid $465 on two AMEX resulting in a net $405 after statement credits. Once I get the GST back on the next trip to SIN, total cost will be $362.76.

I was able to get them to drop the 2% Amex surcharge as well.
 
I lasted all of two weeks (since the post above) and picked up a shiny set of silver QC35 this afternoon from the Bose Store.

Paid $465 on two AMEX resulting in a net $405 after statement credits. Once I get the GST back on the next trip to SIN, total cost will be $362.76.

I was able to get them to drop the 2% Amex surcharge as well.
I am looking forward to your comparison with the 20 and 25s.
 
Paid $465 on two AMEX resulting in a net $405 after statement credits. Once I get the GST back on the next trip to SIN, total cost will be $362.76.

I was able to get them to drop the 2% Amex surcharge as well.

I take it this can only be done over the phone? (paying with multiple cards?) Did you just ask them to drop the AMEX surcharge or did you use some compelling logic?

I just read the Guardian review (cough reviewer, no mention of what the controls do, how well the phone interaction works, what codec is used, whether there is a "talk through" function or theatre sound effects etc) but I must admit that the only reason I've shunned Bose has been due to the lack of Bluetooth noise cancelling sets. I guess that excuse is now shot through the heart, so my curiosity is absolutely hammering me right now. I must say, I'm impressed by the espoused battery life (although I'm a tad disbelieving of it ) and they do look like genuine over ear rather than a surrogate over/on ear hybrid.

EDIT: Not only was that Guardian review cough, it appears it may also be wrong. The review suggested the headphones couldn't initiate track control, however I've just been reading the Bose site, and they seem to suggest they can.....
The larger middle button is the multi-function button. It initiates play/pause and other track controls for videos and music,
I'll correct myself here......the review complained about the lack of dedicated track control buttons, not a lack of track control entirely....my mistake!

There is also another little bit on the Bose site, which states the current 35's will be superseded this "fall" by a new edition which can be customised. I believe by "customise", they just refer to the colour?? If so, that's not a big issue for me, but I'd half suspect the new "customisable" version will also have other tweaks. The question is, do we wait and see, or just run with them now?
 
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