Noise Cancelling Headphones

[Robert K]

the QC15 are out sold out on the bose australia website. And has been for a few weeks.

Is it possible that a new model is coming out and their bothering to restock??
Very tempted to pick a pair up on amazon.

 

[MatF]

I don't know about a new model, but I'm very happy with my QC15's that I bought last week in Salty Lake City. I've only had the opportunity to try them on one flight - QF12, LAX-SYD (A380) on Tuesday. I can confirm that setting the gain to "low" on the headphone insert as per the instructions makes the volume of the PA announcements quite OK.

Fantastic noise cancelling - and while the sound quality isn't perhaps up to audiophile level, I thought it was quite good, considering I'll be using them exclusively on aircraft and for watching movies as much as listening to music. Very comfortable as well. Really impressed.

 

[Sprucegoose]

the QC15 are out sold out on the bose australia website. And has been for a few weeks.

Is it possible that a new model is coming out and their bothering to restock??
Very tempted to pick a pair up on amazon.

I notice them alot when up there in the Emerald City.......

 

[Globetrotter]

the QC15 are out sold out on the bose australia website. And has been for a few weeks.

Is it possible that a new model is coming out and their bothering to restock??
Very tempted to pick a pair up on amazon.

I called Bose Aus a couple of weeks ago when I noticed both the apple store and Bose.com.au had sold out. Bose advise the new versions of the QC15 were expected back in stock mid Aug. I also asked whether the price would come down given the strong Aussie dollar and they said 'no'. This irritated me so I was determined to get a pair from amercia. Here is what I did...

1. Registered with Borderlinx.com which gave me a free us and uk mailing address.
2. Placed my order for QC15 at Bose.com for usd $299 + local taxes and free shipping to my Borderlinx address. (I also used the delivery address as the billing address).
3. Received an email from Bose the next morning advising that they do not accept foreign credit cards and to call them to discuss.
4. Called and spoke to Larry who was happy for me to send a scanned copy of my credit card (front and back).
5. Two days later Borderlinx email me to advise a parcel from Bose had arrived for me.
6. Logged into my Borderlinx account and organized for my parcel to be shipped to me in Brisbane. The cost for express shipping with optional insurance was around $48 usd. Borderlinx offered a $30 discount for your first shipment if you pay by MasterCard so only cost me $18 usd.
7. Headphones arrived 2 days later. Total cost was around usd $320 all up with credit card charges.

I'm very happy. All happened with one week.

The newer version just come with an apple compatible cord so you can pause, skip songs on your iPad, iPod or iPhone.

Cheers...

 

[markis10]

Amazon seems to be a lot less hassle given the cost is the same, ordered Friday night and will get them tues:

Amazon.com items (Sold by Amazon Export Sales, Inc.) :

1 Bose® QuietComfort® 15 Aco... $299.95 1 $299.95

Shipped via DHL International

Tracking number: WHYBUYLOCAL

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Subtotal: $299.95
Shipping and handling: $38.96
Total: $338.91
Paid by Visa: $338.91

 

[MatF]

The newer version just come with an apple compatible cord so you can pause, skip songs on your iPad, iPod or iPhone..

The pair I bought in Salt Lake last week came with that cable.

 

[codash1099]

I bought a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-ANC27 over the ear headphones earlier this year in SFO. Cost me less than $US100 and do the job well. Not top end, but good value for the money. Nice and compact.

 

[Zchanf7]

I have a pair of sennheiser 310bt which I bought from eBay in Germany. I absolutely love them. Features include:
- Bluetooth , so can connect to iPhone, iPad etc without wires
- active noise canceling
- on ear, are really small and slimline. Extremely comfortable
- has talk through function, push a button to talk to other passengers of FA without need to take off your headset
- comes with a soft pouch which fits headphones and all accessories.

Prices in Australia are really steep $650 I think. Look on eBay

For those who want all above plus ability to take phone calls through their Bluetooth enabled phone then you will need the top o the range mm450 - looks exactly the same.

Am very happy with my 310BT

 

[Sprucegoose]

Amazon seems to be a lot less hassle given the cost is the same, ordered Friday night and will get them tues:

Amazon.com items (Sold by Amazon Export Sales, Inc.) :

1 Bose® QuietComfort® 15 Aco... $299.95 1 $299.95

Shipped via DHL International

Tracking number: WHYBUYLOCAL

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Subtotal: $299.95
Shipping and handling: $38.96
Total: $338.91
Paid by Visa: $338.91

Yes its hard to disagree with isnt it.

our guys have to stop treating us like mugs otherwise we go global.

 

[Flashback]

Yes its hard to disagree with isnt it.

our guys have to stop treating us like mugs otherwise we go global.

Living in the UK though I think it'll charge me the GBP price rather than USD as Amazon have a UK website?

 

[SeatBackForward]

I'm considering these as my next headphones: audia-Technica ATH-BT04NC, I can't seem to source them locally, though sellers from Japan on ebay might be the way to go.

Features I like about it:
1) Noise Cancelling - good for the flights/bus/train etc
2) Bluetooth so can be wirefree if need be (Can bluetooth be used in-flight?)
3) Audio controls - hopefully will work with Android phones for I'm not a fruit fan.
4) Can be used with the cable rather than bluetooth
5) Can be used as a handsfree for said phone
6) USB Recharging of the battery - less cables required, less batteries reuqired!

Pricey though at about $199.

 

[Rebekkap]

Sennheiser CX-300 mkII treat me pretty well. I am a big fan of Sennheiser audio products.

Plus one to Sennheiser - the sound quality on the big over ear ones is better than Bose - I have a mate who works as an audio specialist, he says Bose is an acronym. It stands for Buy Other Sound Equipment. Cheap speakers, expensive branding.

If you're looking at getting Sennheisers, try one of the resellers on ebay US who will ship to Australia - mine ended up costing around $300 rather than the $700 JB hifi quoted me.

 

[serfty]

Bluetooth can be used on Qantas flights [-]thursdays[/-]these days.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[SeatBackForward]

Bluetooth can be used on Qantas flights thursdays.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

Thursdays...?

 

[nlagalle]

Thursdays...?

Yes, only on Thursdays*... Not any other day of the week! :mrgreen:

(*i suspect DYAC is the culprit but I couldn't resist!)

 

[simongr]

Bluetooth can be used on Qantas flights thursdays.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

On my flight WLG-SYD on a 738 bluetooth was specifically prohibited. On my flight yesterday on a 738 Bluetooth was not mentioned...

I just picked up a paid of Sennheiser MM550 at HKG - good but fiddly - not sure that they were my best choice.

Those audia-Technica ATH-BT04NC look like the headphones I have been looking for for years!

 

[SeatBackForward]

On my flight WLG-SYD on a 738 bluetooth was specifically prohibited. On my flight yesterday on a 738 Bluetooth was not mentioned...

I just picked up a paid of Sennheiser MM550 at HKG - good but fiddly - not sure that they were my best choice.

Those audia-Technica ATH-BT04NC look like the headphones I have been looking for for years!

Agreed, I'm not a big fan of over-ear headphones, particularly on longer flights where im likely to nod off..although i suppose they do give better cancellation when fully covering the ears.



I'm opting to get them from here :link Slightly more in $ terms than ebay, but I'm trying to sort out using my credit card with them rather dealing through paypal.

 

[lovestotravel]

So any other recommendations ?

I think I'll go with the larger over the ear style headphones, as for domestic travel they are fine and when travelling overseas it's always in J, and it's quiet enough to sleep without headphones on in most cases!

 

[MadFairlane]

I picked up a set of Sennheiser Cx300-IIs the other day for my US trip this Sat.

They seem pretty awesome so far.

Will give a better report once I land in MCO.

 

[serfty]

Thursdays...?

Yes, only on Thursdays*... Not any other day of the week!

(*i suspect DYAC is the culprit but I couldn't resist!)

It always Thursday somewhere in the universe¹ ...

"Posted on a wing and a prayer ..." should give a clue ...

On my flight WLG-SYD on a 738 bluetooth was specifically prohibited. On my flight yesterday on a 738 Bluetooth was not mentioned...
...

Interesting: (Inflight Communication - Electronic Equipment)

Electronic Equipment

All electronic devices, including PDAs, laptop computers, handheld games, iPads, Ebooks and toys must be switched off during take-off and landing.

Portable electronic equipment such as laptop computers (including WiFi and Bluetooth enabled devices), PDAs (without mobile phones), personal music (for example, iPods) iPads, Ebooks and electronic game devices may be used when the aircraft seat belt sign is extinguished after take-off and can now be used until we prepare the cabin for landing.

Radio transmission using personal communication devices (including walkie-talkies, two-way pagers, or global positioning systems) is prohibited at all stages of flight, as it may interfere with the aircraft's communication and navigation systems.
...

¹ (with apologies to) Ursa Minor Beta