I was in Best Buy and checked out the Bose counter. They had it setup so that I could pair my phone with the headphones. I had heard about the legendary noise cancellation feature in the Quiet Comfort series. I put the headphones on and I could still hear some outside noise, people talking etc. I didn't know what to switch on or off or whatever. I started a song and then the noise cancellation kicked in.

It was eerie. It was like being at the bottom of the ocean. I saw mouths moving but I could not hear ANYTHING But my music. During quiet moments, it was only the quiet I heard. I guess this is what they call the soundstage. I don't know if it being THAT quiet is a good thing or not. On airplanes, yes. Out on the streets? I don't know.

All I know is that the noise cancellation on these headphones crazy works. I've never tried out any other brand's noise features however so there's that.

At $350 they are definitely spendy. $199 would be my limit.

Indeed, they are phenomenal.

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Bad idea on the street. I don't usually wear headphones on the street unless I am in an area with little to no traffic. And even then, I rarely wear them.

I have a nice neighbor who rides his bike with his headphones on. That seems crazy dangerous to me.

It's taken several versions to get that good. Been a while since I have put any Bose headphones on, the previous ones never sounded good enough that I would like them even if the sound removal is as good as implied.

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

If you want a cheaper alternative that blocks 80% of noise, the Audia Technica ATH-ANC27 is a good choice for $50. I've had these headphones for 3 years - they work great on the airplane.

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Forrest
If you want a cheaper alternative that blocks 80% of noise, the Audia Technica ATH-ANC27 is a good choice for $50. I've had these headphones for 3 years - they work great on the airplane.

I swear I just googled reviews on those headphones!

The Bose are awesome.

The Bose noise cancellation system is indeed outstanding. I prefer the overall sound of the Sennheiser PXC450 (same price new, picked up for $113 used-it's been around for years), but there's no doubt the Bose noise cancellation is far superior. With the Sennheiser, low frequencies disappear like magic, but higher frequencies (e.g. TV) are still quite audible. If I'd found the Bose QC35 for $113, I'd have bought them instead.

every time there is a deal on Bose speakers or sound systems, most audiophiles claim Bose sounds like crap and to get a real brand like Polk, Denon, etc. I am surprised to hear so many people like Bose in this thread. Should I assume you guys like the sound cancellation, not so much the sound itself?

I've been intrigued by noise cancellation but not sure there is anywhere I'd be inclined to use it; even in a plane, I don't want to be that shut off.

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Hurts like a bastid...

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space-time
every time there is a deal on Bose speakers or sound systems, most audiophiles claim Bose sounds like crap and to get a real brand like Polk, Denon, etc. I am surprised to hear so many people like Bose in this thread. Should I assume you guys like the sound cancellation, not so much the sound itself?

I used to work part-time as hi-fi/computer salesman in the 80's, and heard those comments also. Those comments were directed towards Bose speakers and equalizer. Audiophiles claimed the speakers had inferior frequency response - but this was masked by the equalizer bundled with the speakers. At the time, Bose was the only speaker manufacturer selling speakers bundled with an equalizer. We didn't carry Bose speakers - so I could not confirm or deny these comments.

I've heard nothing bad about Bose headphones - except they are expensive. I have no doubt the noise cancellation technology in Bose headphones is superior to the Audio Technica headphones I mentioned above - but they are much less expensive.

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mrbigstuff
I've been intrigued by noise cancellation but not sure there is anywhere I'd be inclined to use it; even in a plane, I don't want to be that shut off.

I use noise cancellation to protect my hearing from being a frequent flyer.

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space-time
every time there is a deal on Bose speakers or sound systems, most audiophiles claim Bose sounds like crap and to get a real brand like Polk, Denon, etc. I am surprised to hear so many people like Bose in this thread. Should I assume you guys like the sound cancellation, not so much the sound itself?

The reason most audiophiles denigrate Bose equipment is the excessive processing it applies to the audio. With noise-cancelling headphones, however, audio processing is necessary to achieve the desired results. It makes sense that Bose's greater expertise in this area would result in superior performance over other manufacturers' products.

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It is what it is.

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space-time
every time there is a deal on Bose speakers or sound systems, most audiophiles claim Bose sounds like crap and to get a real brand like Polk, Denon, etc. I am surprised to hear so many people like Bose in this thread. Should I assume you guys like the sound cancellation, not so much the sound itself?

Same here. I have always found Bose to be more about marketing a la Monster Cable.

But I have not found any evidence that their NC headphones are not the real deal.

I think those headphones are great on planes and trains, but not $350 great. I have a pair of Panasonics that are 85% as good and cost 30% as much.

I will not sob if they get left on said plane or train, and to me RISK OF LOSS is the true Achilles heel of expensive portable audio gear.

.....what no mention of Apple Beats.....???

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_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

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NewtonMP2100
.....what no mention of Apple Beats.....???

I was at the Apple Store about a week ago and tried out the most expensive Beats and they sounded good to me. Maybe they improved them or my ears aren't so discerning.

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NewtonMP2100
.....what no mention of Apple Beats.....???

nor the Sony MDR-1000


tsk, tsk



at least someone mentioned sennsies

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billb

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NewtonMP2100
.....what no mention of Apple Beats.....???

nor the Sony MDR-1000


tsk, tsk



at least someone mentioned sennsies

Those Sony's are $400

I have a pair of Audio Technica ones (ATH-ANC7) that I bought a couple of years ago, mostly based on an article by David Pogue.

They've been great, were about $100 at the time.