In designing its fourth-generation consumer-focused noise-cancelling headphones, the QuietComfort 15s, Bose has done something interesting. Instead of coming up with a whole new look for its headphones, as it did with the QuietComfort 3s, Bose has left the basic design of its popular but now discontinued QuietComfort 2s intact and simply redesigned them on the inside, adding even more effective noise-cancelling circuitry and improving their sound quality. The QuietComfort 15 headphones are available for around £280.
Cut off the outside world
The 15s look identical to the 2s, with the same over-the-ear design, including earcups that swivel and fold flat to fit in a stylish case. Bose has redesigned the case so that it's easier to put the headphones in it and close it up. The resulting package is slightly bigger than a CD wallet. It's easy to tote, although it's not terribly compact.
Even without the noise-cancelling capability engaged, the earcups' deliciously soft cushions effectively sealed off our ears from our noisy environment. While the 2s only had noise-cancelling microphones (for detecting ambient noise) on the inside of the earcups, the 15s have them on the inside and outside, which is said to increase their effectiveness. Flipping on the noise-cancellation function -- which pumps out 'anti-noise' to proactively counteract environmental sounds -- dampens down the noise even further.
There's a catch, though. Like all other noise-cancelling headsets we've reviewed, the 15s produce a sensation of pressure on the eardrum. Listeners sensitive to this effect may find it anywhere from mildly annoying to distractingly uncomfortable. Most of the former group will tend to forget about it as soon they start playing music or movies. If your experience leans more towards the latter, noise-cancelling headphones aren't for you -- stick with noise-isolating, in-ear headphones instead.
There's a very loud air-conditioning system in the office that we use for testing noise-cancelling headphones. The 15s were able to almost completely block out the sound of the rumbling fan. The impact of engaging the circuitry may seem rather odd at first -- it almost feels as if you're at the bottom of a pool, completely shut off from the sounds above.
While there may not be a huge difference between this model's
noise-cancelling prowess and that of the 2s, a distinction is
definitely noticeable. According to Bose, the 15s are designed to
defeat a wider range of frequencies, going up to over 90dB, while the
2s peaked more in the 84-85dB range.
No battery, no music
As with all of Bose's noise-cancelling headphones, you have to engage the noise-cancelling function to listen to music. When the battery dies, so does the music. Luckily, battery life is good. Bose rates it at 35 hours, and the single AAA battery, which resides in the right earcup, was still going strong after we left our tunes in a loop overnight. Those looking for a rechargeable option can either opt for the 3s, or invest in their own third-party battery and charger. On the plus side, sticking with standard alkalines means there's no wall charger or AC cord to worry about when travelling.
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Gazaway 14 February 2013
Comment: I've wanted the Bose QC 15 for quite some time and debated whether or not it was worth it. I got them for Christmas, and realized that I have not REALLY heard music until now. I can't go back to my standard iPhone earbuds. Bose has "ruined" my iPhone experience - in a good way. And then my friend showed me her on-the-ear headphones Beats by Dre. The base was outstanding! I began to wonder if I'd made the right purchase. So I brought over my QC 15 and compared her earphones with mine and her boyfriend's over-the-ear NR Beats by Dre. The first thing I noticed was that at the same volume setting, both Beats headphones played music louder than the Bose. This gave the appearance of much stronger base beats. But when I upped the volume with the Bose, what I found was a much clearer acoustic experience, with not quite as powerful base as Beats, but still incredible base and overall superior sound. I would choose the Bose over Beats by Dre.
That being said, let's cover what Bose QC 15 does and does not do. It does completely cancel out background noise like no other - as long as it's a rhythmic tone, such as airplane engines, lawn mower, fan, etc. It does NOT cancel out loud conversations (though they are very muffled), children playing instruments, babies crying and other high decibel / non-rhythmic sounds. But again, it greatly softens all sounds. The noise canceling Beats by Dre headphones didn't appear to have any cancelling effect when I tried them in a room full of loud computer fans, whereas Bose successfully blocked out every noise.
Bose fits around my ears perfectly. My ears aren't ginormous, but they are on the larger side and still fit. Beats by Dre didn't go all the way around my ears and were comparatively uncomfortable, even for the few minutes that I tried them.
NOTE: for best price for the QC15 I suggest check at -> Noisecancellingheadphonesdeals.blogspot.com/p/bose-qc-15.html
I feel like I have never properly heard music until now. Highly recommend the Bose QC 15.
Pauli Walnuts 7 October 2012
Good: Sound, build and isolating prowess
Bad: Nothing
Comment: Reassuringly expensive.
Every time I open the neat carry case, I get the sense of satisfaction you only ever get from something quality, expensive and desirable.
I wanted a set of these for years, then finally gave in and bought a set from the Bose store in Burlington, Boston, while on holiday.
Expensive yes, but at $300, it was a steal compared to £300 back home in Ireland!
Needless to say, I enjoyed the phones immensely on the transatlantic flight home.
With an IPad loaded with music and movies, the QC 15s were an absolute joy.
Films came across with a richness and I went through my music collection marvelling at the tight bass and musicality of the headphones.
They are now a constant travelling companion.
On a flight, the novelty of placing the cans on my ears, then flicking the switch to completely iradicate the engine noise has not diminished. If only it could do the same for the pesky flight stewards, it would be great!
I concur with the reviewers comments about the slight feeling of pressure, but I find it minimal. They can make your ears a bit sweaty though after a while as they are so close fitting.
Nevertheless, I highly recommend these cans, which do exactly what they were designed to do, and do it well.
toondad 30 March 2012
Comment: I wanted to add that having broken my QC2's which were around 6 years old, I rang Bose to ask about a repair - the right hand cup had broken away from the head band - and they said that whilst they do not repair their headphones, they would be happy to let me have a brand new pair of QC15's for only £109!! I simply have to return my broken pair they will then charge my debit card and send me a new one out!! the quality of their after sales is almost better than the product itself - and they are the best!!!
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