Bose unveils new QuietComfort 15 headphones

The QuietComfort 15s look almost identical to the QC2s, which are going away.

(Credit: Bose)

If you were thinking that the next pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones would be called the QuietComfort 4s, you'd be wrong. Instead, Bose has decided to go with with QuietComfort 15, though they're technically Bose's fourth pair of consumer noise-canceling headphones to hit the market.

Why the jump in number? Well, it appears that even though the QC15 headphones share the same design as the QC2s, which they will replace, Bose really wanted to set them apart from earlier models, declaring that they offer the best noise-canceling and sound quality of any QuietComfort headphones to date. The number 15 seems kind of random, but we're not marketing pros, so who are we to judge?

I tried a pair at Bose's launch event at its store in Time Warner Center in New York City. The company locked us in a small backroom and fired up some pseudo-airplane-cabin noise ranging from 84 decibels to around 91 decibels. The simulation indeed revealed that the new headphones are better at blocking out noise. They also sounded pretty good, too, though we'll have to run them through our own sound tests to determine just how good they really are.

Priced at $299.95, the QuietComfort 15s arrive in stores tomorrow. We should have a full review up soon.

[kormiko]

Maybe Bose meant it to be 1.5 and someone forgot to put in the decimal point, so they just ran with it.
;)

[legend2k]

that's pretty cool

[1kingsfan]

I'm shocked all the Bose haters haven't posted derogatory remarks yet. I'd never say Bose has the best sound or even the best sound for the price - but my free QC3s are a GODSEND on an airplane - I sleep through the whole flight with ease. Personally, I like almost all their products - but I'm still a fan of putting together my own component system. . . .

[AdamB5000]

Did you drop four Benjamins on your headphones?

[renGek]

Would like to know other people's experience with bose noise cancelling headphones. In particular, how do they feel after about 4 hours on the plane. Does it feel heavy, are your ears sweaty?

I've been using an on ear design because its lighter and my previous over ear design headphones was just made my ears too hot after a few hours.

[J G M]

I've used the Bose over-the-ear phones on a 12-hour flight. Yes, a little bit of sweatiness but they do use a very nice grade of leather (or a really convincing fake leather that breathes, not sure which) that minimizes the problem. Not sure how over-the-ears would be better. In any event, the slight discomfort is MORE than made up for by the noise reduction, which does wonders to combat travel fatigue and makes it possible to use in-flight entertainment (the plane's or your own) without blasting your ears further.

BTW, the Bose headphones I used were not mine (use of them came as a perk on the flight), so I was able to compare them to my $50 JVC noise cancellers. They were better, but not $250 better, if you know what I mean. Since then I've gotten a pair of the Jabra knockoff (very hard to find now), which I think are about equal to the previous Bose generation.

[1kingsfan]

I prefer the feel of my QC3s to the QC2s - which I've worn on flights before. QC2's are probably a tad more comfortable for a much longer flight - but the QC3's seem to actually block out more noise - possibly because of the fit (they have to utilize more active than passive noise cancellation technology). I don't think I could plunk down the cash for either set - just got lucky to have mine be a gift! As a side note - if you REALLY want the best of both worlds you can't really go with Bose. The noise cancellation tech is the best I've demoed - but the sound quality is a little flat.

[moneyinthebizank]

I hated the Bose In-Ear headphones, but must admit the QC's perform really well on planes. The sound is pretty good, though not the best, but they are very comfortable and the noise cancelling is great.

[douglord]

I'm a moderate Bose hater when it comes to home theater, but I think NC headphones are a totally different market. Its all about how you meet the expectations you set for yourself, and what your competitors offer.

In the HT space you have a ton of choices at every price level. Bose tries to position their gear as high-end (although not audiophile), where they have no chance of competing on sound or build quality. No informed buyers (that care more about sound quality then speaker size) that compare Bose HT products to stuff in the same price range from other manufacturers (that don?t have the marketing muscle to get Best Buy to set up cheesy, fake listening displays for them), would ever buy Bose.

But in NC headphones Bose is positioned at the highest end of the premium market. First, they are NC ? so Bose has knocked out all the people looking for studio head phones for home mixing. If they tried to sell these things to that crowd they would get the same reception they do in HT. Instead they are selling to people that want to use them on the go. In that market Bose has a decent sounding product and great build quality. I can find something that sounds better, but it won?t be as portable or well made. Or maybe it will be more portable, but not sound as good or be as well made.

We?ll see what happens as this category grows and more companies get involved. When Bose 1st got started they were considered to have good speakers too.

[californiaxfresh]

What the hell?
i just bought the qc3's and bose isn't letting me do a trade in or anything for the qc15's
THIS IS SOME BULL

[jmcpherron]

Heavily considered the QC2, but ended up going a little cheaper with the Audio-technica $200ish. Happy so far? Wish this had come out sooner though for comparison.

[mpeterson78]

been using Sony nc-60 for 2 years now, and for the price ($100 or so) they are a much better value than Bose qc's and sound quite comparable

[Gene Taylor]

I worked for an airline and became intrigued when so many of my passengers would carry their Bose of the flights, especially the long flights. I said to my ex, "boy I would like to have one of those" (couldn't afford them on $8 an hour)?. She shocked by sending me a birthday present, which I didn't open for weeks. Once I did I was floored that they were the QC3's. I tried them on several international flights (Sydney, Rio de Janeiro) and love them. I guard them more jealously than I guard my wife and you better not look at them too hard. They are awesome. Get one if you can and you will know what it means to experience a QC.

[louis...]

hey people, i recently just bought the bose on-ears. after listening to 20 mins or so i found out that my ears are starting to heat up. can anyone help me? is my headphones spoiled?

[dlxhouse]

if u just bought 'em they r warranteed & guaranteed so they'll give u a new set that won't heat up. they definitely stand behind their product. run to the nearest store!