Anyone use the Bose over-ear headphones?

[LastLieutenant]

I'm looking to upgrade to a high quality pair of headphones. I have about $150 to spend, so anything around that price really isn't a problem. I was just wondering if anyones had a pair of these for awhile and what their experience with them is (was).

I went to an Apple store today, and they had a bunch of different models on display that you could test. I tried all of them, which include the Bose Over-ears, Creative Aurvana X-Fi's, Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7's, and Sony's Noise Canceling over-ears.

After trying them, I found the Bose and Audio-Technicas to be equal in quality. The Bose had a richer sound, with a little deeper bass, but the Audio-Technicas were a little more crisp. Besides that and the $60 price tag difference (Bose $139.95, Audio-Technica's $199.95) they were both quality sets of headphones.

As for the Creative and Sony sets, they both sounded like garbage. Sonys headset was extremely tinty, and I even asked someone else to come over and test them out, and they agreed with me. The Creative set was almost the same sound. Now, it might have been because they were store models, but then the fact of ware and tear comes in, and even at that level, for the price of $200+, they should be able to sound half-way decent.

I'm leaning towards the Bose ( I know, shoot me) because of the price tag, but I'm wondering what everyone thinks.

[HipHopScribe]

Are you only looking for noise-cancelling or closed headphones? Would an open design be acceptable? Also, the Audio-Technica pair you're talking about is $115 on Amazon.

[LastLieutenant]

Well, I'm looking for something that is going to block out some sound, but fits snug over my ears. Close is acceptable, because I have found a lot of noise-canceling headphones don't cancel out noise very well.

Hmm...I must be looking at the wrong pair, unless they are discounted $85? In that case, I might go after those then, because I was impressed equally by both the Bose and Audio-Technicas

[HipHopScribe]

Here's the Audio-Technica headphones on Amazon, same model you mentioned, seems like a great buy at this price
Amazon.com: Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint...

[ozric]

Dude. If you're looking for phones that reduce ambient noise and sound great, you can do a lot better than the Bose!

You might consider Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 . I personally use Westone UM2s, which can be had for $250 on eBay, and sound amazingly balanced, with deep bass and great comfort.

If you must have sealed circumaural phones, try the Sony V6
Otherwise head over to Head-fi and ask them what they think of Bose

[ESPKH2]

I'd say Bose all the way...I never experienced anything but greatness from their products. "Better sound through research."

[LastLieutenant]

Originally Posted by ozric

Dude. If you're looking for phones that reduce ambient noise and sound great, you can do a lot better than the Bose!

You might consider Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3. I personally use Westone UM2s, which can be had for $250 on eBay, and sound amazingly balanced, with deep bass and great comfort.

If you must have sealed circumaural phones, try the Sony V6

Otherwise head over to Head-fi and ask them what they think of Bose

Thank you for that bit of info Ozric. I'm reading reviews of the Sony V6 and I've only heard the best so far. And for ~$40 less, I'd be saving some money. Props to that!

[HipHopScribe]

Originally Posted by ESPKH2

I'd say Bose all the way...I never experienced anything but greatness from their products. "Better sound through research."

Bose is actually a poorly regarded brand in terms of value among audio enthusiasts.

[LastLieutenant]

The one thing I really do like about the Bose over-ear's though, is the fact that it fits perfectly to on my head and around my ears. I couldn't really ask for more, considering every pair of headphones (both IE's and over's) have never fit me right. It seems I'm either inbetween earbud sizes, or the headset slides off my head or is to wide/narrow, and I noticed the Bose triports fit me exactly. I'm going to test out the Sonys and Bose right next to eachother at a local store today, so I'll let you guys know which one I purchased when I return

[ozric]

Originally Posted by ESPKH2

I'd say Bose all the way...I never experienced anything but greatness from their products. "Better sound through research."

More like better sound through marketing

[ESPKH2]

Originally Posted by HipHopScribe

Bose is actually a poorly regarded brand in terms of value among audio enthusiasts.

Poor value, yes, that might have some merit... but definitely not poor quality.

There are always going to be companies out there that explicitly set out to make nothing but great products, not consumer friendly bargains.

Its like this in every type of market...in clothes you have Ralph Lauren, cars by Rolls Royce, guitars from Gibson, and plenty other notable brands.

It's no secret Bose is expensive, but they are solely committed to producing quality audio devices.

[HipHopScribe]

Originally Posted by ESPKH2

Poor value, yes, that might have some merit... but definitely not poor quality.

There are always going to be companies out there that explicitly set out to make nothing but great products, not consumer friendly bargains.

Its like this in every type of market...in clothes you have Ralph Lauren, cars by Rolls Royce, guitars from Gibson, and plenty other notable brands.

It's no secret Bose is expensive, but they are solely committed to producing quality audio devices.

You're not quite getting what I'm saying, I'm talking about relative value. I'm not talking about value in terms of whether or not it's worth it to pay quite a bit for high quality audio equipment, I fully understand doing that, I'm saying Bose doesn't make high quality equipment relative to other products in the same prices range. Basically, Bose sells mid-quality products at high quality prices, what they're commited to is making a profit, and they do a great job at it. Their products have become status symbols and they're marketed themselves into a great reputation in terms of sound quality in certain demographics, among those not familiar with high quality audio products, they hear Bose and immediately think "great sound", it's an amazing marketing job. As I said before, people who are familiar with the market for high quality audio tend to have very poor opinions of Bose in terms of the value of their products. Of course what they sell doesn't usually sound absolutely horrible, the point other products in the same price range offer much better quality, go to any number of sites commited to high quality audio equipment, like Head-Fi as mentioned earlier.

[sk8er209]

for like 20 or 30 dollars wat kind of headphones do you recomend getting. i know it's not a lot but thats all i have right now and i don't have a job.

[HipHopScribe]

Originally Posted by sk8er209

for like 20 or 30 dollars wat kind of headphones do you recomend getting. i know it's not a lot but thats all i have right now and i don't have a job.

The best sound you'll get for that price would definintely be with Koss KSC75's, but part of the reason they sound so great is that they are an open design, if you need something to block out some sound, look at JVC Air-Cushions (FX66).

[sk8er209]

thanks hiphopscribe sorry i wasn't more specific i need small ones so i could use in school and don't block noice so could listen to the teacher i still need to learn
also i raised your rep.

[HipHopScribe]

Originally Posted by sk8er209

thanks hiphopscribe sorry i wasn't more specific i need small ones so i could use in school and don't block noice so could listen to the teacher i still need to learn
also i raised your rep.

You'll want earbuds then, rather than canalphones (which block out sound by design, though some less than others). Not many decent sounding earbuds out there, the Yuin line is supposed to be great, but the cheapest model is $50. After a little searching the best I can find in your price range (based on reviews), are the AKG K 14 P earbuds, for $30
Amazon.com: AKG K 14 P Earbuds with In-Line...

[sk8er209]

ok thanks, i'll try to get these they look good and what i was looking for

[ozric]

Or you could try the Sennheiser MX500 .

[soccermansince1993]

Go for the Bose, their products are always efficienct and they produce good quality
sound because that is what bose does! Sony on the other hand and all of those other
companies sell cameras, watches, VCR's, not just sound systems! Go With Bose!

[zunemuhnkie]

let me tell you right now, bose is absolutely the best, completely worth the money. I buy a new pair of headphones every month just to see which is the best, (although i usually sell the ones i dont like), i bought a pair of bose headphones about a month ago and i love them, by the way sony traditionally isnt the best brand for headphones, bose is the best but if you dont want to spend that kind of money go for creative or phillips