Bose Around-Ear Headphones (silver)

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  David Carnoy
• Edited by:
  John P. Falcone
• Reviewed on: 10/22/2004
• Released on: 10/01/2001

Bose's $150 TriPort headphones have been around for a while, but in light of the popularity of the company's twice-as-expensive QuietComfort 2 noise-canceling 'phones, we wanted to review this model for comparison's sake.

The TriPort has an attractive design with metallic blue or silver gray ear cups and Bose's trademark plush, black leather ear pads. The first thing you notice is that these are very comfortable headphones that feel lighter than your average full-size, closed ear cup models from the likes of Sennheiser, Koss, and AKG. The headband is fairly thin and covered in a springy neoprene, which also helps increase the comfort level. The two downsides are that the TriPort has a double-sided cord design (one from each ear cup), not the preferable single-corded design, and the headphones don't fold into a more compact footprint like the QuietComfort 2s do. A 1/4-inch home stereo adapter and a no-frills protective nylon carrying case are included in the box.

The TriPorts aren't as warm and full-sounding as the QuietComfort 2s. But on Bobby Bare Jr's From the End of Your Leash CD, the TriPort set rolled out wonderfully deep bass with superior definition. No doubt, the QuietComfort 2s' richer, more full-bodied sound will appeal to many listeners, but we actually preferred the TriPorts' leaner tonal balance. The TriPort 'phones' full-size ear cups blocked external noise almost as well as noise-canceling headphones', yet we never experienced the canned or hollow claustrophobic quality we get with some sealed headphones. Stereo separation was especially wide and clearly defined. The sound was ever so slightly laid back, yet detail resolution was above average.

Where to buy

store	price	in stock?	rating
	$139.95	Yes
Amazon.com Marketplace	$139.95	Yes
4ElectronicWarehouse.com	$139.95	Yes

see prices from 3 stores

Compare prices for Bose Around-Ear Headphones

	Amazon.com	$139.95
	Amazon.com Marketplace	$139.95
	4ElectronicWarehouse.com	$139.95

Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 82 reviews
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• Showing 3 of 82 user reviews

• 4.5 stars

  "Better deal than the QuietComforts."

  by photolito on October 17, 2009

• 5.0 stars

  1 out of 1 people found this helpful

  "I love these!"

  by reauxban on April 18, 2009

• 1.5 stars

  0 out of 1 people found this helpful

  "Headphones for The Clueless"

  by ednerdtheonly on January 14, 2009

• See all 82 user reviews Write review