Bose QuietComfort 2
Starting at: $399.99
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: David Carnoy
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
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The good: Extracomfortable; highly effective noise-canceling circuitry; device folds for compact storage in included carrying case; 30-day home trial.
The bad: Expensive; when the battery dies, so does the music.
The bottom line: Bose's standard-setting noise-canceling headphones have just upped the ante.
Editors' Note: As of August 2009, the QuietComfort 2 headphones reviewed here have been replaced by the QuietComfort 15s.
When it comes to noise-canceling headphones, Bose's original QuietComfort model set the gold standard. Now the company is offering the QuietComfort 2 (listed at $299), which delivers improved sound, a superior design, and--most notable--noise-canceling circuitry that's built into the headphones themselves, not a little box incorporated into the cord.
The QuietComfort 2 looks much like the full-sized, over-the-ear original. One of our gripes with the first model, now going for a reduced list price of $249, is that it ... Expand full review
Editors' Note: As of August 2009, the QuietComfort 2 headphones reviewed here have been replaced by the QuietComfort 15s.
When it comes to noise-canceling headphones, Bose's original QuietComfort model set the gold standard. Now the company is offering the QuietComfort 2 (listed at $299), which delivers improved sound, a superior design, and--most notable--noise-canceling circuitry that's built into the headphones themselves, not a little box incorporated into the cord.
The QuietComfort 2 looks much like the full-sized, over-the-ear original. One of our gripes with the first model, now going for a reduced list price of $249, is that it takes up too much room in a bag. The new QuietComfort is still somewhat hefty, but its earcups swivel so that it folds flat and fits in a stylish case. The resulting package is slightly bigger than a CD wallet, which makes it easier to tote. For good measure, Bose threw in a headphone extension cord and a two-prong in-flight adapter.
Yes, the noise-canceling circuitry really works, but even without it, the earcups' deliciously soft cushions effectively sealed off our ears from the noisy environment. Flipping on the noise cancellation damped down the noise even further. Curiously, you have to engage it to listen to music, and 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 20 hours of air travel.
The first thing we noticed about the QuietComfort 2's sound was the bass--it was wonderfully rich and full. Of all the noise-canceling headphones we've tested, this Bose came closest to delivering the shock and awe of the better speaker systems, though treble detail and sparkle were mellower than on our reference Grado SR 60. All sorts of music--classical, rock, and jazz--sounded refined and natural. One caveat: The QuietComfort 2, like some other noise-canceling headsets, produces a slight sense of pressure on the eardrum. Listeners sensitive to this effect may find it mildly uncomfortable.
Clearly, the rationale for laying out this much cash for a set of headphones isn't just sound quality. In this case, is the noise cancellation worth the extra freight? That's your call, and thanks to Bose's 30-day trial, you can buy the QuietComfort 2 and see and hear for yourself. Hide Review
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Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel that's available at Amazon, bn.com, and as a Kindle, iBooks, or Nook e-book.
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stars 33 of 41 users found this review helpful
"I've used these for a month now, and here's what I have to say." By
Pros 1) Excellent sound quality - No brand can come anywhere close to Bose in sound quality. 2) Good noise canceling - The noise canceling works very well for low frequencies. I use my QC2 during my daily commute on the Metra train in Chicago. The headphones
Cons 1) Do NOT expect the noise cancelling to put you in a vacuum. It works very well, but you won't be transported to your own private world. You will still hear some noise, although it is vastly reduced. 2) The price tag on the QC2 is a bit too high. I thin
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Specifications
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- Headphones Type: Headphones - Binaural
- Product type: Headphones
- Design: Ear-cup
