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"Great Phones - But they'll break even under normal use!"
3.5 starson by CorkyMuldoonPros: Fantastic sound quality, effective noise cancelling
Cons: Plastic earpiece supports break! Pricey.
Summary: I'd rate these headphones as a "10" without hesitation if not for the substandard production standards obviously in use @ Bose.
Several reviews here refer to poor construction of these phones. I agree. I was at Logan airport, awaiting a flight to Shanghai when I pulled my trust 1+ year old Bose headphones out of their (nice) custom case. When I went to place them on my head, however, the right earpiece fell off in my hand. The plastic support for the ear piece had cracked and broken at the point where Bose embossed the model, patent and other information on the interior of the support! Fortunately, I was able to borrow about 6" of packing tape from a local TSA agent, so I wasn't totally deprived of their use en route China.
Bose tech support was pretty good, however. I was initially told I'd have to pony up $100.00 for a replacement set of headphones because my 1-year warranty had expired. The following week, however, when I chose to deliver my headphones to Framingham, MA directly, the friendly customer service person told me I was eligible for a free replacement set, because my problem was caused by an obvious manufacturing defect.
It's obvious by several posts here that mine wasn't an isolated problem. No doubt Bose has received several calls/complaints about the same issue. It boggles the mind that a company with Bose's reputation wouldn't go all out to resolve it.
- 7 replies to this review
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In my experience, this is an honest review with honest replies. I am also trying to get Bose to stand behind this product. I have handled these things with kid gloves and only to have both of these plastic pieces break under the pressure they were not designed for. To date, Bose has not admitted to me they consider this a design defect. They want their $100. I'm going to continue to wear the headphones with colorful twist ties so people will continue to ask me about this product and I can tell them I do not advise purchasing them.
I've advised Bose that if I do pay them the $100 for "new" ones, I will never recommend their product.
If the old ones are not repairable (as they say in an email response to me), why do they want the old set back? I'm suspicious. -
I'll pile on here also..... I wish I would have googled this much earlier and found out about the defect. before I super glued and Gorilla glued mine back together several times. I've always enjoyed a challenge!
So now that I know I'll try to get mine replace but I'm concerned over one of the replies which states that the improved new plastic wasn't enough to last beyound 2 years. Why doesn't Bose correct the problem with another material? It's obvious that the stress points at the swivels for the ear cups need something more that those tiny plasic post.
So I'm heading off to Bose to see if they can help me out.... If not a I've seen a set from Sony that is getting great reviews over the Bose QC and is less enpensive.
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I got a pair of Bose QC2's from my dad. He had used them for about year. I travel a bit, and liked them. After the right side clip broke I secured with a plastic cable tie. A few months later the same thing for the left side. Finally after about one year my use, the entire left side head phone broke off. I took the pieces to the local Bose dealer. No receipt. They brought out a new boxed QC2 set. Showed my drivers license and signed a chit. Now that is first class customer service.
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Improvement in plastic was not impressive, the headphones used to last 1 year and with bose changes now they last 2 years, and to me they are too expensive for every 2 years replacement.
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I was about to turn these in through the Sharper Image (where I initially bought them) for a replacement product under my warranty through the Sharper Image, which would have had to be a different model since they don't sell the QC2's anymore, but I saw the comment here about Bose "stepping up" and decided to give it a try myself, even though I never initially purchased it through Bose.<br><br>Success! I called and got a free replacement with free 2nd day shipping! The customer service rep was very courteous. I have to ship my own headphones back first and I'll probably get the replacement within about 2 weeks.<br><br>It appears an earlier model of the QC2's had a manufacturing defect that caused this issue. New QC2's, however, do not have this defect, according to Bose's customer service. So, don't let this issue deter you from buying new ones.
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I travel quite a bit and have enjoyed my QC2 headphones on plane rides for over 2 years, but I recently experienced the same issue with the headband breaking. Called Bose warranty service (800-367-4008) even though my headphones were long out of warranty. I explained problem and told them I thought it was a manufacturing defect. The customer service rep was very pleasant. He asked for serial number (inside earcup) and confirmed there was a problem. He said they have redesigned the part that breaks and claimed it should not be an issue with the new ones they are going to send me. They are even giving me an additional 1 year warranty on the new ones!<br><br>Not sure if the fact that my wife's QC2 headphones and our CD player also show up on our warranty registration records have anything to do with this excellent service. I shipped my broken ones off today and should have my new ones in a little over two weeks. If everything continues to go as they have claimed, I would say they are certainly stepping up to the problem!
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I had a problem with quality issues on the first generation of Bose noise cancelling phones. The right ear pad separated from the ear cup. It was attached with glue and over time it just started to peel away. The phones were well cared for and rarely left the house. They had a pretty easy life as I do not travel much. For $300 these phones should be built to last and the first generation were certainly not. I've been rather gun shy about shelling out another $300 for another pair. It sounds like the longevity issue with the QC2s are still an issue.
