Version: 2008
  • On TV.com: New TV sex symbol: Vintage black PORSCHE
advertisement

Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones (black)
Reviewed by
Mike Kobrin
on 02/16/2007

See all Bose products

Price range:

$99.95 - $100.00

Compare prices:

Crutchfield $99.99
Vanns.com $100.00
Amazon.com Marketplace $99.95

Compare prices from 5 stores

Add to my list Product summary

The good: The Bose TriPort In-Ear headphones have strong bass and good overall detail, and they're not intrusive in your ear canal.

The bad: The Bose TriPort In-Ear headphones don't block out any noise, and the fit doesn't feel quite as secure as advertised. The silicone tips come off very easily, and pick up tons of dirt.

The bottom line: The Bose In-Ear Headphones are a hybrid set, falling right between regular earbuds and canalphones. They don't block out noise, but they do provide much more bass than stock earbuds--almost too much, in fact.

Read full review
See all prices

Compare this headphone to:

CNET editors' review

  • Reviewed by:
    Mike Kobrin
  • Edited by:
    Jasmine France
  • Reviewed on: 02/16/2007
  • Released on: 11/13/2006
If you're looking for noise-isolating earbuds, the Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones ($99) are not for you. Although they have silicone tips that protrude slightly into your ear canal, they are not meant to protect your ears from screaming children on airplanes--nor from the drone of the engine. They provide far better bass than your MP3 player's stock headphones, but the overall sound isn't a match for similarly priced in-ear 'phones. If you have a tough time sticking things deep into your ear canal or are paranoid about walking around without hearing much of what's going on around you, these are worth a listen, despite some physical design flaws.

The Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones have an unusual if not unique design. They resemble the earbuds that come with the Samsung Yepp YP-K5; they look like regular earbuds but with silicone tips that funnel the sound directly into your ear canals. The symmetrical cables have an antitangle slider and terminate in a 3.55mm gold-plated straight plug. The plastic plug housing is oddly bulky and rectangular--seemingly just so the company could fit its logo on it.


You'll want to keep the Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones' included case on hand to avoid cable tangles and keep the eartips clean.

Bose's tips are very soft and comfortable with no rough edges. They snap onto small tubes that protrude from the earphones, but they don't stay on very tightly--you're virtually guaranteed to lose them, and you only get one set each of small, medium, and large tips. (Replacements cost around $5 per set.) Of course, as one user recommended, you can always superglue the tips to the earphones. Bose also includes a padded leather case that has an integrated cable winder and magnetic flaps. It's a must if you want to avoid having to wash the silicone tips constantly, since they pick up every last bit of lint and dirt in your pocket.

Continue reading

Most helpful user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones (black)

 ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit
advertisement
Click Here

Recent user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones (black)

 ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Special sponsor stores

advertisement

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

  • alaTest.com

    Editors' rating: 83

    Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 841 reviews of BOSE in-ear headphones from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 67/100 and users 70/100. Comparing these reviews to 136585 other Headphones reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 83/100 = Very Good.

    Read full review

  • applesource.com.au

    Summary: At AU$149, the Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones cater to a very niche market. If you're a die-hard Bose fan, you've probably already bought them, but if you're looking for something in between canalphones and standard earbuds, these are a viable option. ...

    Read full review

  • tech2.com

    Editors' rating: 70

    Read full review

  • techtree.com

    Editors' rating: 70

    Read full review

  • pcmag.com

    Editors' rating: 50

    Read full review

  • goodgearguide.com.au

    Editors' rating: 80

    Summary: The Bose in-ear headphones won't be for everyone, but if you feel like your current earbuds or IEMs are lacking a little in the bass department, then they may be right up your alley.

    Read full review

Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones (black)

Reviews & advice
Site map
Editorial policies
Meet the editors
How we test
Forums
Internet speed test
Popular topics
Apple iPhone
Apple iPod
Cell phones
Dell
GPS
LCD TV
CNET sites
CNET Site map
CNET TV
Downloads
News
Reviews
Shopper.com
More information
Newsletters
CNET Mobile
Customer Help Center
RSS
CNET Widgets
About CNET
sponsored