Bose Quitecomfort 15, is there a non Bose equivalent?

[Spike]

So at work today I'm using someone else Bose Quitecomfort 15 headphones (rubbed with an alcohol wipe first ) and I'm suitably impressed. Compared to my low cost Jabra noise cancelling cans these are much better and the sound quality of the music I'm listening to (film scores) is also much improved. Given my refusal to buy anything from Bose I'm curious if anyone can recommend a similar (or better set) of noise cancelling cans, preferably in the sub $100 range. If no such product exists, I don't mind skipping the noise cancelling and getting one with good sound that does a decent job at noise isolation.

Thanks!

 

[Zivic]

So at work today I'm using someone else Bose Quitecomfort 15 headphones (rubbed with an alcohol wipe first ) and I'm suitably impressed. Compared to my low cost Jabra noise cancelling cans these are much better and the sound quality of the music I'm listening to (film scores) is also much improved. Given my refusal to buy anything from Bose I'm curious if anyone can recommend a similar (or better set) of noise cancelling cans, preferably in the sub $100 range. If no such product exists, I don't mind skipping the noise cancelling and getting one with good sound that does a decent job at noise isolation.

Thanks!

There is a lot of info at headfi.org. the bose QC15 run in the 300 buck range and have fairly good reviews, so they aren't a bad set of cans.

a couple sets I would listen to/look at:

135 bucks
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...dp_ob_title_ce

350 bucks
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PXC...ywords=PXC+450

 

[darkswordsman17]

Depends how much the noise cancelling is needed:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/comparative-review-high-end-noise-canceling-headphones

There's quite a few solid closed headphones around your price range. I'm sure plenty of them would probably benefit from being opened and stuffing the cups with foam or cotton balls or something.
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame-ear-pad-sealed
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame-full-size-sealed

Also, some IEMs/earbuds can actually be even better for isolation. There's some decent ones in this price range too, but the important part for isolation is the tips and there's a lot of variance (comfort, sound quality, etc).

 

[gus6464]

Good sounding, noise cancelling and <$100 is not going to happen. Pick 2 and we can go from there.

 

[Tiamat]

Oddly enough, the qc15 is the only product of Bose that I think they did a decent job with. When it comes to NC cans, they are comfy while having good cancelation. The sq isn't bad either. When it comes time that you want good nc cans, sq can take a slight backseat compared to comfort and nc. That is exactly what the qc15 provides.

OK sq, high comfort, high nc.

For me personally, non of the noise attenuating ear products under 100$ were comfortable for the long haul. Iems make my ear canal sore and I hate microphonics and skeletal noise propagation. The sealed cans squeezed my head too much such that it hurt. Anything that I found comfortable for the long haul had little to no sound attenuation like the denon d2000 but had excellent sq. The Bose is the only sound solution that is comfy enough for me while offering good attenuation and OK sq.

Mt advice to you if you are forced to only spend 100$ is to try a 100$ iem that comes with several ear fittings. Perhaps the klipsch s4. My issue with the s4 is that my ear canals do not appear to be the same size. Medium fits my left ear, but the small is too loose for my right ear while medium doesn't even fit into the canal. YMMV


I have wasted enough money on this hobby to know that it doesn't matter how much the earphone costs. If it isn't comfortable, it doesn't get used. Plain and simple. You know you like theqc15 because you were able to audition them. Knowing what I know now after these years, I would buy them if I were in your shoes. Life is too short to waste time messing with products that might be as good as the one you know you like. Just save up and go for the jugular. Since the qc15 seems to have passed your audition, just buy it and be happy and know that you will enjoy it for years. I have too many 100$ samples that fill up my drawers because they were enjoyed for days. I would have saved a ton of money if I just splurged the first time and bought the 300$ pair in the first place.

 

[soulcougher73]

. I have too many 100$ samples that fill up my drawers because they were enjoyed for days. I would have saved a ton of money if I just splurged the first time and bought the 300$ pair in the first place.

Craiglist is your friend in that case. No need to let drawers fill up with unused stuff when you could recoup some of your money and let others enjoy a materail possession

 

[BenSkywalker]

$100 closed cans-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826106328

They aren't likely to compete with sets costing double or more, but IME people seem to be quite happy with these. I rather detest closed cans in general, but for an entry level set these seem to keep people happy.

 

[gus6464]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

 

[Tiamat]

Craiglist is your friend in that case. No need to let drawers fill up with unused stuff when you could recoup some of your money and let others enjoy a materail possession

I haven't had much luck with craigslist down south here. In Boston, it was a godsend and I was able to get some money back. Now, there are way too many flaky people! I'm very slowly trying to have by wife list them on ebay or something... Otherwise, they are great hand-me-downs to family members who enjoy them! Still have remnants though...

In any case, my point to the OP was that I have had the most enjoyment when I just splurged and got what I really wanted. No regrets!

 

[Ns1]

bump

about to go on a few long haul flights and looking for a better headphone solution.

in real world use for this specific use case (e.g. plane/train), what's the difference between using the QC15's vs $100-$300 IEM's?