Bose QuietComfort 2 Consumer Headphones

I've always hated headphones and looked upon them as a necessary evil when playing through loudspeakers was not possible. My biggest complaint is that headphones could not equal the same listening experience when compared to a high end stereo system. In my case, my home system includes nearly six foot high Martin Logan electrostats that are powered by two 400 watt rms monoblocks. Throw in a 300 watt separately powered dual subwoofer and what one gets is an astounding listening experience for the price of a new car. So why am I telling you about my home system? To make sure you clearly understand where I'm coming from when I say that I've found a headphone that duplicates an incredible listening experience.

I was in a retail store looking for a good headphone when the salesman told me that the Bose Triports was the best he had heard in the $150 price range. Unfortunately, he had no way to demonstrate it, so a week later I drove to a Bose Store. The Bose salesman also told me that the Triports are Bose's best selling audiophile headphone. I heard them played through a Bose CD player with my own CD-R disc containing various rock artists that I'm perfectly familiar with on my own home system. Very quickly, I could asses that the Triports lacked the high definition and good bass in which I'm searching for (even though Bose advertises the Triports as a great bass producer). The Triports are not worth the $150 price tag. The salesman then showed me the Bose QuiteComfort2. It's being marketed as a noise canceling system for airline travelers, but it also includes the Triport technology for a price of $299. I asked, "Why would I pay twice the price for a feature that I don't want?" The salesman claimed that people were raving about them.

The first thing I noticed about the QuietComfort2 is that they wore more comfortably than the Triports. The cups are large enough to completely cover my ears. It also seemed better constructed, lightweight and the cups swivel to easily store away. After placing it over my head, I could still hear people talking around me in the store, but once I switched on the noise canceling feature, the outside noise diminished to such a low level that if felt like being in a soundproof room. And from the very first note, I couldn't believe what I was hearing, a spectacular listening experience that rivals the Martin Logans. Song after song the sound dynamics, instrument detail and placement were perceived to be the same as listening through my loudspeakers.

The bass response was staggering! In the Police's "The beds too big without you," Sting's bass lines literally rattles your head and makes the headphones nearly leap-off your ears. The bass definition is clear and similar to what you would hear on a loudspeaker. The bass from Madonna's "Ray of Light," will pound you into submission and when you hear the rumble of thunder at 3:20, you'll swear your on drugs because only a subwoofer can produce that low frequency. In the opening of AC/DC's "You shook me," the drum shots will feel like you've been hit by a bat. The vocals are absolutely perfect. I mean, when Joe Cocker sings "Unchain my heart," not only will you visualize his tonsils, but feel like you're about to be swallowed.

The high frequency is detailed, smooth and sounds exactly the same when listening on superb loudspeakers. No brittle or etched sounds. Everything is perfectly balanced allowing one to listen for hours at high volume. The soundstage is wide and deep. The performances feel live, like your sitting in the front row.

Needless to say, you'll have to experience the QuietComfort2 for yourself before making any final purchase decision. Bring your favorite CD and make sure that the headphone's volume switch is on high. I also recommend owning a BBE Sonic Maximizer for your stereo system and to burn CDs. This amazing processor creates a higher definition for a better listening experience through your headphones or loudspeakers. In summary: The Bose Triports—Overpriced; The Bose QuietComfort2—Priceless.

***********************************************************

Updated April 15, 2007

Since my last review done three years ago, Bose has expanded it's headphone models. A brief comparison of their new models relative to the QuietComfort 2(QC2) was done along with two popular professional studio models.

While the higher priced QuietComfort 3 is smaller and more convenient to carry than the QC2, for audiophiles, the QC2 around-the-ear design seals off outside noise interference and provides a better bass response. When compared to the on-ear Triport model, the Triport fails to reproduce the dynamic bass response and "live" presence that the QC2 has.

In-studio comparison was done with two very popular professional models, they were the Beyerdynamics DT770 and Ultrasone Proline 650. In playing 3 Doors Down's Away from the Sun, the studio headphones had a better defined bass with extraordinary sonic detail. The 650's high end approached harshness, while DT770's tone was mellow and bordered on being dull. What the two pro models had in common is the sense that the music was sonically detailed but flat in depth and breadth.

The OC2 conquers the one dimensional aspect heard in most headphones by placing instruments in their proper place on a perceived soundstage greatly enhancing the depth, breadth and live ambiance contained within a recording. It mirrors what one hears during a live performance. The musical detail heard in the pro models is present in the QC2, but played in a more naturally coherent manner for a superb listening experience.

One annoying issue is that a spare AAA battery must be available in case the old one dies. The second negative issue is the plastic headband. It broke on my set and currently is wrapped in tape. For its high price, the QC2 should have been better built for durability. The professional models are well constructed for rough handling which is why they are popular among musicians and DJs. But after three years of daily use, I haven't heard a better set of cans.