Noise canceling headphones

[Boozy]

Hello all,

I'm looking at noise canceling headphones as I'll be traveling a lot this year, Bose obviously are the popular choice looking on the web, however, there's two types of those does anyone have experience of them? Or any other suggestions? I'm using points to buy these so Denon aren't a choice,

Over to you folks!

[FlossyThePig]

The Gadget show tested 3 last month. Fanny Wangs 3000 Series (Best Price £229.96) came out best.

I'm flying to NZ next month and Air New Zealand supply NC headphones in premium economy.

[E31Shrew]

Had the BOSE for years and perfect for me.

Basically one type has rechargeable batteries but tbh a bit of a faff, as you'll need to take a charger with you. The others have aaa batteries which is easier, as you can just buy a set anywhere. Approx 30 hours use before needing to replace. Remember the NC aspect doesnt work when the headphones are not switched on.

QC15's are the battery type

Also I find the QC15s more comfortable as they are 'over ear' whereas the others are 'on ear'

Edited by E31Shrew on Saturday 5th January 16:17

[Mr Pointy]

QC-15:
Sits around your ears
Bigger than the QC-3
AA batteries

QC-3:
Sits on your ears
Smaller of the two
Proprietary Bose LI rechargeable battery

I went for the QC-15s.

[Avidfanofstuff]

I've had both 15’s and 3’s

I started with the 3's but found after 2-3 hours they hurt your ears a lot because they sit on your ears.

Traded them in and got some 15's, much better as these sit on your head rather than your ears, slightly better noise cancellation but both are excellent... Only downside with the 15's for me is the lack of rechargeable battery.

[Stu R]

QC15's are brilliant for aircraft travel. I wouldn't use anything else. QC3 are very good too - I only upgraded to the 15's because my old man left my 3's on a plane.

[E31Shrew]

Stu R said:

QC15's are brilliant for aircraft travel. I wouldn't use anything else. QC3 are very good too - I only upgraded to the 15's because my old man left my 3's on a plane.

15s are cheaper too!

[Stu R]

E31Shrew said:

Stu R said:

QC15's are brilliant for aircraft travel. I wouldn't use anything else. QC3 are very good too - I only upgraded to the 15's because my old man left my 3's on a plane.

15s are cheaper too!

Yup, makes no sense to me. They don't sound especially different but the 15's definitely do a better job for me. P'raps it's the shape of my head / ears being more suited or something, but the 15's definitely do a better job of getting rid of drone.

[E31Shrew]

Stu R said:

E31Shrew said:

Stu R said:

QC15's are brilliant for aircraft travel. I wouldn't use anything else. QC3 are very good too - I only upgraded to the 15's because my old man left my 3's on a plane.

15s are cheaper too!

Yup, makes no sense to me. They don't sound especially different but the 15's definitely do a better job for me. P'raps it's the shape of my head / ears being more suited or something, but the 15's definitely do a better job of getting rid of drone.

Sold BOSE kit for many years until recently, and I would say that for every pair of QC3s we sold, we sold 10 pairs of QC15. The QC3 look a bit prettier I suppose, and the rechargeable aspect might cost a few bob more, but for pure noise cancelling performance, the QC15s were better. This was due to the 'passive' noise cancelling capability, which in normal speak means 'They go over yer lug holes'

[Boozy]

Thanks all!! Ordered a set of the 15s, will report back on how they are when I return from my travels!

[E31Shrew]

Boozy said:

Thanks all!! Ordered a set of the 15s, will report back on how they are when I return from my travels!

Oh dear. Feel a bit stressed now in case you think they're crap! Enjoy...You often get people on flights asking 'to have a go'!

[gary71]

I have a set of Bose 15s bought 30 minutes before a transatlantic flight a few months back.

They are brilliant. I even used them in the hotel room to sleep (on but with no music) as the aircon was so noisy and couldn't be turned off.

[HereBeMonsters]

If you're after some buds, I've been using these on my commute for a year now:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002PU9OS2

I got them for £40 on eBay, and they're great. Ignore the amazon review. The active noise cancelling is great, the ear fit is great, they're brilliant quality (after a few hours burning in) and pretty robust.