Bose headphones
Bose headphones are a family of headphone products sold by the Bose Corporation. The company was a pioneer in the development of headphones that use active noise cancellation technology.
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Timeline of Bose headphones
("QC" = QuietComfort; "SE" = Second Edition;"IE" = In-Ear; "MIE" = Mobile In-Ear)
("AE" = Around-Ear; "OE" = On-Ear; "BH" = Bluetooth headset)
Sources: Bose owners guides[1]
[edit] Active noise-cancelling headphones
Bose's consumer range of active noise-cancelling headphones are called QuietComfort. For industrial noise-cancelling applications, Bose produces the A20 Aviation Headset, Space Shuttle Headset and Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset.
[edit] Noise-cancelling headphones development
The idea of personal noise protection by actively controlled headphones was originally documented in a 1960 Russian patent application.[2][3] In the United States, the idea for active noise cancellation for helicopter and aircraft pilots was patented by Dr. Lawrence J. Fogel as early as the mid 1950s U.S. Patent 2,866,848, U.S. Patent 2,920,138, U.S. Patent 2,966,549 and Canadian patent 631,136. According to Bose, the company started noise-cancellation involvement after Dr. Amar Bose went on a 1978 flight to Europe, utilized the headphones provided during the flight only to conclude that he couldn't really enjoy the sound with the roar of engines in the background."[4]
In 1986, Bose applied their noise-cancellation technology to develop headphones to protect the hearing of pilots participating in the first non-stop around-the-world flight.[5]
One source notes that "nearly simultaneously, the US company Bose and Sennheiser in Germany presented active headsets for aircraft pilots,"[2] citing a 1986 American Society of Mechanical Engineers paper about the Bose product and a 1988 Funkschau (see de:Funkschau) paper about the Sennheiser. Bose's first noise-cancelling headsets were released to the public in 1989.
After about 10 years of research and development Bose released their first consumer level noise reducing headphones for pilots called the Aviation Headset, released in 1989. The current model includes (non-adjustable) electronic equalization.
Like all such technology, it mixes an inverted sample of the ambient sound outside the headset with the sound that reaches the inside of the headset, partially cancelling out the noise. Active (battery-powered) noise cancellation is never perfect, and is better at low frequencies than at high frequencies.[citation needed]. The power source for these active noise cancellation headphones is batteries. All Bose noise cancellation headphones are closed-air to increase passive noise reduction.
[edit] Bose QuietComfort 3 Headphones
Bose released the QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones ("QC3") on June 15, 2006, the company's first pair of on-ear headphones. Bose states that, although headphones which envelope the ear provide greater passive noise isolation, the QC3s have the same amount of total noise reduction as the QC2s due to improved active noise cancellation. Memory foam is used to improve the passive noise isolation. In 2006, they were the first headphones to receive a Sound & Vision Editor's Choice award.
The QC3 feedback algorithm is suspected to become unstable in certain circumstances, causing a high pitched "squealing" in the following situations:
- Pressure on the earpads, such as that caused by the user leaning their head against a flat surface.[citation needed]
- Manually pressing on the headphones.[citation needed]
The QC3 uses memory foam to conform to the ear and provide a good acoustic seal without uncomfortable pressure. The earcups are are powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery instead with a battery life of at least twenty hours.
In 2006 QuietComfort 3 were the first headphones to receive a Sound & Vision Editor's Choice award.[6], in the same year they were awarded a Potentials Magazine Gold Star Award[7]
- 2007 Red Dot Award for product design on QuietComfort 3[8]
[edit] Bose QuietComfort 15 Headphones
On August 19, 2009 Bose announced the release of the Bose QC15's.[9] A model to supersede QuietComfort 2 Revision 2, both the QuietComfort 2 Revision 2 and the QuietComfort 15 share the same cosmetic design,[10] but the similarities end there. Bose worked to refine the Acoustic Noise Cancellation engine so each earcup would use two microphones instead of one on the inside and outside of the earcup. The new headphones also have a slot for a AAA sized battery, as well as a "High / Lo" switch to adjust for sources with high and low output levels, to better help the listener with volume control and the cushions are redesigned. [11]. The QuietComfort 15 was released 20 August 20 2009, priced at $299. By August of 2011 the QC15's included an inline three-button iPod/iPhone remote and microphone that allows users to pause and move forward and back through their music and adjust the volume.[12]
[edit] Commercial airlines
Depending on the the flight American Airlines provides QuietComfort 15 headphones or Bose QuietComfort 3 headphones for use by passengers in premium flight classes (sometimes also business-class) on some long-haul flights.[13] Bose has made American Airlines several special edition versions of the QuietComforts starting with the original QC1 that had blue ear cups and an American Airlines logo on them. American Airlines became the first airline to offer the QuietComforts. American Airlines allows each of their First and Business Class passengers to use a pair of the QuietComfort 15 on long-haul flights to Europe, Asia, deep South America and select First Class transcontinental flights.[13]
On 1 July 2006[14] JAL started to offer QuietComfort 2 headphones to First class customers on some flights[15] Air-India also offers QuietComfort 3 headphones to its Premium Class customers on some long haul flights. Cathay Pacific provides their First and Business Class passengers a pair of customized Quiet Comfort headphones.
[edit] Space shuttle headset
Bose makes noise-canceling aviation headsets which have been used in the Space Shuttle, where the noise cancellation feature helps prevent astronaut hearing damage.[16]
[edit] A20 aviation headset
Released on July 26, 2010[17] as an upgrade to the previous "Aviation Headset X" (aka A10), they are noise reducing headphones for pilots. It either runs on two AA batteries for 45 hours or is powered by the airplanes electrical system. It has an Aux in for a separate audio device, and better noise reduction and less clamping force than its predecessor. There are two models, one that includes a Bluetooth kit for cellphones or one that excludes this feature.[18]
From 2000 to 2005 Aviation Headset X was voted #1 by Professional Pilot magazine's headset preference survey five years in a row.[19]
[edit] Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset
In 1993 Bose introduced an active noise reduction system for use by crews in United States Army combat vehicles.
At noise levels of 115dBA SPL, Bose noise cancelling headsets improves speech intelligibility scores to 95%, compared to 80% for conventional headsets.[20] At low frequencies, Bose headsets are much more effective in attenuating noise than passive noise reduction headsets. A binaural talk-through feature allows crewmen to talk directly to each other without removing their headsets.
This product is not available to civilian consumers.
[edit] Triport Tactical Headset
The Triport Tactical Headset (TTH) introduced in 2004,[21] also called the Improved Tactical Headset (ITH), is an improved version of the Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset, is in widespread use today. This system is for use in wheeled vehicles that while quieter can produce 95dBA SPL or higher. It fits under infantry ballistic helmet.[22][23]
[edit] TriPort Headphones
The "triport" earcup structure has three miniature air ducts that claim to allow the drivers to make larger excursions before distorting.[citation needed]
[edit] AE2
On October 15, 2010, Bose released the AE2 on-ear headphones, a design which envelopes the whole ear. Connection is through a detachable cord that connects to the left side of the headphones. The foam on the original headband of the original TriPorts has been replaced with a synthetic leather and the earpieces rotate flat for improved storage, similar to the QuietComfort models.
[edit] OE2
Bose replaced it's previous On Ear headphones in October 2011.[24] It is smaller in size and lighter in weight. This version comes in two colors, white and black. Aside from the color there are two variations the OE2's and OE2is. The only difference being that the OE2is include an apple specific inline three-button iPod/iPhone remote and microphone that allows users to pause and move forward and back through their music and adjust the volume.
[edit] IE2
On August, 16 2010 Bose announced the IE2's.[25] Unlike "canalphones", the IE2 models are not inserted into the ear canal, they have a fit similar to an earbud[26] and are not considered or even marketed as noise cancelling nor noise isolation headphones. According to Bose it incorporates improved acoustics and improved stability with the tips, which are required to hold the headphones in place, called "StayHear" tips.[27]
[edit] Mobile Headsets
[edit] MIE2
On August, 16 2010 Bose announced the MIE2's.[25] According to Bose it incorporates improved acoustics and improved stability with "StayHear tips"[27] The MIE2's are designed for cellphone use and come with 2.5mm adapters.[28]
[edit] MIE2i
On August, 16 2010 Bose announced the MIE2i.[25] According to Bose it incorporates improved acoustics and improved stability with "StayHear tips"[27] The MIE2i's are designed for cellphone use and come with 2.5mm adapters.[28] This headphone designed for apple devices (including the iPhone, iPod, iMac, iPad, etc.) incorporates an in-line remote control for volume, track up/down and access to select Apple voice applications. This version is being released at the same price as the MIE2's.
[edit] Bluetooth Headset 2
On October 2011, Bose released it's second generation Bluetooth headset.[29] Bose releases Bluetooth headset Series 2]</ref> It comes in both a left and a right ear version, supports A2DP and improved Bose's Adaptive Audio Adjustment technology that will allow a user to move between a quiet and loud environment, without having to change volume controls. The headset has a special design that allows its built-in mic to selectively sense a user’s voice, and acoustically reject the background sounds that interfere with it — so that the caller is heard more, and distractions are heard less.
Just like the previous version the headset also comes with 3 different sized Bose StayHear tips for a comfy and secure fit without the need for an ear hook. The headset also has a volume control, a command button for answering calls, and a sliding on/off switch.
[edit] Awards
- 2000 to 2005 Aviation Headset X was voted #1 by Professional Pilot magazine's headset preference survey five years in a row.[19]
- 2006 QuietComfort 3 were the first headphones to receive a Sound & Vision Editor's Choice award.[6]
- 2006 Potentials Magazine Gold Star Award for the QuietComfort 3[7]
- 2007 Red Dot Award for product design on QuietComfort 3[8]
- 2008 Red Dot Award for product design - On-Ear Headphones[30]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Bose Owner's Guides for Headphones and Headsets. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b Tokhi, Osman; Sandor Veres (2002). Active Sound and Vibration Control. Institution of Electrical Engineers. ISBN 0-85296-038-7. p. 13
- ^ A. V. Bykhovskii. Sposob polawlenija shuma w scluchowom organe (Technique for noise suppression in the ear), 1960, Patent UdSSR SU 133 631. Filed: 24 August 1949. Published: Patent Bulletin No. 22. Citation from Tokhi and Veres (2002).
- ^ "Can the science of acoustics reduce the roar of an airplane engine?". Bose Corporation. http://www.bose.ie/IE/en/learning-centre/noise-reduction/index.jsp. Retrieved 2006-08-06.
- ^ "Escape the Noise - Bose Learning Center". http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/learning-centre/featured-stories/escape-the-noise/index.jsp.
- ^ a b 2006 Sound & Vision Editor's Choice award QuietComfort 3
- ^ a b 2006 Potentials Magazine Gold Star Award for the QuietComfort 3
- ^ a b 2007 Red Dot Award for product design - QuietComfort 3
- ^ Bose unveils new QuietComfort 15 headphones - cnet
- ^ Bose Quietly Updates Its QuietComfort Noise-Canceling Headphones (With Ears-On) - gizmodo
- ^ Bose Improves, Replaces QuietComfort 2 Headphones - pcmag
- ^ "Review: Bose QC15 and AE2i headphones". Techguide.com.au. 2012-02-10. http://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/audio/544-review-bose-qc15-and-ae2i-headphones. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ a b "Premium Comfort With Bose Quality". American Airlines website. http://www.aa.com/content/urls/bose.jhtml. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
- ^ "JAL News". Japan Airlines website. http://www.jal.co.jp/en/headline.html. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
- ^ "JAL International Flights - In-flight Entertainment(First Class)". Japan Airlines website. http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/first/f_enter/. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
- ^ "MIT "Inventor of the Week Archive"". Web.mit.edu. http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/bose.html. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ "AVweb, New Bose A20 Headset". Youtube. 2010-07-26. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnaKiRcN4d0. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ Marsh, Alton K.. "Bose upgrades to A20 headset". AOPA. http://www.aopa.org/oshkosh/oshkosh10/news/100726bose.html. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ a b "Headset Preference Survey". Professional Pilot: 82. December 2005.
- ^ Source: USAF AL data
- ^ "Bose Corporation". Amigura. 1975-06-17. http://www.amigura.co.uk/news/technology/army_technology/1-17-2008-07.html. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ "Army Technology • Bose Corporation". Army-technology.com. 2011-06-15. http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/navigation/bose-corporation/. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ "Bose - TriPort tactical headset". Worldwide.bose.com. http://worldwide.bose.com/aim/en_aw/web/triport_headset/page.html. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ "Bose Finally De-Uglied Its On-Ear Headphones". gizmodo. 2011-10-12. http://gizmodo.com/5848993/bose-on+ear-cans-get-a-stylish-new-look. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ a b c "Bose Announces Three Mobile In-Ear Headphones". gearlog. 2010-08-17. http://www.gearlog.com/2010/08/bose_offers_three_mobile_in-ea.php. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ "cnet - Bose IE2 Headphones". Reviews.cnet.com. http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/bose-ie2-headphones/4505-7877_7-34168007.html#reviewPage1. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ a b c Carnoy, David (2010-08-16). "cnet - Bose debuts new in-ear headphones". News.cnet.com. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20013711-1.html. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ a b "Bose Readies In-Ear Headphones, Headsets". Twice.com. http://www.twice.com/article/456055-Bose_Readies_In_Ear_Headphones_Headsets.php. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ "Bose releases Bluetooth headset Series 2". Gizmag.com. 2011-10-05. http://www.gizmag.com/bose-bluetooth-headset-series-2/20065/. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ 2008 Red Dot Award for product design - On-Ear Headphones
[edit] References
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