List of Bose headphones

The Bose Headphone Family are the company's portable audio solutions in its consumer electronics lineup.

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Bose Triport Headphones

Background

Research

In 1978, while on a trip to Europe and listening to music on airline-provided headphones, Dr. Bose found he couldn't enjoy his music due to the roar of the airplane's engines. This led the Bose company, which had previously focused on high-end loudspeaker and consumer audio systems, to begin researching improvements in headphone technology. The company spent between 10-11 years working around current headphone flaws before the first wave of Acoustic Noise Cancelling headsets were released in 1989.

Bose's headphone research has resulted in two major technologies: Acoustic Noise Cancellation and the TriPort drivers.

====Bose Acoustic Active Noise-Cancellation====

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Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones

Bose's Acoustic Noise Cancellation is a proprietary technology engineered by the company that basically sends out the noise it receives phase-shifted 180 degrees, effectively eliminating the wearer's perception of steady low-pitched noises (such as that of an airplane engine).

The way Bose Acoustic Noise Cancellation works is as follows: Each earcup provides full-spectrum noise reduction through a series of intricate processes. The earcups in both the Bose QuietComfort 2 Second Edition and the Bose Aviation Headset X headphones have a microphone implanted near the outer portion of the earcup, listening to any unwanted sound and electronically processing sound differences millisecond-to-millisecond. The unwanted noise is then negated from the "Microphone Barrier", reducing the amount of unwanted noise while listening to music.

The Bose Acoustic Noise Cancellation technology, though, is classified as an active noise-cancellation mechanism, as it needs battery power in order to both produce music and needed noise, and to cancel out any background noise.

TriPort Drivers

All of company's headphones utilize the company's proprietary TriPort drivers, which deploys three small ports in the earcups to produce loudspeaker-quality sound in a headphone package. Each earcup starts out with small ports and an earcup design that was designed to cover the ear entirely. The Triport system generates a unique airflow in the cup producing deep lows and clear highs. The 3 ports are strategically placed on the earcup: 2 tiny and one large.

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Bose Headphones

Headphone Timeline

The Headphone Lineup Timeline (in order from earliest to latest) are as follows:

• Bose QuietComfort Headphones—1989
• Bose Aviation Headset Series I—1989
• Bose Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset—1993
• Bose Aviation Headset Series II—1995
• Bose Aviation Headset X—1998 (Pronounced ten not the letter X)
• Bose TriPort Headphones—2001
• Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones—2003
• Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones "Second Edition"—2005

Model Lineup

The product is listed in order of its release.

===Bose QuietComfort Headphones===

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Bose QuietComfort Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (also now known as the QC1) was the very first headphones released by the company (1989). The Bose QuietComfort Headphones retailed at $299.

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones came with

• an external noise controlling mechanism, which enables the control of both volume and background noise cancellation.
• Acoustic Noise Cancellation technology patented by Bose
• A carry case for the QuietComfort Headphones

While the headphones were somewhat oversized, they were extremely lightweight.

QuietComfort Specifications

• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries
• Warranty: 1 Year

Bose Aviation Headset Series I

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Bose Aviation Headset Series I Headphones

The Bose Series I Aviation Headset is introduced in 1989 as the first commercially available Active Noise Cancellation headset specially designed for pilots, also used by the United States Air Force.

The Aviation Headset includes

• Active Equalization - Clean full sound quality that enhances intelligibility of radio and intercom audio and enables natural sounding music reproduction
• Acoustic Noise Cancellation - reduces noise over the full range of the human hearing
• TriPort speaker technology giving a lower base, a lighter weight, and significantly reduced clamping force.
• Integrated boom Detaches, to be worn on either the right or left earcup.
• Low battery life indicator - Flashes red when less than 5 hours of battery life remain.
• Installed control module - can be permanently installed in the aircraft. Eliminates the need for battery power.
• Portable Carry Case for headphone and accessories

Series I aviation headsets are distinguished by the clear windows on the earcups or by noting that the on/off switch and volume control are located on the separate control module.

Aviation Headset Series I Specifications

Not enough information as of this time

===Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset===

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Bose Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset

In 1993, Bose became the first company to supply an active noise reduction system to the United States Army for their armored vehicle crews. Designed specifically for use in tracked armored vehicles such as the M1 Abrams tank and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, this is amongst certain Bose offerings not available to the consumer market.

Features of the Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset as follows:

• Better speech intelligibility - Bose technology in Acoustic Noise Cancelling headsets improves speech intelligibility scores to 95% at noise levels of 115dBA SPL, compared to 80% in conventional headsets. (Source: USAF AL data.)
• Full-spectrum noise reduction - Unlike many conventional passive noise reduction headsets, the Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset provides excellent attenuation in the critical lower frequencies where vehicle noise predominates, resulting in increased safe exposure time.

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Bose Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset

• Comfortable fit - Ergonomic design features, including proprietary dual-seal earcushions and large-volume earcups, ensure a comfortable fit over a wide range of head and ear sizes.
• Talk-through capability - This user-selectable, binaural feature permits monitoring of the ambient sound environment when desired. Crewmen can disconnect from the vehicle intercom system and communicate with other crewmen standing nearby—without removing their helmets. Internal circuitry prevents transmission of extremely loud noises, protecting the user.
• Flexible boom microphone - The flexible-mount noise cancelling boom microphone assembly allows precise adjustments that stay in place.

Bose Aviation Headset Series II

The Bose Series II Aviation Headset is introduced in 1995 with improvements for the aviation industry, earning the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) “Product of the Year” award.

Changes from Series I to II are unknown at this time

Series II aviation headsets are distinguished by the dual volume controls and on/off switch located on the headset itself.

Aviation Headset Series II Specifications

• Battery: One 9V battery
• Battery Life: 20 hours of use

Bose Aviation Headset X

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Bose Aviation Headset X

The Bose Aviation Headset X (Pronounced ten not the letter X), released in 1998, designed for pilots also used by the United States Air Force.

The Improvements over the Series II include

• Redesigned Boom microphone - for increased loudness and improved pivot design for more accurate positioning of the boom near the pilot's mouth
• Improved immunity from Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) - Reduces noise prevalent in larger business jets and military applications.
• Bose AdaptiSense Circuitry - Adaptisense (pronounced Adapt 'I" sense)
  • Detects the need for power
  • Adjusts the power sent to the headset
  • Optimizes the power consumption to provide at least 40 hours of use.
  • Smart shut off that turns the Headset power off by detecting inactivity.
• A new tri-color indicator with day/night brightness adjustment showing battery status
• Ability to use with a helicopter with an aditional adaptor [1]

The Bose Aviation Headset X costs $995. The Aviation Headset X was not specifically designed for listening to music.

Aviation Headset X was voted #1 by Professional Pilot Magazine’s headset preference survey 4 years in a Row from 2000 to 2004 (2004 Headset Preference Survey, Dec p 80)

====Aviation Headset X Specifications====

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Bose Aviation Headset X Carry case

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Aviation X with volume controls and audio connections

• Sensitivity/Sound pressure level: 90 dB/mW
• Impedance: 162 ohms Monaural; 320 ohms Stereo
• Batteries: Two AA alkaline batteries
• Battery Life: 40 hours of use
• Breadth: 4.8" x 6.3"
• Height: 4.5" x 5.7"
• Weight: 12 ounces or 340 grams
• Frequency Response: 15Hz to 15kHz
• Warranty: 5 Years

Source: Bose Aviation X owners manual

===Bose TriPort Headphones===

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Bose TriPort Headphones

The Bose TriPort Headphones, released in Fourth Quarter 2001, were tailored to meet the growing demand for portable sound. They were primarily marketed to the digital music segment, targetting the Apple iPod and other popular MP3 players. The Bose TriPort Headphones are marketed mainly as a less expensive alternative to the QuietComfort 2 Headphones at a price of $149.

The low end of the Bose Headphone Family, the Bose TriPort Headphones utilize the company's proprietary TriPort drivers, which are also featured in the QuietComfort 2. The Bose TriPort Headphones utilize the company's proprietary Psychoacoustic Equalization Transducers, which Bose claims enables each TriPort Earcup to fine-tune the frequency response, making the sound more realistic.

Bose TriPort Headphones Specifications

• Magnet Type: Neodymium/Rare Earth
• Sensitivity/Sound pressure level: 97 dB/mW
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Connector: 3.5mm (1/8 inch) stereo mini plug with 1/4 inch adapter
• Cord Length: 6 feet (11 feet with included 5-foot extension cable)
• Size: 19.1x15.2cm overall
• Weight: 142 grams with cables
• Operating Temperature: +10ºC to +40ºC
• Storage Temperature: -30ºC to +70ºC
• Cup Rotation: Vertical axis ±20º; Horizontal axis ±10º
• Warranty: 1 Year

Sources: Best Buy Bose Triport FAQ

===Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones===

Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones First Edition (Champagne)

To address some of the concerns with the QuietComfort Headphones, in 2003, Bose released their successor, the Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones (also now known as the QC2). Like its predecessor, the QuietComfort 2 Headphones retailed at a suggested price of 299 USD in the US and approximately 480 USD in Europe.

Changes from the original QuietComfort Headphones include:

• Lower noise floor
• Improved acoustics
• removal of the battery box
• On-off switch on the right earcup
• Use of only one battery inside the right earcup, instead of two batteries in the former battery box
• Collapsable one-wire attenuator to control the noise cancellation level
• Foldable form-factor
• Smaller carrying case
• Single Cord that can be detached if the user doesn't want to listen to music

====Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones Specifications====

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A Carrying Case and accessories for the QuietComfort 2 Headphones

• Connector: 3.5mm (1/8 inch) stereo mini plug with 1/4 inch adapter and two prong airline adaptor
• Cord Length: 6 feet (11 feet with included 5-foot extension cable)
• Headphone Dimensions: 7.75"h x 6.5"w x 1.63"d
• Carry Case Dimensions: 8.25"h x 7.5"w x 2"d
• Weight: 6.9 ounces, with cables included
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 18kHz
• Operating Temperature: 0ºC to +40ºC
• Storage Temperature: -30ºC to +70ºC
• Battery: One AAA alkaline battery
• Battery Life: 30 to 40 hours of use
• Cup Rotation: Vertical axis ±20º; Horizontal axis +45º / -5º; Storage Position 90º
• Warranty: 1 Year

Source : Bose QuietComfort FAQ

===Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones "Second Edition"===

Bose QuietComfort 2 2nd Edition Headphones (Silver)

The latest addition to the QuietComfort line, the Bose QuietComfort 2 Second Edition, addresses several of the concerns raised with the QuietComfort 2. The headband coloring scheme has been changed, and the earcups have been given a "more iPod-friendly color of Silver" with some chrome markings, with the same price and specifications as with the first edition of the same product.

Bose markets the QuietComfort family of headphones mainly for frequent travelers. Many airlines offer Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones on either first-class or business-class trips. Although they were specifically designed for airline use, the headphones are marketed as being appropriate in a wide variety of circumstances, including buses and trains, the office, or for home use.

There are several major differences between the first and second editions of the Quiet Comfort 2:

• Different Color. The second edition uses the same headband and headcups as the first edition, though of different color and different material. The first edition is champagne colored, while the second edition is silver and chrome.

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Bose Cell Connect for the QC2 Second Edition

• Improved headband durability. The headband is substantially more durable.
• Improved Highs. The treble performance has been improved from the earlier edition.
• Improved protection from Electromagnetic and RF interference.
• Hiss reduction. The amount of audible hiss in the noise-cancellation circuitry has been reduced.
• Bose sells a cellphone connection attenuator as an accessory. It allows the QuietComfort 2 headphones to connect to many MP3 enabled cellphones. This attenuator can replace the standard 3.5" stereo attenuator (included with the QC2). It allows the user both to listen to music and operate the cellphone. [2]

Bose QuietComfort and American Airlines

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Bose QuietComfort 2 "Second Edition" American Airlines Headphones

American Airlines in particular has a very close relationship with Bose. 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 and only airline to offer the QuietComforts.

Now American Airlines allows each of their First and Business Class passengers to use a pair of the QuietComfort 2 second editions on long-haul flights to Europe, Asia, deep South America and select First Class transcontinental flights.

The new headset can be found on:

• Flights to and from Japan
• Flights to and from Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Santiago, Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro
• Flights to and from Europe
• Boeing 767 aircraft flying New York Kennedy to and from Los Angeles and San Francisco

Source : American Airlines

Criticisms

Criticisms of the products are also included. However, opinions are extremely subjective. Consumer reactions to different headphones and earbuds do vary, since audio products tend to perform differently for a wide variety of reasons. The performance of headphones depends greatly on a variety of factors, including musical genre, the recording medium (whether vinyl, CD, DVD, compressed audio file, etc.) and playback equipment.

QuietComfort Headphones (QC1)

The QuietComfort Headphone were hit with a lot of criticism, with the following key areas being addressed in the original QuietComfort 2 Headphones, when they were released in 2003:

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Bose QuietComfort Headphones

• Frequent cracking of the headband and earcups. Some had issues with the headband and earcup construction, claiming the use of inferior plastic.
• Excessive "Hissing". Some users claimed that there was significant audible hissing when the noise cancellation capability was turned on.
• Lack of Collapsability. For additional portability, many travellers demand collapsability in modern noise-cancelling headphones. The QuietComfort Headphones were not collapsable.
• "Two-Corded Syndrome". Unlike most modern full-sized noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones used two cords (one on each earcup). Because the cords were very long, it was very easy to tangle items in or trip over the cord, causing damage to either the headband or the earcup.
• Battery-Powered Noise Attenuation Pack. The external noise-cancellation control device was considered unwieldy by many users.
• Battery Usage. This product required 2 AAA batteries.
• No escape from stereo jack. The Bose QuietComfort headphones were permanently attached to the stereo cord. If a user wished to use the noise cancellation feature without listening to music, there would be a stereo jack dangling from his or her head.

The following criticisms were not addressed in the original QuietComfort 2 Headphones:

• Noise Cancellation had to be active for any input/output to be present. When the battery died, so does the sound.
• Treble overpowering the bass. This sound signature was improved in the QuietComfort 2 "Second Edition".

===TriPort Headphones===

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Bose TriPort Headphones

The TriPort Headphones have received the heaviest criticism of all Bose-branded headphones. Some Audiophiles and headphone aficionados have claimed the following:

• Some claim that the material in the headband is extremely thin, that both the headband and earcups crack easily, and that the material cannot be exposed to extreme heat or cold. These claims have led to concerns that the headphones are not suitable for the rigors of portable use.
• Dual-Corded Form Factor and the length of the cord got the same criticism that the original QuietComfort headphones did. See the discussion of this issue with the original QuietComfort headphones.
• There are claims that the Bass levels tend to overwhelm the treble, often creating conditions in which the vocals can't be heard. This claim is the source of most of the dissatisfaction among audiophiles.

As of recent, later shipments of the Bose Tri-Port Headphones may or may not have the durability problem addressed, though no details are known as of this time.

QuietComfort 2 Headphones (QC2)

Although the QuietComfort 2 Headphones were hit with less criticism than their predecessor, audiophiles and headphone aficionados (particularly those who frequent the website "DesignTechnica,"), felt that they were not designed to an acceptable level of quality. They mostly cited the following problems:

• It is claimed that the QuietComfort 2 Headphones have excessive Bass at the cost of treble reproduction and unimpressive audio reproduction for the price.
• Dependant Noise Cancellation. The headphones could not be used with the noise cancellation turned off.
• Vulnerability to Electrostatic Noise. The QuietComfort 2 Headphones were prone to radio frequency interference arising from other radio-emitting devices operating in the immediate vicinity.
• Durability. Although the Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones now come with a collapsable single-wire attenuator and a more durable headband, some still decry the use of significant amounts of plastic in the headphones' construction.

See also

• Bose Corporation

===Works Cited===

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Bose Headphones

• The Official Bose Website
• Bose Aviation X owners manual
• Bose TriPort Headphone Pages
• Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones "Second Edition"
• Bose Aviation Headset X Page
• Bose Triport FAQ
• Bose QuietComfort FAQ
• Design Technica's Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones Review
• Crutchfield Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones Review
• TriPort Headphones Extended Data at Best Buy
• Audioholics at Audioreview
• American Airlines QuietComfort Program