The Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones for Apple let you enjoy better sound every day, everywhere you go. Turn on noise cancelling to reduce surrounding distractions and focus on your music. Or, at the touch of a button, activate Aware mode to hear whats happening around you. Proprietary StayHear+ tips provide a soft, secure fit. The inline microphone and remote let you switch easily to calls on your iPhone.
For SAMSUNG
wireless are so much better anyway.
once go wireless wont go back
I got negged hard for saying what you said lol
How do you plug your wireless QC30 into the airline seatback entertainment though?
The QC35 have a line in option, but not the in-ear QC30, so they're useless for travel, which is what 90% of people buy these noise cancelling bose for…
apparently this:
https://community.bose.com/t5/Wireless-Headphones/QC-30-audi…
I personally have the qc35s so no idea.
Yeah sure, but what a (profanity) having to carry that with you.
but not the in-ear QC30, so they're useless for travel, which is what 90% of people buy these noise cancelling bose for…
Unless you use your own device to watch content, which is what I do. I haven’t watched a planes movie in years, I always use my laptop.
You could plug in a bluetooth transmitter for the line in. People get these earphones because it's a good compromise between portability (e.g. in the gym) and noise cancelling.
If you want proper noise cancelling get a QC15/25/35. They're so good that pilots convert them into aviation headsets with the Uflymike mod.
Dude you don't know (headphone) jack.
For those who actually owe either QC20 or QC30, any pros & cons about them?
any recommendation which one worth to buy?
QC20s are the best earphones I've ever owned. They are absolutely invaluable on long haul flights, but also fantastic for everyday use (eg public transport). One great feature is that you can switch to 'ambient' mode which actually amplifies the sounds around you (eg cabin steward on a plane, or hearing a train announcement).
I think these are really underrated and would highly recommend.
I have had a pair of Bose SIE2 for a few years now, they are obviously not noise cancelling (or noise isolating for that matter), and I find them annoying on the diesel train as I can't hear the bass notes. How do the QC20 go with cancelling out low frequencies to hear the actual low notes of music at low to medium volume? As I find I'm not doing my ears any favors by cranking up the SIE2 too much in order to hear the bass. Cheers.
They would be perfect for that, that's pretty much what they're designed for.
thanks heaps mate.
Is there any difference between QC15 & QC20 in noise-cancelling performance?
I haven't compared them personally but from what I've heard QC20 has basically the best NC due to the strong isolation you get from them being in-ear.
They are also the most comfortable earphones I've ever used, can sleep with them in with no discomfort.
I bought (the android version) of these. Excellent headphones. Sound quality is as most reviews put it, not the best you will find at this price point, that doesnt mean its bad…its just not as good as other headphones. That being said however, they are the BEST noise cancelling headphones (according to all reviews I read and also my experience). I've used these on international flights as well as interstate and local flights. I realised how good they were when I was seated right next to an engine on one of the smaller aircraft. All that was left was a quiet hum. I also use the noise cancelling just to sleep as I find them quite comfortable and since I wear glasses overear headphones aren't too great.
The battery life is excellent I have found. A single charge should get 14 hours or so of use so no real worry about running low for most flights.
I got a couple of pairs of the QC20s in the great $194 David Jones deal (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/174568)
I previously had over the ear ones, these are far better. A huge part of that is their small size, ¼ the size of the case for over ear ones.
Negatives, once that battery dies, it’s not replaceable, it means a new headset. Nearly 3 years since I got mine, I don’t use them a huge amount, but did for a 6 month stretch and the battery life is still strong.
Many say they can sleep with them, but I lay on my side (business class) and find they still protrude too much for that, plus as I move, I don’t trust not getting the cable tangled as I move. In a more upright position, they will be fine.
QC30's are so convenient, just hang them around your neck and never remember that they exist. I tuck it under my shirt collar so its really quite hidden, and its not noticeable in terms of weight. The fit is great and NC works beautifully. Doesnt heat up the ears like QC25/35 in heat.
I bring them on flights as I watch movies on my laptop. Its a great way to get rid of cables, which is useful when commuting, etc.
QC30 (and recently QC35 with update) can vary noise cancelling levels, so you can let in more noise when walking on streets. Only problem is that I use them so much I charge almost daily, but thats with 10 hrs ish use everyday.
Thanks! I completely forgot about the app and being able to update the QC35 headphones.
You're welcome :)
Unfortunately it's only adjustable via the app but I hear Bose are coming up with a new set of headphones to succeed the 35's.
@ATangk: yeah. After reading a bit about the app update, I think the new version might use the extra button to adjust the noise cancelling setting.
I was asked what I wanted for a birthday gift a few years back and couldn't think of anything I needed so asked for a pair of the QC20s. Back then they were about $300. They are awesome and worth every penny. They are fantastic on flights.
I use them when vacuuming and mowing and it blocks out the bulk of the noise.
They are pretty comfortable to wear standing up but not fantastic if you are lying down but that is pretty much the only slight negative. I like that they still work as regular earphones even when the battery goes flat. A lot of noise cancelling headphones stop working altogether if the battery runs flat.
Cant believe i paid $195 for this 3 years ago that too from David Jones!
I thought tech was supposed to drop in price!
That sir, was a steal!
I bought my pair last year and use them often while flying. Brilliant headphones - I don't perceive the noise cancelling to be any better than my old pair of QC15, but these are so much easier to travel with due to their size.
Agree! I actually bought a QC35 after seeing all the OzB deals on here but sold it after just a month. 3 year old QC20 are way more comfortable and portable - noise cancellation is great. QC35 actually gave me a headache - couldnt sleep on the train with these!
Also these stayhere tips are the only thing that fit in my big ass ears! Man i love these
I love my QC20 they are awesome on the plane because you can actually sleep with them on even without having any music on great noise cancellation.
I've had mine for around 2 years
Once they break i would go the QC30. Wireless would be so much easier but not sure how that would work on planes
because you can actually sleep with them
TMI mate
This might be a dumb question, but will the functionality (like the mic and the inline player controls) of the Samsung version of these earphones carry over to other Android phones too?
Yes, Myer/eBay cuts the description. The full one is:
QuietComfort® 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling™ headphones – Samsung and Android™ devices
Awesome, thanks for the reply.
Are these really neccesary? I find that with a good isolating earphone (I use the Etymotic HF-5, the HF-3 would be most similar to these but cheaper) there is no outside noise penetrating anyway.
Do you fly much?
Not often honestly, but I have been able to comfortably block out screaming kids with them on a few occasions when needed without killing my ears from increasing volume.
Obviously if I'm mulching or have the chainsaw/etc running I can hear them going in the background - do these cancel out that level of noise?
It cancels out the plane engine hum and dulls a lot of constant machinery noise. Plane noise is worse than you think.
@splathowa: ever since i got my qc35. Never realise how noisy the planes cabin is. That is until you put the noise cancelling qc35 on.
Passive Noise isolation and Active Noise Cancelling headphones have some crossover in what they achieve, but ultimately work at different ends of the spectrum. ANCs are best for the constant noises, such as those of engines, while your Etymotics are better and frequent spikes.
Thanks for that
I love my blockout earphones as well, and was happy flying with them, until my last trip when I flew back with a bad cold - yeah I know I probably infected a plane full of people but I just wanted to get home. My ears were so sore I couldn't put my block out earphones in so I could hear the distress of the toddler in from of me, who's mother thought that flying 24 hours straight was a good idea with a 3 year old - believe me it wasn't.
The Bose don't stick in so far so they are more comfortable to wear.
What's the best sounding earphones in this price range?
Sennheiser IE80s would kick the absolute shit out of these in terms of sound quality. I got mine for like $259 and about $24 for delivery.
https://en-au.sennheiser.com/earphones-high-end-hifi-stereo-…
Really, you wouldn't have to do too much work to find earphones which would beat these in sound quality for even 1/2 or 2/3 the price. Bose aren't shit, but I think much like Beats they know they can charge a premium for their brand while not really competing as aggressively on quality.
I was considering the IE80's the other day! It's about 5 years old now though - are there any other better earphones or are they still pretty good? I prefer the in-ear type buds.
I am no expert - I imagine if you went onto the headphones subreddit and asked they would give you more options - but the IE80s are astoundingly good. I listen to everything from Black Sabbath to Wu Tang to Slayer and Miles Davis and they handle everything very well. The worst thing is being anxious about losing them. Or getting jumped for them, but then again they aren't Beats so maybe no one would know how great and expensive they actually are.
The only step up I know of it the IE800s and they are like $748 at Addicted to Audio and that is utterly overkill.
If you do buy the IE80s be aware there has been some talk of fakes/counterfeits so be sure you are buying from somewhere reputable.
I'll throw the Sony XBA-N3 into the ring; I bought mine for $300 delivered from Amazon Italy. Hasn't been out for long, but the reception is very positive on Head-Fi and there are a few reviews around that claim it's substantially better than the IE80 (although I don't have any experience with the IE80 myself). Very happy with mine, although when I'm not travelling most of my listening is still done on my full-sized rig.
Thanks guys!
I considered the Sony XBA-N3 as well but they're about $100 more than the IE80's at the moment. I had a look on Amazon.it but it doesn't look like they sell them anymore either :(
The sound for these is average at best for the price, as is usually the case with all Bose items. In this case, you’re paying for the best in class Active Noise Cancelling. If you don’t need/want ANC, then you have a tonne to choose from that will sound far superior.
Sennheiser, Allesandro, AKG, Audio-Technica all make good headphones with good models under $200.
I guess you should look into open vs closed vs earbuds vs other types, just to see what will suit your use-case.
Weren't these RRP at 300 when the QC25s came out? Jesus, bose don't budge on their pricing.
These are a good pair of earphones. People who don't like wearing in ears like apple earphones will enjoy these. Noise cancelling and sound quality is good as expected of bose however these don't 'feel' like they're worth 300 or 265 in this case.
The cable between the plug and battery is constantly bent in my pockets and I keep worry about it breaking. The plastic around the earphones feel cheap and i would have preferred nylon braided cables instead of this cheap rubbery feel.
Just my 2 cents :)
.
i would have preferred nylon braided cables instead
After having a couple of sets of in ears with braided cable, I would never do it again. The friction that a braided cable has against clothing etc… transfers down the line and into the ear.
It drove me nuts having that corduroy like rubbing sound constantly interfering.
+1 on that. The rubbing sound comes up through the earphones and it is really annoying. It is OK if you are just sitting at your desk but as soon as you go for a walk it is mega irritating.
The big thing with these are that you do not have to stuff them into your ear canal, rather the bud itself sits on the outside and seals from there. It is a big comfort thing, my ears don't hurt and I slept with them on, all the way back from Dallas.
Debbie Does?
Another very happy user of the qc20. I didn't want the neck strap thingy esp trying to sleep. The 20 is very portable and easy to pack away besides all the other good points people have said about it. I also bought it at Myer with 20% off.
sold out
I'd buy this, but my next phone would probably have no headphone jack :(