PRODUCT: Bose QuietComfort 15 Headphones

I've been using noise-cancelling headphones for years; beginning with a pair I picked up for $40 in the Akihabara district of Tokyo back in '98 (they broke on a flight to South Africa) and then replaced with a pair of $70 Philips HN-110 folding headphones. But when I saw the Philips headphones on sale for $30 at a discount retailer, I knew it was time to step up, bite the bullet and get the industry's state of the art. It was time to get Bose.

I've always had a slight problem with the price premium Bose places on all their products. But, unlike some electronic manufacturers (think Sony) who charge more for essentially equal tech and craftsmanship, Bose really seems to put their money where your ears are. And so I checked out their latest offering in noise cancelling (reducing) headphones, the QuietComfort 15 ($300).

The QC 15, which replaces the QC 2, is Bose's over-the-ear style, while the QC 3 is their "on the ear" noise cancelling model. Visually the QC 2 & 15 are nearly identical, with plush leather cushioning that cradles your ears for hours, a power switch and a basic brushed aluminum look. That cushioning - and the ergonomic design it uses - is half of the appeal of the Bose units for me. I regularly fly on 12 + hour flights, and only the very best design will spare my ears the fatigue that comes from prolonged pressure. And the Bose are as comfortable as any headphone I've ever worn.

Another virtue of the Bose is their awesome bass response. If you like your music (and in-flight movies) with punchy bass, the Bose can't be beat. Combined with their clear high end and neutral mid-tones, the QC line of headphones are as great sounding as they are comfortable. Power comes from one AA battery, and the headphones must be powered on to receive audio. Battery life is rated at 35 hours, but best to keep a spare on hand, because when the battery goes, all signal goes with it.

The QC 15 boasts even better noise reduction than the QC 2s, but it's hard to quantify even in head-to-head comparison - I'll take their word for it. But since there isn't a price penalty to be paid, it makes sense to buy the new version. These headphones are also light and have a removable audio cord if you want to just use them for peace and quiet. The only downside of over-the-ear cans is the difficulty in sleeping with them on - it's the one area where in-the-ear phones have an edge.

This brings up the only real downside to Bose's QC 15 headphones (besides their price) - their bulk. Because of the way they fold (they don't really), they take a lot of space in your carry-on bag; especially if you use the included space-wasting case. But once you slip them on your head, the outside world of white noise nearly disappears. Leaving just you, your audio and and a slightly more enjoyable flight.