Bose QC3 or QC15’s?
Alrighty. I’ve come a long way to get to this message board, and it wasn’t easy.
A year and a half ago, I got my first Ipod and I was looking for an awesome pair of headphones. I saw the Bose On-Ear’s @ $239.99, and so I asked the guy helping me: “Can I try these before I spend that much money on them?”
His reply: “Unfortunately, you have to buy ‘em to try ‘em, but you can always bring them back if you don’t like them. But trust me: You will.”
With that I was on my way out the store, and when I got these things on, I was flabbergasted. These were the best headphones I have listened to in my whole life, and this was using an MP3 player!
Now I’m here, ready to make the jump to an even greater product: Bose’s Quietcomfort series. But I’m torn. Both the QC3 and the QC15 have pro’s and con’s, and I’m not sure what to buy. At first, I was pretty confident in my selection of the QC3 as “obvious” replacements for the On-Ear headphones, due to their similar look, feel, and weight.
But reading further into the differences between the two products, there are some important things to consider. Money is no object at this point because the difference is fifty bucks (more or less; you’ll see what I mean in a moment). So whaddowedo? To put things in context, I will be using these for travelling on air flights and such.
BOSE QC3 PRO’s
-astonishingly true-to-life sound
-lightweight, comfortable on-ear design (5.2oz vs 7.3oz)
-design allows for ears to breathe better
-more breathable allows for increased comfort in prolonged listening sessions
BOSE QC3 CON’s
-earcup design does not allow for maximum noise cancellation
-the battery is propietary and lasts only 20 hours per charge
-a second battery (which is a must) adds $59.99 to the price, and these are already $50.00 more
-since I’m buying these for travel, I also need a travel charger kit, which is another $59.99
BOSE QC15 PRO’s
-apparently improved sound design over the QC2 headphones (tuned for maximum accuracy)
-enhanced noise cancellation technologies and design allows for maximum NR effect (better than QC3!)
-one AAA battery lasts up to 35 hours (no propietary battery or hassle of carrying a charger)
-no need for additional accessories, just the headphones, cable, and adapter
-$50.00 cheaper, but actually it’s almost $200.00 cheaper considering I don’t have to buy the accessories like I do with the QC3’s
BOSE QC15 CON’s
-heavier weight, can reduce comfortable listening time length
-around ear design produces and retains more heat, does not dissipate as well as on-ear design
-larger, bulkier, and less portable/travel-friendly
Those are some serious points of contention on all fronts. What would you do? I was immediately drawn to the QC3’s based on my experience with the On-Ear headphones and their near-identical appearances, but when I got down to the nitty-gritty I became completely torn and unable to decide.
Let me know what your thoughts are!