Bose QC3's in LHR T1 International Dixons

£234.04. Gulp.

First time I've ever seen 'em retail in the UK. Despite being Stateside four times since they've been available I've resisted. After all, I already have the QC1 and QC2. Today must've been the most outrageous impulse buy I've ever made.

Initial thoughts, very very comfy, will have to see if they fall of while sleeping, but they do seem to fit quite firmly, much more than I'd imagined.

Unlike the QC1 and QC2 that use AAA's, the QC3's come with two rechargeable batteries and a charger, together with half a dozen adapters. Not sure if this is good or bad. Personally I always have a couple of spare AA's and AAA's with me at all times. It wasn't like the QC2's or QC1's were power hungry. Charger takes up a lot of space - lots lots more than spare AAA's.

Downsides are the obvious rip off price especially here in the UK, and the large size of the QC3 case - as I sit here I can see it's barely 1/4" smaller in all dimensions compared to the QC2 case.

Dumbass here had to read the instructions to figure out which audio plug went in where. I am definitely getting senile.

Dixons also had QC2's by the way at, ISTR, ~£191.

Unbelievably helpfully the Dixons guy asked if I'd like a charged battery in return for an uncharged one - to which I said yes. Allegedly they keep a steady production line of them.

Maybe I should attend the PCP to demonstrate the range... although I feel I would be preaching to the converted.

Howard

[oo]
I love my QC3's. Not too big to wear in most situations. They go on my ears at the start of my 25min walk to the office, and so long as nobody wants to bore me with conversation through the day they stay there until i get home. Mighty comfortable, and with two rechargeable batteries that seem to last the 20hrs quoted I am never caught short.

I did annoyingly break the fancy two pin adaptor on their first outing as i caught it on my jeans as i was moving in my seat to put my shoes back on. Fortunately I had a spare, but I must contact bose to try and get a replacement.

Shame about the price now, I paid £275 in a BOSE shop, though we did claim the VAT back when we left the UK courtesy of MrsPVG's chinese passport [:o)]....
Well, they are hers and they won't be brought back to the UK, Honest guv [}:)]

[Bazz]

Originally posted by Howard Long

Dumbass here had to read the instructions to figure out which audio plug went in where. I am definitely getting senile.

What you Howard? never.

Unbelievably helpfully the Dixons guy asked if I'd like a charged battery in return for an uncharged one - to which I said yes. Allegedly they keep a steady production line of them.

That shows a tad more initiative than you come to expect from High Street retailers these days - Customer Service anyone?

Maybe I should attend the PCP to demonstrate the range... although I feel I would be preaching to the converted.

I am sure we can arrange to set up a stall for you Howard, you could charge a small fee for the impartial advice.

Seriously though, we would be most pleased if you would grace us with your presence at the PCP bash.

I got mine at LGW last week for £240, they are really cool, I feel quite proud when I get them out on the plane.

Originally posted by easygoingeezer
I got mine at LGW last week for £240, they are really cool, I feel quite proud when I get them out on the plane.

Yes, I've had a few glances of knowing respect from fellow travellers on recent flights..... That's when i can spirit them away from MrsPVG for long enough. I worry that for the occasions we travel together, I may be forced into buying another pair [:(]

A word about Li-Ion batteries: run 'em out before you charge them! Don't top them up after only short usage out of habit, or you'll kill your use life down to nothing pretty quickly. Yeah, Bose swears it won't make any difference. Don't believe it.

Do yourself a favor and get a 3rd battery if you see one. That way you won't go without your 3's when the battery dies (always when you least expect it). With 2 spares you should always have one full one.

I often wonder: how did we ever fly without noise-canceling headphones before we bought them? It's the first item I pack after the passport.

Hmmm cheaper at Dixons T3 than the supposedly best airport duty free in the world at Dubai ... which incidentally is where I finally succombed yesterday to a pair for £238.66.

Like you Howard, I had the QC1s and QC2s and there the little bit of Yorkshire voice in me kept saying "no, you don't need more" whereas the little bad devil kept saying "go on, you know you want to"! So I did [:p]

I too was surprised at how comparatively similar in size they are packaged up, especially if you travel and need to take all the adaptors, I like the battery system but as with all such things I agree with vs_itsallgood about charge out before recharging, but I have to say superb sound![:p] Listening to my latest mix of classic house and new dance I found the sound quality excellent at all levels!

Now for an iPhone!

Originally posted by Bazz
I am sure we can arrange to set up a stall for you Howard, you could charge a small fee for the impartial advice.

Seriously though, we would be most pleased if you would grace us with your presence at the PCP bash.

I may have spoken too soon. It now looks like I will have to return to FRA that weekend.

Cheers, Howard

What's the advantage of these headphones over regular ones?[?]

VS.

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by VS045
What's the advantage of these headphones over regular ones?[?]

Bose Quiet Comfort range are just like the Ferrari of the headphone world. You can count them in their drones in the UC cabin!

The QC3's sit on the ear as opposed to going over/round the ear with the QC2s. Richard bought me a pair last year and i love them. They are perfect for me as they are a lot lighter and smaller than the QC2s which i would have found a bit bulky, and i dont think there is a lot in it in terms of noise reduction. I find the QC3s good for sleeping too, i can just lift and turn one of the phones so that it doesnt get in the way when i sleep.

Yes the rechargeable battery may not be the best option over batteries, but i find the battery lasts me long enough for a flight, and you can always get a spare if you are travelling extensively.

[Decker]

Originally posted by HighFlyer

Originally posted by VS045
What's the advantage of these headphones over regular ones?[?]

You can count them in their drones in the UC cabin!

OK should that be "on their drones", or "in their droves"?

[}:)]

[HighFlyer]

Droves [:I]

Whoops, I got caught by the grammar police! (either that, or watching Unimatrix Zero One the other day had a lasting effect!)

Thanks,
Sarah

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by VS045

What's the advantage of these headphones over regular ones?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Bose Quiet Comfort range are just like the Ferrari of the headphone world. You can count them in their drones in the UC cabin!

The QC3's sit on the ear as opposed to going over/round the ear with the QC2s. Richard bought me a pair last year and i love them. They are perfect for me as they are a lot lighter and smaller than the QC2s which i would have found a bit bulky, and i dont think there is a lot in it in terms of noise reduction. I find the QC3s good for sleeping too, i can just lift and turn one of the phones so that it doesnt get in the way when i sleep.

Yes the rechargeable battery may not be the best option over batteries, but i find the battery lasts me long enough for a flight, and you can always get a spare if you are travelling extensively.

But what do the QC...s actually do over your average pair of headphones?

VS.

[HighFlyer]

They are noise cancelling, so reduce pretty much all their noise onboard the aircraft. And, well, they are Bose. Bose just make good quality things, and for some reason - you want them!

Thanks,
Sarah

They are noise cancelling, so reduce pretty much all their noise onboard the aircraft. And, well, they are Bose. Bose just make good quality things, and for some reason - you want them!

Good enough![8D]:D

VS.

I invested in a pair of the QC2's last year. Incredible, apart from when there is an annoucement in the cabin! Gone mutton geoff at least twice!

Originally posted by VS045

But what do the QC...s actually do over your average pair of headphones?

VS.

As well as their stunning noise cancelling properties (which really does have to be heard to be believed), their sound quality is the best I have ever heard in headphones. The Bass response is truely amasing.... Then there is the build quality and first rate customer service (as mentioned on another Bose thread).
I liked the headphones so much... I bought the "Acoustimass" Home Cinema speaker package! And boy does that do Bass in a small package!


However.... All this sound quality from small packages doesn't come without some extensive signal processing, which Hifi purists don't like.... Big Bass needs a big box![V]

Howard

Apple Store, 5th Avenue New York, equivalent of £197 inc. taxes.

Astounding!

I have a pair of the QC1s I got several years ago. Is it worth getting the 2s or 3s?

If you ask most people here, they will say you should get the 2's AND the 3's. But that's just greed!

The 2's and 3's are effectively the same generation and both are way better than QC1's, so it's just personal preference between the 2's and 3's
Find a BOSE supplier and try them both out.... then get someone travelling to the US to pick them up for you for nearly £100 less than the list UK price.

I'm in LA, LV and SF over the next 10 days or so. Any recommended suppliers?

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by Gareth Morgan
I'm in LA, LV and SF over the next 10 days or so. Any recommended suppliers?

Bose has an outlet at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets which is south of the Mandalay.

Saying that the prices don't seem any different than your regular store.

So Sharper Image at the Fashion Show mall should have them, though they may try and sell you their own brand which I have not tried.