Noise Canceling Headphone - Is The Price Justified and Where to Buy?

Hippy on 02/12/2016 - 20:38

Howdy all; long time listener etc;

So I have been seeing some deals pop up recently for some Bose Q35 Noise Canceling headphones; such as via COTD and these seem to have flown off the shelves. Looking at regular price seems around $500 from JBHIFI for the top of the range i.e. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/headphones-dj/headphones/bose/bose…
I'm going to be flying a bit for work soon so I'm wondering if they are worth the investment; even though it seems like an awful lot of money.
I guess my question relates to how effective these headphones are for blocking out airplane sounds; and if people are happy with the purchase etc.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • djsweet on 02/12/2016 - 20:46
    +2

    I always wear my QC 35s on the aeroplane. They are very good at blocking out the aircraft hum. Worth it in my opinion :)

  • RyanMK on 02/12/2016 - 20:54
    +2

    They're worth the investment if you fly a lot. I bought one specifically for air travel and have been happy with my purchase.

    • Hippy on 02/12/2016 - 21:10

      did you get the Bose Q35s as well? seems like a pretty popular choice

      • RyanMK on 03/12/2016 - 10:47

        I have the QC25s. Which from my understanding, is largely similar except the QC35s can be used wireless. Hence, if you don't mind wires and would like to save some money, you could probably go with the QC25s.

  • Hippy on 02/12/2016 - 21:07

    well the votes are 2/2 in favor; thanks for the perspective guys!

  • xoom on 02/12/2016 - 21:37

    Bought one for travel overseas and i asked myself how on earth i put up with the plane noise. Now i use my qc35 even on my train and bus commute. Yes its that good for noise cancelation.

    Find the best price and then claim TRS on it when you go overseas with it. Thats what i did.

  • KnownSystemError on 02/12/2016 - 21:43

    I had a pair of over ears QC15s for a couple of years but got a bit frustrated with the size for traveling. I now have in ear QC20s for size convenience. The over ears are still hugely handy for noisy office environment. They aren't the best quality for sound but for best noise cancellation with good sound Bose are definitely the best.

  • hetzjagd on 02/12/2016 - 22:36

    I have the QC35's. My experience is they are great for travelling in that they significantly reduce and unharsh plane, bus, train and car noise however they don't do a good enough job for people noise. Your co-workers will still annoy you. Loud talkers on public transport will still annoy you. Your neighbours dog probably will still annoy you. But I'm a super uptight person caught up in the rat race so I'm fairly on edge all the time. Your mileage may vary

    • havebeerbelywillsumo on 03/12/2016 - 00:40

      If memory serves me correctly noise cancellation works best on a constant noise, eg a motor or rail noise, they are less effective on a variable noise eg speech. I have seen people praising them cutting out squalling infants…maybe the constant noise (when they go on and on as they do…when they're not yours of course LOL…helps the NC to be more effective.

      One thing (two?) to take into account is battery life (make it three - will they take standard batteries so you can carry spares) (b) will they still work as headphones at least when the battery is flat.

      • xoom on 03/12/2016 - 02:57

        QC35 has an inbuilt rechargeable battery. Good for 20 hours use. 40 hours if using the supplied 3.5mm cable.

        Yes they will still work as headphones if battery is flat. Just use the supplied cable.

  • RandomNinja on 02/12/2016 - 22:47

    It's a must if you fly a lot, especially for business. Plus you should be able to claim a tax deduction as a work related expense :)

  • Luminary on 03/12/2016 - 00:40

    I got QC20s over the QC30s (the QC35s weren't out at the time) because I'm not really an over ear person as I sometimes use my headphones in bed and I really don't need to carry another bulky-ish thing to carry around when I travel. That's personal preference but the difference in sound with the headphones on is amazing. Even though I can sleep without them on, it really is crazy how loud the world is once you take them off. You should sign up for an AMEX with Qantas points and just buy them through the Qantas store. I felt a built guilty splurging that much on a pair of headphones so I did that. I stacked a birthday code with a promo so the point conversion wasn't too terrible and I was guilt-free haha.

  • Randxyz123 on 03/12/2016 - 03:32

    Easily worth it.

    Have the QC25s. I'll probably upgrade to the QC35s when I upgrade to a iPhone 7 next year.

    Don't pay full price, wait for another deal to come along. Then get the GST off if you travel overseas.

    Probably a tax deduction as well.

  • altomic on 03/12/2016 - 07:58
    +2

    a real ozbargainer would buy some semi decent in-ear headphones and then wear some industrial ear muffs over them.

  • Hippy on 04/12/2016 - 13:16

    Thanks for the response guys; seems overwhelmingly positive!

  • lainey13 on 05/12/2016 - 12:46

    Go into Myer and give them a go. You will be amazed..

  • pineconeboy on 07/12/2016 - 19:34

    I've had the 15's (paid retail) upgraded to the 25sn then traded in the 25s for the 35s with the bose trade up scheme.

    What I can say is theres a slight increase in sound quality between the 3 headphones at each iteration, but the noise canceling is vastly superior from the 15s to 35s. The feel is similar between the 25s and 35s, the 15s felt a bit flimsy, despite the twist fold in the 25 and 35s. However, the bluetooth in the 35s is a complete game changer hands down, esp while travelling on an aeroplane/public transport.

    TLDR: Get the 35s but never pay retail.

    • Hippy on 14/12/2016 - 18:23

      Sounds like a good summary, thanks mate!

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