Bose Quiet Comfort, but more focus on audio quality?

• 

  smuggler on 04/01/2018 - 22:31

  Audio Technica is an audiophile grade headphone. Much better sound quality than the Sony and Bose.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 04/01/2018 - 22:33

    I got a ATH-M50 a few years ago. It is a great set, but they are quiet uncomfortable. I think I got an old pair or even possibly a fake pair, the sound quality was great but the comfort sucked.

    Good vote for AT.

  • 

    touchmylemon on 04/01/2018 - 23:27

    Audio Technica sound signature is not for everyone, I find them to be a bit too bright as in the treble is too high for my taste.

• 

  mskeggs on 04/01/2018 - 22:59

  Not an audiophile, but is it largely dependant on whether you are listening to stuff with a strong base line, or treble. So, dance music or spoken word might have a different answer? Or does asking for quality imply a high fidelity that already answers that?
  I can certainly imagine that different manufacturers might prioritise different frequency response in noise cancelling, but I would be interested in finding out if this isn't the case (but then, wouldn't the physical construction of the phones also impact the response profile)?
  I can see how this gets complicated quickly.

  Do audiophile reviews include a objective analysis on actual sound dampening/response as well as objective "it sounds better"?

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 04/01/2018 - 23:05

    I'm looking for a piece of hardware that can let me enjoy sound quality while I'm off work whilst also let me listen comfortably while working for 8 hours a day.

    I'm not interested in something that will be comfortable if it makes listening a boring sideline and instead brags about me blocking outside noises. I will only have the birds and the street to block, which are loud but not unbearable.

    • 

      mskeggs on 04/01/2018 - 23:10

      +1

      Loud birds in QLD, or maybe you are so attractive it is the catcalls of local women?
      I'm interested to see what the community recommends for general noise dampening, judging from the posts, they like the Bose headphones.
      In my house the shabbiest $2 headphones seem to block out the sound of parents asking you to do chores.

    • 

      TheRealCher on 04/01/2018 - 23:40

      Sony if you want Bluetooth and great nc. Audiotech if yr don't mind cable and want a lower price point. Also consider in ear if you don't mind the feeling, as they're cheaper and more comfortable to fall asleep with when you leave them plugged in 😂

• 

  touchmylemon on 04/01/2018 - 23:36

  I have a pair of Bose QC35ii and I don't find the listening experience boring at all. They have a nice neutral sound with good clarity and soundstage for a pair of closed headphones. If you are after headphones with slightly better sound and more pronounced bass, I would suggest:

  1. SONY WH-1000XM2
  2. Sennheiser Momentum 2.0
  3. Sennheiser PXC 550
  4. Bowers & Wilkins PX (If you are willing to spend a bit more)
• 

  botisto on 05/01/2018 - 00:46

  Beyerdynamic DT770, PSB M4U8, Fostex THx00 have better sound quality / comfort than QC35s.

  Or if you can deal with less isolation from semi open backs you could go with Fidelio X2s or beyerdynamic DT880. Or go full audiophile and get Fostex T50RP MKII and mod them into open Mr speakers alpha dogs and get a dac and amp.

• 

  jace88 on 05/01/2018 - 10:10

  By definition anything which has ANC is going to have an impure sound right?

  IMO if you are interested/focussed on the active noise cancelling piece, nothing I've tried so far beats Bose whether it's for use on a plane or in an office.

  If you are going for best sound quality/etc, then there's a lot of headphones out there which might suit, and maybe even a portable DAC too.

  (FYI I tried going down the portable DAC/decent headphones route but ended up going back to QuietComfort's when in the office as I found that's what made me more productive)