Bose ae2 audio headphones test

In the headphone realm, Bose is probably best known for its noise-canceling (NC) line of QuietComfort models. But it's long made some non-NC models, including an around-the-ear design as well as an on-ear design. Bose has shortened those names to AE and OE, respectively, and now the AE model reviewed here is up to version 2.

Formerly known as the TriPort, the AE2 still uses the same basic design, but Bose has implemented some significant design improvements. For starters, these headphones, like the noise-canceling models, now fold flat. Also, Bose has moved from a double- (running to each earcup) to a single-cord design--and the headphone cord detaches--which means you can wear these simply to cover your ears and muffle sound.
Bose AE2 Audio Headphone is one of the best audio headphone on the market. It's BEST for home entertainment especially watching your favorite movies or playing games on your computer

As noted, the Bose AE2s don't offer active noise-cancellation, but they do offer a tight seal and filter out a lot of noise from the outside world. When you put them on, the first thing you notice is that these are very comfortable headphones that have Bose's trademark plush, black leather earpads. They also feel lighter than your average full-size, closed earcup models from the likes of Sennheiser, Koss, and AKG. The headband is fairly thin and covered in a springy neoprene, which also helps increase the comfort level. A simple cloth carrying bag is included for storing the headphones. It's OK, but offers only minimal protection.

It's worth mentioning that Bose offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try before you buy. Also, if your headphones break for any reason, Bose tends to be pretty good about replacing them.

Compared with our memory of the old TriPorts (the "AE1," if you will), Bose has improved the sound on these new models. Overall, the headphones are very accurate and offer good, well-defined bass. We threw a bunch of tracks at them, including some Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, the Kings of Leon, some classical tracks, and a Brooklyn band called The National. The only small gripe we had was that--because these headphones are as detailed as they are--they tend to come off sounding a tad brash, overemphasizing instruments such as cymbals (it's a matter of taste whether you like that "extra sizzle" or not). They also make poorly recorded music sound worse because they accentuate the flaws in the recordings (the flip side is they make good recordings sound very good).

That small knock aside, we thought they were very good. Are they the best-sounding headphones we've tried for $150? Probably not. But the combination of their high-quality sound and excellent comfort level make them easy to recommend, especially to those who don't want to spend $300 for the QuietComfort 15s. Yes, the 15s do a better job at blocking out more airplane engine noise, but the AE2s are arguably more comfortable and cost half the price.

So far the pros have been discussed, but now its time to give few cons that actually has not affected the goodwill of the Bose AE2 audio Headphones. Since the material is made up of very light components, customers say that it feels cheap and it could be broken easily. The audio escapes when the volume is up and that the other people can hear.The noise cancelling function doesn’t seemed to be very effective. Despite of these very tiny complaints mentioned, the Bose AE2 audio Headphones seems to be the best in the market as it is very comfortable, light weight, good size, provides balanced audio,continous usage for even hours together, detachable audio cable, rotating ear cups which eases storage, one side cable are the best noticed advantages of these audio Headphones.

Sennheiser HD 25-SP II Headphone Review

The Sennheiser HD 25-SP II are closed dynamic headphones for monitoring, recording and outdoor applications. They are a lower-cost alternative to the HD 25 II, featuring a simpler headband and a slightly different capsule design.

When I first received the Sennheiser HD 25-SP II I was a little disappointed. They were tight on my head, to bright for my liking and bass was a little lacking. Right out of the box I was comparing them with my HD280s and felt that the 280s were better in every aspect except ergonomics. After a couple weeks of use I got used to the fit and started to notice the presentation was improving.

I actually fell in love with these headphones at CanJam 2010. Up till this point I was driving the phones with my ipod. I had read some reviews and an amp was recommended so I was on a mission for an amp. After many amps and comparing these phones with the best of the pack I can honestly say that they hold there own with the bid dogs when they have the right source and amplification. They have nice bass response and the highs were no longer overpowering. Overall I would say the sound spectrum is very well balanced.

There isolation is great when I use the phones at work or play. They stay on your head what ever activity you participate in, and when someone is trying to speak with you, you can easily pull them off to one side and listen. They have a rugged build and I suspect they will last for many years no matter what your activities are. Parts are readily available and the phones have a very simple construction so they are easy to work on and modify if you so desire.

Final thoughts. These Great little phones don't come alive until they have been burned in and are given a good source and amplification. The fit takes a little getting used to so give them some time.

Features

    Very lightweight and comfortable, even if used for long periods
    High maximum sound pressure level
    65 Ohm nominal impedance for universal compatibility
    Tough, detachable OFC cable
    Neodymium ferrous magnet systems and lightweight aluminium/copper voice

Denon AH-C560R in-ear headphones Review

With their smooth highs and dynamic lows, the Denon AH-C560R in-ear headphones play back your music with startling detail and fullness. The speakers are engineered using Denon's Acoustic Optimizer system, which equalizes air pressure on both sides of the 11.5-millimeter speaker diaphragm to deliver a balanced, natural sound. Denon has also implemented a Radial Cascade Damper system, which keeps cable vibrations to a minimum allowing you to hear every musical detail. Finally, high-grade neodymium magnets are used in the speakers to improve dynamics and efficiency, extending the battery life of your portable music player or computer.

The Denon AH-C560R headphones are a nice looking set of in-ear earphones that are all black and have an attractive and simple design. The rectangular control in the wire allows you to control the volume and it has a multifunction button that can skip tracks and answer or end phone calls. The control works very well and controlled my iPhone without any problems at all.

The Denon AH-C560R headphones are comfortable and the ear tips installed on them were perfect for my ears right out of the box. With any headphones the real news is the sound. The Denon AH-C560R headphones have fantastic bass. The bass is so deep when listening to my test track "How Low" by Ludacris that my ears actually vibrated with the rumble. I am a big fan of bass in my music and these are the best sounding bass headphones I have tried.

The bass is deep, but the highs and mids are not sacrificed. The Denon AH-C560R headphones are geared towards heavy bass, but the overall sound is very good as well. The earphones are light making them very comfortable to wear for extended period and the ear tips come in several sizes so you can get the best fit possible.

These headphones will work with any 3.5mm input device, but the control is specifically designed to work with the iPhone and iPod models. The selling price for the Denon AH-C560R headphones is $99.99, which is on the high-end of earphones but these things sound fantastic. I highly recommend the Denon AH-C560R headphones if you are in the market for a set of headphones for your Apple device and your budget can swing them.

I think just about anyone would enjoy the AH-C560R its audio detail is good without brightness or harshness, and the overall balance is good enough that the slight emphasis on lower frequencies won’t offend most listeners. If you’re in the market for a great headset with a three button remote, but you’re not quite sure what sort of sound you’re looking for, the AH-C560R is a good, safe choice that’s easy to recommend.

Sennheiser RS 180 Wireless Headphone Review

Sennheiser RS 180 Digital Wireless Headphone System with Automatic Level Control and Adustable Balance Control Reviews...The sound quality is much better than the 120's...The whole unit looks good, but...Sennheiser RS 180 Digital Wireless Headphone System with Automatic Level Control and Adustable Balance Control

The good:The Sennheiser RS 180 has a great built quality to it. Made largely from plastic with felt lining to the headband and covers to the ear-pieces have a subtle almost workman-like look and feel to them.

The headphones are fitted with balance and automatic level controls mounted on the right headphone. These allow you to control the volume as well as pitch the balance perfectly between the right and left cans. Sennheiser claim up to 24 hours of music from a full charge, which proved to be similar to our findings.

We found sound quality to be large and booming with plenty of bass that hits like a hammer but without harming the high-end. Roaming around an typical three story house the signal never dropped, even when standing in the garden, so you’ll be able to use them just about

The bad: These are quite a wide and heavy set of headphones. With a battery fitted inside each can and the charging connector sitting at the top of headband, you’ll find the overall weight of 240g can become a little tiresome if you wear them for long periods.

summary:The Sennheiser RS180 delivers a clear, quality sound. We especially loved the charging dock station and the volume adjustment for voice recognition. However, the sound quality does not match that of corded headphones. You have to sacrifice some sound quality to gain portability with these wireless headphones.

Shure SE535 Sound Isolating Earphones Review

At CES 2010 in January, Shure unveiled the new Shure SE535 as an improvement of their glorious Shure SE535. The previous Shure SE530, like I wrote before, were nothing short of magical. Top audiophile quality with no compromise.

The Shure SE535 earphones sit firmly in the second category. Stylish and good-looking they are not, but they do sound utterly fantastic.

At £350 they're certainly not cheap. If you're looking for some iPod-replacement earphones these probably aren't for you. They're bulky and can be a tad fiddly to put in your ears.

But if you're an audiophile or at the very least someone who appreciates well-rounded, natural-sounding high-bitrate music, these earphones are brilliant.

The units themselves are fairly chunky. They need to be – each one contains three separate drivers - two woofers and a tweeter in each one. This makes music played through the SE535's shimmer with crystal clarity.

The highs are crisp and clean, the bass is deep and silky smooth, while the oft-forgotten midrange is full-blooded, meaty and wholesome.

It's only when you treat yourself to a pair of earphones like this that you realise how good music can sound. That said, if you're listening to low-bitrate MP3s, you needn't bother.

These earphones show up the inadequacies of compressed music more than any other earphones out there. Unless you're listening to decent source, the extra money you'd pay for these isn't worth it.

Our test album for these earphones was a FLAC copy of The King of Limbs. It's a well produced album which does a great job of showing off the ninja audio skills of these high-end earphones.

However, as we alluded earlier, they can be a bit of a fiddle to use. It takes a bit of practise to perfect the installation of each unit into your ear. And if you've got long hair, it's even more difficult. Like other Shure earphones, the bud is inserted into your ear drum and the cable is designed to go up and over the back of your ear.

The Shure SE535 are my top recommendation if you are looking for the best sound quality. Their clarity and definition, coupled with great comfort, are unmatched by any pair of universal-fit in ear headphones.

This awesome quality comes at a high price. However, if you are looking for the best sounding in-ear headphones, don't want any compromise, and budget is not your main issue, you really can't go wrong with the Shure SE535. They're worth every penny.

With the new detachable cables, these headphones will last, and keep your ears happy, forever. So, consider them more of a lifetime investment than a temporary gadget.

Sony MDR-NC300D Earphones review

Your audio, uninterrupted. Featuring Sony's groundbreaking digital noise canceling technology, the Sony MDR-NC300D earbud style headphones produce incredible noise reduction and pristine quality audio. Plus, exclusive digital signal processing technology reduces up to 98.4% of ambient noise (at 160Hz) from airplanes, trains, or at the office. Enjoy studio-quality sound from the 16mm driver units, while a convenient monitor switch allows you to minimize your audio and listen to conversation. Depending on your listening needs, you can choose from Movie, Bass or Normal modes. Additional features include a gold-plated, L type stereo mini plug, carrying case, in-flight plug adapter, cord adjuster and seven ear cushion sizes.

Design and Accessories
The earpieces on the MDR-NC300D look a bit large, but aren't heavy and stay in place just fine. Microphones, pointing outward on each earpiece in order to sample the ambient room noise and feed it to the noise canceling circuitry, are the primary reason for the bulkiness of the black-and-chrome design. The largish 2.9-by-1.3-by-0.7-inch circuitry-and-battery compartment sits about halfway of the way down the 47.2-inch cable. With the required single AA battery installed, the MDR-NC300D weighs 2.2 ounces—it doesn't operate in a passive mode without the battery like the Creative Aurvana X-Fi ($300.00, ), for example, does. Five sizes of rubber ear-tips come with the earphones, as does a velvet pouch, a leather carrying case, an earphone extension cable, an airline adapter, and a shirt clip. Sony estimates battery life at about 15 hours, but, of course, this depends on what brand you use, and the AA battery is not included.
   
Using the included shirt clip, which attaches to the back of the circuitry/battery compartment is pretty much essential—otherwise, you'll have this heavy, awkward box dangling from the cable—and likely yanking the earpieces from your ears. A Monitor button on the front face of the compartment mutes all music and disengages the noise canceling circuitry—but still utilizes the microphones—so you can hear what's going on in the outside world with a simple push. Beside the button is a tiny battery-life-indicator and mode display. The Sound Mode button is on the top panel, along with the Volume rocker, and the Power/Hold switch.

Noise Cancellation
Sony is proud of its new technology, claiming it's the only manufacturer to offer true 100 percent digital noise cancellation. And the MDR-NC300D impresses with its array of noise-cancellation modes. Mode A focuses on low-to mid-range frequencies (best for airplanes), Mode B focuses on extremely low frequencies (better for trains and buses), and Mode C minimizes over a wide band of frequencies (ideal for noisy office settings). In addition, you can press the "NC Optimize" button on the back panel of the compartment, which, according to Sony, adjusts the noise canceling signal shape to fit the unique contour of your inner ear. Adjusting this setting, which spans from -10 up to 10, seems to allow more low frequencies through at the lowest setting and higher frequencies at the highest setting. During testing, I kept my NC Optimization set to 0.

Given their respective sizes, it's not quite fair to compare the noise cancellation of the MDR-NC300D with headphones trying to accomplish the same task. Bose's $299 QuietComfort 15 ($299.95 ) headphones are the best noise canceling pair available, but Sony's earphones use their in-ear seal to great advantage. Combining passive reduction with the active digital noise-canceling circuitry and the ability to adjust which frequencies get the most attention the MDR-NC300D rivals just about any other model you can buy. Thing is, there aren't many in-ear 'phones with active cancellation on the market. Denon makes an in-ear model, the AH-NC600 ($199.99 ) that sounds fantastic, but its noise cancellation is merely decent the opposite of the MDR-NC300D. Denon can't touch the selectable modes and the excellent seal created by Sony's comfortable rubbery ear tips.

Audio Performance
Unfortunately, like with Bose's earlier QuietComfort headphone models, audio performance is not a strong suit here. During testing regardless of the sound mode I selected, the audio was a bit too sculpted for my taste. My primary complaint is the earphones are overly crisp the Rolling Stone's "Rocks Off" sounds too sibilant and bright, although Bass mode seemed to balance things out a bit. Basically, the middle frequencies seem a bit under-represented. Movie mode is helpful for hearing dialogue better especially if you are in a particularly loud environment that the noise cancellation can't completely conquer. The bass response, in Bass mode, is definitely enjoyable, but it's offset a bit by the middle frequency deficiencies.

Is the sound you'll get from the MDR-NC300D downright awful? Not by any stretch of the imagination. The thing is, though, the audio quality isn't what you'd expect from a $300 pair of earphones. But again, the noise cancellation is top-notch. While it isn't fair to compare apples and oranges, it's worth noting that Bose has made strides in the frequency response of its QuietComfort line—the same-price QC 15 still isn't a sonic masterpiece, but it does offer a better listening experience than the MDR-NC300D. Why don't these pricey products deliver audio bliss? It's simple: All the manufacturing cost is sunk into the impressive noise-canceling technology and the hardware with little left for the earphone's drivers, which are responsible for sound quality.

If you eschew bulky over-the-ear headphones like the Bose QuietComfort 15, but effective noise cancellation is your top priority, the Sony MDR-NC300D is a solid option. But if sound quality trumps dampening the outside din, you should skip this pair and check out the $200 Denon AH-NC600, which offers capable-but-not-astounding noise reduction and great audio performance for $100 less.

You get the sound quality of over the ear headphones without the size. I prefer earbuds for travel because they are so much easier to pack. These have the best sound I have ever heard from an earbud.

AKG K318 Ear Bud Headphone

Available in black, the K 318s include a soft carrying pouch.With the K 318s, you enjoy your private listening space anywhere your travels take you.The AKG K 318 semi-open headphones feature 15mm drivers for wide-spectrum, high-output sound from virtually any portable device.

Features:
•  15mm Drivers
•  In-Line Microphone & Volume Control
•  Best for portable DVD, CD & MP3 Players
•  iPhone Compatible
•  Soft carrying pouch included
•  Comfortable Fit
•  Lightweight
•  Specifications:
•  Frequency response 16Hz - 21kHz
•  Maximum Input Power 15 mW
•  Input Impedance 32 Ohms
•  Sensitivity 127 DB SPL/V
•  Cable 1m (3.28 ft.)
•  Weight: 5g (0.18 oz.)The AKG K 318 semi-open Headphones feature 15mm Drivers for wide-spectrum, high-output Sound from virtually any portable device. The K 318s include a soft carrying pouch. With the K 318s, you enjoy your private listening space anywhere your travels take you

Heartbeats 2.0 Lady Gaga In-Ear Headphones Review

Lady Gaga joined forces with Monster Beats by Dr. Dre again for another pair of headphones, called the Heartbeats 2.0 Lady Gaga. Designed by none other than Lady Gaga herself, they come in black or white/gold equipped with ControlTalk Universal™(works with online voice or video chats on iPad, iPhone or iPod touch).

The Heartbeats 2.0 by Lady Gaga are available in two colors, black and gold, for $149 (list). They come with a small protective pouch and six sets of eartips, one of which should allow you to get a comfortable fit.

Design and features
The Heartbeats' new look is more appealing than the original, with a new flat cord that's tangle-resistant and features a flexible, flat L-shaped plug that should hold up well over time. It also hugs the top of your device better and is more discreet, so there's no awkward plug sticking out of the top of your smartphone).

The design earns our favor, though just like Lady Gaga, it's obviously not for everyone. It's also worth mentioning that while the studded ends of the buds aren't sharp, they're fairly pointy, which does produce an odd sensation when you go to push on the buds to get a snug fit in your ear. Some might say they bring out your inner masochist.

More of today's earphones include an integrated microphone for making cell phone calls, and the Heartbeats 2.0 are no exception. The integrated in-line mic is compatible with Android and iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch) and allows you to jump tracks forward and back by double- or triple-clicking the call answer/end button. Alas, there's no volume control in the ControlTalk button. That's unfortunate.

Performance
In our tests, we listened to some Gillian Welch, Adele, The National, Peter Gabriel's "Scratch My Back" album, then moved on to Lady Gaga herself and some hip-hop tracks. Overall, we liked the sound of the Heartbeats 2.0. They're pleasant-sounding earphones with lots of bass. But clarity just isn't their strength.

As we said, like seemingly all Monster and Beats by Dre headphones, you'll get plenty of thumping low-end out of these guys (or should we say gals, since these are Lady Gaga earphones). It's just not terribly well-defined bass, and for those who like more natural sound, you'll consider these a little too accentuated.

In other words, if superclear sound is your thing, these probably aren't the headphones for you. The Bowers and Wilkins C5 earphones are the next logical step up in quality, and for $179, they offer more detail in terms of sound quality. And if you can do without the flashy design, the Klipsch S4i's at $90 are a better bargain along with Monster's own $99 Turbine earphones.

Still, the Heartbeats 2.0 offer decent sound that appeals to the types of folks who would buy them (perhaps we're stereotyping, but we're assuming that if you're interested in Lady Gaga earphones, you listen to music that's oriented more toward pop and hip-hop).

AKG K 3003 Earphone Review

All of us get bugged up when we are listening to our favorite music piece and the entire world around us is speaking aloud. If you are facing the same problem, new AKG K 3003 3-way hand crafted headphone are the perfect option for you. The headphone is equipped with a stainless steel in-line microphone along with a remote control and a leather carrying case easy storage and is made up of stainless steel.

AKG is one of the most established audio brands and their recently released flagship model is like a jewel in its crown. K3003 is a high performance, handmade 3-way headphones with a timeless design. The most unique aspect of the earphone design is that it is hand crafted out of a single piece of stainless steel. Another element that makes it unique and superior is that the design is based on a new hybrid technology that helps produce unmatched sound. The product is not just unique but great in terms of design, looks, quality and performance.

The headphones also feature a stainless steel in-line mic and remote and a leather carrying case for storage. Apart from the microphone it also features in-line volume control. Passive noise reduction feature has been incorporated in the headphones. It enables the headphones to offer undistracted listening by effectively sealing out most unwanted sound. The silver colored headphone has a brushed stainless steel housing and steel remote face. The Y connector is made of steel but the upper cable is rubberized whereas the lower cable has a cover made from cloth.

The headphones come with 6 pairs of sleeves, two in each size of small, medium and large. At a net weight of just 12 grams you hardly feel it and it does not come between you and your music. The headset comes with a steel 3.5 mm jack plug and steel flight adapter. It has a 1.2 meter cable to allow free movement while listening to music. This is definitely one of the best so far to come out of the AKG stable. It is not cheap at $1,188 plus Vat but you will have to pay a price for its unmatched quality.

The AKG K3003 is the new flagship model from the established audio brand, a high-performance, handmade 3-way headphone crafted from a single piece of stainless steel. The headphones will also feature a stainless steel in-line mic and remote

Able Planet NC1100B Headphone Review

Able Planet makes a number of noise-canceling headphones and Able Planet NC1100B make by high-end headhone company in Colorado with a retail price of $ 299.99.
Let's start with what is good about these guys. To begin with, are comfortable and seem to have a robust design and a beautiful black soft-touch finish. While the headphones are not as flexible as the Bose QuietComfort 15s, are a little 'thicker and stronger does not hurt their level of comfort and perhaps more attractive to some.

Aside from their black coloring, the NC1100Bs look similar to the QC15s (and QuietComfort 2s), with the same over-the-ear design and earcups that swivel and fold flat to fit in a simple black case. The resulting package is slightly bigger than a CD wallet, which makes it easier to tote, though it's still not terribly compact. As you'd expect from a set of headphones that are designed for frequent travelers, Able Planet throws in a two-prong in-flight adapter.

Like with Bose's active noise-canceling, the earcups' cushions effectively sealed off our ears from the noisy environment. Flipping on the noise cancellation dampened the noise even further. While the NC1100Bs aren't as effective at canceling out noise as the QC15s, they did noticeably muffle the sound of a very loud air conditioning that this reviewer has in his office (it isn't quiet as loud as the inside of an airline cabin, but not too far off).

With Bose's noise-canceling headphones, you have to engage the noise cancellation to listen to music, so the music dies with the battery life. Fortunately, this isn't the case with Able Planet's headphones; you can still listen without the noise canceling engaged, but you'll notice a distinct improvement in sound quality with it turned on (two AAA batteries that are housed in the left earcup power the noise-cancellation circuitry).

It's worth noting that like the Bose headphones, the headphone cord is detachable. Also, with the NC1100Bs, you get an inline volume control, which is nice.

On the downside, as we noted in our Bose review, the only problem is that because these are over-the-ear headphones that offer a tight seal, it can get a little steamy inside the cups, especially on hot days, though they "breathe" pretty well for over-the-ear headphones. On long plane rides, your skin will also get a little moist underneath the cushions, so expect to take them off for short periods and give your ears a little air.

But the bigger issue we had was with the sound quality. Though it's not bad, we found that the headphones overemphasized the bass--there was just too much of it, and it was far from tight (the words we like to use here are "boomy" and "muddy"). Also, we felt that the treble just wasn't all that detailed and had a tizzy edge to it.

If the average listener put these on in a store, he or she would likely feel satisfied with their fidelity, and we agree that they sound better than the smaller headphones that claim to suppress external noise. The problem is that these guys cost $300, and there's tough competition when you get into that price range, so we listen with a more critical ear than we would with a cheaper set.

We are always looking for good performance noise-canceling headphones Bose to hit from his throne. The Able Planet NC1100B able to lead a healthy and solid design OK, but not as good as the QuietComfort 15s and retail for the same price, better sound, more comfortable, and offer improved noise cancellation.