BOSE QC 20 Headphones Review
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: Nebraska
BOSE QC 20 Headphones Review
Took a trip to Texas last weekend and had a chance to put these to the test and thought I would share my experience with them.
They are in-ear, noise cancelling headphones. They got a good test on this ride. Interstate noise at 80+mph with head and cross winds.
I started out with them in noise cancelling mode and I wasn't that impressed at first. However compared to my regular ear buds, an $80 pair of Polk Audio, I was able to hear the songs at a lower volume.
When I turned the noise cancelling off and back on is when I found out how well they did work. Without it I had my MP3 player at max volume and was barely able to hear the music. At times not even being able to recognize the song. Flip the switch and that changed. They don't cancel every outside sound, the sudden loud gusts or my buddies pipes would be noticeable but never overpowering the music. They worked fine with different styles of music, from head banging to mellow.
The literature says they will last 16 hours on a two hour charge. I got about 14 hours from them. You can still listen to the music after the battery loses it's charge.
Bottom line is they do work as advertised but some ambient noise does get through. They are expensive for ear buds at $300. They also come with a built in microphone that allows you to pause the tunes and answer your phone. A feature I will never use so I can't comment on that. Would I recommend them? Yes.
They have a 30 day no questions asked return policy backed by BOSE so you can take them for a test ride yourself with no risk. Hope this helped anyone looking at them and I'm happy to answer any questions.
They are in-ear, noise cancelling headphones. They got a good test on this ride. Interstate noise at 80+mph with head and cross winds.
I started out with them in noise cancelling mode and I wasn't that impressed at first. However compared to my regular ear buds, an $80 pair of Polk Audio, I was able to hear the songs at a lower volume.
When I turned the noise cancelling off and back on is when I found out how well they did work. Without it I had my MP3 player at max volume and was barely able to hear the music. At times not even being able to recognize the song. Flip the switch and that changed. They don't cancel every outside sound, the sudden loud gusts or my buddies pipes would be noticeable but never overpowering the music. They worked fine with different styles of music, from head banging to mellow.
The literature says they will last 16 hours on a two hour charge. I got about 14 hours from them. You can still listen to the music after the battery loses it's charge.
Bottom line is they do work as advertised but some ambient noise does get through. They are expensive for ear buds at $300. They also come with a built in microphone that allows you to pause the tunes and answer your phone. A feature I will never use so I can't comment on that. Would I recommend them? Yes.
They have a 30 day no questions asked return policy backed by BOSE so you can take them for a test ride yourself with no risk. Hope this helped anyone looking at them and I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,910
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From: Nebraska
I was wearing a half helmet at the time. I haven't tried them without yet. They have a plastic piece that fits inside the ear, along with the bud itself, that should help it stay in place without a helmet. My ears were a bit tender after 14 hours with them in.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Danville ca
OLLIE
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
not preaching at you brother, but if you're stationed in nc, that means that you're most likely military. which means that if you aren't wearing a helmet, and get in an accident (your fault or not), then you could be held liable for your medical care. (no, they can't withhold your sgli should the worst happen, that's a wive's tale).
just be aware...... and have a good ride, i'd love to go cross country
just be aware...... and have a good ride, i'd love to go cross country
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 50
Likes: 5
From: Roswell
I just bought them and drove from Atlanta to Pittsburgh with them in - unfortunately
in my car. The noise cancel feature is phenomenal with the windows up. You can make calls, and talk without hearing yourself, and play music at low volumes hearing things you never heard before.
I said with the windows up. When wind hits them - they make a racket. But I wear a full helmet and will report back after riding.
in my car. The noise cancel feature is phenomenal with the windows up. You can make calls, and talk without hearing yourself, and play music at low volumes hearing things you never heard before.
I said with the windows up. When wind hits them - they make a racket. But I wear a full helmet and will report back after riding.
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