Best Value for Noise Cancelling Headphones for use in an office.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by TexasLawyer2000

The best options (for noise canceling) have already been mentioned. There really is no comparison.

Bose QC20 (ear buds, great if you want: better higher mids, smaller size, rechargeable)
Bose QC25 (over the ear, great if you want: slightly better bass, slightly better noise canceling if you don't wear glasses, want to carry AAA batteries).

They sound great, but aren't going to satisfy the pure audiophile (at which Sennheisers and Sonys are worth a look -- at the cost of noise canceling)

I went through some boxes and found an unopened QC25 that I bought on some crazy deal a year ago. The advantage of using AAA batteries unlike the QC20 is that you don't have to worry about recharging or finite battery cycles. I've used my QC20 on long international trips and they ran out of juice by the end of the flights.

I've found it MUCH easier to sleep on a plane with QC20s though. And it takes up nearly no space.

[TexasLawyer2000]

Originally Posted by markjames68

I went through some boxes and found an unopened QC25 that I bought on some crazy deal a year ago. The advantage of using AAA batteries unlike the QC20 is that you don't have to worry about recharging or finite battery cycles. I've used my QC20 on long international trips and they ran out of juice by the end of the flights.

I've found it MUCH easier to sleep on a plane with QC20s though. And it takes up nearly no space.

Yeah, it all comes down to preference. I just did a trip to Tokyo for a conference. I didn't have any issues recharging the QC20s in the plane (while in use). You can also carry around a battery pack if it's a real concern.

Regarding finite charge cycles, mine are nearly 6 years old and I use them almost every weekday... they still charge fine (though the rubbery casing did rip in one corner -- fortunately it's just for grip).

The one thing that really really irritates me about the newer QC20s is that they didn't adopt the standard USB port for charging. If they did, I would totally get it so I don't have to carry around the extra cable.

[mustang84]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Thank me later.

I was blown away at how good these are for such a low price.

I almost bought these, but chickened out and went with the more expensive Bose QC35's. I've been burned before on cheap headphones and plastic bits breaking. How long have you had them and do they seem to be holding up?

Even though the QC35's are expensive, I've been very happy with how they are withstanding daily use. The noise canceling lasts something like 10+ hours of use before the battery needs to be recharged. I usually only need to recharge them every 3 days or so based on my usage. And even if the battery is dead, they still put out decent sound in non-noise cancelling mode.

[Peregrine]

They really are fantastic. I've had them for a over a year now.

Cowin is a great company. The founder set out to make quality audio gear at good prices and they are doing it.
I was VERY leery, as well. I had been researching these forever.
Finally pulled the trigger on the Cowin. Very comfortable. The battery life is absolutely incredible. 4 hour flight used 10%, in use the entire time.
Totally forgot to charge them. They've been sitting for probably 2 months. Go to cut the grass the other day... no way that's still got charge. Yep. Claimed 30 hours of battery life and i believe it.
And unlike many of these, the battery is replaceable.
As for sound deadening, I was really surprised how good it is. Absolutely phenomenal. I was gobsmacked the first time I used them on a plane. Noise Canceling doesn't have to be expensive. (I have now learned).
And I got the cheap one! They sell their high end ones for $150...I can only imagine how good those are if the cheapie is this good.

I feel bad you spent to much. I should have given a more complete review.

Originally Posted by TexasLawyer2000

The best options (for noise canceling) have already been mentioned. There really is no comparison.

Yea... Cowin. For half the price.

There are only 3 or 4 companies I am truly a 'fan boy' of... Cowin is one.