Bose QC25 headphones set new standard in noise canceling
If you've ever shopped for noise-canceling headphones — or been on an airplane in your life — you've likely seen Bose's ubiquitous QC15s. They're a household name in noise canceling, and have comforted commuters for years.
The Bose QuietComfort 25 over-ears (MSRP $299.95) are the successors to those popular cans, delivering the latest in acoustic noise canceling and active equalization. They're sturdy, comfortable and sound great while they quiet the world around you. Unfortunately, they're a ghost of their former selves when the battery runs out.
At a $300 list price, we expect not only solid audio and useful canceling from the QC 25 over-ears, but good design and materials, too. Fortunately, these cans live up to their steep price tag by delivering comfortable long-term listening and high-quality materials. Fans of the older QC15s will feel right at home here, as this design is quite similar.
Acoustic noise canceling is what truly sets the QC25s apart from the over-ear crowd, but they still need to deliver a premium audio experience to justify their price.
In this case, one function begets the other: While canceling is active, the QC 25s present a healthy soundscape with subtle low-end support, and plenty of volume and clarity throughout the middle and treble ranges.
If you turn noise canceling off or simply run out of juice, however, the "inactive" sound lacks much of the valuable details it previously presented.
What does this mean more practically? You're going to want an extra AAA battery or two before you take any long trips. Running out of power midway will be like downgrading to a much cheaper set of headphones.
If you're not ready to spend $300 for a quieter commute, Panasonic's HC800 noise cancelers may be a better choice. They lack the style and comfort of the QC25s, but you can find them for about $180 online. If you choose to spring for the QuietComfort 25s, rest assured that they're one of the best choices this year in active noise canceling.