Bose QuietComfort15 has the highest level of noise-canceling effect currently available in the consumer headphones market. It also produces distinct sounds that give you a delightful and relaxing listening experience in a “quiet surrounding.”

Bose introduced the QuietComfort(1) in 2001, followed by the successor QuietComfort2 in 2003 and its improved version in 2005. QuietComfort3 was subsequently added in 2006.

Launched in Fall 2009 as the successor of QuietComfort2, Bose QuietComfort15 is the “quietest” noise-canceling headphones produced by Bose so far, raising the standard and benchmark for consumer noise-canceling headphones market yet again.

Compared to its predecessor, Bose QuietComfort15 is so much more enhanced that Bose decided it would be the injustice to simply name it “QC4”, after QC2 and QC3. Instead, it boldly allowed this “new kid” to take an enormous giant leap to “QC15”.

QC2 (left) and QC15 (right).
Hardly any difference in appearance and design at first glance.

As far as appearance is concerned, only a few differences are visible:

• LED indicator is changed from red (QC2) to green (QC15).
• Model number marking appears on the housing of QC15.
• Three tiny holes on the housing to pick up external noise.

The ear cups are even softer than before, making QC15 comfortable to wear.

The exceptionally enhanced noise-canceling effect is mainly due to the double noise pick-up mikes built into the housing and within the ear cups.

This allows QC15 to pick up both external and internal sounds and process these signals to achieve the noise-canceling effect. The change in cushion materials used for the ear cups further reduce noises entering into the ear cups.

Comparison of Noise-Cancelling Effect

In the current fiercely competitive field of noise-canceling headphones offered by different companies, even the already high-level noise-canceling QuietComfort2 has found the gap between itself and models from other pursuing companies gradually shrinking.

However, Bose QuietComfort15 propelled itself much further from the chasing field, blowing away any doubts about its qualification as QC2’s rightful successor.

The powerful noise-canceling feature of QC15 can be experienced the moment you wear it. It is superior even when compared to QC2, achieving high-level noise reduction over an even wider frequency range.

When using QC15 in the subway and trains, the engine and air-conditioner noises are effectively shut out allowing you to concentrate on your music or audio language lesson.When used at home, QC15 could give you a blissful and relaxing solitude.

Sound Check

Bose QuietComfort15 comes with built-in “Active Equalization,” its proprietary and foundational technology, that corrects electrical sounding audio, plays back wide frequency range smoothly and draws forth the instruments and vocals with superior clarity.

Also, it utilizes Bose’s proprietary TriPort acoustic technology to produce deep and rich bass.

Compared to QC2, QC15 is richer in harmonics, and the sounds over the entire frequency range are consistently firm. The sound image stands out clearly with excellent treble and vocals, the delicious spread of sounds could be felt even clearer.

In Holst: The Planets, the thin lines of strings and horns are gorgeously well spread. Bass and low notes are clean, compact and full. Overall, the sounds are bright and cheerful throughout.

In We Get Requests (Oscar Peterson Trio), the sound field is superb, solid wood bass elasticity and relaxing spatial clarity sensed.

Over to the rock genre of Meniketti, the crunchy Clippy guitar distortion and chunky feel of bass are well balanced. Vocal huskiness well emphasized and clarity of snares high.

In the category of noise-canceling headphones offered by various companies, the sound quality is often compromised due to the emphasis on the noise-canceling feature.

Bose QuietComfort15, however, raised the standard substantially by showing that a superior balance of noise-canceling effect at the highest level and excellent sound quality can indeed be achieved.