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Bose AE2 or OE2 Headphones??

post #1 of 35
12/3/11 at 4:59pm
Thread Starter 

 

I have been thinking about buying one of these headphones and I would like to know which of these would be the better choice. The cheaper version has really good sound, the more expensive version is more portable and easier to store. Not sure how the sound compares though. So I’m not sure which to get. Things I like about these headphones 1) Great mids, large soundstage. 2) Instrumentals sound great as do vocals. 2) very light weight and easy to carry around. 3) great passive noise reduction. 4) I hear Bose has great customer service in the event that something breaks down. I mostly listen to things like Adele, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse and other singers. I also listen to country and some Rap. If you have suggestions that would be better, feel free to chime in. But I will probably get the Bose as they do sound great. If I were to choose something different, it would have to be cheaper and include all of these advantages. 

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post #2 of 35
12/3/11 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 

Also, how do these compare in terms of sound to the akg k430 headphones ?


Edited by nevergoodenough - 12/3/11 at 9:40pm
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post #3 of 35
12/3/11 at 10:42pm
If you live in Canada Future Shop has a sale on the AE2 for $99 at that price they OK. At there full price there are quite a few headphones that are better. At full price the V-Moda LP2 or M80 can both be had for less money and sound better.

If you live in he States look in the deals thread for a link to get Denon D1100 for $100 which is an excellent price and they will sound very good and are comfortable
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post #4 of 35
12/3/11 at 10:52pm

I'd only get Bose if comfort ranks significantly higher than your other priorities. My roomates $35 Sony ZX500 sounds about as good as the AE2 tbh...

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post #5 of 35
12/4/11 at 11:08am
Thread Starter 

Have you ever heard the Bose headsets I am asking about? I find them to be superior to the Beats Pro by Monster. I find it very unlkely that bose is overcharging by 100 dollars, otherwise Denon is really getting over with the model refrenced above. 

 

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post #6 of 35
12/4/11 at 11:12am
Thread Starter 

Is the sound of the Denon 1100 signifficently better than either of these Bose headsets? It is not as portable or comfortable (based on reviews) and it is also double corded and heavier than either of the Bose. If I get this one over the cheapest Bose headset, I would be saving $35. Is it actually a better choice than the Bose? I hear the Denon is very heavy on the base.

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post #7 of 35
12/4/11 at 11:29am

I have listened to all of the Bose models and even own a pair of the IE2. Personally I think they are maligned a bit on Head-fi. But I do think they are over priced at full retail. So the sale at Future Shop for $99 is about what I think they are worth. At the $200 mark there are many better quality headphones. The V-Moda M80 is one of them as is the LP2 model. The M80 is very nicely balanced sonically and the LP2 has a bit more bass. Out of the two models I think the LP2 would be the closest sonically to the Bose AE2 and being an over ear headphone will be as comfortable.

 

The Denon D1100 may be a bit darker sounding than the AE2 but I do think the D1100 will have better detail and over all sound. It would all depend on the amount of bass you want.

 

Another solid alternative and one that has slowly be gaining momentum is the Sony MDR-ZX700 which from what I have read is also very comfortable. Here is a review by Inner Fidelity and a Head-fi review on them.

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post #8 of 35
12/4/11 at 11:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nevergoodenough View Post

Have you ever heard the Bose headsets I am asking about? I find them to be superior to the Beats Pro by Monster. I find it very unlkely that bose is overcharging by 100 dollars, otherwise Denon is really getting over with the model refrenced above. 

 



I don't know if you're being sarcastic.

 

If your not, at least use the search function first...

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post #9 of 35
12/4/11 at 11:40am

Actually re-reading your post above I think you want the Bose as you have either heard them and like their sound or you have become convinced they are the best choice in your price range through advertising/marketing etc. Aside from offering some alteranives to read about and hopefully be able to audition (the Sony model I mentioned can be heard at Sony stores and the V-Moda's might be able to be heard at a Radioshack store) you probably should just buy what you think is best.

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post #10 of 35
12/4/11 at 11:52am

They aren't BAD headphones, just very overpriced for the quality you get.  You can spend less and get something that sounds as good, or spend the same and get something that sounds much better.  Comparing them to Monster's isn't exactly fair, since they are another much maligned (for good reason) mass market headphone that are awful for the price.  What about the Bose headsets appeals to you?  Comfort?  Isolation?  Sound signature?  Knowing what you want makes it easier for people to suggest phones that fit YOUR needs.

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post #11 of 35
12/4/11 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 

I live in the US, can you link me to the Denon thread? How does the sound quality compare to the bose oe2? Typically, something on sale means that it is lower in quality. It is usually placed at a discount for a reason. I am just looking for the best sound quality and very clear vocals. By contrast, both the bose models are lighter and more comfortable than the Denon. Is saving $50 justified, or is the bose higher in sound quality (in addition to being more portable?

 

AE2

 

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-47684-Bose%C2%AEAE2-audio-headphones/dp/B00478O0JI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323035188&sr=8-1

 

OE2

 

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-3021732-OE2-audio-headphones/dp/B005KJM30G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1323035473&sr=1-1

 

 

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post #12 of 35
12/4/11 at 1:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ant1pathy View Post

They aren't BAD headphones, just very overpriced for the quality you get.  You can spend less and get something that sounds as good, or spend the same and get something that sounds much better.  Comparing them to Monster's isn't exactly fair, since they are another much maligned (for good reason) mass market headphone that are awful for the price.  What about the Bose headsets appeals to you?  Comfort?  Isolation?  Sound signature?  Knowing what you want makes it easier for people to suggest phones that fit YOUR needs.

Someone didn't read the first post...

 

"Things I like about these headphones 1) Great mids, large soundstage. 2) Instrumentals sound great as do vocals. 2) very light weight and easy to carry around. 3) great passive noise reduction. 4) I hear Bose has great customer service in the event that something breaks down. I mostly listen to things like Adele, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse and other singers. I also listen to country and some Rap. If you have suggestions that would be better, feel free to chime in. But I will probably get the Bose as they do sound great. If I were to choose something different, it would have to be cheaper and include all of these advantages." I am looking for an experience that sounds like listening to the artist live basically. I also like the Bose because they are very portable.
 

 

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post #13 of 35
12/4/11 at 2:22pm

If things on sale = lower quality you better avoid those AE2 as Future Shop is selling them at $99 in Canada, so they must be horrible! wink.gif But seriously it is often just a company using a product as a loss leader or they have extra stock they want to move etc.


 

Here is the link for the D1100 deal, not sure if it's valid anymore but you can try. Sound quality is to some degree subjective, but my experience is that Denon headphones are generally better sound quality wise than the Bose if have heard or owned unless you go into the really cheap Denon headphones. The D1100 is very comfortable so will be on par with the Bose but my way a bit more.

 

The M80 from V-Moda has repaceable cables, comes with an awesome case, and is built like a tank. The M80 also has amazing mids, and a very good sound stage for a portable headphone. V-Moda has a sale on right now where if you went with the V80 (same as M80 but has a link to the True Blood TV series) you could use the code ``head-fi`` plus the reduced price and get them for around $140 I believe.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nevergoodenough View Post

I live in the US, can you link me to the Denon thread? How does the sound quality compare to the bose oe2? Typically, something on sale means that it is lower in quality. It is usually placed at a discount for a reason. I am just looking for the best sound quality and very clear vocals. By contrast, both the bose models are lighter and more comfortable than the Denon. Is saving $50 justified, or is the bose higher in sound quality (in addition to being more portable?

 

AE2

 

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-47684-Bose%C2%AEAE2-audio-headphones/dp/B00478O0JI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323035188&sr=8-1

 

OE2

 

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-3021732-OE2-audio-headphones/dp/B005KJM30G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1323035473&sr=1-1

 

 



 

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post #14 of 35
12/4/11 at 6:03pm
Thread Starter 

It's not that I'm stuck to buying one of the Bose. However, they do sound great and they are very light and easy to store. Since i'm using this with my iPod, this is something I like. The OE2's have more base than the AE2s, so I would be fine with that. However, comparing them to the Sony option you listed, those are $120 vs the $150 Bose that are more compact and portable (assuming they do sound the same). I also like the sound of the AE2, which is $135. So it's not that I am stuck on Bose, I just want something that sounds as good for cheaper basically. I listed what I liked about the Bose in the first post, but I am not stuck on them at all if there is something with superior sound that I could carry around and use with my phone or iPad.

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post #15 of 35
12/4/11 at 6:09pm
Thread Starter 

Just looked at the M80, It is out of my price range at $200. It does look very well built though.

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