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Bose QC15 to MDR-1R, M-100, or Momentums. Worth the switch?

post #1 of 20
3/22/13 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 

First let me say, I really would appreciate it if everyone would refrain from any unnecessary Bose bashing.  If you haven't THOROUGHLY listened to the QC15s and atleast one of the other candidates, please keep your opinions to yourself.  I'm looking for experienced, constructive opinions only.

 

Ok, I have owned the Blue Limited Edition QC15s for a few months now.  In summary, I love them!  They are extremely comfortable, portable, have amazing noise canceling, a deep soundstage, and sound really good for my uses; they just sound natural to my ears.  I listen to mostly music with acoustical instruments (Gospel, Jazz, Funk, etc.) because I'm a drummer.  I'll occasionally listen to some hiphop and r&b.  I also do a great deal of immersive gaming (Shooters and Sports games).  The QC15s are suprisingly really good with games.

 

So you may be wondering if you like them so much, why are you considering switching?  In short, curiosity.  Since I purchased these, all 3 of these headphones have been released.  Unfortunately where I live there is no way to demo the others.  So this is where you all come in.

 

How do these new headphones stack up against the QC15s?  Please keep in mind my uses.  Also, ANC is not a necessity for me.  I honestly just look at it as a bonus if I'm ever in a noisy environment.  It does add to immersive gaming though.

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post #2 of 20
3/22/13 at 2:47pm
The QC15 are really comfortable, I can't say the same about the Momentum and the MDR was ok. Why change a perfectly pair of headphones you like? Keep yours!
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post #3 of 20
3/22/13 at 2:49pm
I have the QC15 (and my opinion of them is relatively well known; in short: I'm a fan), but haven't tried any of the three you've listed as "alternates" - I'd still like to contribute two points:

- Overall, I think the QC15 are a fine closed headphone at their pricepoint, and the majority of closed headphones around that price will just be "different" as opposed to "better" - they're quite good as closed/sealed headphones go. So if you're looking for "different" then I think you're not proposing something unrealistic, but if you want "massively better, night and day, end the world" (blah blah blah), I'd save up a little more than ~$300 and move out of the everyone-and-their-grandmother's-grandmother-$299-headphones-region (and honestly I'd put the QC15 as one of the better options at that price point, at least today).

- Based on more expensive/"audiophile approved" models, and a broader sampling of headphones out there, and given your taste for acoustic music, I'd steer you towards the Grado SR-225i as something to try out; they're open-back and will not replace the QC15 outright, but they're a considerably different (and imho potentially more enjoyable) experience for a lot of acoustic music.

Having said all of that, if you're smitten with the QC15, I'd just go along on your merry way - sure, they aren't "Internet approved," but they're also not a bad headphone (and I agree on the immersion point with gaming - not even my 'stats or woodies can fully re-create that effect (and it's all due to the isolation methinks)), and if you dig'em, enjoy it! smily_headphones1.gif
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post #4 of 20
3/22/13 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by squallkiercosa View Post

The QC15 are really comfortable, I can't say the same about the Momentum and the MDR was ok. Why change a perfectly pair of headphones you like? Keep yours!

 

Thanks for your input, you make a really good point.

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post #5 of 20
3/22/13 at 6:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich View Post

I have the QC15 (and my opinion of them is relatively well known; in short: I'm a fan), but haven't tried any of the three you've listed as "alternates" - I'd still like to contribute two points:

- Overall, I think the QC15 are a fine closed headphone at their pricepoint, and the majority of closed headphones around that price will just be "different" as opposed to "better" - they're quite good as closed/sealed headphones go. So if you're looking for "different" then I think you're not proposing something unrealistic, but if you want "massively better, night and day, end the world" (blah blah blah), I'd save up a little more than ~$300 and move out of the everyone-and-their-grandmother's-grandmother-$299-headphones-region (and honestly I'd put the QC15 as one of the better options at that price point, at least today).

- Based on more expensive/"audiophile approved" models, and a broader sampling of headphones out there, and given your taste for acoustic music, I'd steer you towards the Grado SR-225i as something to try out; they're open-back and will not replace the QC15 outright, but they're a considerably different (and imho potentially more enjoyable) experience for a lot of acoustic music.

Having said all of that, if you're smitten with the QC15, I'd just go along on your merry way - sure, they aren't "Internet approved," but they're also not a bad headphone (and I agree on the immersion point with gaming - not even my 'stats or woodies can fully re-create that effect (and it's all due to the isolation methinks)), and if you dig'em, enjoy it! smily_headphones1.gif

 

Thanks for the input!  You are the main reason I even bought the QC15s in the first place. I've decided to keep them and upgrade my HD555s (Foam Modded) to either the SR-225i or the HD598s.

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post #6 of 20
3/22/13 at 7:25pm
I think the 225 would be a good addition to the collection (and keep the 555s); I haven't tried the 598, but I can't imagine they're going to be as distinct from the 555/595 as the SR-225 would be (unless you want a "better" 555, in which case I'd continue with Sennheiser). If that makes sense. redface.gif
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post #7 of 20
3/22/13 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich View Post

I think the 225 would be a good addition to the collection (and keep the 555s); I haven't tried the 598, but I can't imagine they're going to be as distinct from the 555/595 as the SR-225 would be (unless you want a "better" 555, in which case I'd continue with Sennheiser). If that makes sense. redface.gif

 

It definitely makes sense.  Thanks!

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post #8 of 20
3/22/13 at 10:10pm

I think it would be sort of a lateral move. Honestly unless there is a reason the Bose aren't suiting your needs or matching up to the genres you listen to I'd just stick with them until you upgrade to a different tier of headphone all together.

 

Unless you're bored with them - that being said I completely understand.

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post #9 of 20
3/23/13 at 1:45am

I have tried all three very extensively: Bose QC15, Sony MDR-1R, and Sennheiser Momentum.

 

If you have a Sony Store near you, you can demo the MDR-1R, and Best Buys w/ a Magnolia Home Theater section have the Momentums.

 

In short, if you like the QC15, just stick with it. The differences between these headphones would be quite subtle for someone just getting into headphones. I personally would only get the MDR-1R if you can find them around $190 to $225 as I've noticed they are frequently discounted if you just keep looking. The Momentums are pretty expensive at $350 and I haven't seen any deals for them recently.

 

Out of your options, the Momentums would sound the most distinctly different from the QC15s. However, you may not find them as comfortable as they are semi-on-ear.

 

I've tried a ton of $300 price point closed portable headphones including the V-Moda M100s, AKG K550, Sony MDR-1R, Sennheiser Momentums, and UE 6000. I didn't really get a sense that one was obviously "better" than the others. In my personal opinion, they are simply different flavors (different emphasis & different sound signatures). 

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post #10 of 20
3/23/13 at 8:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by money4me247 View Post

I have tried all three very extensively: Bose QC15, Sony MDR-1R, and Sennheiser Momentum.

 

If you have a Sony Store near you, you can demo the MDR-1R, and Best Buys w/ a Magnolia Home Theater section have the Momentums.

 

In short, if you like the QC15, just stick with it. The differences between these headphones would be quite subtle for someone just getting into headphones. I personally would only get the MDR-1R if you can find them around $190 to $225 as I've noticed they are frequently discounted if you just keep looking. The Momentums are pretty expensive at $350 and I haven't seen any deals for them recently.

 

Out of your options, the Momentums would sound the most distinctly different from the QC15s. However, you may not find them as comfortable as they are semi-on-ear.

 

I've tried a ton of $300 price point closed portable headphones including the V-Moda M100s, AKG K550, Sony MDR-1R, Sennheiser Momentums, and UE 6000. I didn't really get a sense that one was obviously "better" than the others. In my personal opinion, they are simply different flavors (different emphasis & different sound signatures). 

 

I appreciate your honesty.

 

I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread.  I honestly thought I was going to get the usual bose bashing, and comments like, "bose sucks", or, "bose aren't even in the same league as the other 3".

 

I'm going to stick with the bose because I'm definitely not tired of them.  I was just curious because I've seen all of the high praise about the other 3.  I will be upgrading my HD555s.

 

Thanks again!

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post #11 of 20
3/23/13 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maukey View Post

I appreciate your honesty.

 

I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread.  I honestly thought I was going to get the usual bose bashing, and comments like, "bose sucks", or, "bose aren't even in the same league as the other 3".

 

I'm going to stick with the bose because I'm definitely not tired of them.  I was just curious because I've seen all of the high praise about the other 3.  I will be upgrading my HD555s.

 

Thanks again!

I actually forgot to mention I have also tried the V-Moda M100. In my personal opinion, I would rate the sound quality in this order: M100 > Momentum > MDR-1R > Bose QC15. The two best are the Momentum and M100 in my opinion. Depends on whether you like the v-shaped bass-emphasis of the M100 or a more natural, balanced sound of Momentum (note: I preferred the AKG K550 over the Momentums and I thought the AKG K550 are even more flat than the Momentums).

 

I would say that the other three you listed (MDR-1R, Momentum, M100) does all offer some sonic improvements over the Bose QC15, but the sonic improvements are not like night-and-day. There are definitely sonic changes and the difference in sound signature can be very apparent, but which sound signature you personally think is the "best" is not something someone else can tell you. If you can try the AKG K550, you can experience a really different sound signature that I would categorize as very neutral and flat compared to Bose's bass boosted sound. However, many people prefer a bass-boost in their headphones. I personally think the M100 are the best pair of bass-emphasizing headphones I have tried.

 

If you were looking to purchase a new pair of headphones, I would recommend the Momentum or M100 over the QC15 unless you were specifically looking for active noise cancelling. However, since you already own the QC15, I don't think you need to throw down another $300 for a slight change/upgrade in sound. 

 

I do think if you jump into open non-portable full-sized headphones with an amp, the sonic improvements will be a lot more apparent. 

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post #12 of 20
3/23/13 at 3:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by money4me247 View Post

I actually forgot to mention I have also tried the V-Moda M100. In my personal opinion, I would rate the sound quality in this order: M100 > Momentum > MDR-1R > Bose QC15. The two best are the Momentum and M100 in my opinion. Depends on whether you like the 
v-shaped bass-emphasis of the M100 or 
a more natural, balanced sound of Momentum (note: I preferred the AKG K550 over the Momentums and I thought the AKG K550 are even more flat than the Momentums).


I would say that the other three you listed (MDR-1R, Momentum, M100) does all offer some sonic improvements over the Bose QC15, but the sonic improvements are not like night-and-day. There are definitely sonic changes and the difference in sound signature can be very apparent, but which sound signature you personally think is the "best" is not something someone else can tell you. If you can try the AKG K550, you can experience a really different sound signature that I would categorize as very neutral and flat compared to Bose's bass boosted sound. However, many people prefer a bass-boost in their headphones. I personally think the M100 are the best pair of bass-emphasizing headphones I have tried.

If you were looking to purchase a new pair of headphones, I would recommend the Momentum or M100 over the QC15 unless you were specifically looking for active noise cancelling. However, since you already own the QC15, I don't think you need to throw down another $300 for a slight change/upgrade in sound. 

I do think if you jump into open non-portable full-sized headphones with an amp, the sonic improvements will be a lot more apparent. 
Ok thanks! I've done even more research and it has definitely validated all opinions here. It seems pretty clear that the Momentums and M100s may be a very slight upgrade in Sq, however, the Bose pretty handily win in comfort and isolation. For me that's a no brainer to just stick with what I have.
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post #13 of 20
3/23/13 at 5:57pm

I owned the QC15s and really liked them. They were pretty good sounding, super comfy headphones that were phenomenal on a plane. Now if you're flying quite a bit, I'd just stick with them. But if you're not (as I am now...not travelling much for work as I used to) and you're after comfortable headphones that isolate pretty well and sound really, really good, I'd look no further than the Sennheiser Momentums! Simply outstanding IMHO.

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post #14 of 20
3/23/13 at 9:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacedonianHero View Post

I owned the QC15s and really liked them. They were pretty good sounding, super comfy headphones that were phenomenal on a plane. Now if you're flying quite a bit, I'd just stick with them. But if you're not (as I am now...not travelling much for work as I used to) and you're after comfortable headphones that isolate pretty well and sound really, really good, I'd look no further than the Sennheiser Momentums! Simply outstanding IMHO.

So here's the question (as I'm assuming you've heard both): would you actively go out and BUY the Momentum if you already had the QC15, even if you weren't flying? Also consider that ~$300 is a reasonable amount of money, and ignore that you have SR-009 money. redface.gif
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post #15 of 20
3/23/13 at 9:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by obobskivich View Post


So here's the question (as I'm assuming you've heard both): would you actively go out and BUY the Momentum if you already had the QC15, even if you weren't flying? Also consider that ~$300 is a reasonable amount of money, and ignore that you have SR-009 money. redface.gif

 

As mentioned, I did own the QC15s and if you're flying often, they're tough to beat. Now would I go buy the Momentums if I already owned the QC15s? Actually I did just that and I've since sold my QC15s. The Momentums are my favourite portable headphones sonically speaking (I've also owned the UE9000s and DT1350s) and if you don't need noise cancelling, I'd go with them. Comfort wise, they're just behind the QC15s, but still darn good. 

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