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Bose QuietComfort 3 vs. Sennheiser HD650

Mar 16, 2009 at 1:09 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 57
LeonWho

LeonWho

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Since I've always thought that Bose users have never heard anything better than their Bose headphones, I usually ignore the Bose fanboys. This review, however, was just too much to ignore (found on cNET).

This person compares a Sennheiser HD650 with an "upgraded" cable driven by a Grado (RA1, presumably) amp to a Bose QuietComfort 3.

Quote:

Pros: Sound quality, full surround sound, noise cancellation
Cons: Nothing of note
Summary: My default headphones are Sennheiser 650's with upgraded cable and Grado amp--total cost $1,100. I ignored the elitist Audiophiles who scoff at Bose and purchased the Quiet Comfort 3's. What a bargain at $350, paricularly for an iPod. The sound spectrum is spectacular--you are completely immersed in your tunes--sharp, clear and loud (the way I like it).

I've had the Shure "ear canal" buds--very close. BUT, you push earwax way down in the ear canal and it's time for Rotor Rooter--IMHO, unsafe.

Looking for the best marriage of iPod and headphones and the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 is the ONLY choice, worth every cent of it's $350 pricetag.

Advice: Don't go cheap on headphones.

Updated
I've been ussing the QC3's since they were introduced. Not being an audiophile, I prefer the QC3's over my SE530's and my S650's. For iPod listening, only the SE530's come close. Did someone say expensive? NO way--the SE530's are $500 and the S650's with upgrade cable is $750--plus I need a Grado headphone amp ($500) to get the same surround-sound I get from the QC3's. The QC3's are perfect for my Netflix movies--you truly feel like your in the scene. You will not regret putting the QC3's on your audio rack. Personally, the S650's are collecting dust, but the SE530's are beautifully designed for use on the treadmill.


All I have to say is. Wow.

Disclaimer: But he does state that he isn't an audiophile. Not that that has any effect. Anyone can tell the difference.
 
Mar 16, 2009 at 1:35 AM Post #4 of 57
The Bose headphones produce the kind of sound you get from the speakers sold in box-box appliance stores--boomy mid-bass and exaggerated midrange. They probably do sound fine with movies, because they are a lot like typical movie-theater speakers. The noise-suppression feature does work well. There is no noise suppression (in either direction) on the 650's, of course, but that is the only way that the QC3 bests the 650's.
 
Mar 16, 2009 at 1:40 AM Post #6 of 57
I realise that the O.P. sees through the BS that he/she quotes but I feel the need to vent. This rant is not aimed at the O.P. in any way.

"Sharp, clear and loud" - Surely having your music at high volumes (loud) would mean that sharpness and clarity are reduced? If the term 'loud' concerns boosting certain frequencies then that also invalidates the word 'clear' , right?

If one was to say that certain frequencies needed to be 'enhanced' that is tantamount to pointing the proverbial finger at those responsible for the recording (ie the artists, those at work in the studio and perhaps the labels who would push for a pop-friendly sound).

If the quality of the sound is poor due to the equipment feeding the 'phones then that's nothing to do with the 'phones. If the quality of the audio is poor due to lack of knowledge when ripping and putting tunes onto one's MP3 player/PC then the problem lies predominantly between the headphones and the floor.

'Elitist audiophiles' take these attitudes because they love the music they listen to and they wish to hear it as the artist intended. The need to skew the sound either insults the artist or it shows a lack of willingness to read/seek the wealth of free advice on the web/in (good hi-fi) stores.
 
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:02 AM Post #7 of 57
Quote:

Originally Posted by KONAKONA /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Welcome to viral marketing.


welcome to Fight Club.


Quote:

Originally Posted by aaldrich
I realise that the O.P. sees through the BS that he/she quotes but I feel the need to vent. This rant is not aimed at the O.P. in any way.


so does it serve a purpose other than to be flamebait?

Quote:

"Sharp, clear and loud" - Surely having your music at high volumes (loud) would mean that sharpness and clarity are reduced? If the term 'loud' concerns boosting certain frequencies then that also invalidates the word 'clear' , right?


why does loud have to mean less clarity? and why does "unbalanced" have to mean "unclear" ?? these are both very un-related concepts you're trying to pin together

Quote:

If one was to say that certain frequencies needed to be 'enhanced' that is tantamount to pointing the proverbial finger at those responsible for the recording (ie the artists, those at work in the studio and perhaps the labels who would push for a pop-friendly sound).


well, I don't know what you're trying to say exactly, but the truth is, our ears like things to be a bit "uneven" and "distorted", perfectly flat sound doesn't work for humans, only analyzers

Quote:

If the quality of the sound is poor due to the equipment feeding the 'phones then that's nothing to do with the 'phones. If the quality of the audio is poor due to lack of knowledge when ripping and putting tunes onto one's MP3 player/PC then the problem lies predominantly between the headphones and the floor.


and this applies to this discussion how? because he used an iPod or MP3's, he's somehow unpure, and should be burned? c'mon man, get with the 21st century

Quote:

'Elitist audiophiles' take these attitudes because they love the music they listen to and they wish to hear it as the artist intended.


actually unture, they want to hear it as they believe the artist intended, and an audiophile by rough definition could care less about music, they listen to the system, not the music

Quote:

The need to skew the sound either insults the artist or it shows a lack of willingness to read/seek the wealth of free advice on the web/in (good hi-fi) stores.I realise that the O.P. sees through the BS that he/she quotes but I feel the need to vent. This rant is not aimed at the O.P. in any way.


skew the sound insults the artist? whaaaat? who cares whats done with the sound, as long as the person is enjoying their music, seriously man....
rolleyes.gif
 
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:09 AM Post #8 of 57
Hey if you want to listen to music on an airplane and don't like jamming things in the ear canals, the Bose QC3 are a decent option--in other listening environments, there are many better headphones for every listening preference, at the same price or considerably less.
 
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:13 AM Post #9 of 57
bose rock
 
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:20 AM Post #11 of 57
Quote:

Originally Posted by obobskivich /img/forum/go_quote.gif
says the wyomingite with no bose hp's in his signature
tongue.gif
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif



Alright, let me say it then!

Bose rocks!
biggrin.gif
 
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:45 AM Post #15 of 57
Quote:

Originally Posted by obobskivich /img/forum/go_quote.gif
says the californian with no signature
tongue.gif
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif


hahaha
beerchug.gif



There! Copied and pasted it from my profile!

NOW, I can finally say proudly: Bose rocks!
tongue.gif
 
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