I have to call a spade a spade here. A lot of people bash the QC line from Bose. I get it NC does not = amazing sound. BUT - I have tried many, many, "and The Rock means" MANY (sorry - had to do it) headphones for my purposes, and none have even come close to the QC25 (even QC15).
Let me explain "my purposes"... I am a professional trainer/former bodybuilder. I use headphones in 2 aspects of my life - the gym and the get away from me I just want to zone out in my music.
That said, every gym/fitness center/warehouse I have worked in have been loud. Obnoxiously loud - ranging from loud music to lots of talking, to the sound of weights hitting the floor and clanging into other iron. I hate it. It's that simple. I need to focus. It's not easy physical activity and given normal everyday life, no matter who you are it's not easy to completely energetic. In steps the music for me. It moves me, motivates me, keeps me centered, and drives me.
The bottom line is this - if you need to focus, need a pair of cans that will stay put under pretty heavy physical activity (from jumping to running), need pretty damn good sound, and hate putting things in your ears - there is no better.
Here is a short list of what I have put to the test so far and have failed:
Bose QC20 - too gentle and the anti-movement phone
Sennheiser MX685 - bad isolation; bass is typical Sennheiser weak
Yurbuds - enough said
Sony XB90EX - never stay in place (regardless of various tips); non-stop microphonics
Beats - cheap, so-so cancellation, the rep precedes itself
UE 6000 - huge, loose, flimsy, cancellation is more like an amp, decent bass
V Moda M100 - this would be the one, if only it had a huge step up in isolation. Man I wish these would have worked better at isolating - these would be the champs
PSB M4U2 - same as UE6000 but lacking bass
Shure SE215 - impossible to stay in place and not break the seal; enhanced bass is false advertising unless you're in a quiet room
Velodyne Vquiets - cheap cord that made static (maybe a defect); ear cups not truly over entire ear surface; big but not bad
Sony MDR series - mehh overall
Sennheiser Momentum - poor isolation; I could have lived with it otherwise
By the way - if you use an EQ app (like Accudio) or know how to EQ your cans - the Bose will REALLY surprise you. I was amazed at how much better they sounded after tinkering with the EQ. I really felt the clean bass (sub and mid) while simultaneously hearing clear vocals. Look, by no means are they the best, but nothing will ever be the best in this stuff. Everyone sees things differently, what I say is good you say is trash - that's life. But if you want cans that will not disappoint for a lifestyle close to mine - the QC25s will not disappoint.