Small, Over the ear headphones

[ThickGlasses]

So I got a pair of headphones, but I'm probably going to get blackballed from this forum now.

I did extensive online research on the headphones mentioned in this thread (thank you for the suggestions!). I was all set to purchase the UE6000, until I read a few reviews that said the sound leak was pretty significant. That's a concern of mine, as I always try to stay conscious of my headphone usage and don't like to disturb anyone around me.

I went into Best Buy today with $140 in giftcards from a for-profit trade-in I made a few weeks ago. I tried out the momentums (on-ear) at the demo stand. They were comfortable, but I just couldn't get past the on ear style. I felt like it would bother me after a while. I also went over to the Bose (I know) section, and tried on the SoundTrue over-ear style headphone. My first impression was that they were light and comfortable, but felt cheaply made and didn't seem that great for the (on sale) $149 price. So I put them down and went home, and did more research. I looked up the SoundTrue to see what the reviews were and the general first impression was the same as mine comfortable, but, cheap and pricey. They did mention that the sound was decent, but not bass heavy (which is fine by me).

Two hours later, I went back to Best Buy and bought a pair of Bose SoundTrue, all black style, over-ear headphones for $20 out of pocket. I have 14 days to decide if I want to keep them. So far, I compared them against my Ath-m50 through my Logitech Z200 speakers and they really don't sound bad. The m50's sound better, since I think there is a bit more bass, but since I'll primarily be watching movies with them, that's not a huge concern. They headphones fold flat in their carrying case and fit in my bag nicely without taking up too much space.

If anyone thinks I've made a huge mistake, please let me know, but on the eve of my purchase, I'm not having regrets. These were in my price-range and met my portability and style requirements.

Hey man, buy whatever you think is good. I did. If you find it comfortable and you think it sounds good, get it. Hell, I got myself a pair of Bose AE2's (If I recall, the SoundTrue's black and silver but otherwise identical counterparts) with $60 out of pocket and a $100 gift card I got for Christmas. Best of luck to you!

 

[Nolegrl]

Hey man, buy whatever you think is good. I did. If you find it comfortable and you think it sounds good, get it. Hell, I got myself a pair of Bose AE2's (If I recall, the SoundTrue's black and silver but otherwise identical counterparts) with $60 out of pocket and a $100 gift card I got for Christmas. Best of luck to you!

Thank you! I know bose is shunned upon by most, so I was a bit apprehensive about them. Glad to know I'm not totally shunned by you guys (at least not yet) lol.

 

[ThickGlasses]

Thank you! I know bose is shunned upon by most, so I was a bit apprehensive about them. Glad to know I'm not totally shunned by you guys (at least not yet) lol.

Only as shunned as most of the people who've heard it. ;P

 

[Lorspeaker]

i liked the AE2i ...had two pairs...good alrounder for Macdonald meals n Starbucks coffee.

 

[OMGLadyGaga]

I'm not sure if the soundtrue and AE2 are the same, but if they are then you have no reason to be shunned. I really really like the AE2 and I think it's good value, especially if you get it for $120 and under. The comfort alone is probably worth the money by itself. Lately I've been preferring comfort over sound quality, and even then I thought the AE2 sounded quite good. Treble heads need not apply

 

[Nolegrl]

I'm not sure if the soundtrue and AE2 are the same, but if they are then you have no reason to be shunned. I really really like the AE2 and I think it's good value, especially if you get it for $120 and under. The comfort alone is probably worth the money by itself. Lately I've been preferring comfort over sound quality, and even then I thought the AE2 sounded quite good. Treble heads need not apply

I'm happy to hear so much affirmation with my purchase! I think they are the same, but the soundtrue is the "updated" (in terms of colors) model. I just found out that the AE2 is on clearance for $113 at Best Buy, but I didn't see it in store (it was probably in the back section). I'm now debating whether it's worth it to return these and get the cheaper model. 
 
The plus side of these is that they do come with a semi-hard case rather than a cloth bag for protection and they don't scream "BOSE!" on the side since the entire thing is blacked-out. 

 

[Lorspeaker]

100bucks is about right.

 

[ThickGlasses]

I'm happy to hear so much affirmation with my purchase! I think they are the same, but the soundtrue is the "updated" (in terms of colors) model. I just found out that the AE2 is on clearance for $113 at Best Buy, but I didn't see it in store (it was probably in the back section). I'm now debating whether it's worth it to return these and get the cheaper model. 

The plus side of these is that they do come with a semi-hard case rather than a cloth bag for protection and they don't scream "BOSE!" on the side since the entire thing is blacked-out. 

Well, if mine ever die I know what to get! The cloth bag always bugged me, because I go on plane trips semi-frequently and I do occasionally need somewhere to store them.

Ironic that you ended up helping me.

 

[Nolegrl]

Well, if mine ever die I know what to get! The cloth bag always bugged me, because I go on plane trips semi-frequently and I do occasionally need somewhere to store them.

Ironic that you ended up helping me.

Ha ha, Ya it is! Well I'm glad I could help!

Edit: how long have you had your ae2's?I'm curious about the longevity of these things. I declined the 2 year best buy warranty, but for $160 these should last longer than that imo.

 

[SteveM324]

I just bought a pair of the Bose SoundTrue around ears headphones for my daughter's 20th birthday. A few weeks ago my daughter mentioned to me (hint hint) that she was interested in getting something better than her cheap earbuds. I did my research for portable headphones in the $150 price range. After looking at the AT M50 and M50X, I thought those would sound good but they looked a bit bulky for storage and for walking around campus. She also mentioned she wanted something stylish. I came across the SoundTrue headphones and read the reviews. I think this headphone meets her needs perfectly. I picked the mint color for her and I think she will like the style, comfort, light weight and the compact hard case. They should be delivered next Tuesday and her birthday is on the 19th. I hope that my research pans out and that she likes her BD present.

 

[Nolegrl]

I just bought a pair of the Bose SoundTrue around ears headphones for my daughter's 20th birthday. I bought it for $149 plus free shipping from Crutchfield using a $100 gift card so my out of pocket cost was $49. A few weeks ago my daughter mentioned to me (hint hint) that she was interested in getting something better than her cheap earbuds. I did my research for portable headphones in the $150 price range. After looking at the AT M50 and M50X, I thought those would sound good but they looked a bit bulky for storage and for walking around campus. She also mentioned she wanted something stylish. I came across the SoundTrue headphones and read the reviews. I think this headphone meets her needs perfectly. I picked the mint color for her and I think she will like the style, comfort, light weight and the compact hard case. They should be delivered next Tuesday and her birthday is on the 19th. I hope that my research pans out and that she likes her BD present.

I'm sure she'll love them. They are very comfortable and low profile. Keep us posted on what she thought!

 

[SteveM324]

I'm sure she'll love them. They are very comfortable and low profile. Keep us posted on what she thought!

Thanks and I'll report back here after the 19th.

 

[ThickGlasses]

I just bought a pair of the Bose SoundTrue around ears headphones for my daughter's 20th birthday. I bought it for $149 plus free shipping from Crutchfield using a $100 gift card so my out of pocket cost was $49. A few weeks ago my daughter mentioned to me (hint hint) that she was interested in getting something better than her cheap earbuds. I did my research for portable headphones in the $150 price range. After looking at the AT M50 and M50X, I thought those would sound good but they looked a bit bulky for storage and for walking around campus. She also mentioned she wanted something stylish. I came across the SoundTrue headphones and read the reviews. I think this headphone meets her needs perfectly. I picked the mint color for her and I think she will like the style, comfort, light weight and the compact hard case. They should be delivered next Tuesday and her birthday is on the 19th. I hope that my research pans out and that she likes her BD present.

I'd reaffirm your purchase more, but the right channel just went on my AE2's... still great though! I hope she enjoys them!

 

[OMGLadyGaga]

I've had my AE2 for about 3 years now and still going strong. The AE1 I had before that snapped in like 4 months but it looks like the AE2 is built a little better but it still feels really cheap so as long as the daughter isn't too rough on them they should hold up well.

I will say, Bose is decent about improving their stuff. The AE1 got lots of complaints about shoddy build quality and boomy bass with odd treble/fake soundstage and they reduced mid bass and improved the deep bass as well as making it smoother overall and improving the hinges on the AE2 so hopefully they improved upon this in the Soundtrue even if they kept the same sound quality, which I've heard a lot worse from more expensive cans

 

[Nolegrl]

I've had my AE2 for about 3 years now and still going strong.

Awesome! I'm glad they hold up well if you take care of them.