Bose headphones

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Bose headphones are a family of headphone products sold by the Bose Corporation. The company pioneered the development of headphones that use active noise cancellation technology.

Contents 1 Background 1.1 Research 1.1.1 Bose Acoustic Active Noise-Cancellation 1.1.2 Bose TriPort Earcup Structure 1.2 Headphone timeline 2 Current and previous Bose headphones 3 QuietComfort Headphones 3.1 Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones "Second Edition" 3.2 Bose QuietComfort 3 Headphones 4 Bose TriPort Headphones 4.1 Bose Around-Ear (AE) Headphones 4.2 Bose On-Ear (OE) Headphones 4.3 Bose In-Ear (IE) Headphones 5 Bose Aviation Headset X "Explorer" 5.1 Upgrade Program 6 Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset 7 Bose QuietComfort and American Airlines 8 Criticisms 9 See also 10 References 10.1 External links

[edit] Background

[edit] Research

The idea of personal noise protection by actively controlled headphones was originally documented in a 1960 Russian patent application^[1][2] According to Bose, the company started noise-cancellation involvement after Dr. Bose went on a 1978 flight to Europe, utilized the headphones provided during the flight only to conclude that he couldn't really enjoy the sound with the roar of engines in the background."^[3]. One source notes that "nearly simultaneously, the US company Bose and Sennheiser in Germany presented active headsets for aircraft pilots,"^[1] citing a 1986 ASME paper about the Bose product and a 1988 Funkschau paper about the Sennheiser. Bose's first noise-cancelling headsets were released in 1989.

[edit] Bose Acoustic Active Noise-Cancellation

It took Bose about 10 years (the QuietComfort Headphones were released in 1989) to engineer, fine-tune, and finalize its patented Acoustic Noise Cancellation technology, a form of active noise-cancellation technology. Since the release of Bose's Acoustic Noise Cancellation system, the technology underwent massive changes which include changing the circuitry pattern, magnetically-shielding the earcups, and refining the noise-cancellation programming to reduce the amount of hissing.

In the current revision, acoustic noise-cancellation headsets sold by Bose now include Electronic Active Equalization to balance out the sound.

Like all such technology, it mixes an inverted sample of the ambient sound outside the headset with the sound that reaches the inside of the headset, partially cancelling out the noise. Obviously active (battery-powered) noise cancellation is never perfect, and is better at low frequencies than at high frequencies.^{[citation needed]}

As an active noise-cancellation mechanism, it requires a source of power—a small battery inside the headset—to perform the cancellation. Bose headphones also perform active equalization of the signal.

[edit] Bose TriPort Earcup Structure

In order to reduce the bulkiness found in a lot of headphones and to keep the headphones portable, compact, and lightweight, Bose also engineered an earcup structure which utilizes three small ports in each earcup so that the drivers will operate more efficiently to produce clearer treble and deeper bass. By letting the air enter into the three ports, the drivers in each earcup can "have some breathing room" to operate in a more efficient manner. This is Bose's patented TriPort Earcup Structure, first introduced with the Bose Aviation Headset X "Magellan" released in 1998. Since the proprietary structuring helped reduce the amount of size and weight of the headphones, all of Bose's headphones released today feature the company's proprietary earcup structure. This lowered the mass of Bose's flagship QuietComfort family of headphones, and also made Bose's professional-grade headphones (Aviation family, and its military family of headphones) easier to wear.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Headphone timeline

While all of the headphones (with the exception of the QC3, OE and IE) are circumaural, all headphones are closed-air for passive noise cancellation. The Headphone Lineup Timeline (in order from earliest to latest) are as follows:

• 1989 — Bose QuietComfort Headphones
• 1989 — Bose Aviation Headset Series I
• 1993 — Bose Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset
• 1995 — Bose Aviation Headset Series II
• 1998 — Bose Aviation Headset X "Magellan" (Pronounced ten not the letter X)
• 2001 — Bose Around-Ear Headphones (called the TriPort Headphones until October 12th 2006)
• 2003 — Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones
• 2003 — Bose Aviation Headset X "Explorer"
• 2005 — Bose TriPort CD Music System
• 2005 — Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones "Second Edition"
• 2006 — Bose QuietComfort 3 Headphones — Bose's first supra-aural headphones
• 2006 — Bose On-Ear Headphones
• 2006 — Bose In-Ear Headphones

[edit] Current and previous Bose headphones

Main article: Previous Bose Headphones

Below is a list of currently manufactured Bose headphones as of August 2006. To see previously manufactured Bose headphones please use the link above.

[edit] QuietComfort Headphones

[edit] Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones "Second Edition"

Released in August 2005, the Bose QuietComfort 2 Second Edition addresses several of the concerns raised with the original QuietComfort 2 headphones. The headband coloring scheme has been changed, and the earcups have been given a "more iPod-friendly color of Silver" with some chrome markings, with the same price and specifications as with the first edition of the same product. Furthermore, the QC2 SE is the first member of the QuietComfort family to include Bose's Acoustic Noise Equalization, specially enhanced for this product, which improves the highs earcup after earcup.

Bose markets the QuietComfort family of headphones mainly for frequent travelers. Many airlines offer Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones on either first-class or business-class trips. Although they were specifically designed for airline use, the headphones are marketed as being appropriate in a wide variety of circumstances, including buses and trains, the office, or for home use.

Like the previous QuietComfort 2's The Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones "Second Edition" comes with

• Bose's patented Acoustic Noise Cancellation Technology
• Bose-patented TriPort headphone structuring for improved bass and treble
• Active Equalization requiring power to improve the sound quality and counteract the effects of active noise cancelling.
  • On-off switch on the right earcup
  • Utilizes only one AAA battery inside the right earcup.
  • Collapsible one-wire attenuator to control the noise cancellation level
  • Single Cord that can be detached if the user doesn't want to listen to music
• A small, travel-friendly carrying case for the QuietComfort Headphones
• Foldable form-factor

There are several major differences between the first and second editions of the Quiet Comfort 2:

• Different Color. The second edition uses the same headband and headcups as the first edition, though of different color and different material. The first edition is champagne colored, while the second edition is silver and chrome.
• Increased battery life
• Improved headband durability. The headband is substantially more durable.
• Acoustic Sound Equalization improved from the TriPort Headphones
  • Improved Highs/treble performance from the QuietComfort 2 First Edition
• Magnetically-shielded earcup technology
  • Improves protection from Electromagnetic and RF interference.
  • Keeps Noise Artifacts to an absolute minimum. The amount of "weird noise artifacts" in the noise-cancellation circuitry has been reduced.
• Bose sells a cellphone connection attenuator as an accessory. It allows the QuietComfort 2 headphones to connect to many MP3 enabled cellphones. This attenuator can replace the standard 3.5" stereo attenuator (included with the QC2). It allows the user both to listen to music and operate the cellphone. [1]

[edit] Bose QuietComfort 3 Headphones

Bose released the QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones on June 15, 2006 to complement the current QC2 SE: the QC2 is circumaural, the QC3 supra-aural.

Since supra-aural headphones typically don't provide as much passive noise cancellation (the physical blocking of noise) as circumaural headphones, its design was more challenging. Bose states that new design features of the QC3s result in the same amount of total (active + passive) noise reduction as the QC2's.

The QC3, however, appears to achieve its active noise cancellation performance at the expense of stability - pressure on the earpads, such as that caused by the user leaning their head against a flat surface or manually pressing on the headphones, causes an unpleasant squealing noise.

The QC3 uses memory foam to conform to the ear and provide a good acoustic seal without uncomfortable pressure.

Since the QC3 is too small to contain one AAA battery, it is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery instead. Bose claims a battery life of twenty hours, about half that of the QC2.

[edit] Bose TriPort Headphones

[edit] Bose Around-Ear (AE) Headphones

Introduced in 2001 and originally called the TriPort headphones, they were renamed the Bose Around-Ear (AE) Headphones in October 2006. They cost about half as much as Bose's noise-cancelling headphones and do not provide active noise cancellation. The TriPort design is said to improve frequency response, particular in the bass. Bose also sells these headphones bundled with a Bose-badged CD player as the "Bose TriPort CD music system."

A New York Times reviewer quoted a Bose spokesperson as saying that the system was "partly tested by inserting probe microphones into peoples' ear canals." The reviewer commented that "the research effort paid off: the [Bose Around-Ear Headphones] has very full sound and works equally well with all types of music," but judged a competitor's headset, priced at less than half the price of the AE's, to be "just as comfortable and just as light, and the sound it produced was just as full and clear."^[4]

[edit] Bose On-Ear (OE) Headphones

Known as the "Bose TriPort OE" during its development phase, the Bose On-Ear headphones were released on October 12, 2006. The Bose On-Ear utilizes the same TriPort headphone structure first seen with Bose's QuietComfort 3 Headphones, but the On-Ear will not have Bose Acoustic Noise Cancellation. Bose On-Ear, like the QuietComfort 3, utilizes memory foam technology and Bose's understanding of ear ergonomics to ensure complete ear coverage. The Bose On-Ear was engineered with the following things in mind: one-corded convenience, street-friendly use, cost-effectiveness, flexible collapsability, and increased portability. The cord is also detachable with two cord length options 43 or 16-inches. It won't replace the TriPort headphones as part of Bose's commitment to headphone variety. [2], [3]

[edit] Bose In-Ear (IE) Headphones

Known as the "Bose TriPort IE" during its development phase, the Bose In-Ear headphones were released on October 12, 2006. Said to be the most difficult and tedious set of earphones for Bose to engineer and research, Bose In-Ear, like many earbuds, are tailored specifically for the portable audio audience. Bose In-Ear headphones are also the first set of earbuds manufactured in the company's history. Bose In-Ear comes with 3 different sized attachments customized for different ear sizes. Unlike most earbuds, Bose's silicone tips have a special shaping so that the earbuds can fit the ear's natural curves more closely. In addition, Bose had to specially engineer its TriPort headphone structure in order to accommodate Bose In-Ear's petite, low-profile size.

[edit] Bose Aviation Headset X "Explorer"

The original Bose Aviation Headset X (Pronounced ten not the letter X), were released in 1998, designed for pilots also used by the United States Air Force.

Bose's Tri-Port drivers were introduced with the release of the Aviation X headsets. Utilizing Bose's Tri-Port technology not only did it improve the sound quality over its predecessor, but due to its design it helped reduce the weight of the headphones. The Tri-Port drivers leave more space inside the ear cups for passive attenuation and allows for reduced headband force. This is mainly since the porting technology diminished the need for more passive noise reducing techniques such as clamping force and extra padding. But these headphones do have more passive noise reduction than the QC2’s giving them better noise reducing abilities with the same active noise reduction technology.

Reducing noise is important for intelligibility. U.S. Air Force tests on their previous Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling headsets achieved intelligibility scores of 95% at 115 dB -- compared to 80% for conventional headsets. The Bose Aviation Headset X offers even more noise reduction.

Aviation Headset X was voted #1 by Professional Pilot Magazine’s headset preference survey 4 years in a Row from 2000 to 2004 (2004 Headset Preference Survey, Dec p 80)

The Aviation Headset includes

• Active Equalization - Clean full sound quality that enhances intelligibility of radio and intercom audio and enables natural sounding music reproduction
• Acoustic Noise Cancellation - reduces noise over the full range of the human hearing
• Integrated boom Detaches, to be worn on either the right or left earcup.
• Portable Carry Case for headphone and accessories
• Individual left and right volume controls
• TriPort speaker technology giving a lower base, a lighter weight, and significantly reduced clamping force.
• Ability to use with a helicopter with an additional adaptor [4]

In July 2003 Bose came out with a second generation of Aviation X headsets called "Explorer". The improvements over the original design was not on the noise reducing headphones themselves, but the boom microphone & its battery pack called the down cable assembly.

Other Improvements

• Bose AdaptiSense Circuitry - Adaptisense (pronounced Adapt 'I" sense)
  • Detects the need for power
  • Adjusts the power sent to the headset
  • Optimizes the power consumption to provide at least 40 hours of use.
  • Smart shut off that turns the Headset power off by detecting inactivity.
• A new tri-color indicator with day/night brightness adjustment showing battery status
• Increased warranty to 5 years

There is an installed control module that will allow the headphones to be permanently installed in the aircraft thus eliminating the need for battery power.

[edit] Upgrade Program

Bose offers a number of trade in and upgrade programs for their aviation headset line. Aviation Headset X "Magellan" owners can upgrade to the Aviation X "Explorer" down cable assembly, and Aviation Headset Series I & II owners wishing receive a trade-in credit towards the purchase of an Aviation X headset.

[edit] Combat Vehicle Crewman Headset

In 1993, Bose became the first company to supply an active noise reduction system to the United States Army for their armored vehicle crews. Designed specifically for use in tracked armored vehicles such as the M1 Abrams tank and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, this is amongst certain Bose offerings not available to the consumer market.

At noise levels of 115dBA SPL, Bose noise cancelling headsets improves speech intelligibility scores to 95%, compared to 80% for conventional headsets. (Source: USAF AL data.). At low frequencies, Bose headsets are much more effective in attenuating noise than passive noise reduction headsets. The headsets are comfortable to wear. A binaural talk-through feature allows crewmen to talk directly to each other without removing their headsets, and while continuing to protect against loud noises.

[edit] Bose QuietComfort and American Airlines

American Airlines provides QuietComfort 2 headphones to first- and business-class passengers on some long-haul flights. Bose has made American Airlines several special edition versions of the QuietComforts starting with the original QC1 that had blue ear cups and an American Airlines logo on them. American Airlines became the first airline to offer the QuietComforts.

American Airlines allows each of their First and Business Class passengers to use a pair of the QuietComfort 2 second editions on long-haul flights to Europe, Asia, deep South America and select First Class transcontinental flights.

Source: American Airlines

[edit] Criticisms

There are also criticisms of the products, however opinions are extremely subjective. Consumer reactions to different headphones and earbuds do vary, since audio products tend to perform differently for a wide variety of reasons. The performance of headphones depends greatly on a variety of factors, including musical genre, the recording medium (whether vinyl, CD, DVD, compressed audio file, etc.) and playback equipment.

• The QuietComfort headphone models are expensive. They are incapable of unpowered operation, unlike some competitive products can operate passively, without noise reduction, when unpowered.

• The QuietComfort 3 has about half the battery life of the QuietComfort 2.

• The QuietComfort 3 squeals when pressed against the user's ears.

• Early versions of the TriPort headphones (now called the Bose Around-Ear Headphones) had durability problems (i.e. frequent headband/earcup cracks). As of 2005, current shipments of the headphones have addressed most of the durability problems, the latest version of the headphones (featuring improved durability) have a P3 label on the package.

[edit] See also

• Bose Corporation
• Previous Bose Headphones

[edit] References

• Bose Aviation X owners manual
• Bose TriPort Headphone Pages
• Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones "Second Edition"
• Bose Aviation Headset X Page
• Bose Triport FAQ
• TriPort Headphones Extended Data at Best Buy
• American Airlines QuietComfort Program
• QuietComfort 3 Pre-Release Information

[edit] External links

• The Bose corporation's website
• Website of Bose UK
• Website of Bose Australia
• Website of Bose France
• Aviation Headset X review