The highlight of the week for me was trying out Bose’s latest headphone product. The Bose QuietComfort 20 is their first in-ear noise cancelling headphones that offers noise reduction and more importantly comfort.
S$499 for a set of headphones came as a shocker initially. However, after the hands-on, I concluded this new product was worth every cent and would have to be an essential bring-along for trips.
As a frequent traveller, the soft silicon ear pieces provide comfort especially if you detest the heating up of on-ear or over-ear headphone. Sleeping in-flight would minimise hurting your ears or leaving any marks.
Microphones are built into each side of each headphone which helps to measure the sound outside so that it can block out any sound for noise cancelling as well as pick up any ambient sound when you turn on Bose’s proprietary Aware mode which reduces noise cancellation.
I can forsee myself using the QC20 on the road or while commuting using the useful Aware mode without being oblivious of my surroundings. When flying, I wouldn’t have to remove the headset when a flight attendant approaches me to explain the meal choices. Just a push of a button on the cord’s Y-joint to turn on the Aware mode, the music continues to play and the surroundings can be heard clearly.
The built in rechargeable battery on the QC20 headphones take approximately two hours to charge and provides up to 16 hours of power. Music plays on even when the battery is depleted.
An inline microphone lets you make calls and work with most Android, Windows and BlackBerry phones. There QC20i headphone model is designed for selected iPhone, iPad and iPod models allowing you to control the volume from the cord’s Y-Joint.
These Bose QuietComfort 20 Headphones weigh 43 grammes and come in a wallet sized pouch that isn’t too cumbersome to carry around and were launched in U.S.A. a month ago and are also available in Hong Kong.
Preorder has started and availability is scheduled from 30 September 2013.
