Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Bose is known for two things: noise cancellation headphones, and getting better sound quality than one would expect for the size of the product. These are NOT noise cancelling headphones, so they are more about getting the sound quality one would expect from larger headphones. This is the second pair of Bose headphones that I have had. The other set is the Quiet Comfort 15. One of the less-than-desirable features of the Quiet Comfort 15 is that they cannot be used with the noise cancellation feature off. That means that the sound from the QC15 is always just slightly muted. Consequently, I actually prefer the OE2 if I don't need noise cancellation. The QC15's can reveal slightly more detail, and if they could be used with the noise cancellation off, then I would never even consider using the OE2's. However, the slight muting effect of the noise cancellation is somewhat annoying when it isn't necessary. It is necessary on planes, trains, etc., but in the quiet of my own home or office, I am more likely to reach for the OE2's than the QC15's. So, let's talk about the sound quality itself. I find the sound to be roughly on par with my Sennheiser 448's. The Sennheisers allow me to hear a few subtle details that I cannot hear as well with the OE2's, but the OE2's have slightly better clarity in the vocals. Which matters more? That's personal taste. So, a couple of things to keep in mind. First, the Sennheisers are much cheaper. However, they are also much larger and heavier, as over-the-ear headphones generally are. The over-ear vs. on-ear issue is also a matter of taste. However, there is something to be said for how light-weight and comfortable the OE2's are. Remember, Bose is known for getting better sound than one would expect for the size of the speakers. However, the price difference is big. These are currently listed at $150. I paid $85 for my Sennheisers. So, are the Bose OE2's worth it? That depends on whether you are really interested in a pair of small, comfortable, light-weight over-the-ear headphones with surprisingly decent sound for the size. If that is what you want, then it may be worth it to shell out the significant extra money. However, you can get comparable sound quality for much less money if you are willing to accept heavier, bulkier headphones. A note about the construction, though. Some reviewers are going to say that the OE2's feel like they have a cheap and flimsy construction. That is because they are made of very light-weight plastic. That's the point. If having something heavier makes you feel better just because you like the weight of the headphones on your head, then go for something bigger. You'll save a bundle doing so anyway. Bose sound is not inherently better than what you get from other good manufacturers. They just get good sound out of smaller products, and that's what these things are: decent sound at a high price because it comes from a small, light-weight product, kind of like the Wave or their little "jewel-cube" speakers. You can get as-good-or-better sound quality for significantly less money, but only from heavier, bulkier products.