| Customer Reviews Collected from bose.com |
Bose - QuietComfort® 20 Headphones (Samsung and Android) - Black
Average Customer Rating:
4.1
Rating breakdown 499 reviews
5 Stars
295
4 Stars
83
3 Stars
48
2 Stars
39
1 Star
34
Customer Reviews for Bose - QuietComfort® 20 Headphones (Samsung and Android) - Black
Customer Rating
3
Good & Not So Good
on February 17, 2016
Posted by: BobK
Gender:Male
The problem I'm trying to solve is noise from a motorcycle exhaust. This is a "drone" type of noise and while regular foam ear plugs help somewhat they are not the answer. Before looking into changing the exhaust system I thought I would try a noise cancellation solution and in particular the Bose QC20s. At first I experimented with my Bose QC25 headphones using them in driveway and revving up the bike engine. The noise levels were greatly reduced and initially this appeared to be a solution. Obviously I couldn't put my helmet over the headphones so I purchased the QC20 ear buds. When I tried them in the driveway I thought this was the perfect solution. I also rode a short distance around the neighborhood and still was impressed with the reduced noise levels.
The real test though was taking the motorcycle out on the highways and for a long ride. This is when the issues started to occur. First let me say that it is somewhat of a challenge to keep the buds in place while putting a helmet on as the helmet tends to pull the buds out of the ears so you have to hold them in place with one finger while sliding the helmet down over your head. It's awkward and can be done but the buds never end up the way you would like them. However, they are still somewhat effective.
After getting up to speed I notice a strange popping, chirping, clicking sound. This apparently was due to wind gusts that probably are difficult for the cancellation circuitry to invert and cancel out. So for the entire trip I listened to "chirp, chirp, bleep, bleep, click, click". This gets old after a while but I was thinking I could put up with this given the reduced noise levels that I was experiencing.
However, the game changer was after an hour of riding the buds started to really hurt. I started to get a pain up near the temple area which was strange. Not wanting to immediately suspect the ear buds I stopped, took off the QC20s and replaced them with my normal foam ear plugs. The pain immediately went away so indeed this problem was due to the QC20s. Yes, I tried all three sizes that came with the unit but the only ones that worked and stayed put were the medium sizes. By the way I didn't play any music during this ride so the pain could not be attributed to loud music.
I might add that given the way these buds mount in the ear(s) that any application (walking, jogging, cycling, etc.) would be enough movement to cause the buds fall out. They just aren't secure enough (in my opinion) to stay in place unless you are pretty much standing still.
On a positive note I must say that the music reproduction part of these units is pretty good and the control device for volume, mode, etc. is quite convenient and manageable even with motorcycle gloves on.
While there was a good amount of noise reduction by the QC20s due to the other issues I will returned these units for a refund as it was too much to put up with given the cost of the QC20s. So I'm still searching for a solution to my problem.
Response from bose.comBy Julius, Bose Service, February 22, 2016
Hello Bob,
Thank you for the review. We appreciate the feedback. While the Bose QC20 noise-canceling headphones will definitely block noise, they are not quite designed to be used in the situation you described. With the QC20 noise-canceling microphones sealed in a motorcycle helmet instead of open to the air, the noise-canceling may not function as intended. Most customers find them to be very comfortable and secure for use while traveling, and they are excellent at blocking noise from an airplane engine. The tips should also allow the headphones to stay securely in you ears while being very comfortable.
Thank you for trying the headphones. If you ever have any questions in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us at 800-380-4831. We are here to help Monday through Friday 9am to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 7pm EST.
Thank you for the review. We appreciate the feedback. While the Bose QC20 noise-canceling headphones will definitely block noise, they are not quite designed to be used in the situation you described. With the QC20 noise-canceling microphones sealed in a motorcycle helmet instead of open to the air, the noise-canceling may not function as intended. Most customers find them to be very comfortable and secure for use while traveling, and they are excellent at blocking noise from an airplane engine. The tips should also allow the headphones to stay securely in you ears while being very comfortable.
Thank you for trying the headphones. If you ever have any questions in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us at 800-380-4831. We are here to help Monday through Friday 9am to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 7pm EST.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
2
Outstanding performance, poor reliability
on February 20, 2017
Posted by: longhorn2017
Gender:Male
I've had these headphones for two years. They've demonstrated excellent sound quality and very good noise reduction. The stayhear tips are fantastic. Around year 1, the control switch stopped working properly as if the switch is semi-jammed. Just stretching or breathing will cause the volume to change. Unfortunately the switch hangs at the center of the chest, right where you place pressure using various equipment at the gym (reverse flys, incline presses, etc.) and it's simply not strong enough to handle these situations. I advise using wireless headphones for the gym, and save these for travel, etc.
Response from bose.comBy Ryan, Bose Service, February 21, 2017
Thank you for writing your review. We are glad to hear that you enjoy the sound quality and active noise cancellation that these headphones offer.
We would like to suggest that you contact our product support team as we'd like to get you back up and running with great sounding music for your workouts. You can reach us at 1-800-379-2073. We are open from Mon. – Fri., 9 AM – 9 PM EST.
We would like to suggest that you contact our product support team as we'd like to get you back up and running with great sounding music for your workouts. You can reach us at 1-800-379-2073. We are open from Mon. – Fri., 9 AM – 9 PM EST.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
4
Absolute quality
on December 1, 2015
Posted by: COx
Gender:Male
Without a doubt the most comfortable headphones. Period. I have always had difficulty keeping the ear buds in the ear while doing anything but sitting still, but the buds with the QuietComfort are snug without being uncomfortable. The noise cancelling blocks almost all noise (ie: ocean waves, babies crying, people talking), even between songs when it is quiet, you can only hear yourself breathe; no outside noise or noise from the the music device itself (no humming sound)..pure quiet. The music sound is crisp, clear and not distorted even at high volume. The controls are easy to use and at a good level to grab quickly. The one thing I do have concerns about is the noise cancelling control device. It isn't too heavy or bulky, but it does get in the way most of the time and I also think that the connection between the control device and the headphone cord will eventually fray from constant bending from putting in my pocket; although the connecting cord is fairly solid. If not for the noise cancelling device issue, my review would have been five stars, because these headphones rock.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
3
GOOD SOUND
on March 1, 2017
Posted by: Dre
Gender:Male
Sound quality is very good. However I do not notice much, if any, ambient noise
reduction. Noise reduction is over promised, under delivered.
reduction. Noise reduction is over promised, under delivered.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
3
Expensive for how long they last.
on June 16, 2017
Posted by: cloakes
Gender:Female
My husband got me a set of these for christmas 2015. I loved everything about them. Light weight, great sound, noise cancelling excellent. Even over the loud skidsteer tractor feeding the cattle. Now for the bad. The wire on the left ear started to seperate from the small base. I used electric tape to try to keep it together, but didn't last long, and now I have sound only in the right ear. Which means no more noise cancelling. Really miss having them, but cannot bring myself to spend that much money if they are only going to last a year.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Best Gift Ever
on March 10, 2019
Posted by: Minuteman
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] My wife bought me these as a present. I have had my pair for a little over 4 years. I am now buying my wife a pair so she can leave mine alone. The only thing I wish they had would be a better color selection for android models.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Voice technology
on June 21, 2019
Posted by: Completely satisfied
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been using Bose with many models over "10yrs",many different models and now I am listening to qc30,with a comparison with average headphones these have a much more clear sound
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
I consider them "The Best"
on August 19, 2019
Posted by: SF2019
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I chose the in-ear style as I have a large head. I wanted noise-cancelling to eliminate airplane engine noise when flying and found the QC20 are very good at doing so. Music listening is great from hard rock to classical. They work quite well for phone call use. They are very good for reducing noise in the open office environment. Never had a problem with mine for 4 years until losing them in a airport concourse. Bought another set this morning ahead my next plane flight.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com