The combination of on-ear headphones and mobile phone hands-free headsets is not something you come across everyday. In fact, the Bose mobile on-ear headset is the first such combination we can remember reviewing. Available through the Apple online store, these headphones are marketed as iPhone friendly, but can be used with a range of mobile phones.
While we haven't reviewed other on-ear headsets for phones, we have reviewed these headphones before, sort of. Comparing this set with the Bose On-Ear headphones we reviewed earlier in the year is like trying remember which identical twin is which before you embarrass yourself by calling them the wrong names. The only difference is that this set is bundled with a mobile phone microphone with a 3.5mm jack. Without this attachment you are looking at the same headphones.
This is mostly a good thing. It means you get the same comfortable fit with the soft pleather ear cups and a sturdy headband, as well as the durable carry case. In addition, you get four 2.5mm adaptors and a mobile phone comparison chart to see which adaptor to use with your model phone .
You also get the same great audio quality, as described in our review of the stand-alone headphones. The bass is still pounding, and in some instances its overpowering, but there are plenty of circumstances, like on noisy buses or a long flight, where this extra low-end kick will be welcomed. Listening to Whitley's A shot to the stars, the thumping kick drum sounds like an angry neighbour pounding on the wall in 4/4 time, but does little to drown out the finer, high frequency elements of the track.
These headphones do a good job of noise isolating with almost no outside noise being audible. During calls the audio is excellent, far better than using a Bluetooth headset, though we did come across some compatibility issues. With an iPhone and the BlackBerry Flip we were fine, but our calls suffered heavy distortion when we used it with the Samsung INNOV8. We suggest you take your phone into the store and ask the assistant to help you test the Bose with your phone.
But the big issue here is price. Bose audio equipment is top-notch and usually demands a premium, but the AU$299 price tag for these headphones is mindboggling, and not just because there are several good sounding, cheaper alternatives available — even if they're not on-ear models. We find the fact that you are paying $100 for a microphone attachment quite offensive.
These are good quality headphones, and if money isn't an obstacle, we say go for it. If you are value conscious but still want Bose headphones, we'd suggest picking up a pair of the stand-alone cans and a microphone separately — audio cable manufacturer Monster makes the iSoniTalk microphone for mobile phones which retails for AU$34.95.
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