Imitation may be sincerest form of flattery, but we're not sure the folks over at Bose are going to feel so thrilled after they get a look at and listen to Jabra's C820s noise-canceling headphones. While the C820s headphones aren't exactly clones of Bose's QuietComfort 2, their design has certainly been inspired by that popular and well-advertised model, right down to the included bundle of accessories and storage case. And the kicker is that the C820s reatil for $159, which is almost a quarter of the price of the QuietComfort 2.
Like the QuietComfort 2s, the C820s headphones feature an over-the-ear (circumaural) design and soft, cushioned earpieces that effectively seal off your ears from a noisy environment. The Jabra headphones offer the same fold-flat design of the QuietComfort 2 and have noise-cancelling circuitry that's built into the headphones themselves, rather than having a little box incorporated into the cord. They also come with a protective carrying case and a two-prong adapter for plane travel, as well as an extra bit of cord that extends the length of the headphones' cord. That main cord is detachable from the headphones, so you can use the headphones to simply hush noise (say, while you're riding on your lawnmower) without the hassle of dangling cables.
The long and short of it is that these two headphones are very similar. But here's the deal: the Jabra headphones just aren't quite as good. They're comfortable headphones, but not quite as comfortable as the QuietComfort 2. Their noise cancellation is effective, but it's a tad less effective than that of the QuietComfort 2. They sound good -- but, again, not quite as good as the QuietComfort 2.
Now, the QuietComfort 2 aren't the best-sounding headphones we've heard, especially at their lofty $600 price, but they do sound richer and more refined than the Jabra headphones and their bass packs more oomph. Jabra's bass is decent enough, but on bass-heavy tracks, such as Snoop Dogg's "Drop It Like It's Hot," you can really sense that the Bose's bass is fuller and a little tighter.
That said, the one thing you can do with the Jabra that you can't with the Bose is listen to music and movies when the noise cancellation is turned off (or when the AAA battery that powers the noise cancellation dies). The sound is definitely a little muffled when the noise cancellation is off (when you turn it on, the volume is automatically boosted), but we were able to watch -- and listen to -- an episode of The Office on our video iPod without any trouble.
What's it all add up to? Well, despite failing to measure up to the model it chooses to imitate, the C820s gets most of the way there for a fraction of the cost. In other words, if you're looking for the poor man's Bose, this is it.
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stevee_v
02/07/2008, 12:46 PM
rating
10/10
I bought these from www.pcsol.com.au Cost me $85 and they still have them in stock.
Pros: Fantastic headset - worked great on the train
Cons: doesnt block out the sound of my wife :o.. LOL
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Scoop
15/06/2008, 05:19 PM
rating
9/10
Great headphones
Pros: Value for money, so impressed bought a 2nd pair for my wife
Cons: I get a ticking noise on Qantas domestic flights, not so on Qantas international nor US aircrafts. When obviously discommed from the qantas sound system, no ticking noise!!
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alchemist
01/05/2008, 04:26 PM
rating
9/10
Just got a set for $85 from pcsol.com.au .
Pros: Lightweight compact design yet very comfortable and you forget you are wearing them after a few mins.
Incredible sound reduction (even with ANC switched off). Can listen with ANC off. Detachable cord.
Cons: Cord is short but a $5 extension from Dick Smith will fix
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Lamer
09/01/2008, 06:49 PM
rating
8/10
Awesome! Just picked up a set from bidbox.com.au for just under $70!
Pros: Great headset and noise cancelling for the price!
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srquigley
26/12/2007, 07:56 AM
rating
9/10
Compared to the lower echelon of noise cancelling phones (sony, RCA, etc) these are tons better in both audio and noise cancelling ability. Purchased on sale for 50 dollars
Pros: Excellent performance for the price. I have not tried the bose family, but of everything else I have tried none did better than these.
Cons: Ready for this... the cancellation switch seems very tight... and it is mostly plastic. I worry about plastic, and the lifetimes of the ear pads. Other than that, they are great.
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MargH
19/12/2007, 03:43 PM
rating
8/10
Just bought mine at Organiser World in Latrobe St. Melbourne for $109 (not on sale)
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YA MUM
23/08/2007, 08:53 PM
rating
10/10
AWESOME AWESOME
Pros: AWESOME
Cons: NOTHING
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david
30/05/2007, 09:09 AM
rating
9/10
Excellent noise cancelling after trying Bose and Sennheiser phones which though also good - were far pricier for comparable or worse effectiveness.
Pros: Effectiveness:cost ratio
Active noise cancelling efficiency
Ability to listen to music with ANC off
Design - fold up and removable cord
Comfort
Cons: Perhaps not as comfortable for some people as Bose QC2 or QC3 - but I actually find the opposite - this does depend somewhat on the size of your head!
Audio quality while good - is not top notch - though you don't buy noise cancelling headphones at this price and expect everything now do you?
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david
23/05/2007, 09:27 AM
rating
9/10
Good, not great sound quality - in a quiet room... but they are very good in a noisy atmosphere for which they are designed
Pros: value for money
very good (not quite Bose level) sound reduction
good sound quality
Cons: too much plastic where a sturdier material is required
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anonymous
07/05/2007, 04:30 PM
rating
8/10
Good headphones - continued
Updates since the first comment:
I have changed the batteries to new AAA Energizer rechargeable 900mAh. With the noise cancelling turned on I get close to 40 hours use.
After five/six months of continuous use:
Even being careful with the headphones, they have developed small cracks on the arms which have had to be reinforced. Other than that the headphones are still working well.
In response: Can this be used with an Apple iPod.
Yes, I have used these with an Apple iPod.
In response: Does anyone know where in Australia to buy these.
I bought mine from Harvey Norman. You may be able to find them cheaper elsewhere...
Pros: Comfortable.
Cheaper than other models.
Reasonable audio quality.
Cables are separate to the headphones.
Good selection of cables included.
Cons: small cracks after
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