Bose AE2 Audio Headphones - Unbox, Details, Opinion, and vs Triport

Introducing the Bose AE2 Audio Headphones.  Light as a feather!

Intro

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I love Bose products. Bose delivers great sound, and yes their products are a bit pricey. The first Bose product I ever heard was a FM radio/Alarm clock and I thought my dad was listening to a CD.  I was super surprised how deep and clear the sounds felt considering it was FM radio.  Ever since that experience I have tried to get my hands on Bose products.

The first Bose product that I bought were the Bose Triport Around Ear headphones and they were great.  My first pair broke during some military movements, so I learned that they aren't that sturdy and can break. Once replaced I was a bit more careful and my second pair have gone with me to many places, including a deployment in Iraq during 2009.  Everyone that has ever been in a military knows how we manhandle everything, so device need to be sturdy enough.  While the Triport have been great headphones delivering great sound and a bit of that neat bass, they have aged quite a bit.  The cable is the first thing that wore off, they are thin and do break. I fixed that by cutting and soldering the cable.  Then the 3.5 jack has worn out and now I have to tweak it.  The last bit of trouble has been because I accidentally dumped them in water. (I swear it was an accident!)  Since my audio on the right speaker has been a bit cracky they are no longer enjoyable.  It's time for a new set.

Yesterday I saw the new Bose AE2 Audio Headphones and after trying them out I just had to get them.  My Triport have been with me for many years, but it's time to let them go.  I now welcome the new Bose AE2 into my daily use.  I spend a lot of continuous hours listening to tons of music, podcasts, and videos.   Let's see if these AE2 are up for my daily tasks.


Bose AE2 Unbox and Mini-Review Video:

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Alt video.

I hate that type of packaging so much. I always fear that I'm going to cut myself when I open these terrible and sharp plastic cases. They are simply awful.  Learn from Apple packaging Bose!

In The Box

• Bose AE2 Headphones
• Bose AE Owner's Guide
• Limited Warranty Card
• Bose Carrying Pouch

Box contents.

Details

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The moment I tried these headphones I knew that they were going to be my next headphone set.  But then  I tried some of the Beats By Dr. Dre HD and those have great sound.  If you are into massive bass those are the ones for you.  I really can't take that massive amount of bass going into my head for too long.  Bass is good in situations, but not for constant listening.  You will go insane.  The Beats by Dr. Dre models I tried were also way more expensive than the Bose AE2.  I also considered some Sennheisers as I know that company rocks when it comes to audio,  But they never have a display at any store that I have been were you can try their high quality headphones.  Bose seems to always have a functioning audio display for their products and that's what really makes people say "wow" and in the end spend money.  Most of the headphone/earphone companies market their audio via shity pamphlets, websites and videos, or some specs that mean nothing.  Headphone companies, if you want to sell product please have your product on display and for people to try out.  Your headphones might be the best in the world, but if people can't try them they are not.  I always start going in weird directions when I write.  Back to Bose AE2 details.

 The ear-cups are big enough so my ears are not crushed

Audio Quality

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First of all these headphones are light and comfortable.  They also provide very balanced audio with a bit of bass in them.  It's not like "club like" bass, but it's very smooth.  It seems as if audio comes out without any "harshness" and that allows long periods of listening to just about every music genre out there.  This is worth a lot to me as I spend tons of hours listening to a whole variety of audio.  Sometimes I listen to electronic music, game music, rock, audio books, movies and shows, and the list goes on.  I need a good balance to not drive my ears insane and keep me doing what I do.

If you need hardcore bass then go for something like the Beats by Dr. Dre.  The AE2 do have bass, but it's not a very intense bass.  It's the type of bass that you can listen for many hours.  I'm not going to go into Bose AE2 vs Beats by Dr. Dre discussion here.

If you have the volume up enough audio will come out of these and the rest of the world can hear what you are listening to.  This might be something to consider if you need a high level of audio to hear properly and you work at a quiet environment.  There's nothing worse than listening to comedy jokes that make you laugh but offend someone else...   It happens.  As audio can come out, audio also goes in.  These are not noise cancelling headphones.  Airplane noise will get through.  They do block a little bit of audio, but you can still hear what's going on around you.  If you want to pretend that you can't hear someone else's conversations you can fake it...  They are Bose headphones.

Silver and black colors.  These are not your circus show Skullcandy headphones.

Appearance
Like I mentioned above these are not Skullcandy like "cool" headphones.  I always thought Skullcandy are for high school kids.  The look on the AE2 are what I consider sophisticated.  If you take the AE2 out in public you won't feel like you have massive and ridiculous looking giant headphones.  At the end of the day the appearance of your headphones are your choice, with the AE2 you get what's shown on the pictures.  To me they look good and pass the "appearance" test.

Build Quality
The ear-cup padding are really good and the combination of the frame help make these very comfortable.  Even if you wear glasses these headphones won't make your glasses dig into your skull.  Try them at your local Best Buy and you will see.  I mentioned that they were light, and they are, but this lightness makes the headphones feel "cheap".  This lightness makes them feel like you can break them easily.  So far I have dropped them once and they are still intact.  On their website Bose claims that these are very good solid materials that will last.  Only time can tell.

 The secret to great comfort and audio? ;)

What I like:

• Very Comfortable
• Light weight
• Good size (not huge)
• They look very "respectable"
• One side cable
• Great balanced audio (no super bass, but there's just enough)
• Can be worn for many hours (it will take a very long time to fatigue your ears)
• Audio cable length ( 5 feet )
• Swappable/detachable audio cable
• Rotating ear-cups

What I don't like:

• Light materials make these headphones feel cheap/easy to break  (I'm not testing this)
• If you up the volume audio escapes and other people can hear your music/audio book/podcast/radio
• No noise canceling - audio will go in
• $150 price is quite a bit
• They still heat up my ears a bit (not super uncomfortable as with tighter headphones)

Alt video. My brother's Bose AE2 audio headphones test and opinion

I think he approves!


Specs and Features:

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Triport acousitc headphone structure
Bose acoustic equalization
Around-ear headphone design
Adjustable headband - allows approximately three inches of adjustment in length
Fold flat ear cups
Detachable cable
Drawstring carry bag

 Padded frame ensures head comfort.  The frame is flexible and it also extends.

Headphones Dimensions
7.5"H x 6"W x 1.5"D ( 19.1 cm x 15.2 cm x 3.8 cm )
Ear Cushion Dimensions
3.8"H x 2.9"W ( 9.6 cm x 7.4 cm )
Weight With Cable
4.9 oz (140 g)
Cable Length
5 foot

 5 foot cable with 3.5 mm jack hooks to one side and the cable is detachable.

Official Accessories and Replacement Parts at Bose's website:

• 5' AE2 headphones replacement audio cable
• AE2 headphones ear cushion kit
• AE2 headphones carry bag
• 20' Extension cable

Alt video. This feature makes me happy. Detachable cable for easy replacements if needed.

I don't want to solder headphone cables ever again.  I would rather just get a quick replacement and the AE2 headphones allow it. Good job Bose!


Warranty Details

Who is covered:
The warranty is extended only to the original end-use purchaser or the person receiving the product as a gift, and shall not be extended to any other person or transferee.

What is covered/For how long:
Unless a different warranty period is stated in the Owner's guide provided with your Bose product, for a period of 1 year (2 years EU) [5years for any non-powered speakers that may be incorporated into this product] from the date of retail purchase by the original end-use purchaser, Bose warrants that this product, when delivered to you in new condition, in original packaging, from a Bose authorized reseller and used in normal conditions, is free from any defects in manufacturing, materials and workmanship.

What is not covered:
This warranty does not cover defects resulting from improper or unreasonable use or maintenance; failure to follow operating instructions; accident; excess moisture; insects; lightning; power surges; connections to improper voltage supply; unauthorized alteration or modification of original condition; damages caused by inadequate packing or shipping procedures; loss of damage to or corruption of stored data; damages caused by use with non-Bose products; product that requires modification or adaptation to enable it to operate in any country other than the country for which it was designed, manufactured, approved and or authorized or repair of products damaged by these modifications; and products purchased from unauthorized dealers.

The limited warranty goes on and on, but it pretty much covers any defect that might be on the product when originally purchase it.  If you inflict damage to your headphones then it's your problem.  They do have replacement plans were you can exchange the damaged headphones for a "fee".  Bose is a good company at this and I have used the service before.  It does take a bit of time but it's worth it if you love your headphones.

Bose Support
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/customer_service/index.jsp

Fold the ear-cups to safely store your Bose AE2

Conclusion

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As it seems on the videos I might be a bit excited like a newlywed during honeymoon phase, and therefore a bit bias.  The truth is I like these headphones. They look good, they are light, and they deliver great audio. I know some people like more bass, some like less. I personally like a good balance that won't make my hears hurt.  I am a bit tone deaf after lot's of hard bass parties, and exposure to loud noise in military vehicles, guns (M16s, AK47s, hand guns, SAWS, 240 machine guns, 50 cals)  and grenade and bomb explosions.  I am not an audio expert, but still manage to hear tons of detail with these headphones.  I wish I had ears of pre military times to fully hear the sounds that these headphones produce.  I can still hear a good amount of the spectrum, so I still hear fine, I just have to up the volume a bit more.  When I get older I'll fit the perfect deaf grandpa role.  :)  hahaha.   After a few hours of use I think I made a good buy and hope to have these headphones last me for many years.

Bose AE2 Audio Headphones Vendor Video

Links:

• Bose AE2 Headphones

AE2 vs Triport
How do the AE2 compare against the Triport Around Ear headphones?  Besides the price difference there are several improvements on the AE2.  Enjoy the photos.  Make sure to click on them to get the full resolution image.

 Fold ear-cups?  - AE2 + 1

Similar but the ear-cup size is larger on the AE2 (left side) -  AE2 + 1

Sexier ear-cup?  AE2 + 1  (my opinion!)

3.5 mm design? this is to be determined but the 90 degree Triport ones have gone bad.
I'm not sure if the new design will last longer.

That's the spot where my first Triport broke at.  On the Triport they are held by a single screw on each side.
The AE2s has two on each side..  It seems sturdier.  AE2 + 1

The frame is what keeps these together.  The AE2 is a bit thicker.  AE2 + 1

Engineered in the USA, assembled in China.  -1 to the both of them for being unpatriotic... but everything is made in China these days so it might not matter.

I really believe these Bose AE2 are better than the Triport.  Again everyone has different opinions to what is "best", these are my thoughts.

Note: I have had the headphones on for about 7 hours.  Pretty impressive since my ears feel like they can take many more hours.  But it's time for me to go to sleep.  Caffeine does some amazing stuff too.