Hi there friend and Welcome aboard!!
Before we get into the Bowers & Wilkins P7 vs. Bose QC15, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
Because I have already reviewed the P7 in another article, I will outline the QC15 and then compare it to the P7 towards the end. 🙂
- Ratings/Price
- Specifications
- Summary
- Pros
- Cons
- Video Review
- Amp/DAC requirements
- Who these headphones benefit?
- Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Consensus/Conclusion
- Similarities & Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!
Bose Quiet Comfort 15
Specifications
- Frequency Response. 80Hz-3kHz
- Type: Closed Back.
- Impedance: 70 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 101dB
- Fit: Circumaural (Over-ear)
- Color: Black or Brown
- Weight: 140g
Summary
Even the people who gave this pair 5 stars admitted the sound quality is not exactly up to audiophile standards, especially for the steep price tag. The sound isolation is pretty good, but not phenomenal. There are still things that it won’t completely block out, but for plane rides this is a very good set. The build also could be a bit better. They feel a little flimsier than they should. The fact that they run on AAA batteries is also quite unfortunate.
Pros
- Phenomenal noise cancelling.
- Very comfortable.
- Nice carrying case.
- Provide a clean, neutral sound over the frequency spectrum.
Cons
- Overpriced.
- Not good for tracking drums, as the sound will cut out after each snare hit.
- Build quality suspect/a bit flimsy.
- Requires battery power even if you don’t want noise cancellation.
- Covering of ear pads disintegrate over time (2-3 years).
- Hot and may make your ears burn.
- Bass is exaggerated and treble is muted. The mid-range also does not provide as much clarity as expected.
- Smells like chemicals/cigarette smoke.
- Comes with a mic/volume control cable, but it only works on Apple devices.
Video Review
Amp/DAC requirements
None. How to choose a headphone amp!
Who these headphones benefit?
Great for:
- Office
- Plane
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Good noise cancelling overall, but some people had complaints. For instance it will not drown out the sound of a jet engine or screaming baby. Lol.
- The sound quality is not as good as it should be for a headphone in this price range.
- The bass is a bit of a mixed bag. Some say there wasn’t enough, some said it was too muddy, while others said there was too much.
- The headphone is such that the noise cancelling has to be completely on or off. You cannot listen to the headphones without the NC feature.
- So once the battery runs out, you’re up the creek without a paddle. These will not work without fresh batteries. Caveman status if you ask me 😛
- They do not handle ambient noise well; stuff like keystrokes, clanging of dishes, doors shutting, etc. Just keep in mind that they aren’t going to amaze you in regards to their noise cancelling properties, but also won’t disgust you either.
- Chord could be sturdier.
Consensus/Conclusion
Good for plane rides. Pretty good noise isolation. Very comfortable. Build quality suspect. The fact that they require batteries to operate at all isn’t convenient. Sound quality isn’t up to audiophile standards.
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
Both are closed back headphones. Closed back vs. Open back headphones.
Differences
- The QC15’s require AAA batteries while the P7’s do not.
- The P7’s bass is much stronger and clearer than the QC15.
- Frequency Response. The QC15’s have somewhat of a wonky one. 80Hz-3kHz. The P7’s are 10Hz-20kHz.
- Impedance. The QC15’s have a 73 Ohm impedance vs. the 22 Ohm of the P7’s. What is Headphone Impedance?
- Material & Comfort. The P7’s are made of Aluminum, leather and stainless steel, while the QC15’s are plastic and p leather (fake leather). The P7’s are also said to be a bit uncomfortable at times. You may be frequently adjusting and readjusting them. The QC15’s are extremely comfortable by contrast.
- Build quality. The build of the P7’s is pretty remarkable. The material is why. The QC15’s have gotten quite a few complaints of being light and somewhat flimsy.
- Weight. The QC15’s are 140g compared to the 290g of the P7.
Final Word
If I had to choose between the QC15’s or P7’s, I would go with the P7’s although I think the price tag on them is a bit steep. The QC15’s are decent for plane rides, but I’m not digging the whole AAA battery thing.
Instead I’m going to recommend an old favorite that I believe fits the bill for this situation. The Audio Technica ATH M50x. You get a fun sound, a crisp and tight bass response, good comfort, phenomenal build, great sound isolation, and pretty good portability. They fold up quite nicely in my pouch and can be carried different places with relative ease. They are also nearly indestructible. I’ve had mine since Jan. 2013 and they’re still going strong. Interested in learning more?
CHECK OUT MY AUDIO TECHNICA ATH M50 REVIEW!!
If you want to know more about the Bowers & Wilkins P7, check out:
BOWERS & WILKINS P7 VS. SENNHEISER MOMENTUM
Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on the Bowers & Wilkins P7 vs. Bose QC15.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Which of these is more up your alley? What do you think about the M50? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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