Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones - Headphones ( ear-bud ) - black

List Price: $139.28 Discount Price: $31.95

Features:

• Comfortable in-ear design
• TriPort® acoustic headphone structure
• S, M and L removable silicone tips

Customer Reviews:

What these are and are not... [Posted on 2008-10-02]
Perhaps the main reason why not to buy these:

You plan to use them for activity with lots motion (e.g. exercise, anything with lots of movement of the head, etc.).

I have more than a few Bose items and I recognize their strengths and weaknesses. But this is not a flaw. These are really not designed for that kind of activity.

Perhaps the main reason to buy these:

Sound.

There are many audiophiles who simply do not like Bose. I don't really know why. I love the sound (though I admit they are pricey). I was listening to LTJ Bukem's Journey Inwards and got to the last track and heard a rumbling of bass that made me think there was an SUV with a bass rumbling stereo in it next to me at a traffic light (oh, I drive with these...not advocating them for that...illegal...no stereo in my car). I removed the earphones; no SUV. It was a bass I had never heard before in earphones this small. And the volume was not very high either.

These sound amazing. I have a pair of over the ear Tri-port headphones that I love but they look funny while I'm driving (actually got a ticket wearing them...true story). I tried reverting back to the buds that came with my mp3 player and saying they suck is an understatement. That little earbud market has caused countless millions to sacrifice quality sound for convenience.

These brought new life to much of the music I listen to. I know they are pricey, I know they are fragile and I know all about the issue with the inserts. Here's my trick: I am the only one who uses these. Ever. And I treat them gently because I know what I paid. And I accept that limitation.

So far I've had no issue with the inserts. I do have to fidget with them a bit every so often but they are quite comfortable. The wire is quite long (which can be good or bad) so I can stick my mp3 in my pocket and still have plenty of wire so as not to jerk them out of my ear.

These did come with a carrying case that is nice but is not designed for protection if you stick them in, say, a suitcase full of stuff. But at least it will keep the wires encased.

Don't buy these if you plan to use them during engaging activity.

Recognize the pros and cons, weigh it out and make a decision. If you can visit an actual store where these are able to be tried, do it first. That's what I did. One listen I was sold.

If you are able to listen to music in a way that does not require much movement (e.g. in bed, while reading, etc.) and are looking for some 'oomph' to your music, I definitely recommend these.

Ask seller to verify authenticity [Posted on 2008-10-02]
When buying this product, ask the seller to make sure you can register this product on the Bose website. Ask to make sure you have a valid serial number that you can register. I had an issue with purchasing fake merchandise (not from this merchant) and wouldn't want anyone else to pay 99 dollars for 10 dollar headphones.

Very unhappy with these headphones [Posted on 2008-10-06]
Conpared to the Shure that I usually use, these have terrible quality sound. There is very little treble, they sound muffled no matter how I get them in my ears. Like I had the midrange cranked up to the point of blaring, the treble turned off and the bass at normal. Very aggravating for this price. I'd accept this from a $30 Sony. Even the smallest size adapter is too large to stay in my ear. I wish I could return them for a refund and buy some more Shure earbuds. Guess the Bose in my car is in no way comparable to the average over the counter (probably outsourced) consumer product.

The Fallout From Bose [Posted on 2008-10-06]
This is a most disappointing product. The sound quality is marvelous, but the ear pieces don't stay in the ears and are constantly falling out. Because they just sit in the outer cup of the ear and are not in-ear buds, there is nothing holding them in place, and they don't stay put. I am constantly having to put back in whichever one fell out. This is most disconcerting. These are not cheap headphones,and they should be made much more inventively for the price.

Garbage [Posted on 2008-10-07]
I got these headphones because I thought Bose would have excellent sound quality and comfort... I WAS WRONG! They do not stay in my ears when I am sitting down let alone when I am walking about town. Forget even bothering with trying to use them while you jog or do any excercise at all. These are the most uncomfortable ear buds since I purchased the $ 10 Sony ear buds from the airport.

Sound quality is good if you can keep them in your ears, but if they turn just a bit the sound quality goes way down and you have to constantly adjust them to even hear the music with the volume at 80 percent.

Another issue is that these do not cancel background sound out at all. I guess Bose really wanted everyone to pay top dollar for the larger over the ear versions.

If you are going to buy headphones that cost $ 99 then may I suggest Shure because theirs are fantastic. I use the Bose ear buds as my back up pair of ear buds now.

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