Today at a press event in Grand Central Vanderbilt Hall Bose announced the QuietComfort 20, an pair of ear buds with noise cancellation. This is the first pair of ear buds that I can recall having noise cancellation and Bose has done it in a way that proves why they are one of the elite brands in audio.
Some takeaways from this would include,
– Noise Cancellation
– Awesome sounds (great deep bass, superb mids-highs)
– Aware mode (push a button and you can the scene around you, push again and block out all outside noise)
– Will operate with some great sound even if the battery has died!
– Stay Here Ear Tips (meant to stay in your ears without falling out)
The Bose QuietComfort 20 packs in a lot of power in such a small size, but it will cost you! The QuietComfort will run you $299 when it arrives some time before the end of the summer. From my first listen today, I can tell you I was quite impressed. I definitely need a pair of these! See the full press release below.
Press Release
June 4, 2013 — Today, Bose ushered in a new era of portable audio by introducing its new Bose® QuietComfort® 20 in-ear noise cancelling headphones and Bose SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth® speaker. Both offer an entirely new experience when listening to a smart device or tablet, delivering performance that redefines what’s possible from mobile audio.
QuietComfort 20 Headphones: The Most Versatile Bose Headphones Ever
The new QuietComfort 20 headphones are the first in-ear noise cancelling headphones from Bose. They deliver a stunning breakthrough in noise reduction, audio performance and comfort, and offer two ways to listen –- one to shut out the world, and one to keep you connected. They fit in your pocket, weigh just 1.5 ounces, and rival the performance of much larger headphones.
“The Bose QC20s are a revolutionary headphone,” said Sean Garrett, vice president of the Bose Noise Reduction Technology Group. “Just like your phone, you’ll want to take them everywhere, every day.”
The QC®20 headphones benefit from over 30 years of continuous research in noise reduction technology, and integrate more U.S. patents than any Bose® headphone ever made.
Bose engineers first placed two tiny microphones in each earbud; one senses the sound approaching, the other measures the sound inside. The measurements are then sent to a digital electronic chip located in the control module found on the headphone cord. The digital electronic chip –- exclusive to Bose, and the first of its kind — calculates an equal and opposite noise cancellation signal within a fraction of a millisecond. The resulting noise reduction is so dramatic, it has to be heard to be believed.
Within the quiet environment created by Bose noise reduction, musical detail previously “lost” through conventional in-ear headphone listening can be heard with remarkable clarity. Bose TriPort® technology uses ports to increase the effective acoustic space of the earbud to reproduce deep lows, and lifelike vocals and instruments. Bose active equalization tunes the frequency response for improved, natural sound. All music genres sound better — full, rich, and deep, without artificial boosts or distortion.
The QuietComfort® 20 headphones were made for comfort and performance. New proprietary StayHear®+ ear tips sit at the entrance of the ear canal, and feature an improved conical design that ensures an effective seal to passively block noise, and the proper acoustic enclosure to improve active noise reduction. They are stable, secure, and barely felt.
The QC20 headphones can be used in two ways, giving you control over what you hear and when. Owners can choose to block out the noisy world and enjoy their music. Or, with the push of a button on the cord’s Y-joint, the QC20 headphones switch to new Aware mode, which keeps the music
playing, but allows surroundings to be heard clearly: a horn beeping, friend talking, a passerby, or gate announcement at the train or airport.
“Aware mode changes behavior,” said Garrett. “With it, you no longer have to remove your headphones to connect with the world. It’s just another reason why the QC20 headphones can be used in more places, in more ways, and more often than any other headphone available.”
A rechargeable battery provides about 16 hours of power; when the battery is depleted or the power is turned off, the music plays on.
The new QuietComfort® 20 headphones include an integrated inline microphone and controls that enable you to take calls. They are available in two different models: the QC20 headphones work with most Android™, Windows® and BlackBerry® phones; the QC20i headphones are designed specifically for select iPhone, iPad and iPod models.
The QC20 and QC20i join the iconic QuietComfort 15 headphones and QuietComfort 3 headphones in the renowned Bose® QuietComfort noise cancelling headphone line.
Pricing, Accessories, Availability
The QuietComfort® 20 and 20i headphones will be available starting in the summer of 2013 for $299.95.
About Bose Corporation
Bose Corporation was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar G. Bose, then a professor of electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Today, the company is driven by its founding principles, investing in long-term research with one fundamental goal: to develop new technologies with real customer benefits. Bose® innovations have spanned decades and industries, creating and transforming categories in audio and beyond. Bose products for the home, in the car, on the go and in public
spaces have become iconic. From the company’s home entertainment systems and Wave® music systems, to noise cancelling and audio headphones, digital music systems, Bluetooth® speakers and professional solutions, Bose has changed the way people listen to music.
Bose Corporation is privately held. The company’s spirit of invention, passion for excellence, and commitment to extraordinary customer experiences can be found around the world — everywhere Bose does business.
