Bose (017817401494) Consumer Headphones

I needed some kind of headphone and in a hurry. My daughter borrowed an iPod of a friend, lost the earbuds and was going back to school. I couldn't let her go without something so I gave her the set I had from my 60GB iPod. I was stuck just playing through my auto's system until I broke down and purchased a new pair.

I happened to be in a specialty store and displayed were these Bose TriPort IE UPC number (017817401494) along with others. I listened to their over-ear Bose TriPort Consumer Headphones and the Bose Bose QuietComfort 2 Consumer Headphones they were excellent in my in-store test. The problem though, is that I do not like that style when on the road. I use my head phones when train traveling or when someone else is driving on one of my out-of-town gigs. I also use them at work at times when I am outside at work. I like the small earbud style because they are more comfortable to me and though it takes from the overall listening experience, lets me hear some outside sounds. I don't want acoustic noise cancelled at all times, especially when at work.

Listening To My Triport IE Headphones

First thing is that they are much better in sound and comfort than the original iPod earbuds. I happen to have hearing loss so my best way to experience music is through headphones. My bass end hearing is OK. It's the higher notes that usually escape me. Not with these head phones. Man I hear things in my ear I never before knew existed and with such clarity. A friend of mine had "Lovely Rita" of the Beatles moved from vinyl and eventually to his mp3 player. I heard the music through his original earbuds and my new Bose TriPort. It was like listening to a completely different arrangement. The separation was clearly noted in both but the horns other instruments jumped out. The vocals on that one made me feel I was in the same room as they were recording. I listened to the The Beatles: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album like I never did before. The full orchestration was incredible.

I had fun while writing this review when I went to my library of songs in my PC same as the iPod. I just listened to music from Westminster Abbey, Taylor Hicks, Roy Orbison, Queen, Manhattan Transfer, Mandy Patinkin, Kelly Clarkson, ABBA, Josh Groban, Jimmy Buffett, Chopin, Elvis, Cole Porter, David Phelps, Buena Vista Social Club, Bob Marly, Cheep Sex, Billy Joel, Beach Boys and others. It was like hearing some of these eclectic mix of songs for the first time.

Here's the thing. I was able to keep the volume down yet pick up all the nuances that make listening to music such a problem. That's very special to me. Previously to hear music I had to blast it. Not any more. I have an album Million Dollar Quartet an impromptu recording with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. I used to listen to it and try and figure out whose voices I could hear. Now it is so much easier. Amazing!

When I was listening to Fantasia's Summertime I could here her words so clearly yet with a perfect blend of accompaniment of strings hanging high in the background and the bass notes filling below.

In listening to some other music I could clearly hear the squeaks as the guitarist slid his hand up and down the strings moving from one fret to another on the guitar. On another it actually bothered me to hear a constant ripple of sound of the pick running across the strings. All in all though the listening experience was notably better for this hard of hearing guy.

Some basics

These head phones came with an instruction booklet that at first glance seemed to have much too much information in it. After a closer look I realized the introduction and instruction were printed in 14 different languages and also giving the phone/fax/email numbers of Bose Corporation outlets in 20 countries.

The instruction are covered in just two pages noting that the set comes with the headphones that have a sliding cord adjuster mounted on them. Also included are three pair of ear tips, small medium and large. The headphones come prepackaged with the medium already on them. After trying a few different sizes I am still not sure which is "perfect". As of now they all stay in well, give good sound and feel comfortable. I have simply kept the medium on all the time now..

I did take a small pin drop of rubber glue and put it on the inside of the ear tips to keep them from falling off. They didn't previously but, I am tough on my head phones. More in a bit.

A case also comes with the head phones. It's a bit strange though. I was trying to figure how it stayed closed, looking for Velcro or a snap or something. It took me some time to realize that it was a magnet inside the casing jacket that did the job. Still winding up the headphones into the case took more dedication than anything else in the instruction booklet. The fact is I could never get them in the same way as pictured. The plug part always seem so end up in an awkward place.

That's actually a moot point because I gave up on the case and simply wind my cord around my iPod when not in use.

Though it may not be advised I keep my headphones plugged into my iPod at all times. The problem I have now though, is the fact that the ear tips can fall off when not properly stored and I don't properly store my iPod. I usually stick it in a pocket or my "Jack Pack". Email me if you really need to know what my "Jack Pack" is. It has nothing to do with this product or any like it.

I mentioned I use a dash of rubber glue to help keep the ear-tips on. From time to time I peel the tips off so I can clean them. Instruction is shared in the booklet. They are pretty exacting so follow them. No animals are injured or killed in the process nor does one need extra skills or unusual products.

The Headphone Wires

Tangle easier and don't have a limp feel in the cord like the original iPod Earbuds. They have more body and have a slight rubbery feel on the outside that keeps them from untangling easily. I also do not like the way they hang because of the extra body to them. Any of the shape taken from wrapping them around the iPod stays in them giving a more wiggly look that a smoother hanging one. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say here.

At night when writing on my PC I plug into the Harmon Kardon speakers that came with my hp pavilion computer. The sound is excellent but perhaps that's when I would appreciate a Bose over-ear headphone. That would keep some of the birds chirping and TV playing in the back-ground out. Though excellent they aren't perfect in all situations.

Now there is something that kinda sucks. At times I would wear my old earbuds to bed and fall asleep listening to music. With these I can't. My head on the pillow pinches the plastic ear tip and sound doesn't flow through as it should. I suppose I can't have everything.

Summing it All Up

Because of my natural difficulty in hearing I need something that boosts the sounds I want to hear without having to have the volume too high. These Bose TriPort IE Headphones are perfect for me. I can get the bass without pushing the volume and I now hear high range notes I couldn't hear before. These are also much more comfortable than the original iPod earbuds I had. I have not had a problem with them dropping out. The plastic ear tips do fall off fairly easily. They are easily replaced if lost. Earlier I explained my remedy. The cord is black so I can't pose for one of those iPod/iTune spots with me in "action" and the white wired earbuds flowing against my body.

Never-the-less these are an excellent find projecting wonderful musical tones, I thought lost forever, to this hard-of-hearing guy.