I bought these Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones more than four years ago, and I’ve used them almost every day. Now the battery holds a fraction of its original charge, and the earcup cushions have started to separate. I could get new cushions, but the battery isn’t user-replaceable, so it’s probably time to retire these.
When you have a home office in a house with two kids (who have done their schooling online since well before the pandemic) and three dogs (who take special delight in “chasing off” passing trucks on our road with their mighty bark chorus), noise-cancelling headphones are a life- and sanity-saver. I usually listen to video game or movie soundtracks while I write, to get into specific moods for a scene, but sometimes I’ll just turn on the noise-cancelling feature and keep things quiet to shut out the rest of the world. These were an expensive piece of tech, and it irks me a little that I can’t just replace the battery easily, but I am not bitter. I got more than my $300 worth out of these over the last four and a half years.
Send them back to Bose. I’m pretty sure they have a credit towards new ones. Great company for support to their products.
I’m on my third pair of Bose headphones in the last decade, for the types of reasons you describe. Earcups are affordably replaced, but the battery is definitely the downside.
HOWEVER! Bose has outstanding customer support. I have gotten free replacements, and hundreds of dollars off when upgrading to new models. I recommend giving them a shout, as I am never disappointed when I do.
P.S. I greatly appreciate you, Marko, and love your work. I’m on my second time through Frontlines and have gotten several others to pick up the series as well. And as someone working on a career as a novelist, you’re an inspiration. Keep on rocking 🙂
Cheapest way to mute the kids are QC 700. You will easily get a better price as a former Bose user!
Slightly better but you’ll have to get used to another type of ear cups: Sony XM4. Currently using those and it’s for me an upgrade from Bose!
To completely fix noisy kids the only option is Bose A20!
If you can get with the weight! It’s more expensive, but weight is the second main issue! 3rd is weight!
First issue with A20 is wife/partner/better half! It will cut off whatever noise is in the house! Even a call for help! (read you need to bring the rubbish outside the house!)
Patiently waiting for your next book! I can’t remember the order they will be released, I have everything on pre-order!
*3rd is price
I love noise cancelling head phones. I also use them when mowing the lawn. I have found some Sony headphones for only $80 that work well for me.