ok , let get a few thing out of the way : 1 . yes these be bose - no they be not noise cancel 2 . not only be they not noise canceling , they be not high end bose headphone . 3 . even though they be not high end bose headphone ... they carry a premium price . if you be still with I , then those three thing must not matter to you . I should say that I prefer in ear headphone . I have a expensive set of earphone that I use when I fly -lrb- or when daddy need some quiet time and the kid be anything but quiet -rrb- . what I love about they be first the foam in-ear style provide a fair amount of isolation , and not only do they block outside sound , but create a sound presence for all these element of the music that I never know be there come to life . so I have high expectation for these headphone ... I mean , be not that why people buy Bose ? I 'll admit that the sound be pretty good . the sound be fairly balanced and accent the vocal really well , although I do not think that all the nuance of the sound be there . I do not get a deep bass that I be use to . but more then anything else , the over the ear style give I listen fatigue . I feel like it be get heavier the longer I be use it . I know many many people prefer the over the head style , but they just be not for I . so after all that why the 4 star ? I seriously debate a 3 -lrb- take off a star for the over the head and a star for lower sound quality -rrb- . but then I start think that first I should not take off a star for my personal preference -lrb- or idiosyncrasy -rrb- . second , it be not fair to take off a star for the what I perceive as lower sound quality . the truth be , I pay more for my in-ear headphone so it be not right to judge these to that same quality since they be at different price point . so in the end , I split the difference . I will say though , if you plan to use these with a iPhone , iPod or iPad - you should get the oe2us instead . it be the exact same headphone but have the build int volume , ipod control and mic to use with you phone . in the end - what the heck do I know , maybe these will sound great to you and you will love they . my final recommendation be if you can try somewhere before you buy that may be the best idea . see if you like before flash you fund . and remember for the most part , bose sell at a price fix so do not expect to find a deal on these .