Bose QuietComfort 2 Consumer Headphones

I was looking for a good set of headphones to use with an iPod, particularly at the office and traveling. Sound quality was a must, portability somewhat important (but I HATE earbuds), and noise reduction a nice to have feature since I do fly cross-country several times a year. Since I have always liked the Bose speakers I own, I decided to give these a try.

These headphones and not as compact as some, but do fold flat and come with a hardshell carrying case. The sound quality, however, is spectacular: great bass response and very crisp highs, even at lower volumes. They are also very comfortable. The noise reduction is much more efficient with steady noise sources, such as jet engines, than with random noise sources, but overall pretty good. At $299 they are pricey, but worth it in my opinion.