OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Bose IE2 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Bose IE2 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Bose IE2
4.8/10

Overall score

Score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

80%

4.8

Technical score

20%

?

User score

▼Worse than 99% of headphones
6.4

Value for money

Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

70%

4.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▼Worse than 93%
4.8

Technical score

Technical score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

52%

4.8

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.5

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 96%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • bose-ie2
bose-ie2
Where to buy
    N/A~ £90
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Bose IE2

Technical score
Technical score
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components:

52%

4.8

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.5

Calls & Controls

4.8
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Bose IE2 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

70%

4.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.4
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
?
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Bose
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
18.5 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 18.5 g, lighter than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Bose IE2 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 91.5% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (18.5 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    18.5 g vs 218 g
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 91.5% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (18.5 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    18.5 g vs 218 g
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 14.2% worse value for money
    Bose IE2 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.36 vs 7.3).
    6.36 vs 7.27
  • 14.2% worse value for money
    Bose IE2 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.36 vs 7.3).
    6.36 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Bose IE2 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 6 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2010 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    August 2010
    2010 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
TheXtremesoundz
≈ estimated
31/03/2013
Full review · long-term use, sound and build
Verdict
Bose IE2 is a great pair worth the price, with a strong fit and solid build.
9.0
Isaiah's Reviews
≈ estimated
25/10/2014
Hands-on review · sound, fit and price impressions
Verdict
Bose IE2 offers excellent sound and a secure, comfortable fit, though the price is hard to justify.
8.2
TheCaptainOfTech
✓ explicit
01/03/2013
Hands-on review · sport fit, sound and tangling
Verdict
Bose IE2 is a very solid pair at a solid price, good for sport, but it tangles and does not isolate noise.
9.0
SidsTips
≈ estimated
23/01/2013
Short hands-on review · fit during exercise and sound
Verdict
Bose IE2 fits comfortably and stays put during workouts, with good sound at a great price.
9.0
boseie2review
≈ estimated
16/08/2012
Long-term test · one year of own use
Verdict
Bose IE2 is a great pick with solid bass and comfort, though it's a bit overpriced for earbuds.
10
TheXtremesoundz
✓ explicit
30/06/2012
Hands-on review · sound, fit and cable tests
Verdict
Bose IE2 is a strong recommendation for relaxed listening, with clear, pure sound and a secure fit.
8.0
gmanist1000
≈ estimated
18/06/2012
Short review · sound and fit impressions
Verdict
Bose IE2 has clear, deep sound and a comfortable fit, but may be overpriced for some buyers.
9.5
thomas a
≈ estimated
28/01/2012
Short hands-on review · fit, sound and volume tests
Verdict
Bose IE2 is the best in-ear headphone the creator has heard, strongly recommended for music lovers.
9.0
Butters
≈ estimated
16/08/2011
Personal review · fit, cable and sound notes
Verdict
Bose IE2 is a comfortable, portable in-ear headphone the creator prefers over Beats.
9.0
Beau HD
≈ estimated
23/02/2011
Long-term test · several weeks of daily use
Verdict
Bose IE2 sounds great and is comfortable, though durability could be better and isolation is weak.
9.0
Beau HD
≈ estimated
16/04/2013
First look · unboxing and first impressions
Verdict
Bose IE2 is highly recommended for comfort and rich sound, though its plastic build may be fragile.
8.0
Amit Bhawani
≈ estimated
01/10/2012
Unboxing and first listen · quick review
Verdict
Bose IE2 sounds very good on first listen, but you need to wear them yourself to judge fairly.

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

cnet.com
19/10/2010
Hands-on review · Open in-ear earphones
Verdict
The Bose IE2 fits securely and sounds better than its predecessor, but its open fit and slightly harsh treble suit only some listeners.
uk.pcmag.com
08/11/2010
Lab test · Bass-heavy earphones
Verdict
The Bose IE2 is a secure, bass-heavy pair that offers good value, but audiophiles wanting a precise stereo image should look elsewhere.
nbcchicago.com
29/12/2013
Personal review · Running earphones
Verdict
The Bose IE2 is a comfortable running earphone that stays put, sounds excellent and keeps you aware of traffic, though it's a bit pricey.
P
passionforsound.wordpress.com
16/09/2012
Summary of the review
Bose IE2 - Passion For Sound Are you looking for these specifically for their open-ear fit, or do you need help finding a modern replacement with simi...
impulsegamer.com
Not Dated
Hands-on review · Replacement earphones
Verdict
The Bose IE2 suits iPod and iPhone owners wanting crisp, hiss-free sound, though the curved ear tips take a few tries to settle in.
computerbild.de
07/12/2010
Lab test · Comfort-focused in-ear
Verdict
The Bose IE2 is a comfortable, warm-sounding in-ear that blocks outside noise, though its bass is a bit forward and few extras come in the box.
D
digitalzimmer.de
22/10/2012
Summary of the review
Tested: Bose SIE2 Sports Headphones
(Translated)Show original
on-mag.fr
22/06/2012
Hands-on test · Open in-ear earphones
Verdict
The Bose IE2 is a comfortable in-ear pair with an airy, warm sound, but it lets most outside noise in.
01net.com
16/12/2010
Lab test · Sport earphones
Verdict
The Bose IE2 is a light pair with wide, clean sound that stays put during sport, but it does little to block outside noise.
macitynet.it
29/11/2010
Hands-on test · Sport earphones
Verdict
The Bose IE2 sounds excellent and stays put for sport and phone listening, though this version lacks the remote and mic of the MIE2i.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Bose IE2

  • Extremely comfortable for long-term wear due to soft StayHear silicone tips.
  • Highly secure fit that stays in place during physical activities like running or gym use.
  • Rich and smooth bass response suitable for popular music genres.
  • Open-ear design allows for situational awareness of surrounding traffic and ambient noise.
  • Includes a durable protective carrying case and multiple tip sizes for customisation.

What customers don't like about Bose IE2

  • Virtually no passive noise isolation, making them poor for noisy environments like planes or public transit.
  • High 'Bose tax' with sound quality that some audiophiles feel doesn't match the premium price point.
  • Durability issues reported with the cable housing and wire coating fraying or eroding over time.
  • Treble can occasionally sound harsh, muffled, or lack fine sonic detail compared to dedicated IEMs.
  • Plastic build feels somewhat fragile or 'cheap' given the brand's luxury positioning.

Verdict

The Bose IE2 is a wired, open-design in-ear headphone featuring a 1.15m (45.25") intertwined black-and-white cable with an angled 3.5mm jack and a lightweight 18.5g build. Utilizing proprietary TriPort acoustic technology and dynamic drivers, it delivers a stereo frequency response of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz characterized by smooth midrange and deep, rich bass. Its main strength lies in its StayHear silicone tips, available in three sizes, which provide exceptional stability and long-term comfort by nestling in the ear's ridge rather than deep in the canal. Main pros include its secure fit for exercise, non-fatiguing audio profile, and included leather carrying case. However, its open nature offers minimal noise isolation, the lack of an inline microphone/remote on this base model limits mobile functionality, and some users report long-term durability issues with the cable coating.

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