I really wanted to love these headphones, I promise. I did extensive research on the pros and cons of these and the Bose QuietComfort 15. After previously owning the Beats Studio (and finding them decent but aesthetically pleasing), I figured Beats would step it up with the Executives. I tried them out for a few moments at the Apple Store, and though they felt heavy for the brief moments I wore them, I still gave it a shot. After purchasing them and trying them at home, on a plane, and on a train, I've finally given up on Beats once and for all.
Yes, the Executive Beats are beautiful. The new exterior finish and the fold-up design for storage are really excellent improvements. But the sound...oh the sound. When listening to music or movies, there is a constant hissing sound that runs in the background when there is mild silence. Other reviews online stated this, but after trying it out in person, it's actually much worse than I could have imagined. The bass is pretty decent, but not much of an advantage over the Bose.
Furthermore, they are an improvement in comfort over the Studios, but these are STILL not comfortable compared to the Bose QuietComfort 15. After about 15 minutes on your head, your ears start to get hot and inevitably you'll get a headache. Do yourself a favor if you're gonna drop the $299 and get the Bose instead.
