The BOSE brand has always relied on technology to deliver smaller devices and better sound. Their tagline, “Better Sound Through Research,” is quite fitting. In the realm of micro speakers, the MusicMonitor is a particularly significant product; BOSE loves using various ingenious technologies to make small speakers produce astonishing sound. When achieving perfection in every aspect isn’t possible, BOSE chooses to create an atmosphere. They fully understand what kind of sound people want, so while their resolution may not be exceptionally outstanding, they have absolutely maximized atmospheric rendering, making it hard to believe such sound can be heard at home. Astonishing sound easily captures customers, so BOSE’s sales method is simple: just let you hear it. People are easily attracted, though they are often scared off after seeing the price.
BOSE has only this one line of in-ear headphones, divided into three models: the IE2 for standard players, the MIE2 with a microphone for various mobile phones, and the MIE2i with a microphone and iOS controller for iOS devices. There are plenty of images online, so I’ll use them directly:
It features a very unique appearance with inexplicable twisted black-and-white cables, giving it high recognizability. The StayHear silicone tips can lock into the ear’s concha to prevent the earbuds from falling out during exercise. Since they don’t rely on being jammed deep into the ear canal for stability, they are extremely comfortable to wear, feeling almost imperceptible.
The package contents are as follows:
Includes the earbuds, a carrying case that can also hold a player, two pairs of silicone tips in different sizes (small and large), with the medium size pre-installed on the earbuds, and a clothing clip.
Upon initial listening, the most striking impression is the wide soundstage; it doesn’t sound like typical earbuds at all, which aligns well with BOSE’s focus on atmospheric rendering. The mids and highs sound quite pleasant, the bass has ample presence, and the transient response is good without sounding muddy. Paired with the typically flat sound signature of iOS devices, it never feels excessive. The biggest drawback is… well, they aren’t truly in-ear and provide almost no noise isolation, making them more suitable for quiet environments. On a bus or in similar noisy places, the mix of ambient sounds can cause dizziness… However, finally having headphones with a remote control makes daily operations much more convenient.
By the way, here is an introduction to the headphone button controls supported by iOS:
Content sourced from the iPhone manual; volume and playback control functions also apply to iPod Touch, iPad, and Mac computers:
If a call comes in while the headphones are plugged in, the ringtone will be audible through both the iPhone speaker and the headphones.
Now let’s look at some commands for Voice Control,
Below is the English version:
So basically, without needing to take your phone out, you can perform functions like checking the time, listening to music, making calls, and adjusting volume. Unfortunately, it cannot read text messages aloud.
Finally, a word about the headphone market on Taobao: it is an extremely chaotic marketplace rife with counterfeits. There are numerous so-called bulk items, factory goods, and high-quality replicas. The probability of encountering fakes is comparable to buying fake shoes on Taobao, and the tactics used are quite similar. Sellers often provide guides on distinguishing real from fake, and some even compare genuine products with counterfeits—only to swap the labels between them, which can be highly deceptive to buyers who have never seen authentic products. This BOSE IE2 model is heavily counterfeited as well. Moreover, BOSE products are usually easy to replicate visually, making it nearly impossible to tell the difference by appearance alone. Currently, aside from fakes, the only BOSE IE2 units available on Taobao are US or Hong Kong imports, priced even higher than those in official retail stores. Therefore, if you’re looking to buy these headphones, it’s best to visit an authorized store or reputable websites like JD.com, Newegg China, or Yixun. BOSE does a fairly good job of channel control; outside of authorized retailers, mainland China official stock is rarely seen elsewhere. If you’re intentionally spending a few dozen yuan on fakes, that’s one thing—but paying near full price only to end up with a counterfeit is simply not worth it.
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