My Bose NC700 ANC headphones are by far my most expensive peripheral, and once when they broke I bought new ones the next day, I gain so much from them.
That said, as a programmer it annoys me I can't properly control the firmware. If there was a way to do the same, IE increase the hear-through volume above the "real-world" level, I'd even risk installing counterfeit firmware. If I understand properly how they work, it would just be increasing one multiplier.
6) Dr Rob (@PapaBear) reminded me that you can use Live Listen (sometimes jokingly referred to as Espionage Mode), which is where, say, you put your iPhone in the middle of a desk during a meeting, or right in front of the TV.
This has many uses, works great as a baby monitor.
That said, as a programmer it annoys me I can't properly control the firmware. If there was a way to do the same, IE increase the hear-through volume above the "real-world" level, I'd even risk installing counterfeit firmware. If I understand properly how they work, it would just be increasing one multiplier.