If you hold a piece of car washing sponge from Halfords against each ear, and then clamp your whole head (including the sponges) in a vice (i.e. a bit like a David Clarke headset) you will get very good passive attenuation
I have four Bose-X headsets in the plane and never regretted it for a moment.
The downsides are
You have to brief passengers to look after them - most people think headsets are £20
They do have to be treated with care, not chucked around
If you go for the aircraft powered version, the plastic LEMO connector on it is flimsy. But most non-aircraft-owners won't have that anyway.
The upside is that it's by far the best headset there is. I've done 6hr flights and not felt any discomfort. Every other headset is cr*p in comparison.