Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review
Bose's noise cancellation technology can help block out ambient sounds and the rumble from aircraft engines. It also makes a range of premium wireless headphones.
The latest Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless are slimmer and more sleek than the QuietComfort buds, with better microphones for calls. They are also sweat-resistant, and come with a charging bag.
Active Noise Cancellation
Bose QuietComfort headphones are known for their outstanding noise cancellation. However, the company also makes an array of premium headphones that don't require or have this feature. The products typically have the premium end of the market and use premium materials, but they're also lightweight, sweat-resistant and comfortable enough for long listening sessions.
The flagship 700s are a fantastic example of this. They feature an upgraded eight-microphone (six for cancelling sounds, two to pick a voice) and eleven custom ANC modes. You can hear the world around you or block the world completely. They also come with a "Conversation Mode" button that allows you to temporarily stop your music in order to make a call or make a brief announcement.
Another excellent feature is the Bose TruSleeve, a removable cover that wraps around the neck and rests on the upper ear for extra noise reduction when you're out and out and about. It's available for all QuietComfort models and can be adjusted using the app to meet your ear and lifestyle.
Compared with our top pick the Sony WH-1000XM5, the 700s offer a better microphone performance for phone calls. This makes them an excellent option for those who frequently make calls and want to be heard clearly while traveling.
You can connect the headphones to your mobile device with Bluetooth 4.2 and Bose's own A2DP protocol. They support aptX Adaptive, aptX HD and are great for audiophiles who have sources that support the highest-quality wireless codes. Bose also comes with a 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable for wired audio, and they're optimized to work with Google Assistant and Alexa. The headphones have a battery that can last up to 20 hours, and they'll provide quick, easy charging through the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup.
Sound Quality
Bose is well-known for its technology to block out noise, which can effectively block out office chatter and the sound of plane engines. But the brand also has earbuds and headphones with excellent sound quality as well. All models are compatible with Bose Connect (older models). They come with a range of features, including the ability to adjust the audio and battery monitoring, as well as customizable controls and listening modes. They're also platform-neutral, working with Apple, Android, and Windows devices.
The QuietComfort45 headphones by Bose are the best-sounding wireless over-ear headphone. They utilize Bluetooth 5.1 to allow multi-point pairing, with a USB-C port for charging at the bottom of the cup. They also come with an audio cable with a 3.5mm plug at the other end for wired listening and feature an ANC button on the left earcup. The app lets you set the ANC at three different levels and turn on the hear-through feature for ambient noises.
They're lightweight headphones that are designed to be worn for long periods of time and have soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears. The sound is lively and bright, with a well-controlled bass response. The treble may not be as crisp as top-rated competitors such as the Jabra Elite85H, but it's punchy enough to suit most music genres.
They also have a fantastic microphone for hands-free phone calls and also a voice assistant that does a good job of separating your speech from the background noise when answering questions. Bose Connect apps and Bose Music let you adjust the audio settings and also modify EQ. However, we've noticed the Bose voice that provides information like battery status and whether you're connected is somewhat robotic, in contrast to the more natural voices of the Sony and Jabra models.
Comfort
Bose headphones are comfortable, whether over-ear or on. The Bose headphones are typically comfortable and not too tight on your head. They also have a well-balanced sound profile, making them suitable for a diverse variety of genres. Many Bose headphones have an accompanying app that includes a graphic equalizer to aid in fine tuning your music.
The Bose QuietComfort45 wireless over-ear headphones feature a pliable headband, plush earpads and a soft and flexible earband. They are the most comfortable headphones we've tried. They're extremely lightweight and sweat-proof, and you can listen for hours without feeling any discomfort. The earcups can be rotated around the plastic stems which extend from the headband. This allows for flexibility and helps ensure they are secure around your ear.
In our tests, the Bose QC45s delivered impressive noise cancellation and great audio quality. The sound is incredibly rich and detailed, with a punchy bass, clear mids and clear highs. The headphones also have a very neutral midrange response, so voices reproduce well. The only issue is that they do not support the latest Bluetooth codecs, such as aptX Adaptive or LDAC, which allows playback that is lossless.
The Bose Sport Earbuds have a slimmer, more elegant design than the QuietComfort Earbuds that are the company's most popular product. They are great for working out and running. The earbuds have a battery life of up to five hours, which is sufficient for the majority of workouts. The buds have an integrated microphone and are waterproof. You can control the buds using the remote that comes with them or the companion app. The app lets you adjust the settings for Bose Aware Mode and ANC.
Controls
The 700s do not feature physical controls on the ear cups unlike most of Bose's headphones. Instead there's a touch panel in the front half of the right earcup that detects finger taps and swipes. headphones sennheiser Tap twice to play/pause, swipe up or down to alter the volume, and swipe forward to skip tracks. One tap answers calls, while the double tap will reject an incoming call.
The headset allows you to switch on the "aware" mode, which allows some passthrough of your environment. It's a great feature for anyone who has to be aware of their surroundings while listening to music or making phone calls.
Another feature on the 700s is a motion detector which shuts down your headphones after a period of inactivity. It's a great feature for people who forget to switch off their headphones or are easily distracted while using the headphones. The Bose Connect App lets you change the Auto-Off feature on your Bose headphones.
The app lets you modify the features of the headphones, such as audio settings, noise cancelling levels, and the languages used for voice prompts. You can also download updates for your Bose headsets. You might be asked to provide certain personal details for this to work however that's normal for this type of app. It's also where you can define your Bluetooth connectivity preferences, and it has an important battery reading feature which lets you know how much charge is remaining in your headphones. Download the free Bose Connect App from the App Store on your iOS device or Google Play. The application requires a Bluetooth connection to your tablet or smartphone. Once connected, you'll be able to select a profile and find your headset.
Design
Bose headphones are known for their ease of use and ability to block the listener from ambient noise. Their sound is generally balanced and able to function across genres without much tweaking. They are also extremely versatile and sturdy. This makes them a great option to take on trips.
Bose headphones are known for their noise cancellation. The NCH 700s come with 10 different levels of noise cancellation and even at maximum it's quite impressive. The microphones are also top-quality with six of the eight microphones tucked inside of the headband helping to isolate the voice from background noise. Two of the microphones also serve as noise-rejection sensors to reduce background hiss and echo during calls.
Unlike some of their competitors, Bose headphones tend to have a simple design with just a few buttons on the headband. The left cup has an adjustable noise-cancelling button, and the right cup has switches to power/Bluetooth and launch digital assistants. On the right side of the cup there's a touchscreen that allows you to play/pause music, switch tracks and adjust volume using a few simple gestures.
Bose's headphones are ideal for mobile use as the majority of models that are on and over-ear offering ample padding for a comfortable fit. These headphones are also lightweight and portable which makes them a great option for travel. The only downside to the Bose headphone lineup is that their wireless headphones do not block out as much ambient sound as their rivals. This shouldn't be an issue for all of us, particularly since Bose also offers dedicated active noise cancelling earbuds for exercise (like the QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless). This allows you to monitor your surroundings while enjoying the comfort of your favorite music.