Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review
Bose's noise cancelling technology will help block out ambient sounds and the rumble from aeroplane engines. It also produces a range premium wireless headphones.
The new Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless are sleeker and smaller than the QuietComfort buds, with a better microphone for calls. They're also sweat-resistant and come with a charging case.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Bose QuietComfort line is known for its superior noise cancellation however, the company also offers a wide selection of high-quality headphones and earbuds that don't require or provide it. Its products are usually premium priced and constructed of top-quality materials. They're also light and sweat-proof, and comfortable enough to listen for long periods of time.
The flagship 700s is a great example. They have an upgraded eight-microphone (six for cancelling sounds, and two for picking a voice) and eleven custom ANC modes. You can listen to the world around you or block the world completely. They're also equipped with a "Conversation Mode" button that allows you to temporarily pause your music in order to make a call or make a quick announcement.
Bose TruSleeve is another excellent feature. It's a removable cover that wraps around your neck and rests over your upper ear to reduce noise while you're out and about. It's available for all QuietComfort models and can be customized using the app to meet your ears and lifestyle.
Comparing to our top choice which is the Sony WH-1000XM5, the 700s have much better quality microphones for phone calls. This makes them a great choice for those who take calls frequently and want to be clearly heard while on the move.
You can connect the headphones to your mobile device via Bluetooth 4.2 and Bose's exclusive A2DP protocol. They are compatible with aptX Adaptive and aptX HD, making them an ideal choice for audiophiles who have sources that support these high-quality wireless codecs. Bose also includes a 2.5 millimeter to 3.5 mm cable for wired audio, and they're optimized to work with Google Assistant and Alexa. The headphones come with a battery life of up to 20 hours and a USB-C charging port located on the right earcup.
Sound Quality
Bose has earned its name for its noise cancellation technology, which effectively blocks out the rumble of aeroplane engines or office chatter. Bose also makes headphones with excellent audio quality. All models are compatible with Bose Connect (older models). They provide a range of options, including audio settings 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 headphones. They use Bluetooth 5.1 for multi-point pairing and come with an USB-C charging port at the bottom of each cup. They also come with an audio cable with an 3.5mm plug at the other end for wired listening. They also have an ANC button on the left earcup. You can adjust the ANC to three levels using the app and also turn on hear-through modes for ambient sounds.
The headphones are lightweight and designed to be worn for long durations. They come with soft cushions which are comfortable for the ears. The sound is lively and vibrant, with an impressive bass response that's well-controlled. The treble may not be as clear as the top-rated models like the Sony WH1000XM4 and Jabra Elite85H, however it's powerful enough to be suitable for most music genres.
They also have a fantastic microphone for hands-free calling and also a voice assistant that does a great job of separating your voice from ambient noise when answering questions. The Bose Connect and Bose Music apps allow you to adjust the audio settings as well as alter the EQ. However, we've noticed that the Bose voice that provides information like battery status and whether you're connected is a bit robotic, as opposed to the more natural voices of the Sony and Jabra models.
Comfort
Bose headphones are comfortable, whether over-ear or on the go. Bose's headphones are typically comfortable and don't feel too tight on the head. They also come with a balanced sound profile, making them suitable for a broad variety of genres. If you want to tweak the sound, you'll discover that a lot of Bose headphones come with a companion app with an EQ graphic that can help you tune your music to your preferences.
The Bose QuietComfort45 wireless on-ear headphones have a stretchy headband, plush earpads and a soft and flexible earband. They are among the most comfortable headphones that we've tried. They're extremely light and sweat-resistant and you can listen to them for hours without feeling uncomfortable. The earcups can be rotated around the plastic stems that extend from the headband. This allows for flexibility and helps ensure they are secure around your ear.
The Bose Qc45s impressed us by their noise cancellation and audio quality. The sound is clear and detailed with clear mids and clear highs. The headphones also have a neutral midrange response, ensuring that voices reproduce well. The only drawback to these headphones is that they don't support the most recent Bluetooth codes, like aptX Adaptive and LDAC, which allow playback that is lossless.
The Bose Sport Earbuds have a more compact, sleeker design than the QuietComfort Earbuds that are the company's flagship product. They are ideal for working out and running. They provide up to five-hour battery life, which is enough for most workout sessions. The buds are waterproof and have built-in microphones that allow to allow voice assistant integration. You can control the buds with the remote that comes with them or the companion app. The app lets you adjust settings for Bose Aware Mode and ANC.
Controls
In contrast to the majority of Bose headphones they don't have physical controls on their ear cups. You'll find an electronic touch panel on the right earcup, which can be used to swipe or tap your finger. Tap twice to play/pause, swipe up or down to adjust the volume and move forward to skip tracks. One tap answers calls and double taps reject any call that comes in.
The headset also allows users to switch on a mode called "aware," which enables some sort of a view of your surroundings. This feature is helpful for those who have to be aware of the surroundings while listening music or making calls.
Another feature on the 700s is a motion sensor that shuts down your headphones after a certain amount of inactivity. It's a welcome addition for those who forget to switch off their headphones or are easily distracted while using the headphones. The Bose Connect App allows you to alter the Auto-Off setting on your Bose headphones.
The app is used to alter the features of the headphones, such as the audio settings, noise cancellation levels, and languages for voice prompts. This is also where you can receive updates for your Bose headphone s. You may be asked to share some of your personal information in order for this to work, but that's expected for this kind of app. It's also where you'll define your Bluetooth connections preferences, and it has an important battery reading feature which lets you know how much battery is left in your headphones. Download the free Bose Connect App from the App Store on your iOS device or Google Play. The application requires that your tablet or smartphone be connected via Bluetooth. Once it's connected, you can select an option to create a profile and find your headset.
Design
Bose has a reputation for comfortable headphones, and the majority of their models do a good job at keeping the listener's ears insulated against ambient sound. Their sound is balanced, and flexible enough to be used across different genres. The headphones are portable and durable which makes them a great choice for travel.
A big part of what makes Bose headphones so popular is their noise cancelling. The NCH 700s have 10 adjustable levels of noise cancellation, and even at maximum it's pretty impressive. Six of the eight microphones are placed into the headband to help keep voices away from background noise. Two of the microphones also serve as noise-rejection sensors to reduce background hiss and echo during voice calls.
Unlike some of their competitors, Bose headphones tend to have a simple design with only a handful of buttons on the headband. The left cup has an adjustable noise-cancellation button, while the right has toggles for power/Bluetooth and to launch digital assistants. There's also a capacitive touch panel on the right cup that allows you to play/pause music, skip tracks and adjust volume using simple gestures.
Bose's headphones are great for use on the go with the majority of models that are on and over-ear offering plenty of padding to ensure a snug fit. They are also lightweight and portable making them a great option for travel. Bose's wireless headphones can't block out as much noise as their rivals. This isn't an issue for all users, especially as Bose also makes dedicated active noise cancelling earbuds for exercise (like the QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless). This lets you keep track of your surroundings and still enjoy the comfort of your favorite music.