Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review
Bose's noise cancelling technology will help block out ambient sounds and the rumble of aeroplane engines. It also makes a range of high-quality wireless headphones.
The new Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless are slimmer and sleeker design than the QuietComfort buds and have a better microphone to take calls. They are also sweat-proof and come with a bag for charging.
Active Noise Cancellation
Bose QuietComfort headphones are known for their excellent noise cancellation. However Bose also produces an array of high-quality headphones that don't require or have this feature. The products typically come at a premium price point and use premium materials, but they're also lightweight, sweat-resistant and comfortable enough to last for long listening sessions.
The 700s flagship model is a wonderful example. They come with an upgraded eight-microphone (six to cancel out sounds, two for picking voice) and eleven customizable ANC modes. You can listen to the world around you, or block the world completely. They also have a "Conversation Mode" button that allows you to temporarily stop your music to make calls or make a quick announcement.
Bose TruSleeve is another excellent feature. It's a cover that can be removed that wraps around your neck and sits over your upper ear to cut down on noise when you are out and out and about. It's available on all QuietComfort products and can be customised using the app to suit your lifestyle and ear.
Comparing the 700s to our top pick, Sony WH1000XM5, they offer a much better microphone for phone calls. This makes them a good option for those who regularly make calls and want to be heard clearly while on the go.
The headphones can be connected to your mobile device using Bluetooth 4.2, and Bose’s proprietary A2DP protocol. They are compatible with aptX Adaptive, aptX HD and are great for audiophiles with sources that support the higher-quality wireless codes. Bose also includes a 2.5 millimeter to 3.5 millimeter cable for wired listening and they're optimized to work with Google Assistant and Alexa. The headphones have a battery life of up to 20 hours and a USB-C charging port on the right earcup.
Sound Quality
Bose is renowned for its technology to block out noise, which can effectively block out office chatter and the engine noise of plane engines. Bose also has headphones with good sound quality. All models are compatible with Bose Connect (older models). They come with a range of options, including settings for audio including battery monitoring, adjustable controls and listening modes. They're also platform-neutral compatible with Apple, Android, and Windows devices.
The QuietComfort 45 headphones are Bose's most immersive wireless over-ear headphone. The headphones use Bluetooth 5.1 for multi-point pairing and include an USB-C charging port at the bottom of each cup. They also include a cable that has a 3.5mm plug at the other end for wired listening. They also have an ANC button on the left earcup. The app lets you set the ANC at three different levels and turn on the hear-through mode for ambient noises.
They're lightweight headphones that are designed to be used for long periods of time and have soft cushions that are comfortable on the ears. The sound is dynamic and bright, with well-controlled bass response. The treble might not be as crisp as the top-rated models like the Sony WH1000XM4 and Jabra Elite85H, but it's sufficient to satisfy the majority of music genres.
The Bose Connect and the Bose Music apps allow you to adjust the audio settings and customize the EQ. They also have a great microphone for hands-free calls, as well as a voice assistant which does a great job of getting rid of background noise from your voice when answering questions. Bose Connect apps and Bose Music let you adjust the audio settings and even customize EQ. However, we've noticed the Bose voice that informs you of things such as battery status and whether you're connected somewhat robotic, as opposed to the more natural voices of the Sony and Jabra models.
Comfort
Comfort is one of Bose's strengths, regardless of whether you're using an over or on-ear headphone. Bose's headphones are usually well-padded and not too tight on your head. They also have a well-balanced sound profile, making them suitable for a diverse variety of genres. If you want to tweak the sound, you'll notice that many of the Bose headphones include a companion app with an EQ graphic that can help you tune your music to your preferences.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless over-ear headphones are one of the most comfortable headphones we've tried, with a comfortable and soft headband as well as comfortable earpads. The headphones are lightweight, sweat-proof and comfortable to wear for long durations of time. The earcups rotate on the stems made of plastic that extend from the headband, giving you some flexibility and ensures that they seal around your ears.
In our tests, the Bose Qc45s have a remarkable noise cancellation, and outstanding audio quality. The sound is clear vibrant, detailed, and clear with clear mids and clear highs. The headphones have a neutral midrange response, which means voices are reproduced accurately. The only drawback is that they don't support the most current Bluetooth codecs, like aptX Adaptive or LDAC which would enable 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 great for working out and running. They offer an up to five-hour battery life, which is enough for most workout sessions. They are waterproof and have built-in microphones that allow to allow voice assistant integration. You can control the buds via the remote included or with the companion app. The app can be used to alter the settings for ANC and Bose's Aware Mode.
Controls
The 700s do not have physical controls on the ear cups unlike most of Bose's headphones. Instead, you'll find an electronic touch panel on the front portion of the right earcup that detects swipes and finger taps. Tap twice to play or stop or pause, swipe up to increase the volume, then down to lower it, and then forward to skip tracks. A single-tap answers calls, and a double-tap blocks an any call that comes in.
The headset also lets you to toggle a mode called "aware," which enables some passthrough of your surroundings. This feature is beneficial for people who need to be aware of their surroundings while listening to music or making calls.
Another feature of the 700s is a motion detector which shuts down your headphones after a period of inactivity. This is an excellent feature for those who are easily distracted or forget to turn off their headphones. You can change the Auto-Off timer settings on your Bose 700 headphones in the Bose Connect app.
The app lets you modify the features of your headphones, which include audio settings, noise cancellation levels, and voice prompt languages. This is also where you can get updates for your Bose headphones. This app may require you to share personal information, but this is normal. It's also where you configure your Bluetooth connection preferences, and also features a a helpful battery reading function that lets you know how much power is remaining in your headphones. Download the free Bose Connect App from the App Store on your iOS device or Google Play. online headphone store requires that your tablet or smartphone be connected via Bluetooth. Once it's connected, you can select a profile and locate your headset.
Design
Bose is known for its comfortable headphones, and the majority of their models do a great job of keeping the listener's ears from noise. Their sound is well-balanced, and flexible enough to be used across genres. Their headphones are also quite portable and durable making them an excellent choice for trips.
A big part of what makes Bose headphones so popular is their noise cancellation. The NCH 700s come with 10 different levels of noise cancellation and even at its maximum, it's pretty impressive. Their microphones are also stellar, with six of the eight mics in the headband helping to isolate voices from background noise. Two of the microphones function as noise-rejection sensors to help reduce background hiss and echo when making calls.
Bose headphones are minimalistic in design, utilizing only a few buttons. The left side of the cup features a noise-cancellation switch that can be adjusted and the right one has toggles for power/Bluetooth and to launch digital assistants. There's also a touch-sensitive panel on the right cup that allows you to play/pause music, skip tracks, and adjust volume using a few gestures.
Bose's headphones are well-suited to use on the move with the majority of models that are on and over-ear offering plenty of padding to ensure a comfortable fit. They're also very lightweight and compact, making them a great option for trips. The only drawback to the Bose headphone lineup is that their wireless headphones don't block out as much ambient noise as their competitors. This shouldn't be a problem for most, especially since Bose also makes active noise cancelling earbuds designed for exercise (like the QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless). This lets you keep track of your surroundings while enjoying the comfort of your favorite music.