Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review
Bose's noise cancelling technology can assist in blocking out background sounds and the rumble from aeroplane engines. Bose also offers a variety of wireless headphones that are premium.
The new Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless have a smaller, sleeker design than the QuietComfort buds and have a better microphone that can 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 offers an array of premium headphones that don't require or offer this feature. The products typically have a premium price point and make use of top materials, however, they're also light, sweat-resistant and comfortable enough to last for long listening sessions.
The flagship 700s are a fantastic example of this. They have an upgraded eight-microphone (six to cancel out sounds, and two to pick a voice) and eleven customizable ANC modes. You can listen to the world around you, or block it completely. They also have a "Conversation Mode" button that allows you to temporarily pause your music to make calls or make a brief announcement.
Bose TruSleeve is another excellent feature. It's a removable ear cover that wraps around your neck and sits on top of your ear to block out noise when you are out and out and about. It is available for all QuietComfort products and can be customized using the app to match your lifestyle and ears.
When comparing headphones shopping to our top pick, the Sony WH1000XM5, they come with an improved microphone for phone calls. This makes them a great choice for people who frequently take calls and want to be heard clearly while traveling.
The headphones can be connected to your mobile device with Bluetooth 4.2 and Bose's own A2DP protocol. They are compatible with aptX Adaptive, aptX HD and are perfect 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 batteries that can last for up to 20 hours, and you'll get quick, easy charging through the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup.
Sound Quality
Bose has earned a name for its noise cancelling technology, which effectively shuts out the rumble of aeroplane engines or office chatter. The brand also offers headphones with good sound quality. They're all compatible with the free Bose Connect or Bose Music app (older models) and come with a range of features including audio settings and battery life monitoring, adjustable controls and listening mode selection. They're also platform-neutral compatible with Apple, Android, and Windows devices.
The QuietComfort 45 headphones from Bose are the most powerful wireless over-ear headphone. The headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.1 for multi-point pairing, and also come with an USB-C charging port located on the bottom of each cup. The headphones come with a cable that has an 3.5mm plug at the other end, which allows for wired listening. They also come with an ANC button located on the left earcup. You can configure the ANC to three levels through the app and switch on the hear-through mode for ambient noises.
The headphones are lightweight and designed to be worn for long durations. They have soft cushions which are comfortable for the ears. The sound is dynamic and bright, with well-controlled bass response. The treble might not be as crisp as top-rated rivals like the Sony WH1000XM4 and Jabra Elite85H, however it's sufficient to satisfy the majority of music genres.
They also have an excellent microphone for hands-free phone calls and include an assistant for voice that does a good job of separating your voice from ambient noise when answering questions. Bose Connect apps and Bose Music allow you to alter the audio settings and also adjust EQ. We've noticed that the Bose voice that tells you about things such as battery status and whether you're connected a bit robotic, in contrast to the more natural voices of the Sony and Jabra models.
Comfort
Comfort is one of Bose's strong suits, whether you're listening in an on-ear or over-ear headphone. The Bose headphones are generally extremely comfortable and not squeaky on the head, and they have a well-balanced sound quality which makes them suitable for any genre. Many Bose headphones come with a companion app that has a graphic equalizer to assist you in fine tuning your music.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless over-ear headphones are one of the most comfortable headphones we've tried, with a soft and flexible headband and plush earpads. They're extremely lightweight and sweat-proof, and you can listen for long periods of time without feeling uncomfortable. The earcups can be rotated around the plastic stems which extend from the headband. This allows you to move them and ensures that they fit around your ear.
The Bose Qc45s impressed us with their noise cancellation and audio quality. The sound is rich, detailed, and punchy, with clear mids and crisp highs. The headphones have a neutral midrange response, which means voices are reproduced accurately. The only issue with these headphones is that they don't support the latest Bluetooth codes, such as aptX Adaptive and LDAC, which allows for lossless playback.
The Bose Sport Earbuds are smaller and sleeker than the Bose's flagship QuietComfort Earbuds, making them ideal for running and working out. The buds have a battery life of up to five hours, which is enough for the majority of exercises. They are waterproof and have a built-in microphone to allow voice assistant integration. You can control the buds using the remote included or with the companion app. The app allows you to alter settings for Bose Aware Mode and ANC.
Controls
The 700s don't have physical controls for the ear cups unlike most of Bose's headphones. Instead you'll find an electronic touch panel on the front half of the right earcup that detects swipes and finger taps. Tap twice to play/pause, swipe up and down to adjust the volume, and swipe forward to skip tracks. One tap answers calls, while double taps reject an incoming call.
The headset lets you switch on the "aware" mode that allows a little bit of a view of your environment. It's a handy feature for anyone who wants to be aware of their environment while listening to music or making phone calls.
A motion detector shuts off your headphones when they are not in use. This is an excellent feature for those who are easily distracted or forget to turn off their headphones. You can alter the Auto-Off timer settings on your Bose 700 headphones in the Bose Connect app.
The app is used to alter 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 some personal information to enable this however, that's the norm for this type of application. You can also configure your Bluetooth preferences and utilize the battery reading feature to see how much power is left in your headphones. Download the free Bose Connect App from the App Store on your iOS device or Google Play. The app requires an Bluetooth connection to your smartphone or tablet. Once connected, you'll be able to select a profile, and then locate your headset.
Design
Bose headphones are well-known for their comfort and ability to isolate the listener from background noise. Their sound is generally balanced and able to function across genres without a lot of adjustments. They are also extremely portable and sturdy. This makes them an ideal choice for travel.
A large part of what makes Bose headphones so popular is their noise cancelling. The NCH700s feature 10 levels of noise cancellation, which is impressive even at the highest level. Six of the eight microphones are placed inside the headband to keep voices away from background noise. Two of the microphones function as noise-rejection sensors to eliminate 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 features a noise-cancellation switch that can be adjusted as well as toggles for power/Bluetooth and to launch digital assistants. There's also a touch-sensitive panel on the right cup which lets you play/pause music, skip tracks and adjust volume using a few gestures.
Bose's headphones are great for mobile use as the majority of models that are on and over-ear offering ample padding to ensure an ideal fit. They are also light and portable which makes them a great choice for traveling. The only downside to the Bose headphones is that they 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 ease of listening to your favorite music.