Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review
Bose's noise cancelling technology will 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 sleeker and smaller than the QuietComfort buds, with superior microphones for calls. They're also sweat-proof 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 which don't need or offer it. The products are typically high priced and constructed of premium materials. They're also light and sweat-resistant, and comfortable enough to listen for long periods of time.
The flagship 700s are a fantastic example of this. They feature an upgraded eight-microphone (six for cancelling sounds, and two for picking a voice) and eleven customizable ANC modes. You can hear the world around you or block the world completely. They also come with a "Conversation Mode", which allows you to temporarily stop the music in order to announce an event or make a call.
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 for all QuietComfort products and can be customized using the app to fit your ears and lifestyle.
Comparing to our top pick, the copyright WH-1000XM5, 700s have much better audio quality for phone calls. This makes them a good choice for people who frequently make calls and want to be heard clearly while traveling.
The headphones can be connected to your mobile device using Bluetooth 4.2 and Bose's proprietary A2DP protocol. They also support aptX Adaptive and aptX HD which makes the perfect option for audiophiles with sources that support these higher-quality wireless codecs. Bose also includes a 2.5 mm to 3.5 millimeter cable for wired audio, and they're optimized for both Google Assistant and Alexa. The headphones are equipped with a battery that can last for up to 20 hours, and you'll also get quick, simple charging via the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup.
Sound Quality
Bose is renowned for its noise cancellation technology, which can effectively block out office chatter and the sound of plane engines. However, the brand also has earbuds and headphones that have good sound quality, too. All models are compatible with Bose Connect (older models). They provide a range of features that include audio settings and battery monitoring, as well as customizable controls, and listening modes. They're also platform-neutral, and work with Apple, Android and Windows devices.
The QuietComfort 45 headphones from Bose are the 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. The headphones come with a cable that has a 3.5mm plug on the other end, allowing for wired listening. They also have an ANC button that is located on the left earcup. You can configure the ANC to three levels through the app and also turn on hear-through modes for ambient sounds.
The headphones are light and designed to be worn for long periods. They come with soft cushions which are comfortable to wear. The sound is dynamic and bright, with well-controlled bass response. The treble isn't as crisp as you'd find on top-rated rivals like the copyright WH-1000XM4 or Jabra Elite 85H, however it's sufficient for the majority of music genres.
They also come with a great microphone that allows hands-free calls and also a voice assistant which does a good job of distancing your voice from background noise when you answer questions. The Bose Connect and Bose Music apps allow you to adjust the audio settings and alter the EQ. However, we've noticed the Bose voice that informs you of things such as battery status and whether you're connected is somewhat robotic, as opposed to the more natural voices of the copyright and Jabra models.
Comfort
Bose headphones are comfortable, whether on or over-ear. Bose's headphones are typically luxuriously padded and don't feel tight on the head, and they have a well-balanced sound profile which makes them suitable for all genres. If you're looking to adjust the sound, you'll find that many of the Bose headphones come with a companion app with an EQ graphic that can help you fine-tune your music.
The Bose QuietComfort45 Wireless over-ear headphones have a stretchy headband, plush pads and an earband that is soft and flexible. They are the most comfortable headphones we've test. They're very lightweight and sweat-resistant, and you can listen for long periods of time without feeling uncomfortable. The earcups pivot on the stems made of plastic that extend from the headband which gives you some flexibility and ensures that they fit around your ears.
In our tests, the Bose QC45s delivered impressive noise cancellation and great audio quality. The sound is rich, detailed, and punchy, with clear mids and clear highs. The headphones also have a neutral midrange response, ensuring that voices reproduce well. The only issue is that they do not support the most current Bluetooth codecs, like aptX Adaptive or LDAC which allows 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 perfect for running and working. They provide up to five-hour battery life, which is enough for bluetooth headphones most workout sessions. The buds are waterproof and come with a built-in microphone for voice assistant integration. You can control the buds via the remote that comes with them or the companion app. The app lets you alter settings for Bose Aware Mode and ANC.
Controls
The 700s don't have physical controls for the ear cups, unlike the majority of Bose's headphones. Instead, you'll find a touch panel in the front of the right earcup that detects finger taps and swipes. Tap twice to play/pause, swipe up or down to adjust the volume and move forward to skip tracks. A single-tap answers calls, and a double tap rejects an incoming call.
The headset also lets users to switch between a mode called "aware," which enables some passthrough of your surroundings. This feature is beneficial for those who have to be aware of their surroundings while listening to music or making calls.
Another feature of the 700s is a motion detector that shuts off your headphones after a time of inactivity. It's a great feature for those who forget to turn off their headphones or are easily distracted while using headphones. The Bose Connect App allows you to alter the Auto-Off setting on your Bose headphones.
The app allows you to modify the features of your headphones, such as the audio settings, noise cancellation levels and the languages used for voice prompts. You can also download updates for your Bose headsets. You may be asked to share certain personal details for this to work however that's normal for this kind of app. It's also where you set your Bluetooth connectivity preferences, and also features a a helpful battery reading function that will let you know how much battery is left in your headphones. You can download the free Bose Connect app from your iOS device's App Store or Google Play. The app requires an Bluetooth connection to your tablet or smartphone. Once connected, you can select a profile and locate your headset.
Design
Bose headphones are well-known for their comfort and ability to shield the listener from background noise. Their sound is well-balanced, and versatile enough to be utilized across different genres. They are also very lightweight and sturdy. This makes them an ideal choice for traveling.
A large part of what makes Bose headphones so popular is their noise cancelling. The NCH 700s offer 10 selectable levels of noise cancelling, and even at the highest level, it's quite impressive. Six of the eight microphones are tucked into the headband to help isolate voices from ambient sound. Two of the mics double as noise-rejection sensors, helping to eliminate background hiss and echo during voice calls.
Bose headphones are minimalist in design, utilizing only a few buttons. The left side of the cup is equipped with an adjustable noise-cancelling switch and the right one has switches to power/Bluetooth and launch digital assistants. On the right cup, there's a capacitive touchscreen that lets you play/pause music, switch tracks and adjust volume using simple gestures.
Bose's headphones are well-suited for mobile use, with most over and on-ear models providing ample padding to ensure a comfortable fit. They're also extremely light and portable making them an excellent choice for travel. The only drawback to the Bose headphones is that their wireless headphones don't block out as much ambient sound as some of their competition. Bose creates active noise-cancelling earbuds specifically designed for exercise. (Like the QuietComfort Earbuds II Truely Wireless). This allows you to monitor your surroundings and still enjoy your favorite music.