Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review
Bose is known for its noise cancelling technology, which can block out the rumble of aeroplane engines and other ambient sounds. Bose also produces a range of wireless headphones that are premium.
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're also sweat-resistant and come with an charging case.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Bose QuietComfort line is known for its superior noise cancellation but the company also produces a variety of premium headphones and earbuds which don't need or offer it. The products are typically high priced and made of premium materials. They're also lightweight and sweat-resistant, as well as comfortable enough to listen for long periods of time.
The flagship 700s are an excellent example of this. They come with 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 also come with a "Conversation Mode" button that lets you temporarily pause your music to make an emergency call or make a brief announcement.
Another excellent feature is the Bose TruSleeve, a removable cover that wraps around the neck and rests on your upper ear for extra noise reduction when you're out and out and about. It's available for all QuietComfort products and can be customised using the app to suit your ears and lifestyle.
In comparison to our top pick which is the Sony WH-1000XM5, 700s have a superior audio quality for phone calls. This makes them a good option for those who regularly take calls and want to be heard clearly while on the go.
The headphones can be connected to your mobile device with Bluetooth 4.2 and Bose's proprietary A2DP protocol. They support aptX Adaptive and aptX HD, making them a great choice for audiophiles who have sources that support these higher-quality wireless codecs. Bose comes with a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable for wired listening. headset shopping for Google Assistant and Alexa. The headphones have 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, which effectively shuts out the engine noise of aircraft engines or office chatter. But the brand also has earbuds and headphones that have good sound quality too. All models are compatible with Bose Connect (older models). They come with a range of options that include audio settings, battery monitoring, customizable controls, and listening modes. They're also platform-neutral and can be used with Apple, Android and Windows devices.
The QuietComfort 45 headphones from Bose are the most powerful wireless over-ear headphone. They utilize Bluetooth 5.1 to offer multi-point pairing, and also the USB-C port for charging on the bottom of the cup. The headphones include a cable with a 3.5mm plug on the other end, which is suitable for wired listening. They also have an ANC button on the left earcup. The app allows you to set the ANC at three different levels and turn on the hear-through mode to play ambient noises.
The headphones are light and designed to be worn for long durations. They come with soft cushions which are comfortable for the ears. The sound is vibrant and bright, with a solid bass response that is well-controlled. The treble doesn't sound as crisp as you'd find on top-rated models like the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Jabra Elite 85H, but it's adequate for most music genres.
The Bose Connect and Bose Music apps also let you adjust the audio settings as well as alter the EQ. They come with a fantastic microphone for hands-free calling, and a voice assistant which is effective in dissociating ambient noise from your speech when you answer questions. Bose Connect apps and Bose Music allow you to alter the audio settings and even customize EQ. The Bose voice, which tells you about things like battery status and if you're connected, sounds slightly robotic compared to the more natural voices on the Sony and Jabra models.
Comfort
Bose headphones are comfortable, whether they're on or over-ear. Bose's headphones are usually well-padded and not too tight on your head. They also have a well-balanced sound profile, which makes them suitable for a broad range of genres. Many Bose headphones have an app companion to the headphones that comes with an equalizer graphic to help you fine tune your music.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless over-ear headphones are one of the most comfortable headphones we've ever tried, with a soft and flexible headband and plush earpads. They are light, sweat-proof and comfortable to wear for long durations of time. The earcups can be swiveled around the plastic stems that extend from the headband. This gives you flexibility and ensures they seal around your ear.
The Bose Qc45s impressed us with their noise cancellation and audio quality. The sound is clear vibrant, detailed, and clear, with clear mids and clear highs. The headphones have an even mid-range response, so 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, allowing for lossless playback.
The Bose Sport Earbuds are smaller and sleeker than the company's flagship QuietComfort Earbuds, making them ideal for working out and running. They have a five hours of battery life, which is enough for most workouts. The buds are waterproof and come with 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 modify settings for Bose Aware Mode and ANC.
Controls
The 700s don't have physical controls on the ear cups unlike the majority of Bose's headphones. 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 change the volume, and swipe forward to skip tracks. A single-tap answers calls, and a double-tap blocks an calls that are incoming.
The headset lets you toggle the "aware" mode, which allows some passthrough of your surroundings. This feature is beneficial for people who need to be aware of the surroundings while listening to music or making calls.
Another feature on the 700s is a motion sensor that shuts off your headphones after a period of inactivity. This is a great feature for those who get easily distracted or forget to turn off their 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 the headphones including the settings for audio, noise cancelling levels, and languages for voice prompts. You can also download updates for your Bose headsets. The app could ask you to share personal information, but it's normal. It's also where you'll define your Bluetooth connection preferences, and it has an important battery reading feature that will let 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. The application requires the use of a Bluetooth connection to your tablet or smartphone. Once connected you'll be able to choose a profile and locate your headset.
Design
Bose is known for its comfortable headphones. The majority of their models do an excellent job of keeping the listener's ears insulated against ambient sound. Their sound is well-balanced, and versatile enough to be used across genres. Their headphones are also quite lightweight and durable making them an excellent choice for travel.
A big part of what makes Bose headphones so popular is their noise cancellation. The NCH700s feature 10 levels of noise cancellation, which is impressive even at the highest level. Six of the eight microphones are placed into the headband to help keep voices away from background noise. Two of the microphones serve as noise-rejection sensor to reduce background hiss and echo during calls.
Bose headphones are minimalist in design, utilizing only two buttons. The left-hand side features a noise-cancellation switch that can be adjusted and the right one has toggles for power/Bluetooth and to launch digital assistants. On the right side of the cup there's a touchscreen that lets you play/pause music, change tracks and adjust volume with simple gestures.
Bose headphones are great for mobile use. The majority of models, both on and over the ear, come with plenty of padding that provides a comfortable fit. They are also lightweight and portable, making them an excellent option for those traveling. Bose's wireless headphones do not block out as much sound as their competitors. Bose creates active noise-cancelling earbuds that are made for use in the gym. (Like the QuietComfort Earbuds II Truely Wireless). This lets you keep track of your surroundings while still enjoying the convenience of your music.