Bose QuietComfort 700 Wireless Headphones Review
Bose's noise cancelling technology can help block out background noises and the rumble of aeroplane engines. Bose also makes a variety of premium wireless headphones.
The new Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless have a smaller, sleeker design than the QuietComfort buds and have a better microphone to take calls. They're also sweat-proof and come with an charging case.
Active Noise Cancellation
Bose QuietComfort headphones are known for their excellent noise cancellation. However Bose also produces various premium headphones that don't require or offer this feature. The products typically come at the premium end of the market and make use of top materials, but 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 come with an upgraded eight-microphone system (six to cancel sound, and two for picking up voices) and 11 customizable ANC modes that allow you to hear the world around you or block it out completely. They also have a "Conversation Mode" button that allows you to temporarily stop your music in order to make calls or make a quick announcement.
Another fantastic feature is the Bose TruSleeve, a removable covering that wraps around the neck and rests on the upper ear for extra noise reduction when you're out and about. It's available on all QuietComfort products and can be customized with the app to suit your ears and lifestyle.
Comparing to our top choice, the Sony WH-1000XM5, 700s have a superior microphone performance for phone calls. This makes them an excellent option for those who regularly take calls and want to be heard clearly on the go.
You can connect the headphones to your mobile device using Bluetooth 4.2 and Bose's exclusive A2DP protocol. They support aptX Adaptive, aptX HD and are great for audiophiles with devices that support higher-quality wireless codes. Bose also includes a 2.5 millimeter to 3.5 millimeter cable for wired listening and they're optimized for both Google Assistant and Alexa. The headphones come with a battery that can last for up to 20 hours, and you'll also get fast, easy charging from the USB-C port that is located on the right earcup.
Sound Quality
Bose is well-known for its technology to block out noise, which can effectively block out office chatter or the engine noise of plane engines. However, the brand also has earbuds and headphones that are of good quality too. All models are compatible with Bose Connect (older models). They offer a variety of options, including audio settings and battery monitoring, as well as customizable controls, and listening modes. They're also compatible with all platforms and work with Apple, Android and Windows devices.
The QuietComfort 45 headphones are Bose's most immersive wireless over-ear headphone. They utilize Bluetooth 5.1 to provide multi-point pairing and an USB-C port to charge on the bottom of the cup. The headphones come with a cable that has a 3.5mm plug at the other end, allowing for wired listening. They also have an ANC button located on the left earcup. The app allows you to set the ANC at three different levels, and switch on the hear-through mode for ambient sounds.
They're lightweight headphones that are designed to be used for long periods of time. They have soft cushions that are comfortable over the ears. Sound is bright and dynamic with an impressive bass response that is well-controlled. The treble isn't as crisp as you'd find on top-rated competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Jabra Elite 85H, however it's punchy enough for most music genres.
The Bose Connect and Bose music apps let you alter the audio settings and customize the EQ. They have a great microphone for hands-free calls, and an assistant for voice that does a great job of separating ambient noise from your voice when you are answering questions. Bose Connect apps and Bose Music let you adjust the audio settings and also customize EQ. However, we've noticed that the Bose voice that informs you of things such as battery status and whether you're connected a bit robotic, as opposed to the more natural voices of the Sony and Jabra models.
Comfort
Bose headphones are comfortable, whether they're over-ear or on. Bose's headphones are typically comfortable and don't feel too tight on your head. They also come with a balanced sound profile, which makes them suitable for a diverse variety of genres. If you're looking to alter the sound, you'll notice that many Bose headphones come with a companion app with an EQ graph that helps you fine-tune your music.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless over-ear headphones are among the most comfortable headphones we've ever tried, with a soft and flexible headband and plush earpads. They're very lightweight and sweat-resistant and you can listen to them for hours without feeling uncomfortable. The earcups swivel upon the stems of plastic that extend from the headband, giving you some flexibility and helps ensure that they are sealed around your ears.
In our tests, the Bose Qc45s provided impressive noise cancellation and outstanding audio quality. The sound is incredibly rich and detailed, with a punchy bass, clear mids, and clear highs. The headphones have a neutral midrange response so voices are reproduced accurately. The only drawback to these headphones is that they do not support the latest Bluetooth codes, like aptX Adaptive and LDAC, allowing for lossless playback.
The Bose Sport Earbuds are smaller and more sleek than the company's flagship QuietComfort Earbuds, making them ideal for working out and running. The buds have a battery lifespan of up to 5 hours, which is enough for most workouts. The buds feature an inbuilt microphone and are waterproof. You can control the buds using the remote included or with the companion app. The app can be used to adjust settings for ANC and Bose's Aware Mode.
Controls
The 700s don't have physical controls on the earcups unlike the majority of Bose's headphones. You'll find an electronic touch panel on the right ear cup, which can be used to swipe or tap your finger. Tap twice to play or pause and swipe up to increase the volume, down to lower it, and forward to skip tracks. One tap answers calls and a double-tap rejects calls that are incoming.
The headset allows you to switch on the "aware" mode, which allows some passthrough of your surroundings. It's a handy feature for anyone who needs to be aware of their environment while listening to music or making phone calls.
online headphone shopping of the 700s is a motion sensor that shuts off your headphones after a period of inactivity. This is a fantastic 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 lets you modify the features of your 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 may be asked to share certain personal details to enable this, but that's expected for this type of application. You can also change your Bluetooth preferences and utilize the battery reading feature to determine how much power remains in your headphones. Download the free Bose Connect App from the App Store on your iOS device or Google Play. The app requires the use of a Bluetooth connection to your tablet or smartphone. Once it's connected, you can choose a profile and locate your headset.
Design
Bose headphones are known for their comfort and ability to shield the listener from any background noise. Their sound is generally balanced and flexible enough to work across genres without much tweaking. They are also extremely lightweight and robust. This makes them an ideal choice to take on trips.
Bose headphones are renowned for their noise cancellation. The NCH700s come with 10 levels of noise cancellation which is impressive even when you are at maximum. Six of the eight microphones are placed into the headband to help keep voices away from background noise. Two of the mics double as noise-rejection sensors, helping to eliminate background hiss and echo when making calls.
Unlike some of their competitors, Bose headphones tend to have a minimalist design with just a few buttons on the headband. The left cup features a noise-cancellation switch that can be adjusted, while the right has toggles for power/Bluetooth and launching digital assistants. On the right cup there's a touchscreen that lets you play/pause music, switch tracks and adjust volume using simple gestures.
Bose's headphones are great for use on the go with the majority of over - and on-ear models offering ample padding to ensure an ideal fit. They're also very portable and lightweight, making them a great option for trips. The only drawback to the Bose headphones is that their wireless headphones don't block out as much ambient noise as their rivals. This may not be a problem for most users, especially as Bose also makes active noise cancelling earbuds for exercise (like the QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless). This allows you to monitor your surroundings while listening to your music.