Bose Over-Ear Headphones Review

Bose headphones offer comfort, noise cancelling, and controls. They are well-designed, have a good sound and are suitable for all type of music.

The QC35 II Wireless is an upgrade from the previous model that has enhanced noise cancellation and longer battery life. It also features a new transparency mode which lets you hear your surroundings clearly.

Comfort

In a sea of loud, unsettling headphones, Bose has carved out its own niche with premium noise cancelling over-ears. The headphones are highly praised by customers for their high-fidelity audio and natural sound. These headphones can be worn on the go or at home. These headphones are ideal for those who must make errands around the city. They will help you stay on track and shield your ears from the echoes of the city.

A pair of over-ear Bose headphones is perfect for those looking to escape their surroundings and completely immerse themselves in podcasts or music. These headphones feature high-quality noise cancelling that eliminates the majority of external noises that allow listeners to concentrate on their listening experience while tuning out the world. Some Bose headphones also come with options to adjust the level of noise cancellation to suit the environment. You can choose between two modes: quiet mode which completely blocks out noise from outside and Aware mode that lets you hear your surroundings, while listening to music.

These Bose headphones also come with a touch interface on the right earcup that can be used to control your music playback and to make calls. You can adjust the volume by swiping up or down, or tapping twice on the touch screen. Swipe left or right to skip tracks and you can hold on the area of contact during a phone call to accept or deny an incoming call. You can also make use of the Bose Headphones app to customize settings and alter the equalizer.

The new Bose QC45 headphones are an upgrade from the company's prior flagship noise-cancelling headphones, the QC35 II. The QC45s feature longer ANC playtime, enhanced passive isolation and an overall refined sound profile that is the Best Over Ear Wireless Headphones in class. They also have a range of convenience features, including auto-pause when the headphones are removed, as well as multi-device pairing.

The QC45s are a great option for those looking for a premium set of wireless headphones for long flights or commutes as well as at the office. The carry case included is a great choice for protecting them when not in use. The battery can be recharged to provide even more playtime.

Sound

Bose doesn't make use of physical buttons on these headphones instead, relying on gesture controls to manage calls and playback. On the right ear cup is a touchscreen that can detect swipes and taps from your index finger. A double-tap plays or pauses music, while tapping and holding will answer calls or block them. A single tap can skip tracks back and forward and a swipe upwards raises or lowers the volume.

After a little practice, you'll be able to control the headphones using your fingers without touching your device. If you'd like to modify settings or control music via your phone, you will have to download the Bose Headphones App for iOS/Android. The app is simple to use and has a clean, sleek design that is in line with the headphones. It can help you adjust the noise-cancellation level, choose between digital assistants and select the amount of your personal voice you'll hear during calls. The app also lets you manage your music as well as listen to podcasts.

While the Bose NC700 can't stream audio like our top-rated true wireless earbuds, they do feature a built-in microphone, which can be used to make and receive phone calls. They can also be connected to headsets to play games with no hands or video chats. If they are not in use they can be used them with wired mode to listen to music or make calls.

Overall the Bose NC700 headphones sound great, with a clear and crisp mid to high frequency, superb bass response, and a large soundstage. The headphones' active noise cancellation feature is also top-notch, letting you enjoy your music without being slowed by the sounds of the surrounding.

The headphones are light and well-balanced. Their default sound profile gives some extra thump that can muddy instruments or vocals in some genres. If you'd like to alter the Bose NC700's audio profile The app has various graphic EQ settings and presets that you can pick from.

Noise Cancellation

While Bose headphones have a long-standing history of outstanding active noise cancellation however, recent models have experienced issues. The QC35 IIs, for instance were affected by an update to the firmware that slowed their ANC performance. Even when they're not affected by the issue, Bose over-ear headphones can leak sound at high volumes--a nuisance for others nearby.

We were therefore pleased to discover that the QC700s have a significantly improved noise isolation. They still haven't matched the ANC of Sony's 1000X series headphones however they're close enough to be satisfied with their performance.

Bose’s CustomTune system allows you to calibrate the noise cancellation capabilities of the QC700s to your ears. A small chime is heard the microphone inside each ear over ear headphones cup is sealed, and once this happens, they create a virtual audio-rejection beam that blocks out noise from the surrounding. There's also a second set of six mics that can boost the sound when you are calling or using an assistant that is digital.

The QC700s are among the best active noise cancelling headphones on the market. You can adjust their ANC by using the Bose Headphones app, and you'll also have three preset ANC levels that can be adjusted using a programmable physical button located on the left earcup.

Despite not having many buttons, the 700s' touch controls work fairly when you get hang of them. Double-taps can stop and start music while swipes regulate volume. The right earcup has a power/pairing button and a digital assistant button, and a double tap on the front of the headset also responds to or rejects an incoming call.

The touch zones on the earcups can also detect finger taps and swipes. However, we discovered that this was often accidental, so it took time to develop muscle memories for where each feature is located. The headset is slim, slightly elevated design that is comfortable for day-to-day wear. The ears are covered with soft fabric that feels at ease on your head.

Controls

The Bose NCH700 headphones work for those who want to have a minimum amount of buttons. The capacitive touch sensors let you to control music, calls and more with just swipes and taps on the earcup's surface. You can also use Google Assistant or Alexa. The controls are easy to use once you get used to them.

The headband is constructed of stainless steel and is smooth to touch. The earcups are connected via a steel pole that runs the length of the headphones which allows you to slide them up and down to alter the to fit. This is a nice feature since it feels more natural and allows you to adjust the fit.

The noise cancellation of these headphones is great, with a customizable level of transparency that ensures you can hear the sounds around you. You can also activate the conversation mode to allow you to talk without needing remove your headphones. The volume of these Bose headphones can also be easily adjusted, similar to an analog volume dial.

These Bose headphones are distinctive in a number of ways. One of them is their SimpleSync technology, which allows you to connect to a Bose Smart Soundbar or Smart Speaker to play audio from the same source. Another is their multi-device connection, which allows you to connect two devices at the same time and switch between them as required. The headsets are also equipped with status lights that indicate whether the headset is connected to Bluetooth or is powered on.

The Bose Connect App allows you to easily alter the settings of these headphones. Once you have it installed, you can press the Power/Bluetooth button to play or pause the audio, swipe your finger upwards or Best Over Ear Wireless Headphones downwards to adjust the volume and swipe forward or back to skip tracks. A double-tap on the headset stops or plays audio, and a long press answers or declines an incoming call.

The app can be used to control other Bose devices, change EQ settings and check the battery life. You can connect them to a second device and switch between them, which is an excellent feature for commuters.