This text is a part of our sequence Battle of the Manufacturersby which we examine category-leading merchandise to their counterparts to find out which are literally value your cash.
Bose has a repute for creating the very best noise-canceling headphones, however the firm has not too long ago stepped out of their consolation zone to launch its first-ever spatial audio headphones: the QuietComfort Extremely. A launching pad for the corporate’s new Immersive Sound format, these next-gen cans convey a number of enhancements to the desk, akin to aptX Adaptive codec help, intuitive multipoint connectivity and stronger ANC.
The introduction of 1 flagship means the discontinuation of one other, which, on this case, occurs to be the universally acclaimed Bose 700. Nonetheless, the long-reigning king of ANC headphones aren’t giving up their crown so simply. These wi-fi headphones nonetheless produce wonderful name high quality and noise cancellation that no different rival has matched throughout their three-year run. Bose’s design can also be worthy of its personal exhibit at The Met 20 years from now.
Your selections are a possible new class chief or an simple basic. Thanks for making the choice really easy, Bose. After an extended week of testing, we’ve decide on which is the higher mannequin. Learn our full breakdown to search out out the winner.
The QuietComfort Extremely usher in a brand new period of Bose headphones, led by impeccable ANC, excellent 3D sound, and seamless quantity controls.
Learn our assessment
A former ANC king that continues to ship signature Bose noise discount, the 700 headphones bundle clear sound and intuitive controls into an ultramodern design.
Learn our assessment
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Lively noise cancellation |
Sure |
Sure |
| Ambient noise |
Sure (transparency mode) |
Sure (transparency mode) |
| Battery life (rated) |
18 hours (Immersive Audio); 24 hours (ANC) |
20 hours |
| Quick charging |
15-minute cost = 2.5 hours |
15-minute cost = 2.5 hours |
| Particular options |
Adaptive ANC, ambient listening mode, aptX Adaptive, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable sound, Google Quick Pair, fast charging, Immersive Audio with headtracking (common), SimpleSync, contact quantity controls, voice command |
Adaptive ANC, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable sound, fast charging, Self-Voice name enhancer, contact and voice controls |
| Wired help |
Sure (3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable) |
Sure (3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable) |
| Weight |
8.96 ounces |
8.95 ounces |
| Colours |
Black, white smoke |
Black, luxe silver, soapstone, triple midnight |
| Charging |
USB-C |
USB-C |
There are the reason why the 700 have been acknowledged as the prime headphones for noise cancellation. Bose’s adaptive eight-mic system (six mics used for ANC) block out 90 p.c of incidental sounds. We’ve examined the headphones in quite a few environments over time, even on planes the place engine rumble and customary in-flight disruptions have been silent. Additionally they put a kibosh on most indoor and outside fracas. Adjustable ANC is the 700’s largest promoting level, letting customers choose between 10 ranges for optimum noise neutralization. Setting the characteristic to Degree 5 or decrease principally prompts transparency mode and decreasing it to Degree 1 pulls in a number of ambient noise. You’ll hear conversations clearly from throughout the room and emergency sirens from two blocks away.
Extra mics mixed with adaptive algorithms and ports permit the QC Extremely to eradicate as much as 95 p.c of incidental noise. We examined Bose’s newest ANC know-how in settings the place noise visitors was excessive. Strolling by The Sq. procuring district in West Palm Seaside was peaceable; reside performances and outside eating chatter by no means broke my focus. Building noises had zero presence on music tracks. Noise cancellation was extra rewarding indoors. I used to be capable of work disruption-free whereas hearth alarm testing occurred all through my house advanced.
Bose’s newest ambient listening mode (Conscious) elevated my consciousness throughout strolls and when monitoring my son’s naps through video monitor. As an alternative of an ANC slider on the homepage of the app, the QC Extremely include a number of modes that permit you choose an ANC degree and activate the Wind Block characteristic for diminished wind interference. The latter is useful for listening to music in gusty circumstances.
Typically, the QC Extremely canceled out just a little extra noise than the 700.
TL;DR: The 700’s noise cancellation remains to be unbeatable…besides towards the QC Extremely’s ANC.
The QC Extremely usually are not simply Bose’s best-sounding headphones up to now – they’re a risk to a number of audiophile-grade fashions just like the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 and Sony WH-1000XM5. That’s primarily attributed to the all-new Immersive Audio characteristic that works with all stereo content material to ship energetic, spacious sound. Listening to reside efficiency and orchestral tracks felt surreal, because the know-how reproduced particulars like crowd applause and particular results with finesse. Brass devices have been vibrant, and vocals gained a pleasant increase in readability that carried over to podcasts and dialogue-centric scenes in films. Talking of which, films have been a delight, because of Bose’s unimaginable head-tracking know-how that precisely directed sounds to go motion. The headphones are simply as spectacular for traditional listening. Bose’s CustomTune know-how is on board to calibrate sound primarily based in your ear properties, whereas aptX Adaptive dynamically scales bitrate for quicker, meticulous streaming on Android gadgets.
In the event you like clear, well-balanced sound, the 700 will deal with you proper. Their heat sound signature with clear vocal presentation is nice for sluggish jams and most modern tracks. Bass is tight, however much less punchy in comparison with older Bose releases. Sound might be personalised within the Bose Music app by adjusting bass, midrange or treble on the EQ. Desktop modes on hi-fi streaming providers (like Tidal’s Unique Mode) can heighten sound efficiency by letting the platform take management of audio processing for the very best high quality doable.
TL;DR: Whereas the 700’s dynamic soundstage is appeasing, Bose’s proprietary sound applied sciences push the QC Extremely to a different degree.
Bose crafted a murals with the 700. Every little thing from the hidden screws and threading to the smooth-sliding extenders constructed on a monitor system are completely applied. Sturdy aluminum and plastic make up most of their composition, with soft-touch leather-based wrapping across the earcups and headband for nice consolation. The flush buttons produce strong tactility that ensures they work as meant. The motion button might be assigned to completely different duties (e.g., ANC, Spotify Faucet) within the companion app. Bose neatly positioned its mics all through the design for optimum voice seize, which is clear within the 700’s excellent name high quality and voice help. Put on detection to auto-pause playback when eradicating the headphones is spot-on. Even the contact controls are conveniently programmed (up/down for quantity and left/proper for monitor administration) and a number of the most responsive we’ve examined within the class.
Design-wise, the QC Extremely are primarily the 700 minus the unibody body. A collapsible body was launched for handy portability. These headphones use the identical leather-based to provide listeners loads of consolation throughout lengthy listening stretches. The swiveled earcups present a bit extra breathability. You’re additionally getting the identical dependable enter strategies, together with stellar auto-pause performance and voice activation. Moreover, Bose integrated a quantity strip on the fitting earcup that operates flawlessly and stuffed extra mics into the QC Extremely’s design.
TL;DR: The 700 is perhaps older, however their inventive craftmanship is iconic, whereas the QC Extremely admirably pay homage to legacy releases with a smooth, minimalist look.
The 700 have higher name high quality, however the QC Extremely win on battery life and options
Nothing tops the 700 as a calling headset. Their mic array makes the speaker’s voice louder and clearer throughout chats. Enabling the Self Voice characteristic will modify vocal quantity so you possibly can hear your self higher. ANC additionally filters out exterior sounds on the highest degree. The QC Extremely fall barely in need of their predecessor, however you possibly can nonetheless count on satisfactory name high quality with minor background noise.
Bose not solely upped the battery life on its newest creation, however they added extra options to the QC Extremely’s spec sheet. ANC playtime is as much as 24 hours per cost; listening with Immersive Audio on drops it to 18 hours. The 700 lasts as much as 20 hours. Fast charging is extra highly effective on the 700 (15 minutes = 3.5 hours) than the QC Extremely (15 minutes = 3 hours). There’s no technique to flip off noise cancellation on both mannequin.
The 700 initially launched with spectacular options, together with adjustable ANC, Bluetooth multipoint, Google Quick Pair and Self Voice. EQ was launched in a future replace. Bose set these options up on the QC Extremely, together with a number of others that enhance usability. We already touched on aptX Adaptive, Immersive Audio and the amount strip. Multipoint — which lets you pair your headphones to 2 gadgets without delay — operates nicely on each fashions, although the QC Extremely has the advantage of switching to single-point connection.
TL;DR: The 700’s voice calling is superior, however we’ll take the QC Extremely’s higher battery life and performance.
Dominant noise cancellation, exceptional sound, and an extended spec sheet earn the QC Extremely their flagship standing. Bose spared no expense creating the market’s finest ANC headphones, which is mirrored of their general efficiency and steep price ticket. Tweaks to the soundstage unveil extra element on tracks. Immersive Audio is a game-changer for cinema buffs that need to be engrossed of their favourite motion and horror films. The uptick in battery life can also be good.
It’s been a tremendous three-year run for the Bose 700, highlighted by top-tier noise cancellation and crisp sound in an avant-garde design. Responsive contact controls and unequalled name high quality add to their worth, which is even better at their present sale value of $299. Nonetheless, the shortage of recent options and shorter battery life are shortcomings that the QC Extremely handle.
