Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely Headphones have been a very long time coming. For context, the final time we noticed a flagship pair of wi-fi headphones from the model was all the way in which again in 2019 and the launch of the surprisingly named Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700.
It’s definitely uncommon for a model as massive within the area as Bose to go so lengthy with out injecting a brand new top-end QuietComfort mannequin into the market. Sony, for instance, has been extra constant in its launches which has given it the possibility to actually stamp its authority at this finish of the market.
Can Bose’s new top-of-the-range mannequin make up for misplaced time?
Worth
It’s truthful to say so much has occurred on this planet for the reason that Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 launched again in June 2019 for £350 / $399 / AU$599. So, you in all probability received’t be shocked to study that the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones sit at the next value level.
They value £450 / $429 / AU$649. This elevates them nicely above the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM5 (£380 / $399 / AU$550), particularly while you take note of on-line reductions, and the likes of the five-star Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e £379 / $399 / AU$599. There’s an excellent greater hole between the Bose and Sennheiser’s flagship ANC over-ears, the Momentum 4 Wi-fi £300 / $349.95 / AU$549.95.
The Bose nonetheless sit under the Apple AirPods Max, that are priced at £549 / $549 / AU$899.
Construct & consolation
Like numerous fashionable designs, the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones fold flat, however they’re nonetheless hinged which suggests they (and the provided carry case) take up much less area and are simpler to only throw in a bag for those who’re in a rush. That’s one thing you may’t say in regards to the WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
The Extremely Headphones appear to be a premium pair of over-ears and the usage of steel for the arms and yokes mixed with the pleather on the headscarf and earcups make for a lovely mixture. The headphones are available in both a Black or White Smoke end.
The Bose really feel a bit extra premium than the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5, however they aren’t on a par with the trendy and strong Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e which actually impress at this stage
Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones tech specs
Bluetooth SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Battery life 24hrs
Charging USB-C
Transparency mode? Sure
Constructed-in mic and controls? Sure
Finishes x 3 (Black, White Smoke, Sandstone)
Weight 250g
The grip strain on the Bose is well-judged, although, and the clamping pressure is barely stronger than the Sonys, which we expect some customers will desire. The all-round cushioning on the earpads continues to be ok to make for a snug listening expertise – they provide an excellent seal and a stage of isolation.
On the suitable earcup there’s a button for energy/Bluetooth pairing, a intelligent capacitive contact strip for quantity and accessing shortcuts, and a multifunctional button which can be utilized for varied duties, together with switching listening modes, answering calls and controlling playback.
The capacitive strip (or ridge) is sort of quick and tucked away however we discovered it good and responsive when sliding our thumb to maneuver the quantity up and down.
The left earcup has an LED indicator, 2.5mm jack, and USB-C charging port (sadly, you may’t pay attention over a wired USB connection). Bose claims battery life is as much as 24 hours with Immersive Audio turned off and 18 hours with it turned on and these figures appear to be matched throughout testing, though they do nonetheless lag behind the Sony XM5’s 30 hours.
Options
The massive information for the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones is the debut of Bose’s Immersive Audio tech, which is mainly its tackle spatial audio. The overall thought is to get the sound out of your head so it feels much less such as you’re listening to headphones and extra such as you’re listening to a picture served up by a conventional pair of audio system.
You’ve acquired two modes of Immersive Audio to modify between: Nonetheless and Movement. Nonetheless is really helpful for while you’re stationary and also you need your music to be in a hard and fast place. Movement “permits the audio to maneuver with you, so it’s all the time out in entrance of you – nice for staying immersed on the go,” in accordance with Bose. Extra of our ideas on this later.
The Ultras additionally embody Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound Know-how suite which provides them aptX Adaptive help and the latency and stability advantages the tech brings. It’s additionally good to see multipoint Bluetooth connectivity is a part of the function set too, so that you may be linked to a few completely different sources concurrently. We discovered it labored nicely throughout testing, switching between an iPhone 12 and MacBook Professional.
Bose’s CustomTune calibration robotically optimises the noise-cancelling from the headphones to match your environment, whereas Bose Conscious Mode with ActiveSense robotically adjusts the quantity of ANC you’re listening to robotically, so your music isn’t drowned out by significantly loud noises.
There’s an excellent stage of customisation on provide too, so you may set your personal noise-cancelling presets and tweak the quantity of out of doors noise you wish to let by, relying on the way you wish to use them.
With numerous consideration being positioned on their Immersive Audio function, it’s good to see Bose hasn’t taken its eye off the primary USP of any headphone in its QuietComfort vary, i.e. noise-cancelling. The QC Extremely Headphones don’t allow us to down throughout testing, dramatically decreasing background rumbles whereas out strolling, and the sound of the London Underground throughout our day by day commute. The ANC is best than that of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e and we expect the Bose even have the sting over the Sony WH-1000X5 on this division, which isn’t any imply feat.
Apparently, one of many identical quirks we skilled with the QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds rears its head once more with these over-ears. Throughout testing it occurred on a practice journey when the clunk of the doorways closing collectively was emphasised as a substitute of being subdued.
Name high quality
Bose claims to have improved name high quality within the QC Extremely Headphones, with extra superior microphones in a beamform-array that scale back the affect of exterior noise. There are 5 microphones in every earpiece now, in comparison with 4 within the previous 700 mannequin.
Throughout testing we discovered the Bose carried out completely nicely, though evaluating them on to the Sony XM5, we discovered the Sony nonetheless had the sting – our voices sounded barely clearer when taking calls, and we additionally assume they do a greater job of cancelling out background noise while having a dialog.
Spatial audio
We’ve already had expertise with Bose’s Immersive Audio tech when testing its QuietComfort Extremely in-ears. We weren’t vastly satisfied then and our opinion isn’t modified by the over-ears.
As soon as once more, although, the final feeling was it really works nicely for some tracks (and sounds higher by the over-ears than the earbuds) however may hold forth with others. Robyn’s Dancing On My Personal is introduced with a splendidly spacious and immersive soundfield however Kanye West’s Sure 2in our opinion, sounds overly processed and we discovered it onerous to gel with.
Additionally, as was the case with the Extremely Earbuds, within the Movement mode we will nonetheless hear delay and section points because the processing tries to trace your head actions. Even with light side-to-side head actions, the shifts within the imaging are distracting.
Did we miss spatial audio when switching again to the usual setting? Not likely. And, it’s important to keep in mind that Immersive Audio additionally slices six hours off the overall battery lifetime of the headphones.
Sound
Whether or not you are taking spatial audio or go away it, you’ll be desirous to know the way the Bose stack up towards the perfect sonically, and we have now to say, we’re impressed.
Out of the field, the QC Extremely do sound a bit of uptight and ahead so positively give them loads of time to mattress in. As soon as they do loosen up, although, you’re in for a sonic deal with.
What strikes you from the off is that they’re a vastly entertaining pair of headphones. Their enthusiasm crosses over to each style of music as their exact, punchy supply is mirrored by your toes tapping away in settlement.
We begin our testing with the 2007 remaster of Pleasure Division’s Dysfunction and the Bose are fast out of the blocks with speedy and exactly struck drum beats adopted by a relentless flurry from the bass guitar that runs the entire size of the monitor. Each word is tightly outlined they usually don’t have any downside portray texture and giving them form.
Change over to Mombasa from the Inception soundtrack and we instantly begin to panic. Not as a result of there’s something improper with the sound, however as a result of the headphones instantly seize the drama and hazard that this monitor tries to convey.
Highs and lows are painted with a way of richness and refinement which we expect will likely be vastly interesting to potential patrons. Drums assault onerous and quick and there is a actual sense of dynamism because the monitor shifts up by the gears because the depth and frequency improve.
The Bose additionally present their versatility with tracks that demand larger care. Play U2’s With Or With out You and the headphones paint a really intimate and atmospheric image. The timing is spot on and the headphones lay naked the emotion in Bono’s vocal, and the delicacy of the cymbals and tambourine that flutter within the background.
The Bose key rival, the Sony WH-1000XM5 sound fairly completely different. Their character is barely leaner with a extra pure stability. Adam Clayton’s bassline has a bit extra weight and treads a finer line when listening by the Bose in comparison with the Sony. The Sonys ship larger transparency however on the expense of richness and physique. It’s a kind of that can come down to non-public choice.
Verdict
Bose is again with a bang. Sure, Immersive Audio is hit or miss, and the QuietComfort Headphones are costly in comparison with different flagship pairs (which have been available on the market significantly longer and thus have a bonus).
However construct high quality is strong, Bose’s noise-cancelling has gone to a brand new stage and sonically, they have you ever coming again for extra. We haven’t heard a pair of Bose over-ears sound as entertaining or refined for fairly a while.
SCORES
MORE:
Learn our evaluation of the Sony WH-1000XM5
Additionally contemplate the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wi-fi
Learn our Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e evaluation
Greatest noise-cancelling headphones: high ANC headphones for each finances
