Bose QC45 review: Travelers’ favorite noise-cancelling headphones revamped | Headphones

Bose is back with a revamp of its most popular noise-cancelling headphones, upping the tech but keeping the good parts mostly the same.

The company seems to have taken a “it’s not broken, don’t fix it” approach to the new headphones, which are similar to 2016’s excellent QuietComfort 35 but markedly different from the more modern NCH 700 that launched two years ago.

The QuietComfort 45s cost £320 ($330/A$500) and are not flashy and comfortable. The design has been refined with softer ear cushions and fewer lines and mic holes in the ear cups for a more minimalist look, but the differences from the QuietComfort 35s are subtle. The headband is now lined with softer vegan leather instead of suede. Alcantara of their predecessors.

The earcups remain light, well-balanced and stay on your head without the need to squeeze too hard, contributing to long-term comfort.

The build feels sturdy and capable of taking a beating, similar to its long-standing predecessors that withstood years of rough travel and my daily commute very well.

Controls and connectivity

The QC45 is a standard set of Bluetooth 5.1 headphones that support the universal SBC and AAC audio formats, which are compatible with most phones, tablets, computers and other devices. They can connect to two devices at once, like a phone for calls and a tablet for video, and had a strong connection with iPhones and Android devices. You can use a cable for wired listening even when the headphones are out of battery.

A slider switch turns the headphones on and off and puts them into pairing mode, while a trio of buttons control playback and volume. A button on the left cup switches between sound modes. However, unlike most high-end rivals, the QC45 doesn’t pause the music when you take them off.

Specifications

• Weight: 240g

• Dimensions: 184×152.4×76.2mm

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1 with multipoint charging, 3.5mm, USB-C

• Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC

• Battery duration: 24 hours

Sound and noise cancellation

All Bose headphones have a distinctive sound that has proven divisive in audiophile circles, usually because they over-process sound, meaning the music is seen as far from the artist’s intent.

The QC45 sounds generally nicer and better balanced than its rivals, producing a solid punch in the bottom end without overriding other tones. Vocals are particularly clear, but highs and highs can be overemphasized, making some cymbal-heavy punk tracks a bit overbearing. The separation between instruments and tones is excellent, even for very complex and overlapping tracks.

Despite lacking any virtual surround sound features, the QC45 does an excellent job of recreating the big bangs, action, and voices from the movies.

Active noise cancellation eliminates more unwanted sound than almost any other pair of headphones, reducing high tones and speech more reliably and to a greater extent than most rivals. Unlike the NCH 700, the QC45 only has two sound modes: “silent”, with noise cancellation on, and “aware”, with noise cancellation off and the sound of the outside world on, useful for listening to traffic or the ads. . You cannot use them without one or the other sound mode activated.

Call quality is reasonable, with my voice sounding clear if a bit distant, but they let some background noise through and fall short of the NCH 700’s performance.

Battery duration

The QC45 lasts for approximately 25 hours of listening via Bluetooth between charges or much longer on cable. That’s enough for most commutes and longer flights, but five hours less than its best Sony competitors.

They fully charge via USB-C in 2.5 hours, with a 15-minute charge adding up to three hours of playback.

sustainability

Bose estimates the battery will last over 500 full charge cycles, but it’s not replaceable, ultimately making the headphones disposable.

the headphones are usually repairableand some spare parts, including the ear pads, at £24.95 for a pair, are available. The headphones do not contain recycled materials. Bose does not publish environmental impact reports for individual products, but it does publish annual sustainability reports.

Price

The Bose QuietComfort 45 costs £319.95 ($329/$499.95).

For comparison, the RRP for the Bose 700 noise-cancelling headphones is £349.95the QuietComfort 35 II costs £299.95QuietComfort Earbuds cost £249.95the cost of Sony WH-1000XM4 £279B/W PX7 cost £349.99cost of Apple AirPods Max £549.

Verdict

The Bose QuietComfort 45 offer some of the best noise cancellation and comfort money can buy. If you need a pair of headphones to wear for hours, like on long-haul flights or endless drives, there aren’t many better options.

They’re lightweight, fold up for travel, feel sturdy, sound great, connect to two devices at once, can be used with a cord, and last about 25 hours between charges. But while that formula made its predecessors the best in 2016, the QC45 lacks the bells and whistles offered by the latest rivals at similar or lower prices, like auto-pause, virtual surround sound, sound and noise cancellation customization. and support for higher quality audio. formats.

The Boses are still great but a bit pricey in PVP. They’re often discounted, so look for a deal or consider the excellent QC 35 II, which is available for around £200. Note that Bose can’t replace the battery in new headphones, which ultimately makes them disposable and you lose a star.

Advantages: best-in-class noise cancellation, super comfortable, 25-hour battery life, good sound, Bluetooth can connect to two devices at once, folds up for travel, cross-platform companion app can be used with a cable.

Cons: expensive, voice microphone lets through background noise, doesn’t support higher quality audio formats, doesn’t have equalizer, doesn’t have variable levels of noise cancellation.

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