Bose QuietComfort 35 II Review

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As a technology enthusiast and audiophile, there’s nothing quite like finding the perfect pair of headphones to elevate your listening experience. Today, I am thrilled to share my review of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, a set of headphones that I believe truly deserves the spotlight. With their superb noise-cancellation capabilities and high-quality audio performance, these headphones have become a staple for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the features, design, and performance of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, as well as compare them to other top contenders in the market. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or simply in search of a reliable pair of headphones to accompany you on your daily commute, this review aims to provide valuable insights and help you make an informed decision. So, grab your favorite playlist and let’s get started!

Bose QuietComfort 35 II product information

History

The history of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II can be traced back to its roots at Bose Corporation, a company renowned for its dedication to research and development in the field of audio technology. Founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar G. Bose, an MIT graduate and professor, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of audio engineering and introduced groundbreaking products to the market.

The journey to create the Bose QuietComfort 35 II began with the introduction of the original QuietComfort series in 2000. The first iteration, the QuietComfort Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones, was a game-changer in the industry, as it offered users an unprecedented level of noise cancellation in a portable form factor. The success of this product prompted Bose to continue refining and expanding the QuietComfort lineup.

The Bose QuietComfort 35, the direct predecessor to the QuietComfort 35 II, was introduced in 2016. This model featured significant improvements over previous generations, including wireless Bluetooth connectivity and an enhanced noise cancellation algorithm. It quickly became a popular choice among audiophiles and casual listeners alike for its comfort, performance, and portability.

In 2017, Bose unveiled the QuietComfort 35 II, building upon the solid foundation of its predecessor. This updated version introduced key features such as Google Assistant integration and customizable noise-cancellation levels, providing users with even greater control over their listening experience. These upgrades, coupled with the already impressive audio quality and comfort of the original QuietComfort 35, solidified the QuietComfort 35 II’s position as a top-tier choice for headphone enthusiasts.

Today, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and excellence in audio technology. The culmination of years of research, development, and user feedback, these headphones continue to captivate users with their exceptional performance and comfort.

Specification

Specification	Details
Year of Manufacture	2017
Company	Bose Corporation
Official Website	www.bose.com
Fit Type	Over-ear
Item Dimensions	3.2 x 6.7 x 7.1 inches (HxWxD)
Item Weight	8.3 ounces (235 grams)
Special Features	Google Assistant, Customizable ANC
Driver Size	40 mm
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
Impedance	32 ohms
Bluetooth Version	4.1
Bluetooth Range	Up to 33 feet (10 meters)
ANC Modes	High, Low, Off
Audio Codec	SBC, AAC
Battery Life	Up to 20 hours (wireless with ANC)
Charging Time	Approximately 2.25 hours
Quick Charging	15 minutes for 2.5 hours of playback
Controls	On-ear buttons, Bose Connect app
Price	$349.95 (at the time of release)

What is included in the delivery set?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones come with a thoughtfully designed delivery set to ensure you have everything you need to enjoy your listening experience right out of the box. The delivery set includes:

1. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Headphones: The main product, featuring advanced noise cancellation and Bluetooth connectivity.
2. Carrying Case: A protective hardshell case to keep your headphones safe and secure during storage or travel.
3. USB Charging Cable: A cable to charge the headphones via a USB power source, such as a laptop, power bank, or wall adapter.
4. Audio Cable: A 3.5mm auxiliary cable to use the headphones in wired mode when needed, such as during low battery or in situations where wireless connection is not possible.
5. Airline Adapter: An adapter to connect the headphones to airplane entertainment systems, ensuring compatibility with various types of audio jacks.
6. Quick Start Guide: A concise guide to help you get started with your new headphones, covering essential information on setup, usage, and maintenance.
7. Safety and Warranty Information: Documentation detailing safety guidelines and warranty terms for your headphones.

What about design, materials, assembly?

The design of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones prioritizes comfort and usability, making them suitable for extended periods of wear. They feature a sleek, modern aesthetic that is both visually appealing and functional. Here’s a closer look at the design, materials, and assembly of these headphones:

1. Design: The headphones feature an over-ear design with a closed-back architecture. This ensures a snug fit and helps to isolate external sounds effectively. The adjustable headband and swiveling ear cups allow for a customized fit, accommodating a wide range of head shapes and sizes.
2. Materials: The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are constructed using high-quality materials that strike a balance between durability, comfort, and weight. The headband is made from a combination of glass-filled nylon and stainless steel, providing both flexibility and strength. The ear cups are crafted from impact-resistant materials, while the ear cushions are made of plush synthetic protein leather filled with soft foam. These materials not only provide excellent comfort but also contribute to the headphones’ lightweight design.
3. Assembly: The build quality of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones is top-notch, with meticulous attention to detail. The assembly process ensures that all components fit together seamlessly, resulting in a product that feels robust and reliable. The joints and hinges are smooth and sturdy, allowing for easy adjustments without compromising on durability.

Overall, the design, materials, and assembly of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones showcase the company’s commitment to delivering a high-quality product that offers exceptional comfort, performance, and durability.

What about ergonomics and usability Bose QuietComfort 35 II?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones excel in ergonomics and usability, making them a popular choice for users who prioritize comfort and convenience. Here’s an overview of the key ergonomic and usability features of these headphones:

1. Comfort: The headphones are designed with comfort in mind, featuring plush ear cushions and a padded headband. The soft foam in the ear cushions conforms to the shape of your ears, providing a secure yet comfortable fit. The adjustable headband ensures that the headphones can accommodate a wide range of head sizes and shapes.
2. Lightweight design: Weighing in at just 8.3 ounces (235 grams), the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are lightweight and easy to wear for extended periods. The use of high-quality, lightweight materials reduces strain on your head and neck, minimizing the risk of discomfort or fatigue.
3. Intuitive controls: The headphones feature easy-to-use on-ear controls for adjusting volume, skipping tracks, and managing phone calls. The buttons are well-placed and tactile, making it simple to control your audio experience without having to reach for your device. Additionally, the headphones offer voice assistant integration, allowing you to access Google Assistant or Siri directly through the headphones for hands-free control.
4. Foldable design: The ear cups of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones can swivel and fold flat, making them compact and easy to store in the provided carrying case. This foldable design is perfect for travelers or commuters who need to save space in their bags.
5. Customizable noise cancellation: The headphones feature adjustable noise-cancellation levels, allowing you to choose between high, low, or off settings. This customizable feature ensures you can achieve the perfect balance between blocking out external noise and staying aware of your surroundings.
6. Easy pairing: The Bluetooth connectivity of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones ensures hassle-free pairing with your devices. The headphones also remember previously paired devices, making it easy to switch between them without needing to re-pair each time.

In summary, the ergonomics and usability of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are exceptional, offering a comfortable and convenient listening experience for users in various environments and situations.

What about connection, control and software?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones offer seamless connection, easy control, and useful software integration to enhance your listening experience. Here’s a closer look at these aspects:

1. Connection: The headphones are equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 technology, allowing for wireless connection to a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The pairing process is straightforward, and the headphones can remember up to eight previously paired devices for easy switching. Additionally, the headphones come with a 3.5mm audio cable for wired connections, useful when the battery is low or when using devices without Bluetooth capabilities.
2. Control: On-ear controls provide users with the ability to manage volume, skip tracks, pause or play music, and answer or end phone calls with ease. The buttons are well-placed, tactile, and responsive, ensuring you can control your audio experience without fumbling. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones also feature voice assistant integration, allowing users to access Google Assistant or Siri for hands-free control of their devices.
3. Software: The Bose Connect app, available for iOS and Android devices, offers additional functionality and customization options for your QuietComfort 35 II headphones. With the app, you can:
   • Adjust noise cancellation levels (high, low, or off)
   • Manage paired devices and switch between them
   • Customize the headphones’ action button to control noise cancellation or access your voice assistant
   • Update the headphones’ firmware to ensure optimal performance
   • Access user guides and troubleshooting tips

The app is user-friendly and provides a convenient way to tailor your headphones to your preferences and keep them up to date.

In conclusion, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones deliver a seamless connection, intuitive control, and beneficial software integration that elevates the overall user experience. These features, combined with the headphones’ exceptional audio quality and comfort, make the QuietComfort 35 II a top choice for both casual listeners and audiophiles.

How’s the sound quality?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones offer impressive sound quality that appeals to a wide range of listeners. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the sound quality across different aspects:

1. Bass: The bass response in the QuietComfort 35 II is well-balanced and controlled. It delivers a satisfying low-end without overpowering the midrange and treble frequencies. The bass is tight and punchy, providing ample depth for bass-heavy genres such as electronic, hip-hop, and pop.
2. Midrange: The midrange performance of the headphones is detailed and clear, ensuring vocals and instruments are well-represented. The midrange is smooth and natural, with no noticeable peaks or dips that could cause harshness or muddiness. This balanced midrange makes the QuietComfort 35 II suitable for a wide variety of music genres, including rock, jazz, and classical.
3. Treble: The treble frequencies in the QuietComfort 35 II are crisp and well-defined, offering good detail and clarity. The high-end is smooth and non-fatiguing, allowing users to listen for extended periods without experiencing listening fatigue or discomfort. The treble performance complements the overall sound signature, resulting in a pleasant and enjoyable listening experience.
4. Soundstage: The soundstage of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is moderately wide, providing a sense of space and depth in your audio. While the closed-back design may not offer the same expansive soundstage as open-back headphones, the QuietComfort 35 II still manages to deliver an engaging and immersive audio experience.
5. Imaging: The imaging and instrument separation in the QuietComfort 35 II are quite good, allowing listeners to pinpoint the position of various instruments and vocals within the audio mix. This level of precision contributes to the overall enjoyment of the listening experience.
6. Noise Cancellation: The active noise cancellation (ANC) technology in the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is top-notch. The headphones effectively reduce a wide range of external noises, including low-frequency rumbles and high-frequency chatter. With adjustable ANC settings, users can customize the level of noise cancellation to their preferences and environment, making these headphones ideal for use in various situations, such as busy commutes or quiet offices.

In summary, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones deliver exceptional sound quality across various aspects, making them suitable for users with diverse music tastes and preferences. The combination of balanced bass, midrange, and treble frequencies, along with effective noise cancellation, ensures an enjoyable and immersive listening experience.

What about the energy efficiency and battery life?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones showcase impressive energy efficiency and battery life, making them suitable for extended use and on-the-go listening. Here’s an overview of their battery performance:

1. Battery Life: The headphones offer up to 20 hours of wireless playback with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled, ensuring you can enjoy your music throughout the day without worrying about the battery running out. If you decide to use the headphones in wired mode with ANC enabled, the battery life extends to an impressive 40 hours.
2. Charging Time: The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones require approximately 2.25 hours to fully charge, which is relatively quick considering the long playback time they offer. This quick charging time ensures that your headphones are ready for use when you need them.
3. Quick Charging: The headphones feature a quick charging function, where just 15 minutes of charging provides approximately 2.5 hours of playback. This is particularly useful when you’re short on time and need a quick battery boost for your headphones.
4. Battery Conservation: The headphones come with an automatic power-off feature that helps conserve battery life when not in use. If the headphones are disconnected from a device or not used for 15 minutes, they will automatically power off. This feature ensures that the battery life is preserved, even if you forget to manually turn the headphones off.

In conclusion, the energy efficiency and battery life of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones are remarkable, making them an excellent choice for users who require long-lasting, reliable headphones for daily use or travel. The quick charging feature and battery conservation functions further enhance the convenience and usability of these headphones.

Comparison & Review

What are similar headphones in features and cost?

Two similar headphones in features and cost to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II are the Sony WH-1000XM3 and the Sennheiser PXC 550-II. Both of these headphones offer comparable performance, active noise cancellation, and are in a similar price range. Here’s a brief overview of each:

1. Sony WH-1000XM3:
   • Price: At the time of its release, the Sony WH-1000XM3 was priced at around $349.99, similar to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
   • Features: The Sony WH-1000XM3 offers adaptive noise cancellation, touch controls, and voice assistant integration. It also has customizable sound profiles through the Sony Headphones Connect app.
   • Sound Quality: The WH-1000XM3 delivers excellent sound quality with a slightly more emphasized bass response compared to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. The overall sound signature is well-balanced, making it suitable for various music genres.
   • Battery Life: The battery life of the Sony WH-1000XM3 is impressive, offering up to 30 hours of wireless playback with noise cancellation enabled.
2. Sennheiser PXC 550-II:
   • Price: The Sennheiser PXC 550-II was priced at around $349.95 at the time of its release, similar to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
   • Features: The PXC 550-II offers adaptive noise cancellation, touch controls, and voice assistant integration. It also features a customizable sound experience through the Sennheiser Smart Control app.
   • Sound Quality: The PXC 550-II provides a balanced sound signature with a slightly brighter treble response compared to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. The sound quality is detailed and accurate, making it suitable for various music genres.
   • Battery Life: The battery life of the Sennheiser PXC 550-II is also impressive, offering up to 20 hours of wireless playback with noise cancellation enabled, and up to 30 hours in wired mode.

Both the Sony WH-1000XM3 and the Sennheiser PXC 550-II are excellent alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, providing comparable features, sound quality, and price points. Your choice between these options may come down to personal preferences in terms of sound signature, design, and brand loyalty.

Compare with similar items

Specification	Bose QuietComfort 35 II	Sony WH-1000XM3	Sennheiser PXC 550-II
Year of Manufacture	2017	2018	2019
Company	Bose	Sony	Sennheiser
Official Website	www.bose.com	www.sony.com	www.sennheiser.com
Fit Type	Over-ear, closed-back	Over-ear, closed-back	Over-ear, closed-back
Item Dimensions	3.2 x 6.7 x 7.1 inches	10.4 x 7.3 x 2.9 inches	5.3 x 2.4 x 6.8 inches
Item Weight	8.3 ounces (235 grams)	9 ounces (254 grams)	7.8 ounces (222 grams)
Special Features	ANC, Bluetooth, Voice Assistant	ANC, Bluetooth, Touch Controls	ANC, Bluetooth, Touch Controls
Driver Size	40mm	40mm	Unknown
Frequency Response	Unknown	4 Hz – 40,000 Hz	17 Hz – 23,000 Hz
Impedance	Unknown	47 ohms (wired)	Unknown
Bluetooth Version	4.1	4.2	5.0
Bluetooth Range	33 feet (10 meters)	33 feet (10 meters)	33 feet (10 meters)
ANC Modes	Adjustable (High, Low, Off)	Adaptive	Adaptive
Audio Codec	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency
Battery Life	20 hours (wireless, ANC on)	30 hours (wireless, ANC on)	20 hours (wireless, ANC on)
Charging Time	2.25 hours	3 hours	3 hours
Quick Charging	15 mins for 2.5 hours playback	10 mins for 5 hours playback	N/A
Controls	Button controls	Touch controls	Touch controls
Price (at release)	$349.95	$349.99	$349.95

How do Bose QuietComfort 35 II users describe their experience with these headphones? 

Bose QuietComfort 35 II users generally describe their experience with these headphones in positive terms. Here are some common aspects users often highlight:

1. Comfort: Many users praise the comfort of the headphones, mentioning the soft ear cushions and padded headband, which make them suitable for long listening sessions without causing discomfort.
2. Noise Cancellation: Users are often impressed with the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation (ANC) technology. They appreciate the adjustable ANC levels, which allow them to find the perfect balance between blocking out external noise and staying aware of their surroundings.
3. Sound Quality: Users typically enjoy the balanced sound signature, which delivers clear and detailed audio across various music genres. Although some users may prefer a more emphasized bass response or a brighter treble, most find the overall sound quality to be pleasing and satisfying.
4. Battery Life: The long battery life and quick charging capabilities are well-received by users, who appreciate not having to constantly charge their headphones and being able to get a significant amount of playback time with just a short charging session.
5. Build Quality and Design: Users often describe the build quality as solid and durable, with a sleek and modern design. The foldable design and included carrying case are also appreciated for their convenience during travel or storage.
6. Bluetooth Connectivity: Users generally find the Bluetooth connectivity to be reliable and easy to set up, with the ability to connect to multiple devices and switch between them effortlessly.
7. Bose Connect App: While not all users utilize the app, those who do appreciate the added customization options and the ability to update their headphones’ firmware for optimal performance.

However, some users may express concerns about the price, wishing for a lower cost or additional features to justify the investment. Overall, the majority of Bose QuietComfort 35 II users describe their experience with these headphones positively, appreciating the comfort, noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life they offer.

Pros and cons of headphones Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Positive Aspects	Negative Aspects
Exceptional comfort	Relatively high price
Effective adjustable noise cancellation	Sound signature may not suit all preferences
Balanced and detailed sound quality	Bluetooth 4.1 may be considered outdated compared to newer headphones
Long battery life	Limited codec support (no aptX or LDAC)
Quick charging capabilities
Reliable Bluetooth connectivity
Solid build quality and design
Foldable design for easy portability
Bose Connect app for customization

Conclusions

In summary, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones offer a compelling combination of comfort, effective adjustable noise cancellation, balanced sound quality, and long battery life. These headphones are praised for their solid build quality, sleek design, and reliable Bluetooth connectivity. While some users may find the price to be on the higher side and the sound signature not to their exact preferences, the overall experience provided by the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones is highly satisfactory.

These headphones are a great choice for users seeking a comfortable, high-quality listening experience, whether for daily use or travel. Despite a few minor drawbacks, such as limited codec support and an older Bluetooth version, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones stand out as an excellent option in the competitive market of wireless noise-canceling headphones.

Our Review for Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Basic questions, basic answers