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Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones review: Time to ditch Sony?

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57 Comments

57 Comments

  1. Cesar's Creations

    October 3, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    Bose 45s doesnt compete with the sony. The bose 45 does sound boring in my opnion and they cant block out wind noise . While sony has a more alive sound and more features

  2. utubestrong2

    October 3, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    I’m a Sony loyalist. I own both the xm2s, that I now use in the gym and the xm4s, which I use at work and for every thing else! If they keep making them I keep buying them!

  3. Natalie Luli Weiss

    October 3, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    I tried the Bose [both 700 and 35s] – Wind noise, background noise was picked up on my calls. Not a great experience. Any other over-ear, soft, good background noise cancelling you can recommend – that won’t break the bank 😉 [Tried Sony – uncomfortable!]

    • Fawzee Emmamdeen

      October 3, 2021 at 7:12 pm

      I think both Sony and Bose will have the same problem as they’re not designed for calls. You may want to look for Jabra ones for this. Alternatively try tweaking your call app, as I’ve had to manually disable background noise pick up on Teams to use it with my QC 35 IIs properly

    • Natalie Luli Weiss

      October 3, 2021 at 8:55 pm

      @Fawzee Emmamdeen right. But I’m looking for a headset that can do both music and take calls.
      The only one that can withstand background noise and wind was the AirPods. But I’m looking for ones that are either over the ear or on ear… 😬

  4. Name

    October 3, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    They copied sony 🤷🏾‍♂️

  5. Indysbike

    October 3, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    Sony should ditch the touch controls, they don’t react very well.

  6. Steam Mate

    October 3, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    given how good NC headphones are nowadays, I’ll just wait until my Mark 3’s physically stop working, I only brought these since my M2’s fell apart.

  7. VSPA TMX

    October 3, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    The sennheisers gets uncomfortable a lot faster than the Sony and bose.
    However.. If u can take frequent breaks during useage.. Then nothing compares to the musical sound reproduced by the Sennheisers.

  8. Willian

    October 3, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    none of them, i rock a *Huawei freebuds studio*
    had the xm4 prior to it and it had zero comfort, also issues with popping and hustling sound (typical).

  9. Osaid Saqqa

    October 3, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    Too obviously biased

  10. vini

    October 3, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    Hi all, I am working in Consumer electronics retail market in India. In India Sony was going to shut their business in Consumer Electronics before Covid-19 Lackdown in India in the year 2020. But, Lockdown helped them to survive in Consumer electronics market.

    But, now they are still struggling in Indian market in both audio and video categories.

    According to latest information Sony is going to close their TV and audio equipment next year in all over India retail stores, like how they closed their Laptop long back and Smart phones just 2 years ago.

  11. Rajesh Ramesh

    October 3, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    Guys try Sennheiser pxc 550-ll

  12. Nick S

    October 3, 2021 at 6:25 pm

    Bose swap to USB-C took long enough as did Sony’s willingness to enable simultaneous Bluetooth connection for more than 1 device. Ive tried all 3 and owned the Sony 1000M4s and QC35s. Hard verdict. I returned the Sonys with the news that the new QCs would be coming out with USB-C charging and because of the frustrating capacitive controls – though I do think the Sony are noticeably better sound isolating (especially blocking out nearby voices) and better performers than the QC35s when it comes to music with more bass. The Bose 700s are nice – definitely more fuller sounding and better EQ options than the QCs though I couldnt do a side-by-side of the 700s with the Sonys. The larger footprint and higher pricetag kept me from owning those.

  13. Benjamin Wallace

    October 3, 2021 at 7:04 pm

    I have the QC 35 II, when the time comes is it possible to replace the internal battery?

    • Fawzee Emmamdeen

      October 3, 2021 at 7:09 pm

      I saw some videos on youtube on how to do it, but I wouldn’t try doing it myself. Try and see if any third party repair shops can do it with proper equipment

  14. Paul Ho

    October 3, 2021 at 7:11 pm

    Bro, did you get a facial or something? You’re absolutely glowing!

  15. Teddy Nielsen

    October 3, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    I’ll wait for Sony to release the WH-1000XM5 before I decide. I won’t need headphones with ANC until next spring anyway.

  16. Lee Hasenour

    October 3, 2021 at 7:55 pm

    I have the Bose QC 35II. I love them! Thanks for the review! Nice to know that I can keep my current headphones for a few more years!

  17. Ryan Davis

    October 3, 2021 at 7:57 pm

    I’m still using my QC15… considering upgrading

  18. Fahd Haroon

    October 3, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    NC700s are just awful. Owned them for less than 6 months and they have connectivity issues all the time. I keep them in their case and they’ve really got insane amounts of scratches and scuff marks. This was my second pair after I got the first one replaced for battery issues. And these QC45s are just an iterative update of the QC35 IIs. Sorry Bose, you’re out – getting the new Sony XM5s or whatever as soon as they release.

  19. zirak93 - 2

    October 3, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    Bose should be ashamed. They ruined a perfect headphone by changing from the most comfortable material. It was not enough with that. Now you can’t turn off the ANC, less wind resistance. No upgrade with adjustable ANC and EQ like the NC 700. They want $ 329 (over $430 here in Norway). They are not worth that much money. They ruined a perfect opportunity to promote the NC 700. -.-

  20. Jesse Pinkman

    October 3, 2021 at 11:22 pm

    Who said that the Sonys are great headphones? Too bass heavy isn’t what I would consider the “standard”.

    • Chris LaFace

      October 3, 2021 at 11:46 pm

      Just about every review of them. They are the best.

    • Jesse Pinkman

      October 4, 2021 at 12:47 am

      @Chris LaFace Subjective “reviews” lol. No they’re not these are sheep who don’t even know about what they’re talking about. Bass heavy headphones can’t be “great” because they’re sound-inaccurate.

  21. Ken McElroy

    October 3, 2021 at 11:49 pm

    I heard so many times…. People still loved their Quiet Comfort 35 II’s…because they were so comfortable and the 700’s we’re not over time. Everything Sony has always had the best sound. But making a phone call is like a tin can and a string. Although my Sony WF-1000XM3’s buds aren’t that awful for the phone.

  22. Mark B

    October 4, 2021 at 12:11 am

    Sony isn’t going to like this, GUARANTEED!!! So when they releases the WH – 1000MX5, they are going to destroy the competition.

    Remember when the competition made a better headphone then the XM2, Sony released the XM3 headphones and owned the competition for many years.

    Let the headphones wars, BEGIN!!!!

  23. Michael Bitter

    October 4, 2021 at 12:27 am

    QC45 has pass through and QC35ii does not. That should weigh in on upgrade decision as well. Also, I wish they had a TWO button on left, one for assistant and another for ambient sound toggle.

  24. Zach

    October 4, 2021 at 12:33 am

    Bose themselves even say that the 700s have stronger anc – and thats backed up by more anc mics on the 700s. And the XM4s are well known to be better in this area than even the 700s.

    So your conclusion that the ANC is better than the 700s and the XM4 alone is enough to disregard this review entirely.

  25. Donnavon Hallgren

    October 4, 2021 at 12:57 am

    Stick with the Sonys

  26. SAH

    October 4, 2021 at 3:04 am

    😄

  27. Creative Flow

    October 4, 2021 at 5:30 am

    An excellent choice for those of us that had issues with touch controls. Rain and hoodies were messing up with my Sony, never had an issue with the QC35’s

  28. Johnny Bravo

    October 4, 2021 at 8:05 am

    Can we connect with 2 phones and will it automatically switch to either phones when I get calls from either

  29. karim jaouad

    October 4, 2021 at 10:48 am

    lack of designers at Bose or what?

  30. SEAN518848

    October 4, 2021 at 11:33 am

    I like David’s review.

  31. Alonso Sotomayor

    October 4, 2021 at 11:41 am

    The QC35ii are great and I’m sure these are as good if not better, but I realized I don’t need Noise Cancelling headphones. These would be a great buy though!

  32. Shiran Vyasa

    October 4, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    Sorry, A case has not been made as to why I should ditch the Sony’s, despite the headline. I will not compromise on the great sound, the customizable EQ and the touch controls which seems to work well in the Toronto winters.

  33. John Wick

    October 4, 2021 at 5:35 pm

    Bose: launches new headphones

    Sony: seriously? 😂

  34. Luke

    October 4, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    I saw the XM4s new at a store for $199. I was SO tempted to buy them but my QC 35s are still fairly new

  35. Jimmy Wong

    October 4, 2021 at 7:28 pm

    All QuietComfort series’ ears pad are broken easily, and none of the reviewers have mention this issue. This Is a known issue for long time, Bose never try to fix the issue

  36. Joseph Jozwik

    October 4, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    I had 2 QC35 fail after a year, and they got rid of the lifetime warranty. Crap quality.

  37. Tony Hawaii68

    October 4, 2021 at 8:29 pm

    Bose was notorious for sound and video being out-of-sync when watching YouTube and other apps, has this been fixed?

  38. James Latief

    October 4, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    I thought Apple was lazy in improving their phones, but clearly Bose outperformed them. 4 hours more for battery life is a joke after 5 years.

    • Jexx Ayrez

      October 4, 2021 at 10:42 pm

      THANK YOU FOR CALLING THEM OUT

  39. Carebear Carebear

    October 4, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    I’ve been using the QC 35 and QC 35 II as my main headphones for years. Didn’t notice a difference between QC 45 and 35 II really except for the extended bluetooth range which I’m really thankful for and which is why I upgraded.

  40. Mike Bell

    October 4, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    Disappointing upgrade

  41. Seoung Lee

    October 4, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    Great review

  42. Jan V

    October 4, 2021 at 9:50 pm

    Sennheiser PXC 550 II or Momentum 3, much much more value for money. Little less known headphones but great! sound, fit and quality marerials for less money..

    • Andy

      October 4, 2021 at 10:44 pm

      reliability issues perhaps. I’m hunting one right now and pxc 550-2 and momentum 3 both suffer from some software bugs. momentum 3 suffers from slider adjustment eventually wearing out.

  43. Kombi 88

    October 4, 2021 at 9:55 pm

    Good Review but timestamps would be appreciated

  44. MSK.Y

    October 4, 2021 at 10:14 pm

    why are companies not providing higher resolution BT audio?? At least AptX or Aptx LL… or LDAC ect

  45. jaylovespti

    October 4, 2021 at 11:33 pm

    Uh NO to answer your question

  46. Rishi Prasath

    October 4, 2021 at 11:35 pm

    Time to ditch Sony? what biased stupidity in this title! Bose sound signature has always been a subjective matter , and it’s not everyone. Same for all audio products. IMO Sony has more to offer; gives ANC, and top notch sound. In fact, more tech has been implemented in their tech to enable better sound quality (LDAC and DSEE). AAC as the maximum supported codec is abysmal for the money! FIGHT ME CNET! If a common man chooses to invest his hard earned money on a set of premium quality headphones , sound quality should be key priority of all things!

  47. XGamin1

    October 4, 2021 at 11:35 pm

    I was really excited for this new headphone until I saw what they did that that headband

  48. Darren Loke

    October 4, 2021 at 11:42 pm

    Here comes the Sony fanboys flooding the comment sections…

  49. Ruhban Ahmed

    October 5, 2021 at 1:13 am

    If it ain’t broke don’t fix it 🤷

  50. Evan Rodgers

    October 5, 2021 at 1:13 am

    How do these compare to AirPods max?

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