Content
- Contents of delivery
- TECH SPECS
- Positioning
- Design, dimensions, ergonomics
- Pairing, application
- Sound quality and noise reduction
- Autonomy
- Impressions
Contents of delivery
- Headphones
- Charging case
- USB Type-C to Type-A cable, 30 cm
- StayHear Max Silicone Tips in XNUMX Sizes (one pair already installed)
- User’s Guide
TECH SPECS
- Type: Fully Wireless Earbuds
- Materials: silicone, plastic, polymer coating
- Moisture protection: IPX4
- Bluetooth version: 5.1
- Radius: ~ 10 m
- Codec support: SBC, AAC
- Active noise cancellation: yes, customizable
- Case charging connector: USB Type-C
- Wireless charging case support: yes, Qi
- Autonomy: up to 6 hours from a single charge, with a case – up to 18 hours
- Dimensions: 3,9 x 2,6 x 2,7 cm (each earbud), 8,9 x 5 cm x 3,1 cm (charging case)
- Weight: 8,6g (each earbud), 75g (charging case)
- Color versions: “talc” (in the review), “matte black”
- Cost: 25 990 rubles
Positioning
Among other things, Bose is known for its active noise cancellation technologies. Until recently, the company’s catalog contained only full-size overhead models and wireless ones with a neckband. The inclusion of ANC in the TWS form factor has long been asking, but the release of the new model was clearly in no hurry. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds appeared on the American market only at the end of September, and relatively recently – in pre-order in Russia.
In the line of Bose ANC solutions, the model stands in its own way, it has no analogues here. A parallel can be drawn with the Bose Sport Earbuds, there is a continuity in design, with the exception that the sports model has brighter colors and more compact dimensions compared to the tested model. Well, according to the price positioning, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are defined as the flagship model.
Design, dimensions, ergonomics
Visually, the headphones look more strict, the colors are monochromatic, without any bright elements, the Bose inscription on both headphones dilutes the exterior. Next to the logo is a LED that lights up white when the headphones are working, blue when pairing mode is activated and slowly blinking red when you need to charge the headphones. The model differs from the sporty “colleague” by a greater number of slots for microphones in the housing. Let this fact not confuse those who often listen to music outdoors, the model is protected from external influences according to the IPX4 standard, so you can ignore light rain or snow. It is still not worth immersing the headphones in water, they are not designed for this.
The standalone Bose QuietComfort Earbuds weighs just under 9 grams, which makes using the model even more enjoyable, the earbuds are completely imperceptible in the ears. For attaching in the ear, the same comfortable and soft silicone tips are used, the end of each of them goes behind the ear anti-helix, ensuring a secure fit of the earmold in the auricle. Even if the headphones are not sports, they still hold tightly in the ear, it is very difficult to accidentally shake them out, unless you catch something. When worn, it does not press or rub anything, it has been tested on itself in the course of 5 hours of continuous use. In ANC mode, depending on the physiological characteristics and the person’s susceptibility to the electronic signal entering the ear, the head may be slightly dizzy, this effect, as a rule, passes quickly.
The charging case is slightly puffier and taller than its sports counterpart. It opens with the same button in the front, on the same panel there are LED indicators of the charge level. The concept of the internal organization and location of the charging connector is familiar to us from Bose Sport Earbuds, nothing superfluous, a secure headphone mount and a tight-fitting lid.
The controls are also touch-sensitive, there are no physical buttons. Double-clicking on the touchpad of the left earbud switches the noise canceling level from full to medium and to no noise canceling mode. These settings can be varied to suit personal preferences, the ANC grades are available from 1 to 10. You can activate a long press, which will either skip the current song, or check the battery charge. Finally, double-clicking on the right earbud will stop playback or accept an incoming call. A swipe on the earphone will help you adjust the volume, the option is enabled in the Bose Music app settings. An original and sometimes not entirely clear and universal control concept, you need to get used to it, since it is not difficult.
Pairing, application
The pairing process is similar for both scenarios: open the case cover, hold down the button and after switching to pairing mode, select a model from the list. Each Bose QuietComfort Earbuds can work independently, but the right one is still the leader in a pair. You can communicate with the device either through the system menu or through the Bose Music app, where you can select the desired control gestures, update the model’s software, and get interactive tips on how to use it. Like a sports model, the hero of the review can simultaneously connect to two devices, which is convenient, for example, when you want to watch a movie on your tablet and at the same time not miss a call by quickly answering it.
From the additional settings, you can select the “Own voice” option, which determines how loud the user will hear himself when talking on the phone through Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. There is also a setting for noise reduction levels, between which you can switch by double clicking on the left earphone.
It is worth dwelling separately on the auto-transparency function. It works on the basis of detection sensors, which by default pause playback when removed and resume when you reinsert any of the headphones, this option can be disabled. So, the aforementioned auto-transparency mode, available as an additional setting, turns off noise reduction when only one earphone is inserted into the ears. This is not done so that the user can hear the environment better, of course, because one ear is free. Disabling ANC is due to the scenario itself: since there is only one earphone, then cutting off the noise will not give any results and may have an unpleasant effect on the ear. The functionality is useful and generally logical, but its importance is not immediately obvious, you have to think. In my opinion, it would be nice to have the option to turn off ANC for a short time by a long press, after which the noise reduction would again return to the previously defined level.
Sound quality and noise reduction
Everything is expected here at an excellent level. In any ANC mode and at any volume, the sound will delight with its purity and balance in frequencies, an active equalization system works. From the first string chord, when turned on, the sound catches on with its character, it is full, voluminous, and at the same time there are no artifacts from the included noise reduction, for example, on some models, with the music turned off, a thin squeak is heard, there is nothing like that. The impressions are positive both in terms of sound and in the context of ANC. Shumodav does not mumble or smear low frequencies, there is a complete feeling that the same sports earbuds are in your ears. However, it is worth going to public transport, and the difference instantly makes itself felt.
Bose QuietComfort blocks out most of the low frequency noise, leaving the user alone with the music. The combination of passive and active clipping of background sounds works efficiently and compares favorably with just passive noise cancellation by detailing the music. Of course, the ambient noise is not cut off by 100%, there is no such thing in any model, in some situations it is simply dangerous. There is no such flexibility inherent in Sony models, but even without a large number of settings and modes, noise cancellation works at a solid five, which, in combination with the branded sound, gives an excellent experience.
When talking on the phone, there are absolutely no complaints from both sides, everyone hears each other cleanly and clearly, without any noises and outside sounds.
Autonomy
The USB Type-C connector is responsible for wired charging, the bonus is support for Qi wireless charging, the charging pad will have to be purchased separately. From one charge, the headphones will work up to 6 hours, the case will charge them two more times, the process will take about 2,5 hours, and charging the case itself will take 3 hours. The indicators are average, for example, AirPods Pro work 4,5 hours, and Sony WF-1000XM3 – 8 hours. I would like to wish more confident autonomy in the second generation TWS with ANC.
Impressions
With a cost of 25 rubles, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds will have a number of very worthy competitors. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 990 can be found for 2 rubles and get up to 23 hours of use with a case, 000 hours on a single charge and aptX support. Apple’s AirPods Pro do not look very advantageous against the background of Bose, except if a person uses many ecosystem products from Cupertino, but they also cost less, 28 rubles. The aforementioned headphones from Sony will cost 7 rubles at all, a good offer.
The hero of the review stands out against the background of competitors due to the verified sound and high-quality noise rejection, which have become a kind of Bose hallmark. During testing, the headphones proved to be very worthy, literally did not take them off both at home and during short outings. The original concept of control and autonomy raises questions, which would be nice to pump, even if the case becomes heavier. The rest is all Bose-style: it sounds great, but it’s also worth it.
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