Bose QuietComfort 35: Bose QC 35 Review, Price and Features

If you're looking for high-quality noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 35 are an interesting option. These high-end wireless headphones have a number of features that make them unique. Here's why :

Bose QuietComfort 35: Excellent Noise Cancellation

For a large number of people, Bose headphones are so far the best headphones in the world. Certainly, the Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones are part of the Top 5, both as noise-cancelling headphones and in the range of wireless headphones of the Over Ear type.

As you've probably experienced, boarding and access control at airports can be very stressful, so isolating yourself with good music once you're seated on the plane, or while waiting at the boarding gates is a blessing. In that sense, the Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones will help you achieve the relaxation we need.

Bose has been developing noise-cancelling devices for decades, some under criteria as strict as space travel. In the following lines, we examine the main features of their QuietComfort 35 model, which is part of that legacy.

Luxury Design

The Bose QuietComfort 35 have a luxury textile material called Alcantara as lining. This material is used in the upholstery of yachts, airplanes and high-end cars. This gives the headphones a luxurious and unique look.

It's enough to feel the padding of the headphones to note how comfortable and pleasant to the touch they are. The soft parts of the Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones are filled with high-quality polyurethane foam . This allows them to adapt to the facial contours, and to be worn for several hours without discomfort.

The use of large areas of synthetic material reduces the weight to a minimum: 300 grams, further contributing to comfort. Although the plastic might detract luxury points in some people's book, we disagree, as it's a high-end plastic. This synthetic material is sturdy and lightweight, because it's made of fiberglass and nylon ,which also gives it a pleasant texture.

In addition, the Bose QuietComfort 35 comes with stainless steel metal parts that increase the overall durability. The combination of the mentioned materials makes the headphones quite resistant to impacts.

On the other hand, their multiple joints give them a foldable structure for comfortable transportation. They come with a luxurious case, which additionally protects them from damage when not in use. This makes them ideal for travel.

Color-wise, the Bose company kept its elegant line in black and silver, we particularly like the silver ones.

Convenient and Easy to Use Controls

The controls are located on the right ear cup, and are easily accessible. On the one hand, we have the power button and the sync button, which also turns on noise cancellation. On the other hand, we have a multi-function smart button and volume controls.

It's worth mentioning that the smart button can be used to control playback, answer or hang up calls. You can also access virtual assistants (Siri or Google Now).
Also on the right earcup, are LED indicators that display charging and Bluetooth connection. On the same side is the micro USB charging port. On the other side, on the left ear cup, is the 2.5mm mini jack connector for connecting the cable to 3.5mm connectors.

Unlike other devices on the market, the Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones do not have touch controls. For some people, this may be an advantage because of the simplicity of use. However, some might think that touch controls would add durability, because there is no wear and tear on mechanical parts. This ultimately comes down to individual preference.

Long Battery Life

The Bose QuietComfort 35 have a lithium battery that will last approximately 20 hours with noise cancellation and Bluetooth active. However, if you use a cable instead, the battery can last up to 40 hours of use. Additionally, they charge quickly: with only 15 minutes of charging, you can enjoy about 2 and a half hours of music or phone conversation.

We can say that the battery life is excellent when compared to other noise cancelling wireless headphones. Moreover, full charge is achieved in approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Access to the Bose Connect Application

You can pair the Bose QuietComfort QC35 headphones with the Bose Connect mobile app, which is available on both Android and Apple devices.

Through this application, you can preset device shutdown times, control the volume, the noise cancellation level or equalize the sound. It also has an interesting function to share music in pairs, linking two Bose headphones via Bluetooth 4.1.

That is, if you're watching a movie as a couple, or walking with someone who also has Bose headphones, you can send music from a single mobile device to both headphones.
It can also be paired simultaneously with the tablet or computer and the phone, for example, to listen to music on the former and take a call on the latter. However, sound can only be played from one device at a time.

Noise Cancellation and Sound Quality

The Bose brand has made history by inventing the first active noise cancellation systems using opposing audio signals. Therefore, it has always been ahead of its competitors, such as Sennheiser and Sony.

We may note that Bose noise cancellation technology has been used in aviation pilot headsets, and in those used by space shuttle astronauts.

Without a doubt, the Bose QC35 is the best noise cancellation system on the market today. The high quality microphones sense ambient noise, to introduce a counter or offset signal to cancel it out. The almost total noise cancellation response is very efficient, especially in the low and medium frequencies. It loses some efficiency in environments with very strong winds or very intense high frequencies, however.
The microphones that capture ambient sounds are omnidirectional and are located on both earpieces. The soft, padded materials of the headphones increase efficiency to reduce external noise. This is because when they fit snugly over the ears, they create a seal that passively isolates quite a bit of external noise.

Bose QuietComfort 35: Clear and Powerful Sound

We rate the sound quality of these noise-cancelling bluetooth headphones as very good to excellent. They have an active equalization system(ActiveEQ) that detects the amplitude of the sound, and adapts it to emphasize the bass or treble . Moreover, the Bose TriPort system , present in the physical components of the speakers, allows greater clarity and bass power.

Thanks to the combination of digital technology and carefully designed and assembled physical components, unwanted vibrations are greatly reduced in the Bose QuietComfort 35. For this purpose, they are also equipped with a digital wave correction system called DSP (Digital Signal Processor). One might assume this system sacrifices the purity of the analog sound, but we think it reduces some of the distortion produced by the digitalization of the audio.

Bose TriPort acoustic technology

Bose TriPort acoustic technology delivers excellent low-frequency performance, without increasing the size of the headphones. In addition, it provides balanced audio performance without the need for batteries or adjustments, because the technology is applied to the physical structure of the headphones.

How does ActiveEQ active equalization and DSP correction work?

Bose ActiveEQ active equalization boosts the amplitude of low-frequency signals, so that sound is not dissipated at low volumes. On the other hand, it decreases the bass signal amplitude when listening to music at high volume. This dynamic effect helps eliminate distortions. It similarly acts across the entire frequency range, to produce a balanced sound through digital correction.

Similarly, Bose electronics apply DSP digital correction of audio signals. This technology works by means of microprocessors and electronic components that correct audio waves, to reinforce music frequencies, while minimizing noise and imperfections produced by digital audio compression.

When connected via cable, both DSP digital correction and ActiveEQ dynamic equalization are lost, but the sound quality is still very good with simple equalization.
It's worth mentioning that we listened to the Bose playlist on Spotify to check the quality. On this list of 20 hours of music called “Lose Yourself in the Music”, one can find good test songs. For example, when we played Shawn Mendes' Stitches, we could appreciate a sustained, powerful and crisp bass, in addition to the strings vibrating clearly. Performance in the mids was also very good.

We also listened to Lorde's hit “Homemade Dynamite”, and we could percieve the silences followed by Lorde's voice as if we were in the recording studio. The bass resonates excellently, and the highs are particularly clear without distortion, and the mids emphasize the singer's voice and the whispers characteristic of the song.

Excellent performance for telephone conversations

We cannot emphasize enough how good the quality and clarity of phone conversations was through the QC 35. These headphones feature a dual-microphone system that is particularly efficient at picking up your voice clearly.

The microphone system can also cancel ambient noise to make conversation clearer. Likewise, the microphone system allows you to hear your own voice while conversing.

Compatible with smartphones

Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones are compatible with all major smartphone brands on the market. Whether you use an iPhone or an Android mobile device, the QC35 will connect via Bluetooth 4.1 seamlessly. On the other hand, if you want to listen to these bluetooth headphones through the 3.5mm mini jack, most devices have that option.

They can also be paired via NFC (Near Field Communications) with NFC-enabled devices. To do this, simply bring them within 10 cm of each other, and the devices will pair automatically. NFC pairing is achieved by placing the mobile terminal near the right cup. on the other hand, if the mobile is placed again near the right cup, then it will be unpaired.
It's worth remembering for iPhone users that the NFC function only enables the Apple Pay function. That is, it doesn't allow pairing with other devices such as the Bose QC35.

Bluetooth pairing

On the other hand, to pair the Bose QuietComfort 35 via Bluetooth, you turn them on and place the switch next to the Bluetooth symbol. Then follow the voice instructions on the interface included with the headphones, or check that the corresponding LED flashes blue. Of course, with mobile, one must follow the instructions according to the model of equipment used.

We can highlight the use of Bluetooth class 2 that allows a distance of up to 10 meters between the paired device and the headphones. This distance may decrease if there is an interfering object or wall in the line of sight of the Bluetooth link.

Conclusion

We were highly impressed with the quality of these noise-cancelling headphones. Both the characteristic style of Bose reflected in its simple and elegant colors, as well as its technological systems that improve audio by reducing the losses sound cancellation systems usually cause.

If you are a frequent traveler, we assure you that you will enjoy these headphones to the fullest. You can forget about battery life and the noise around you, as in both respects, they exceed expectations.

In conclusion, Bose headphones are an excellent choice , thanks to their combination of state-of-the-art technology and high quality materials, making them the best noise cancelling headphones on the market thus far. Interested? Check out the best prices on Amazon.

We also recommend you check out the excellent new Bose QuietComfort 45.

Technical characteristics Bose QuietComfort 35