The aforementioned models are more suited to audiophiles, but the sound quality is still excellent and certainly matches the price. They resemble their predecessor in terms of appearance and feel, and they feature an active noise cancelling (ANC) system that is very effective at obstructing outside noise. However, when it comes to the midrange and treble range, it performs worse than the QC35 II’s ANC. Despite this, they still provide an overall very good performance due to their neutral sound profile, continuous playback for more than 21 hours, and extremely comfortable fit. you can read our article on Bose QuietComfort 45 review.
Bose QuietComfort 45 review: Design
With its flagship headphones for the majority of the last decade, Bose has maintained a consistent design, and the QC45 is no exception. The faux-leatherette ear pads and padded foam bridge of the headphones’ exterior give them a stylish, comfortable feel. When not worn around your neck, the pads themselves are simple to tuck away in your carryon bag because they swivel and fold to fit into the carrying case that is included. The design’s surprising lightness is what makes them comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Weighing only 8.5 ounces (238g), they truly feel light on the ear. Bose uses some plastic on the headphones’ arms to make them lighter, but metal is used for all the joints and the bridge, or, to put it another way, for all the parts that are most likely to break while being used. Bose has given the QC45 a number of simple buttons for playback control. The controls for pause/play, volume up, and volume down are located on the right earcup, while the button for the new ambient aware mode is located on the left earcup. By holding down the play/pause button, you can also activate the built-in assistant on your phone, which is convenient. Although it isn’t as nice as having an assistant that is constantly listening built into the headphones, it is still preferable to having no assistant option at all.
Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort 45’s contours have only slightly softened but otherwise resemble its predecessor quite closely. The headphones’ very soft artificial leather pads and light contact pressure make them comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Only after extended wear periods does it start to feel a little warm to the ears. The headband appears very stable and is mechanically adjustable. The QC 45 can be folded and stored when not in use to save space. also, you can learn our article on Bose QuietComfort 45 review. There are no sensor surfaces; instead, the headphones are controlled by physical buttons, just like the QC 35 II. The process is still straightforward and useful. Additionally, there are no wearer identification sensors. Over-ear headphones need to be comfortable, and the Bose QuietComfort 45 are undoubtedly a pair you can use for a very long time. That’s in part due to the very smooth synthetic leather padding on the headband and earcups, as well as the way the ear cups sit around your ears, giving them plenty of room to breathe and preventing them from pressing against your head. We were able to wear the Bose QC45 for hours on end without experiencing any discomfort, despite the fact that they are slightly heavier than the QC35 II at 240g, which means they won’t be as comfortable for as long. Large L and R indicators can be found inside each ear cup to help you determine which way around to wear them. The QC 45 continues the tradition of the QuietComfort line of headphones being among the most comfortable over-ear headphones you can purchase. The size and shape of the earcups make these headphones some of the few that don’t put pressure on any part of our ears, and the ear cushions occupy that perfectly comfortable middle round between firm and soft. Even when wearing glasses, they are comfortable.
Bose QuietComfort 45 review: Connectivity
The Bose Quietcomfort 45 can be hardwired using the included 2.5-to-3.5mm TRRS cable or connected to your smartphone or source using the Bluetooth 5.1 hardware hidden inside the ear cups. When using wireless technology, you can move away from your source device by up to nine metres without experiencing connection problems. The QC 45 don’t support aptX or other high-bitrate Bluetooth codecs, so if you were hoping for a higher-end codec on Bose’s newest model, you’ll be disappointed. While some may find this disappointing, SBC and AAC implementations have improved over time, so you won’t likely notice anything that is a Bluetooth-related issue.
Noise cancelling
The QuietComfort 45’s noise cancellation is on par with the 700’s. Unfortunately, there is no way to modify the feature or disable it because ANC consumes a lot of battery power. The premium noise neutralization you receive can at least be used in wired mode. These headphones have two modes built in by Bose: Quiet (standard ANC) and Aware (transparency). Performance-wise, you can anticipate similar results to the 700, with the headphones effectively blocking out loud ambient noise across the frequency range. We could work freely and undisturbed around the house during working hours. Everyday sounds like family conversation, doorbells, domestic appliances, and loud TVs stopped. Similar conditions existed outside, with raucous pedestrians and rumbling noises failing to catch our attention. At the highest level, the QuietComfort 45 excels at reducing high-frequency noises. Police sirens and the cries of my infant son were not entirely muffled, but neither did they distract us from our playlists. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to test the Quiet mode on an aircraft but given the results of our evaluations of these headphones and our prior knowledge of the 700 and QC35 II, we can confidently state that the QuietComfort 45 will successfully muffle engine noise for tranquil listening above the clouds.
Audio performance
The sound of the QC 45 is very similar to Bose’s earlier efforts, and as a result, it provides the listener with a clear, detailed, and sharp presentation. They don’t have the same music temperament as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Philips Fidelio L3, for example. The QuietComforts, however, excel in a number of areas. No matter the volume, Bose’s Active EQ modulates the performance, and their sense of dynamism is well-fleshed out with a clear difference in communicating the difference between the highs and lows of a track. They perform well at the high end of the frequency range, and Raven’s GoGo Penguin’s treble notes sparkle and shine thanks to their sharp tone. They also have a punchy stage presence; the bass is defined with a tautness, restrained but with enough low end to make an impact. The Bose fall short of their competitors in how it handles vocals. The lyrics on the Parting Ways from the Soul soundtrack are rendered with a chilly tone that is also present in Faye Webster’s Sometimes but lack the focus of the Sony album. It has a more clinical, neutral tone, which may treat voices more consistently but deprives them of emotion. The Sony XM5 excels in this regard. Because of the levels of sharpness and definition, detail is excellent. Give them a track like John Powell’s The Bedroom, and the guitar strums have excellent clarity, sharpness, and detail. Every guitar note, as well as the distinction between each note, can be heard. The instruments in Robert Glasper’s London are accurately represented, and the Bose system gives the percussion a satisfying weight and sense of precision.
Bose QuietComfort 45 review: Call performance
Call quality is another area where Bose excels, generally speaking, outside of ANC. The 700 and QC35 II are regarded as two of the top voice-calling headphones on the market. We were a little underwhelmed by the QuietComfort 45 as a calling headset, which hurts to say. Don’t misunderstand us; it is still a much better choice than the majority of other wireless headphones. The noise-rejecting mic system, however, has trouble capturing whisking and wind effects. Our family member could hardly hear us speak as we walked in the blustery rush hour traffic. That’s pretty much the only issue we have. Loud and clear results were obtained when using the headphones in more silent environments. Testing conducted indoors sounded even better because vocals were clearer and more pronounced. These also became our go-to headphones for video chats with customers and friends, and everyone we spoke with had great things to say about them.
Battery and charging
Bose claims that the QC45 has a class-leading 25-hour battery life, which we found to be roughly accurate during our two-week testing period. Despite listening to them for four or more hours every day, it took our sample unit several days to reach under 40%. Having said that, they are not quite as innovative as Bose would have you believe. With noise cancellation turned on, the Sony WH-1000XM4 can be used for up to 38 hours of playback time. Although you can use both pair of headphones to travel across the ocean and back, Sony still has Bose beat in terms of overall battery life. Fortunately, the Bose QC45 has quick charging, which allows you to charge them in the morning before you leave for work and still make it to the office and back. It refills three hours’ worth of battery in just 15 minutes. also, you can check our article on Bose QuietComfort 45 review.
Price and availability
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is available for $329 from Bose directly or from major online retailers. There are two colors available: Black and White Smoke. An AUX cable, USB-C charging cable, and carrying case are all included with the purchase. This model is less expensive than the QC35 II ($349), the flagship 700 ($379), and the Sony WH-1000XM4 ($349), which is currently the market leader in its category. If this cost is out of your price range, we strongly suggest the outstanding Cleer Enduro ANC ($129).
Conclusion
When traveling and commuting, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is excellent. The over 21-hour battery life should easily get you through long days on the go, and they fit very comfortably. They have an ANC feature that generally does a great job of blocking out background noise, such as the low rumble of nearby buses and airplane engines. However, despite the fact that they come with a carrying case to help keep them safe, they are somewhat clumsy. The Bose QC45 achieves this as an upgrade to the QuietComfort series of headphones. The modifications are incremental in nature, getting rid of a few stuffy elements while maintaining their iconic appearance and giving them a more contemporary appeal. Excellent comfort and impressive noise cancellation. You can upgrade to this model with confidence if you currently own an older pair of QuietComforts.
