Bose NC700 headphones review

Bose had lengthy been the king of noise-canceling headphones with merchandise just like the QuietComfort 35 and QuietComfort 35 II. That was till Sony dropped the WH-1000XM3 headphones final yr and began consuming Bose’s lunch.

Now, Bose is again with a brand new mannequin to reclaim the crown. Though the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 (NC700 for brief) could not greatest the Sonys in each regard, they’re the most effective headphones for frequent enterprise vacationers.

For the primary time in a very long time, Bose has utterly redesigned its flagship noise-canceling headphones. Gone are the uncovered screws and hinges on the QuietComfort 35 IIs. Instead, the NC700s provide a seamless metal-framed headband with a mushy, rubberized underside to cradle your noggin. It’s a extra premium design, befitting the extra premium $400 price ticket.

Last yr, I complained that the Sony WH-1000XM3s have been cumbersome and appeared foolish on my head. Bose’s NC700s seamless body is considerably extra svelte, with out the blockiness of the Sonys. They’re clearly nonetheless bulkier than a pair of AirPods, however the NC700s do not look dorky.

Bose ditched the three-button association for music and name management. Instead, there’s a small touchpad on the fitting earcup for dealing with quantity, play, pause, skip, rewind, reply and grasp up.

The touchpad is extra responsive than the one on Sony’s XM3s. Also, some customers of the Sony headphones reported severe issues with the touchpad within the chilly. Bose, which is headquartered close to Boston, says its headphones ought to deal with chilly climate with out a difficulty.

The NC700s now have a devoted voice assistant button and a separate button to vary the extent of noise-canceling, an enchancment over the QC35 IIs which had one button that could possibly be assigned to both perform. You may also maintain the noise-canceling button to allow dialog mode, which pauses music and pipes in exterior sound so you may hear for a boarding announcement or gate change. Overall, these headphones are a few of the greatest designed and most simple to make use of.

None of that issues, although, if the noise-canceling tech is not good. Fortunately for Bose, I discovered them to be simply pretty much as good because the Sony headphones at blocking exterior noise. Though there are some conditions the place one pair pulls forward, each the Sony and Bose headphones are so good that it isn’t one thing that ought to have an effect on your determination. No different headphones I’ve examined have come near Bose or Sony by way of noise canceling.

But if the NC700s are merely tied for first in noise-canceling, they’re a straightforward favourite for consolation. While heavier than the older QC35s, the NC700s mix extraordinarily plush leatherette earcups with a headscarf that provides unbelievable adjustment. For an extended flight, I’d a lot moderately put on these than the Sony XM3s.

I’d additionally decide the Bose for telephone calls. The firm…