Bose QuietComfort 35 II: Wireless, Smart Headphones Review

September 23, 2017 2:26 pm

Drowning out the world on a plane or in a busy environment has been perfected by Bose, so I’m excited to listening to their new release, the QuietComfort 35 II. It looks almost identical to the original QuietComfort 35. So what is the difference between the two? Today, I’m going to do a little bit of exploring and conduct the Bose QuietComfort 55 II Wireless Smart Headphones Review.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Smart Headphones Review

In the Box

As I open the box, I see what I’ve been expecting to see. If fact everything looks almost identical to the original QuietComfort. The sturdy hard-shell carrying case opens to present the QuietComfort 35 II headphones, a 3.5mm cable for wired listening, and a micro USB charging cable. This is all pretty standard. Let’s check out the design.

Design/Build

I pick of the headphones and slide them on my head. If you are familiar with the original QuietComfort, the shape and fit are exactly the same. The headband is coated in plastic but feels very durable. There is a suede-coated padding underneath where the headphones rest on the head. Foldable hinges allow for maximum portability. I imagine folks interested in these headphones want to listen and these are ideal for just that.

The ear pads are also the same as the QuietComfort 35. The padding is soft and comfortable on the ears. They don’t feel particularly loose or tight, but they completely cover the ears. Minimal sound can leak in or out, even before the noise cancelling technology is turned on.

Noise Cancelling

Bose is known for having the best noise cancelling technology and I am always impressed with how reactive it is. As the level out beyond the headphones change, so does the signal cancelling it.

The biggest difference between the QuietComfort 35 and the QuietComfort 35 II is the “Action Button” on the left ear. This button will adjust the amount of noise cancelling: high, low, or off. If you are waiting to hear your flight number or boarding number this would be handy. Adjusting the setting to low makes the outside world a little bit less noisy, but still peaceful and quiet.

Additional Features

Google Assistant

If you use Google Assistant, you will be happy to know that the Action Button also allows you to receive and answer calls and texts, manage daily tasks, get answers, and play music without looking at your phone. Sometimes when I am trying to relax, having to stare at my phone feels tiring and tedious. This smart technology is incorporated in a useful and easy way.

Battery Life

The QuietComfort 35 II has an impressive 20 hours of battery life. Even more impressive is the amount of time it takes to charge. 15 minutes of charging yields 2.5 hours of charge. If the headphones do happen to run out of batteries, simply plug in the 3.5mm cable provided.

Lastly, Bose has a free app that makes it easy to connect and switch between devices. It also allows you to control the level of noise canceling. Modern and simple!

Sound

There is one technology worth mentioning that affects the sound produced by the QuietComfort 35 II.

Have you ever been listening to music softly and notice that the bass just doesn’t seem to be there? Or have you ever been listening loudly, love the sound, but then your ears get tired and you need to turn it down? Bose’s Volume-Optimized EQ changes the EQ of the headphones slightly depending on how loudly or softly you are listening. This helps to keep the sound consistent to your ear so you don’t miss out on the killer bass line while listening quietly. I noticed it especially when I was listening to Killing me Softly with His Song by the Fugees. The kick and vocal are still very clear at low levels, while usually the kick disappears on other headphones.

The bass is solid with a boost somewhere around 100Hz. The midrange is full and sounds nice across genres. The high frequencies allow cymbals, stringed instruments and vocals to be heard and have clarity. I’ll admit that the soundstage doesn’t have much breathing room, but I notice when I turn the noise cancelling off, some more details in the stereo field return.

Overview

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are top of the line noise cancelling, Bluetooth headphones. Now with the added smart feature, they will be your best friend for travelling and relaxing.