Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM4: Which noise-canceling headphones are better?
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Are you in the market for a new set of noise-canceling headphones, but overwhelmed by the options? Look no further than the Bose
QuietComfort 35 II and Sony WH-1000XM4. These two headphones are often touted
as the best of the best in terms of noise-canceling technology, but which one
is truly superior? In this post, we'll take a deep dive into the key features
of both headphones, explore the pros and cons of each, and ultimately help you
make an informed decision on which one to choose. After all, when it comes to
enjoying your music, podcasts, and audiobooks without interruptions, having the
right pair of noise-canceling headphones can ma When it comes to
headphones, design, and comfort are just as important as sound quality. After
all, you want headphones that not only look good but also feel good on your
head. In this section, we'll compare the physical design and comfort of the
Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4.
Design and comfort:
Starting with the design, both headphones have a sleek
and modern look. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II has a classic design, with a black
or silver finish and a clean, understated look. The Sony WH-1000XM4, on the
other hand, has a slightly more futuristic design, with a slightly angled
earcup and a unique touchpad control panel. The Sony headphones also come in
black, silver, and blue color options, giving users more choices.
In terms of size and weight, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II
is slightly lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM4. The Bose headphones weigh in at
8.3 ounces, while the Sony headphones weigh 9 ounces. However, the difference
is minimal and most users won't notice the difference. Both headphones also
have soft, padded earcups and headbands, which makes them comfortable to wear
for long periods.
When it comes to materials, both headphones use
high-quality materials that feel durable and well-made. The Bose QuietComfort
35 II has a leather headband and earcups, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 uses synthetic
leather and protein leather. Both headphones use plastic for the outer shell,
but it doesn't feel cheap or flimsy.
Overall, both the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony
WH-1000XM4 are comfortable headphones that are well-designed and made with high-quality
materials. The choice of which one to go for will come down to personal
preference in terms of design and color options. ke all the difference.
Sound quality
When it comes to evaluating the sound quality of the Bose
QuietComfort 35 II and Sony WH-1000XM4, there are several factors to consider.
First, let's start with the bass. Both headphones are capable
of producing deep, rich bass tones, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 edges out the Bose
QuietComfort 35 II in this category. The WH-1000XM4 features a bass-heavy sound
signature that is perfect for fans of hip-hop, EDM, and other bass-heavy
genres. That's not to say that the Bose QuietComfort 35 II doesn't produce
great bass as well - it's just not quite as pronounced as it is on the Sony
headphones.
Moving on to treble and mid-range tones, both headphones
perform admirably. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II has a slightly warmer sound
signature that emphasizes mid-range tones, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 produces a
slightly more neutral sound with a slightly brighter treble response. That
being said, the differences between the two headphones in these areas are
relatively subtle, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
When it comes to soundstage and imaging, the Sony WH-1000XM4
is the clear winner. The headphones utilize Sony's Digital Sound Enhancement
Engine (DSEE) to upscale compressed music files in real time, resulting in a
wider soundstage and more precise imaging. This is especially noticeable when
listening to music that was recorded in a studio or concert hall. The Bose
QuietComfort 35 II, on the other hand, has a more modest soundstage that is
still impressive but not as expansive as the Sony's.
Finally, it's worth considering how well these headphones
perform across different genres of music. Both headphones are versatile enough
to handle a wide range of musical styles, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 has a slight
edge when it comes to genres that require a more pronounced bass response, such
as hip-hop, EDM, and rock. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II, on the other hand, is
better suited for genres that emphasize mid-range tones, such as jazz and
classical music.
Both headphones deliver excellent sound quality, but the
Sony WH-1000XM4 has a slight edge in this category. With its emphasis on bass
and impressive soundstage, it's the perfect choice for audiophiles who
prioritize sound quality above all else.
Noise cancelation
When it comes to noise cancellation, both the Bose
QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4 are top contenders in the market.
The Bose headphones use what they call "Acoustic Noise Cancelling"
technology, which employs microphones both inside and outside the earcups to
measure and cancel out noise. The Sony headphones use their patented "Dual
Noise Sensor" technology to cancel out noise, which also involves
microphones inside and outside the earcups.
In terms of how well they block out noise, both
headphones are excellent, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 edges out the Bose
QuietComfort 35 II slightly. The Sony headphones have a feature called
"Adaptive Sound Control," which uses artificial intelligence to
adjust the level of noise cancellation depending on the environment you're in.
This means that the headphones can automatically adjust to block out more noise
in a loud environment and let in more ambient sound when you're in a quieter
space.
The Bose headphones are no slouch either, however. They
have three levels of noise cancellation, including a "high" mode that
is incredibly effective at blocking out noise. They also have a "low"
mode that lets in some ambient sound, which is helpful if you need to be aware
of your surroundings.
When it comes to wind noise, both headphones perform
well, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 is slightly better at canceling it out. The Bose
headphones can sometimes produce a hissing sound when canceling out wind
noise, but it's not overly distracting.
Overall, if you're looking for headphones with top-notch
noise cancellation, both the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4
are great choices. The Sony headphones have a slight edge in this category due
to their Adaptive Sound Control feature, but the Bose headphones are still
highly effective at blocking out noise.
Battery life:
When it comes to battery life, both the Bose QuietComfort
35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4 offer impressive performance. The Bose headphones
offer up to 20 hours of wireless playback with noise-cancellation turned on,
and up to 40 hours with noise-cancellation turned off. The Sony headphones
offer up to 30 hours of wireless playback with noise-cancellation turned on,
and up to 38 hours with noise-cancellation turned off.
Both headphones also offer quick charging, with the Bose
headphones providing 2.5 hours of playback from just 15 minutes of charging, while
the Sony headphones provide 5 hours of playback from just 10 minutes of
charging.
Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 offers slightly longer
battery life than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, but both headphones provide more
than enough power for all-day listening.
Features and compatibility
When it comes to headphone features and compatibility,
the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and Sony WH-1000XM4 both offer a range of advanced
features that enhance the user experience. Here are some key features to
consider when comparing the two headphones:
Voice assistants: Both headphones have built-in voice
assistants that allow you to control your music, make phone calls, and access
information hands-free. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II supports Google Assistant
and Amazon Alexa, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 supports Google Assistant, Amazon
Alexa, and Apple Siri.
Touch controls: Both headphones have touch controls built
into the earcups, which allow you to control your music, adjust the volume, and
take phone calls without having to take off the headphones or access your
device. The touch controls on the Sony WH-1000XM4 are slightly more advanced,
with features like Quick Attention mode that allows you to instantly turn down
the volume and hear outside noise when someone is talking to you.
Ambient sound modes: Both headphones have ambient sound
modes that allow you to hear your surroundings without having to take off the
headphones. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II has three different modes: high, low,
and off, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 has two modes: ambient sound and ambient
sound control. The Sony WH-1000XM4 also has a feature called
"Speak-to-Chat," which automatically pauses the music and activates
ambient sound mode when it detects you're speaking to someone.
Compatibility: Both headphones are compatible with a
range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The Bose
QuietComfort 35 II uses Bluetooth 4.1 and has a range of 33 feet, while the
Sony WH-1000XM4 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and has a range of 30 feet. Both headphones
also support NFC pairing, which allows you to quickly connect your headphones
to your device by simply tapping them together.
Both headphones offer a range of advanced features that
enhance the user experience. The Sony WH-1000XM4 has slightly more advanced
touch controls and ambient sound modes, while the Bose QuietComfort 35 II supports
both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. When it comes to compatibility, the
Sony WH-1000XM4 has the edge with its use of Bluetooth 5.0.
Price and value
When it comes to purchasing headphones, price is often a
significant factor to consider. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II and Sony WH-1000XM4
are both premium headphones with premium price tags, so it's important to
evaluate whether they offer good value for the money.
At the time of writing, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II
retails for around $299, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 is priced at around $349.
While the Bose headphones are the more affordable option, it's worth noting
that they are also slightly older than the Sony model, which was released in
2020.
When considering the value of these headphones, it's
important to think about what you're getting for your money. Both headphones
offer excellent noise-cancellation, high-quality sound, and a range of
features, but there are some differences to consider.
For example, the Sony WH-1000XM4 offers a slightly longer
battery life than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, with up to 30 hours of playback
on a single charge compared to the Bose headphones' 20 hours. The Sony
headphones also have more advanced noise-cancellation technology, with the
ability to adjust the amount of noise-cancellation depending on your
environment.
On the other hand, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is still
an excellent choice, with a comfortable and lightweight design, support for
voice assistants, and reliable noise-cancellation. They also offer good value
for the money, especially if you can find them on sale.
When it comes to warranties and customer support, both
companies offer similar options. Bose offers a 1-year warranty, while Sony
offers a 1-year warranty for parts and labor and a 90-day warranty for
refurbished products. Both companies also have customer support teams available
to assist with any issues or questions.
Overall, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 is the more expensive
option, they offer more advanced features and slightly better performance than
the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. However, the Bose headphones still provide
excellent noise-cancellation and sound quality at a more affordable price
point, making them a great value for the money. Ultimately, the choice between
these two headphones will depend on your personal preferences and priorities.
In conclusion, both the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the
Sony WH-1000XM4 offer exceptional noise-canceling capabilities, top-notch
sound quality, and a range of features that will appeal to different types of
users.
If you're looking for a headphone with a sleek and
minimalist design that is comfortable to wear for long periods, the
Bose QuietComfort 35 II might be the better option for you. On the other hand,
if you're interested in a headphone with a more modern and edgy design, and you
value advanced features such as touch controls, multi-device pairing, and a
customizable EQ, the Sony WH-1000XM4 might be a better choice for you.
When it comes to noise cancellation, both headphones
offer excellent performance, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 may be better at blocking
out low-frequency sounds such as airplane engine noise. Additionally, the Sony
WH-1000XM4 has a longer battery life and faster charging time compared to the
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
However, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II has a better
microphone quality, making it a better choice if you need to take phone calls
or attend video conferences frequently.
Finally, when it comes to pricing, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is
generally more expensive than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, but it offers more
advanced features and better battery life. Both headphones offer good value for
the money, but it's important to consider your own needs and preferences before
making a decision.
Both headphones are excellent choices for anyone looking
for top-of-the-line noise-canceling headphones. Depending on your personal
preferences, one might be a better fit for you than the other. We recommend
reading additional reviews and recommendations from other sources before making
your final decision.