Audio lovers, get ready: the engineers at Bose have completely reimagined their line of headphones for 2023…and just in time for the holidays. While many are familiar with the name “QuietComfort,” Bose’s easily identifiable over-ear headphones, this year’s models are a little different. That’s because the brand just overhauled its entire 2023 lineup. Customers used to know these products by names like Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, QuietComfort 45 headphones, and QuietComfort Earbuds II. They’re all being replaced with completely new models and new names. In our initial video, we’re diving into the replacement for the QC45 with Andrew, where he walks us through the newest version of the brand’s mid-tier model, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
The Revamp
The Bose QuietComfort headphones replace one of their most popular models, the QC45. In name, they’re very similar. Andrew dives into what makes these headphones different. Spoiler alert: they’re really not that different.
The Basics
Andrew starts off by noting that the Bose QuietComfort headphones, are more like a reboot than anything else, and they’re pretty simple–but he’s impressed. This is no downgrade in quality. With a black, white and green model, Bose sticks close to their comfort zone with one outlier: Cypress Green (a popular color in 2023). As noted already, these replace the Bose QuietComfort 45, so if you’re looking for that model, this is your 2023 replacement.
Andrew notes that these are “mid-range”, but keep in mind that these are mid-range for Bose; that means they come with the sound quality you would expect from a high-quality audio maker that’s been setting standards for nearly 60 years.
The Features
“They have noise canceling, high fidelity audio, lots of battery life–Bose didn’t cut any corners. But they also didn’t add any bells and/or whistles.” Andrew notes. And it’s true: those who are looking for something truly exciting from the brand should check out their QuietComfort Ultra model, which replaces the 700.
Other features Andrew notes are multi-point Bluetooth, Bluetooth 5.1, 24-hour battery life with noise canceling, and Aware Mode (which brings transparency as you listen to music and podcasts). What else is exciting? Venting: there’s a tri-port acoustic headphone structure that actually improves the soundstage, too. The result? Better noise canceling capabilities plus improved audio quality. Mic quality is top-tier, too: it’ll be easy for you to make phone calls. Those same microphones help to keep unwanted noise at bay, too.
The QC45 had all of that, too. So, why upgrade? In our opinion, there’s not much of a reason to unless you’re looking for new headphones. If you already have a pair of the 45, no need to buy new. When it comes to what’s truly fresh in this generation, read on.
The UNIQUE Feature
Users can customize just how much noise canceling they want to hear when they put the Bose QuietComfort headphones over their ears. That’s the most exciting, new feature. But it’s a good one, especially for those who find themselves frustrated as they try and study, commute or go about their day, missing critical alerts. Knowing that this Red Line train is canceled, not delayed, is important, and so is hearing what your study group says in the library.
What it Doesn’t Have, and Why It Doesn’t Matter
The Bose QuietComfort headphones replace the QC45, but it doesn’t come with a crucial feature that the other two members of the new lineup have: immersive spatial audio with head tracking prowess. That exciting feature will be in both the top-tier QuietComfort Ultra and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. The idea of this new technology is to put the listener in the acoustic “sweet spot” that you’d find in real, 3D space.
But the model we’re talking about isn’t designed with immersive spatial audio, so why should you buy it? Well, the true reason is that just like the QC45, they’re an honest pair of incredibly good headphones. Andrew notes that these are all about simplicity: doing the simple things incredibly well. That’s why they’re worth the buy.
Quality Above All
Andrew talks about everything the Bose QuietComfort headphones get right, and it’s all the features we’ve already mentioned. The best part? It does everything extremely well. After rigorous testing in both our showroom and the warehouse, our YouTube expert was actually convinced that the noise-canceling mode was incredible with music on. Plus, it’s easy to adjust that level of noise-canceling in the app. Forklifts honking, customers talking, it all faded away.
Finally, Andrew added some appreciation for the EQ controls in the app that allow users to truly customize their listening experience.
So, why buy the new QuietComfort headphones? They’re really, really good at what they do: fusing the quiet and the comfort, all so you can hear the best of your audio. “For mid-range models, I mean, they rock.”
That being said, if you are looking at other Bose headphones, you may prefer investing in their newer, more expensive Ultra headphones and earbuds. You can even find deals on the QC45, as Andrew notes. It all depends on what you’re looking for: the latest and greatest, a deal on last year’s model, or one of the most solid mid-range noise-canceling headphones on the market.
If you’re having trouble picking, check out our buying guide or call our team at (800) 860-3577.
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