Bose QuietComfort 45 review | Better than Sony XM4s? | Mark Ellis Reviews

[@MarkEllisReviews]

What headphones would you like me to compare the Bose QC45s to next?

[@Evan_Rodgers]

Airpods Max

[@moshans8906]

NC700

[@stephenknight6562]

Nc700

[@Patrickjdee66]

Excellent review as always Mark, you add quality and honesty to what you are saying, I trust your reviews, would love you to compare the Bose QC45s to Airpod Max, that would be interesting, all the best mate 🍹

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Wow, thank you 😊

[@comedyriff5231]

What we want in terms of sound is so different between people. I listened to both of these headphones out of box, and for me the Sony´s sounds muffled with no clarity. The Bose sounds very clear and perfectly balanced. I typically listen to rock, hip hop, classical piano and jazz. So maybe that´s why I appreciate a more balanced sound. I think that´s important to know for people making a choice, what kind of music do you listen to and what type of sound are you looking for.

[@muralicr7504]

your right i listen to Metal and Rock and Bose sounds great to me

[@cody8860]

perfectly balanced is a stretch but they are far better than the sony mx4. It comes down to do you want better sound vs noise cancelling and I think for most people the first should be a higher priority, as even the best NC isn't perfect.

[@chelseatongwn]

what about funk?

[@cody8860]

@@chelseatongwn I'd pick a neutral sound for Funk and disco like the Sennheiser HD650. The Bose QC45 would be better in this comparison as it doesn't boost the low end. But if you want to feel the kick articially boosted and lose most of the bass guitar in a muffled mess go with the Sony mx4. For modern Pop and Hip Hop that's where the MX4 shines.

[@chelseatongwn]

@@cody8860 thank you so much!!

[@TimKyoutube]

I'm shocked about the build quality comment. I have had older Bose then switched to xm3 due to sound quality... and kind of regretted the good build quality of those 4+ year old bose QCs

[@melomarshmelo7953]

Fr, I had the qc35 and i thorough out my time using them, like 3 or 4 years, they got beaten to the ground, and they still worked like a frigging champ, after that i got the nc700s and i still rep them to this day, like three years after i got them, i haven’t been able to say that with any other brand yet

[@mdesmet9111]

Same here. I replaced my QC25s with XM3s for the additional bass, but I quickly regretted the switch. Build quality and comfort are far superior on the Bose.

[@Abdullah-kd8kq]

Agree. I had my hands on both and the bose build quality was superior to the sony. Talking about xm3 and qc35

[@SourStrawberrys]

@@mdesmet9111 build quality is superior? Yeah, right. Don't believe that one bit.

[@pablonapan4698]

Yeah the guy in the video is clearly biased. The leather and foam cushion quality in the bose qc35 are much much better than the sony xm3. Just touch them both and the sony xm3 feels cheaply made. The qc35 feels luxurious. The earcup design is also better in the qc35. Xm3 wins slightly in audio quality and more clearly in noise cancellation. But that's about it.

[@flowflyfishing2131]

Ok, first off, let's get the obvious out of the way, you have a beautiful voice. In addition, great review. Thank you

[@X22GJP]

You sad person

[@Rosebud2503]

Oh yesss....the voice is to die for. ❤

[@simonvance8054]

I tried the Bose in stores and the noise canceling was absolutely phenomenal. I was literally standing there thinking WTF??!!... It’s a major selling point but the bottom line is sound... thanks for the review will check out those Sony’s as well!..

[@ericcatambis4584]

An important part that I don’t think a lot of reviewers miss is the back end support . Warranty whether it be a malfunctioning pair of headphones , new earcups , headbands and etc are stellar with Bose . I’ve had nothing but amazing service with them . I had the qc 15 , qc35 ii and now the qc45. I can confidently say that if there are any issues Bose will work for you and allow you some freedom away from warranty. Sony not so much . I think that in itself makes it valuable

[@dustindodge5974]

I'm glad you had good luck with Bose. My first Bose QC's started falling apart just under the 3yr mark. That soft ear cup started flaking. I got offered a 10% off coupon for headphones on their site which were already more expensive than box stores.

[@hendog5396]

​@@dustindodge5974 yup, i'm pretty sure they just say "tough shit" after 2 years, but getting a replacement in the first 2 years was a very quick and easy process. The one thing that I'll say is that the replacements for the padding falling apart are pretty easy to install and >$10; It's kind of frustrating that you have to replace them, but it's pretty easy

[@mattwildchild]

fully agree. I have the 35, and I have a small issue with them. I just called bose to see how to fix it, they are replacing my 35 with tthe 45, no questions asked. so satisfied.

[@VynZography]

Good point. My Soundsport had some peeling off of the rubber on the earpiece and once I sent them photos, they sent me a complete brand new pair.

[@jaredlucas4815162342]

My XM4’s right ear cup broke. Sony said even under warranty that isn’t covered. Will never buy them again.

[@nathansteele4358]

Base is the cheapest sound an engineer can implement into headphones, without a doubt, very balanced sounding audio is more impressive from an audio quality perspective. And Bose are just as capable of base as the Sony, it’s just that the type of audio that typical Bose users prefer is less base. It’s all focus groups if certain products that decide how the pre set sound is

[@Kazook1212]

I think this perfectly discribes it But i am doubting now what to get the airpods max 45s or the xm4 s its gonna be a travel heavy job for the headphone otherwise i would ve gone to the high fidelity headphones

[@nathansteele4358]

@@Kazook1212 if they’re for your phone or iPad mostly get the max But for laptops or pcs get the Sony or Bose, the max are optimised for apple products and just work nicer but the aux cord is sold separately and is a unique design and they don’t sound AS good on none apple devices The Sony provide just as good noise cancellation and the Bose aren’t that much behind at all, you can wear the max and QC for hours and not get a headache But for travel…. The max case is ASS, ASS I tell you, it doesn’t protect anything and they don’t fold down and they don’t go in standby mode around your neck or without the case So my favourite for travel would be the Bose

[@엘렌메리]

@@nathansteele4358 Thx!

[@zmanag5297]

Bose added an EQ to the NC 700s a year ago and recently added an EQ to The QC earbuds and they sound awesome. I think they’ll eventually add an EQ to the QC45 headphones. Great review bro!!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thank you!

[@miggyyusay]

You predicted it. They just added it a few days ago!

[@zmanag5297]

I honestly don’t know how the QC45 sound as I don’t own them. I have the NC700 and QC earbuds. I think if I got the QC45s it might be a little redundant. I also have the XM4 and those things are awesome. However Sony needs to get there crap together with their multipoint tech on those . It’s pretty bad.!!🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

[@irishmigit]

Listened to this while wearing QC 35 2s. It's the usb c charging that excites me the most. On my days off I wear these headphones for 16 hours straight, never had a problem with them.

[@temaus]

I like wearing headphones while working, they can be on for 5-6 hours straight and that’s where nothing beats QC… the light weight helps a lot, yet I’ve never had any issues throwing them around in their case while traveling.

[@mrskyfarmer]

I have both the Sony and Bose 35, Sony for music because of volume and bass, Bose for watching films and KZbin because they are light and comfortable.

[@SupaNIWA]

The problem that always turned me away from Sony's XM series is the mesh inside the earcups touching and pushing against my ears. Just doesn't feel as comfortable as the Bose. Comfort as well as Bose's signature sound is why I keep returning to them. However as this video mentioned the 45's default signature can be "too bright" but with the update, you can now adjust the EQ.

[@jonmarc876]

Listened to this review with my XM4s. Still one of the best electronic purchases I’ve made. Great review as always.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thank you.

[@DoRC]

After researching both I ended up buying the QC45s. They arrived tomorrow and I hope I made the right decision. What decided it for me was the physical control buttons. Touch controls do not belong on headphones and I have never had a pair of headphones with touch controls that I liked.

[@jeshkam]

So, what's your opinion now after 1 month?

[@DoRC]

@@jeshkam for the most part they are really good. The one annoying thing is that for some reason some of the time the dual Bluetooth connection is glitchy. It's almost a deal-breaker for me but the headphones are good enough that I decided to keep them anyway. The noise cancellation and hear through are absolutely spot-on

[@jeshkam]

@@DoRC Thank you.

[@ekyanso4253]

@@DoRC hello friend, I'm very much considering these. How is the comfort factor on these? And is the treble/top pleasant? I have sensitive ears so I'm curious if the treble is harsh.

[@DoRC]

@@ekyanso4253 had these for a while now and they're not perfect but they are very good. I think it's a pretty flat sound profile I don't think you'll be upset by the highs. Overall I've been very happy with them

[@jskaggs8188]

I believe the XM4’s compete more closely with the Bose NC 700 headphones than they do the QC45.

[@jiro8233]

To anyone considering the qc45 because of the better ANC, you should take into consideration the cabin pressure that they have. I bought a pair yesterday, I'm returning them today. The pressure is a bit too strong for me, I'd rather go for the XM4s (slightly less anc, but almost no cabin pressure)

[@StevenSupticEdited]

While this is true, you'll only notice it for maybe 2 days. I had it with both pairs or qc35iis

[@jeffreyjalink782]

What do you mean by cabin pressure?

[@stevenmichael7770]

Don't Start Now is my #1 test track too, lol! I almost crapped when you said that. The production is gold standard level. Great comparison vid!

[@pfmontgomery]

8:50 How crazy would it be if you were walking down the street, tapped the ear cup on the Sony’s for the remaining battery life, and the stranger walking nearest you leaned in and whispered, “30% remaining,” and kept on walking?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

I'd pay for that service.

[@justhere8149]

The Bose are light weight but very rugged, I've owned the same QC35II since 2016 and so many times I've rounded a corner and got to close to corner and knocked the headphone straight into the wall while wearing them. These impacts have been very rough but the Bose has zero issues handling these impacts, the QC45's are the same build so I would certainly not worry about how tough they are. Also honestly I never use the included case so they get tossed around a lot in between listening sessions and again not a problem. Also the internal battery on the Bose has lasted me going on 5yrs now and the battery is still lasting about the same as it did when new, I've only had to change the ear pads I couple times but that going to happen with any headphones if you use them enough. In short the Bose are made to last it seems forever, because of this I've not been forced to buy a different pair so i can't comment on Sony XM4, I'm sure they are good but I know what I'm getting with Bose so why change. I'm going to order the QC45's even though my 35's are still going strong surely after 5yrs the battery can't last forever or can it.🤔

[@warrencramer4516]

When I finally did a custom EQ on my XM3 this year, they transformed the sound, before in my opinion they were just ok...

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Maybe I should give it a go!

[@tomashcraft]

You should be aware, that on XM3 turning EQ on, means you stuck with low quality sound connection. No LDAC with EQ on XM3. However, XM4 are capable to use equalizer with LDAC (high quality sound codec over Bluetooth).

[@tsujimasen]

@@tomashcraft If you EQ via a system level EQ rather than the Sony app, you maintain fidelity, but you'll need to know how to jailbreak / root your phone.

[@LordSebz]

@@tsujimasen what tweak do you use for system EQ?

[@nirupamroy3941]

I tried out both at a local store. Bose outperformed Sony in Noise Cancellation and Mid Notes. However the sheer comfort of transparency mode and smart features of Sony kick Bose out of the playing field. I decided to buy the Sony today,a nd used the equaliser to make it sound if not better than the QC45. Pro Tip: Keep wearing the headphones for over half an hour and see if it is comfortable or not. It will all boil down to that. Your ears will get attenuated to the Sound after a few weeks and you wont find the difference between the two. For me the xm4 fit perfectly, and so i went with it.

[@attilab.2818]

I'm so sorry for that. Hopefully you'll give a chance to Bose one day.

[@hiradaboulgh9776]

I think this is super helpful,I was able to get the QC45s for $250 US and I honestly am pretty satisfied. I would like to try the Sonys but ironically there’s no sales at the moment, so they currently are above 300 US.

[@michaelweunski8338]

Any cons that you’ve found thinking about picking up a pair

[@CrstnJdiKnight]

If you check prices on this one or Sony, both have a higher price hike. Just nuts. I have a pair used from eBay and I think even used are surprisingly higher than what they should be.

[@jetreyes6132]

I would prefer that you use the Bose QC45 for as long as you can so that it would be comparable to your usage of the Sony. I can’t wait for another 2 or 3 months for your unbiased review of the 2 overhead phones. Fair enough?

[@Ed.die666]

There pretty much the same as the QC35II as far as sound goes. The extra mic will help for noise canceling and calls. But Bose only uses SBC and AAC codecs. No comparison to Sonys LDAC. In my opinion.

[@stgabyable]

@@Ed.die666 true. But the sound of the qc35 is light years away compared to Sony xm4. The Sony sounds fake. The sound is heavily tuned to be in a specific way (bad way). Horrible!

[@sunillekhi7924]

Neither one is an audiophile headphone. Comparing them as light years away???

[@Ed.die666]

@@sunillekhi7924 They do play Audio files though.

[@stephenknight6562]

@@Ed.die666 oh I find the qc 45 sound better with better base and clarity then the QC 35 ii. And better noise cancelling. I just love the simplicity of of them and no bloody touch pads. I have xm4 as well as Bose 700 too. They are all comfortable but Bose qc 45 I can where all day long while work and after work. The feel comfy and cozy to me

[@Aaron.13]

I own the Bose and Sony. I prefer the Bose for simplicity and actual buttons! Sound quality isn’t a big deal in noisy environments using Bluetooth..

[@DamianNocun]

It is when you will go for LDAC, then quality is somewhere else on bluetooth with good source like Tidal or FLAC file.

[@aaronbaldwin4900]

This is the third comparison video between these headphones i've watched. I really liked yours. Thanks

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Awesome, thank you!

[@askme2985]

I had mentioned I had the XM3's before. One thing I use headphones a lot for is weightlifting. The biggest 2 issues with the XM3's which probably follows suit with the XM4's was my ears were on fire wearing these at the gym, it got so hot I would have to take them off in the middle of working out, thats how bad it was. The second thing was when doing certain exercises, my shoulder would brush up against the side of the headphones and start changing tracks, etc. The Bose QC45's I have not had these issues with. They're much more comfortable than the XM3's and my ears aren't even near hot wearing them. Having the physical buttons is something I prefer and don't have to worry about my shoulder rubbing up against the headphones changing tracks, volume, etc.

[@Dean-ui5js]

Had my QC 35s for over three years. Love them. Replaced my cushions three times. Don’t think I have to replace them as yet

[@TamayJentjens]

Really enjoyed your review mate! Thanks a lot for making it

[@MarkEllisReviews]

I love it when people thank me for creating this stuff. So kind - thanks!

[@martinjoyce779]

I'm in the market for some ANC headphones, and your in-depth, no nonsense reviews are super helpful. thank you, Mark!

[@bsherf934]

As far as Bose build quality I'd like to share my personal experience with the 35's.. You mentioned you had concerns about the build quality or durability with the Bose 45's. I use my headphones while working construction and mowing lawns. I've used them in this fashion for over 3 years and hundreds of hours. They have been in the rain, dropped, thrown around, and covered in dirt/dust. Yet they still work flawlessly. Admittedly they are no longer cosmetically perfect. However, that is no fault of the headphones, but more a result of the sheer abuse they have survived. There are scratches and the ear cuffs had to be replaced, but no cracks/ or mechanical failures of any sort. Not saying the Sony's wouldn't hold up aswell, but when I do go for a replacement pair it will be Bose. They seemingly can't be destroyed. Great comparison though! Very clear and concise video.

[@andriegilsson6623]

Mine finally failed after 7 years of heavy use.

[@Jimbob7595]

That's amazing. I have the XM4s and I love them but they are not waterproof and are plagued by issues like moisture build up from sweat causing crackling. I'm extremely careful with mine, only using them indoors for work and listening to music, podcasts etc. Despite that they've developed a fault after 7 months and a quick google shows many people having all sorts of issues within the first year. I don't think the Sony's would survive long at all with the kind of use you're describing.

[@mith2946]

Over the ear headphones and construction... lol

[@tomcullinan9866]

I have a pair of Bose Ae2i headphones I got in 2013 and still used everyday. I'm thinking of upgrading and I'm tossing up between the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QC45. Many reviews I've seen lean towards the Sony as the better headphone, however, having had a pair of Bose headphones for 8+ years I have a lot of respect for Bose headphones and their quality/longevity. The pair of Bose Ae2i's I have are still perfectly functional and I'm only considering upgrading as the tech has advanced significantly. Finding it hard not to buy the Bose QC45 when I've had such a fantastic experience with the Ae2i's.

[@Bruceneuman]

I own the Q45 and the XM4. I also have the Bose 700 and the Apple Max. Yes, I am a bit Ill, but no matter. I wear the Max at home and keep the Bose models in my work bag. Wearables have to be comfortable and we are not all comfortable in the same shoes. No difference with headphones. If you can try them on before buying, it’s a good idea. Sound preference is another personal choice. And, I use my headphones for phone calls, so voice quality is important to me. All of these headphones are good. One thing I will say for the Bose is that they are particularly stable with my iPhone and iPad.

[@bj0urne]

Here in sweden, the XM4 kosts about 15% more than the QC45, does this make the QC45 a more attractive option?

[@jellyguppy]

I find it really helpful to test them out with the type of music you listen to because it can vary from person to person. I found that the sony's sounded really muffled while the bose were nice and clear, and have pretty good noise cancelling for me. Also personally, the sony headphones were too big for my head unfortunately LOL. They didnt fit snug even in the smallest setting, so all the weight was pressured on top of my head where the headband is, making them hurt after 2 hours. Its a shame, but the bose fit me perfectly and sound great. I def recommend if you can to buy them both, test them out for a couple of hours and decide based off of that!

[@Termless]

Would you recommend the QC45 over the XM4 when they're $40 cheaper?

[@Andre-ey9ot]

9:10 you can if you slide the power button all the way (how you connect them with Bluetooth) but don't hold it there :)

[@paulledet5911]

I am still using my Bose 15 (?). As another comment stated, I use mine for flights, work around the hose AND while mowing the lawn. They work well but I am looking forward to upgrading them. Sounds like the 35II might be a good option for me (a little less expensive?)

[@PatrickQT]

The design was pretty much perfect on the qc35s so im pretty happy that they didnt change too much. Also the earpads just felt so super nice and premium. The bose also dont lose energy in standby. Ive had them in the case for the last 6 months or so and they lost like 5% battery.

[@KevKlopper]

Not sure what you mean by "standby". To clarify when they are turned OFF they don't loose much battery. In standby meaning ON but no music playing the battery is drained in 1-2 days.

[@johntait491]

I have just purchased some Bose QC45 headsets. Sound, comfort and noise cancelling are first class. However I have a Dell PC using Windows 7 Pro. It appears to be impossible to Bluetooth pair the headsets to the PC. QC45 will appear on the Device Driver, but cannot be "discovered" and subsequently pair. My Sony headset will however pair with the PC, and the Bose will successfully pair with an iPad. I have re-downloaded the drivers (tp-link Bluetooth 5.0) to no avail. Anyone got any thoughts on this..? 🤔

[@yehudagoldberg6400]

I would consider the lower weight on the Bose a benefit.

[@roberts9078]

I've had every model of Sony's flagship headphones since the XM1s (I think they were actually called MDR-1000X) and I just picked up the QC45s. The biggest difference I've noticed is the QC45 are much more spacious and comfortable on the head/ears and have better noise cancelling. But for good music and sound quality (and a few more features, which I don't use), Sony does much better. So if you use your headphones for work (like I do) or just listen to books or podcasts, I personally think the QC45s are a better choice. Either way, I'm keeping my Sony XM4s for when I want to listen to some good music.

[@jacktjong1266]

I feel the QC45's actually do best the XM4's in sound, mainly because the 45's have a much more detailed sound profile. You hear every little thing at all times, while with the XM4's the bass can be a bit overpowering. If you like a heavy bass, XM4's are definitely for you, but I prefer the 45's.

[@AishwaryaD12]

@@jacktjong1266 thank you.. I’m going for qc45.. not a fan of bass

[@packers12to80]

The qc are so comfy , I was a Sony wearer myself. But the qc series.....has a nice slant on the inside which is amazing esp for comfort . And the 2nd major plus...the qc ear cups are replaceable. It will take alot for Sony to win me back.

[@roberts9078]

@@jacktjong1266 I do agree with this as far as acoustic songs/softer songs go. And I do like my fair share of songs like that. But I also listen to metal and the Sonys excel at that.

[@roberts9078]

@@packers12to80 Yeah, the comfort is a game changer for me, especially on my long flights for work.

[@ramasaha1264]

Mark , will Bose ANC stop the sounds of traffic completely ? or some random high frequency noises around us ?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Not completely, no - but that's the case with all noise cancelling headphones.

[@gbj6581]

I had both the xm4 and the bose qc 45. For me personally i liked the sound quality better on the bose. Which is the main thing for me. The battery lasts suuper long. It fully charges pretty quickly. Very comfy. Can adjust the settings on the app.

[@jissanhuq3792]

The Bose are just way more comfier by any comparison. The Sonys will slip forward or back if you tilt your head. The bose basically disappear. I don't own either but i have worn both for extended flights even switching between them in the same flights. Sony has the sound edge but the sonys move more and are way more apparent

[@SkwrHdz]

I own the Sony XM4 and very old wired Bose QC15 headsets. The Bose are more comfortable to wear as you said, the Sony XM4 slips when you move your head. My XM4 do have great isolation and sound. I don’t like phone call quality on my Sonys.

[@PawanKumar-kl1ry]

Same here, they basically disapper. there are lot of times i would just leave my house and then 2min away, you have been disconnected from your laptop. And i would be surprised that i have headphones on with no sound :)

[@RightWingRadioShow]

I bought xm4s and returned them. They press on me head hard as f. Qc or nothing tbh.

[@Atlastheyote222]

I could find literally no difference between the QC45s and the XM4s other than that the QCs literally do not touch my ears at all, and combined with the lightness, there’s been a couple of times I’ve legitimately forgotten that I was even wearing them. Comfort is 11/10

[@aes1373]

The XM4's are great, but my problem with them is that they are very uncomfortable with their earcups. They depth of the earcups are very shallow and they can be quite cramped. Looking at the QC45 and the Airpods Max, they are much better in terms of comfort. I hope the XM5's have a bigger and deeper earcups.

[@reinulf656]

Yes it's true and the XM4 are already deeper than the XM3 which actually touched my whole ears on the inside all the time :)

[@COASTER1921]

Totally agreed. The XM4 pressure is just too high for me, and over too long a period of time that simply makes them not an option for me. My old QuietComfort 2s finally stopped working and I'm trying to figure out whether it's worth upgrading to the QC45s or just buying a pair of used QC2s since I know they're comfortable to me. Lightweight isn't necessarily a bad thing in the case of headphones designed for comfort above audio quality, but I wish reviews included quantitative data for the clamping force and cup depth to be able to compare this with different head shapes.

[@mickeytollison]

How do you only have 36k subscribers? Absolutely blows my mind.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

That’s incredibly kind! I’ve only just started (well, technically, last year… but you get my point 😉).

[@ytn6662]

I own Bose QC 35ii, and thinking to buy new one, QC45 or WH-1000XM4. I like the featuers Sony offers, but I'm not satisfied with sound, at least when its on default EQ. It's too boomy, and details of mids and high are lost because of the strong base. Can this be fixed with EQ on Sony app?

[@andrewilson3346]

Thanks for your video. It was quite helpful! I’m an early adopter of the QC35ii from when they were first introduced. They’ve worked great for years. The only reason I’m planning to replace them is because the right ear has stopped working. I wanted to get them repaired by Bose, but instead of offering to repair them, they gave me a voucher to replace them with QC45’s. The new QuietComforts just came out and are on sale on Amazon, so I ordered them AND a pair of the Sony XM4’s (which are currently around the same price as the QC’s). Gonna try out the two. I’ll let you know how it goes :-).

[@BrockMak]

6:36 Does the case include anything else? XM4 wins, hands down. 3.5mm-3.5mm audio cable AND an airplane adaptor? Can't beat that.

[@klizmen89]

I’ve been looking for new headphones after mine have recently shat the bed… I love your review videos as I do my research!

[@TheJackal483]

The perfect video. Just what I was looking for. Well done 👏

[@miisty6438]

How is the touch sensitivity on the xm4s in the winter cold, rain wearing gloves etc.? I prefer buttons for this reason

[@packers12to80]

Love the Sony series but I personally switched to the qc45 due to comfort. My Sony ones began to hurt my ears cuz the inside cup design. The design of the qc is amazing ....the slant inside leaves me so much room esp cuz I have bigger ears. Plus the ear cups are replaceable. Such a plush. Yup sorry Sony....qc has my heart now.

[@popflazh]

What is your EQ settings on the Bose 45's? If anyone else got some good settings, let me know!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Straight out of the box.

[@erictingkingco2746]

Noise Canceling which is number for you? AirPods Max or QC45? 2nd question, which do you recommend AirPods Max or QC45?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

QC45 have slightly better noise cancellation. And they're the ones to go for if you don't want to spend a fortune on AirPods Max. Otherwise, go for the latter if you want all of the cool Apple ecosystem stuff.

[@bubblebubble50]

Have you experienced any connectivity issue with qc45 while watching youtube on ipads?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Nope!

[@cafesito13]

i have many expensive headphones. i just came back from 12 hour journey flights. the QC35 really make it more comfortable. you wear them and don't notice you have them on too much. i get sweaty ears with most large headphones but not with the Bose qc35. for the travel they always come along. then after i just leave them near the bed if i want to watch something without disturbing the mean lady next to me :)

[@aua6330]

I had the Bose NC700 and I HATED the voice endlessly repeating "connecting to [device name" and then "ready to connect another device" when I was using it without a phone (to be more focused). I think the Bose QC 45 has the same issue.

[@JuanPreciado87]

I have bought some Bose QC45 and with the headband closed to the maximum they are a little big, if I move my head suddenly they fall off, with the danger that this entails of them breaking while doing sports. I wonder if the Sony would be better for small or narrow heads. I still have time to change them. I wanted to know if this is normal or should I change them. They are the first headphones of this type that I have bought.

[@jetreyes6132]

Am interested in your EQ calibration for the Bose QC45 please.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Nada. Straight out of the box.

[@Robert.Dickson]

I see the XM4’s are £180 on prime today and the Bose are £220. Both still a good buy?

[@jameslenney]

I’ve heard that the XM4s have problems with background noise with ANC. True in anyone’s opinion?

[@missleni9122]

My dad had the QC 25 (still has them) and I got the Bose QC 35 when they came out (can't remember when that was, but MANY years ago). I babyed them in the beginning, but now I throw them around and into bags without a case and I've lost count on how many times I've dropped them, both from head height, waist height, or bumped them off my desk (yes, I'm a klutz), and they're absolutely fine! I would say the build quality is great, and they've held up great. When you're wearing them for hours on end, light is better in my opinion, and I live in my Bose. Went into a store to try on the Sony on, after hearing so much hype, and they felt very uncomfortable on my head. Possible I would've gotten used to them, but Bose have been an absolute dream, so after feeling the Sonys, I'm even more sure I'll continue with Bose when it's time to upgrade.

[@bonmoovoravit7184]

With glasses which one are more comfy?

[@andylopez142]

I have to give Bose props for their customer service, I was having some issues with replacing the air cops on the website. And one of the managers actually told me that he would waive the fee for replacing the Era pads because I was having issues with processing my payment method. Plus, I like how you can replace the air pads yourself. I have the 700s.

[@erans]

The QC35 werent able to connect to Windows 10 machines. (if you managed, its with a 400ms delay) - is this the same story with the 45?

[@jamesminshall4601]

I would like to know how well they last, my qc35 are on approx 13000 hours, the head band is scruffy, I’ve gone through 3ish pairs of pads and the battery isn’t great anymore. How do Sony compare? I think I should probably just buy the qc45 for best possible sound cancelling and great comfort. I never enjoyed using them for music but the qc35 are great for audiobooks.

[@Mentallybeautiful27]

My sony 1000xm4 has a terrible screeching sound after 11 months, and I dont know how to fix them. Any advice? Sony warranty is not helping.

[@marcpanther8515]

Does it work with the USB cable plugged in (i.e. not using Bluetooth)? The XM3 does not.

[@twn000]

I have the Wh-1000xm3 and considering going to the qc45. I have them specifically for blocking out neighbor's EDM while sleeping, which comes through at 40-80 Hz. They work very well, but my ears get sore after 2 hours. QC35's were quite comfortable for me. Can you test how well the QC45 blocks out those frequencies compared to your Sonys?

[@jamescharlton924]

My QC35 I have had for years they are on their second set of ear cups and yes they were replaced. I can put them over my ears and block out literally everything. Only time they have not really worked is when I am sitting in the living room and Mrs is watching something on the television. Train, coach, plane, walking, London cafes I have used mine. The quality of the 35 is beyond what I could ever expect. I can not use in ear phones so I have to use over the head. Can wear all day. I would expect very similar for the 45

[@josecarlosproencaribeiro2208]

Hello, 1st of all great review, much appreciated. As a Bose user for many years I would like to add the following ( please note I’ve never tried te he Sony. On Bose app settings you can activate the auto switch off mode in case of inactivity, starting with 5 minutes. It will turn off even with the power button activated. And it has as well the sharing mode which can connect 2 or more sets of Bose to share and listen the same content. You can as well set up your own voice call level from low to medium and low. Google assistant or Alexa can also be used with voice control, choosing to use button on the left headphone as a sound canceling level switch from high, medium and low or set that same button form Google assistant or Alexa. You can literally replace any component on Bose headphones

[@엘렌메리]

Thanks this is helpful to know.

[@bhagwansinghrana8224]

Is it possible to replace the micro usb port of Bose QC35-2 with the micro "USB-C" Port ?

[@qironghoong3900]

Does any wh-1000xm4 users experience creaking (plastic rubbing on plastic) after using for a fee months? Mine does the creaking sound whenever i stretch it to put on or moving my jaws. Only on the left cup, none on the right cup. Will it go away after longer use? Thanks!

[@shuccle6161]

By the way Mark! The pleats are those dents in the leather ear cup, around the edges. The difference is immediately noticeable if you have seen a pair of the QC 35's. These new cups are much more refined visually. It's an aesthetic upgrade.

[@ICCUWANSIUT]

I think the previous cups looked better actually. But I don't own majority shares nor am I an engineer or a focus group analyst

[@DanskuRL]

Been using QC 45 for a couple months now and thought i'd give people a heads up since I wanted to read comments like these before buying it. They feel really great, battery is really good, noise cancellation is good and i think the sound quality is good as well. With my headphones though there is a weird issue where my left side randomly starts rustling / making static noise that gets louder and louder as time goes on. Weirdly enough pressing the power slider down (normally you would slide it left to right) makes the rustling louder. And somehow once it gets really loud, the noise completely cuts out and then the headphones work as intended without any weird noises. The noise started showing up after like a month after usage and it occurs really randomly. I could send mine to repair cuz it still has warranty, but i cba because the noise can be fixed with that weird trick. Hopefully im the only one with this issue though. Apart from that i really recommend these headphones and they are definitely worth the price.

[@teacakesandjuice7839]

you should send it for repair.. heard Bose is really good with customer service so def get your moneys worth!

[@bigslick1728]

Hi Mark, great reviews. In your opinion if you had to go out and buy either the XM4s or the QC45s what would you choose. Now you’ve had more time with QC45s do you still standby that the XM4s are the best out of the two? Thanks

[@BrockMak]

3:02 Look at the side of the ear cups, it's smooth. Pleated like a Chef's hat, so on QC 35's they have folds and wrinkly. It's a comfort thing, not sure of any other benefits.

[@StevenSKS2]

Hey Mark! I’ve heard that the 45s recently got an update that allows you customize the EQ now? Has that affected the sound quality or fit your preference more? I was leaning on getting the Sony XM4s but with this new update, it’s quite a debate for me

[@GILLES9913]

Hi what is the difference XM4 vs XM3 I just got the XM3, should I exchange them for XM4 thank you

[@MrRoyGS]

Very good review! I just got a pair of QC45’s on sale for $279 USD. I mainly got them to use them while I watch TV at night when the family goes to sleep. The second reason is for noise cancelation when I fly, specially on 11-12 hr flights. I am not impressed with the sound, however, the EQ in the Bose music app makes them sound a little better. When I strictly want to listen to music, I use my Shure SE846 earphones. They sound Amazing and in a totally different league, specially paired with a DAC.

[@4everalone210]

Bro look on eBay Kleinanzeigen you can find them there for 100€

[@futeck6071]

Hello @Roger can you tell me if there is a neutral mode with the QC45 between Aware mode and ANC or we can only switch between these two ? In other words can we just listen with Aware mode and ANC off, still with bluetooth ?

[@MrRoyGS]

No. One of them has to be ON. There is no “OFF” mode. For me Aware mode let’s enough noise in to be aware of what’s going on around me.

[@futeck6071]

@@MrRoyGS Thank you

[@forceninewinds]

I am just starting to get into the market of buying decent consumer headphones with just recently purchasing the Sony XN900N...basically a step-down or two from the XM4. Believe me after years of buying sub £100 headphones they are a big step up for me! When researching my purchase I found the biggest problem with headphones wasn't the sound but the comfort, AirPods Max sounded nice but I felt like my head was in a vice with only a few minutes wear, Bose just sat awkwardly on my head and didn't feel secure and the Sony's were the only ones which didn't cause pain or awkwardness. I only ended up with the XN9's because they were a hundred quid cheaper than the XM4s and my ear didn't really notice much difference in sound quality. When buying things like headphones we tend to forget the basics like comfort and go for what the current fashion is dictating and manufacturers are playing to this by producing a headphone that looks good but doesn't feel that good when wearing them. Anyway to the point...kind of. Sony and Bose do seem to have produced. a set of headphones here that are functional and do the job. While I personally didn't like the Bose because of how they sat on my head, for the vast majority of people they will be comfortable headphones and viable. It will just come down to whether or not you want to spend 60 or 70 quid more.

[@jorgeluisfernandez2560]

Between qc45 and Bosé 700 which is better in terms of sound quality? Thanks

[@Zerotrone]

I remember returning the XM3 after 2 days of use and going back to my old QC35 2 because of comfort. The Bose were much more comfortable.

[@vane9584]

My headphones have a noticable whitenoise. Is that normal? These are my first ANC Headphones and I heard its normal from some and that its not from others.

[@ludosys4903]

I watch this video in hindsight. Had in the past 1 Alfa Romeo (159SW), 2 Mazda’s (MX5/CX) and now currently 2 Mazda’s (newer MX5, newer CX) all equipped with a Bose audio system. That makes 5 “Bose” cars, I quite like the sound signature. I had the Bose QC35II provided by my employer for years, very happy with it. But the QC45 is really an upgrade which is in my opinion worth the money, ANC is so much better. Comfort though, the 35s did feel lighter.

[@lilburger4274]

Between the bose and the Sony headphones which one ages better in terms of wear and tear of ear cups etc..

[@taymus13]

Do you have any recommendations for headphones that can cancel out higher frequencies? I work in a clean room and there is a ton of electrical buzz and noise, it gets pretty unbearable when there isnt other noise to drown it out.

[@tato2.667]

I got the QC 35 ii some days ago but as refurbished. I called bose asking how much it will cost to me getting the 45’s by returning the 35’s. They said that they can upgrade to the refurbished 45’s for free, but because they were out of stock they gave me the 45’s completely new for the price of refurbished 35’s. Maybe you can try that to get them for cheaper

[@jazrivvaz1282]

How do these compare (purely on noise cancellation) to the XM5s to you?

[@MF_OXF]

the thing is that if you know how to tune the EQ on the XM4s they sound better than the APM or anything else.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Many people have told me this. Maybe I should give it a go.

[@MF_OXF]

@@MarkEllisReviews I have both the APM and the XM4s and that is definitely the case for me. just google around - youtube has some nice suggestions, so does reddit.

[@ripewatermelonlol]

@@MF_OXF ah rly? I’ve actually been wondering between these Bose, the AirPods max and the sonys to compliment my AirPods Pro’s. Decided to ditch the AirPods max since in Canada they’re 789$ and they simply can’t fold. I like the look of the Bose better but if the Sonys sound better then I’d definitely pick those up.

[@ZinNNSS]

Hello! I have Sony Sony WH-1000XM4. When I turn on noise canceling in a quiet environment, I hear a soft but noticeable white noise that doesn't exist in reality. How is it with Bose 45?

[@thatzaaji2569]

Absolute silence, it’s bliss

[@mohammadalazmi9589]

I really don’t know what shall i buy sony M4 or qt45 ? For gem and watching movies

[@apidas]

it's good to see they getting back to their roots. updating and refining the QC series

[@68868s]

I have Sony and the QC45, I love the Bose better. Of course, I have purchased them in 2022 with the upgrades.

[@packermandan]

Great review. I purchased the XM4’s and enjoyed them a lot, but unfortunately they had an issue every time they were connected to my TV where the audio would cut in and out and have a static popping type sound. I tried everything to get them to work and it wasn’t happening. After more research I bought the QC45’s and have been very happy with them. They haven’t given me any audio issues whatsoever and they are comfortable. I will say, in my opinion, the XM4s seemed to have better noise cancelling.

[@SourStrawberrys]

Sounds like you just had a defective pair.

[@packermandan]

@@SourStrawberrys I did a bit of research and found many threads and topics regarding the same issue. Either way, I have the Bose now with zero issues, so I’m happy.

[@johnbassett5407]

Thanks for your review. Best noise cancelling you've ever heard. Funny!😄

[@sitotis54]

What about using both for phone calls in a noisy room? Which is clearer for the people on the call?

[@kathysavage2548]

How do they feel if you wear glasses? Would pods be better?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

I've never had an issue.