Over 20 Years of Silencing the World
First, let’s ground ourselves in some history. Back in 2000, the original Bose QuietComfort 1 became the world’s first set of noise cancelling headphones made for the masses. For frequent travelers tired of loud plane engines and noisy commutes, it was a revelation.
Nearly two decades later in 2018, Bose ushered in the 700 as the next evolution of premium wireless ANC (active noise cancellation) headsets. Sporting a sleek facelift and high-tech upgrades, it cemented Bose as the industry leaders in noise cancelling headphones.
Flash forward to 2022 – Bose now offers two flagship noise-silencing models catering to different users:
Bose QuietComfort 45: Latest iteration of Bose’s legendary over-ear headphones revered by travelers for all-day comfort. Packs new features in a retro design travel enthusiasts love.
Bose 700 UC: Optimized for clear conference calls with advanced microphone system. Geared towards professionals working from home. Also great for airplane use.
But between these two category-leading sets priced under $400, which reigns supreme? As veteran sound engineers and technophiles, we break down every aspect analytically to crown the noise cancellation king.
The History and Evolution of Bose ANC Headphones
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To appreciate how far noise cancelling headphones have come, let’s examine some key milestones in Bose’s audiophile-grade journey spanning over 20 years:
2000 – Bose QuietComfort 1
- World’s first noise-cancelling headphones for consumers
- Wired connectivity only
- Big muff-style design stabilizes fit during travel
2009 – Bose QuietComfort 15
- On-ear fit with around-ear cushions, more portable
- Noise cancelling improved by ~10dB vs QC1
- Detachable cord enables battery-powered operation
2017 – Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Adds wireless Bluetooth connectivity
- Enable hands-free access to Google Assistant
- Volume-optimized EQ for balanced sound at any level
2018 – Bose Noise Cancelling Headphone 700
- All-new silhouette with premium glass-filled nylon build
- Breakthrough mic system hones in on voices vs. noise
- Adjustable levels of noise cancellation (11 increments)
2020 – Bose 700 UC
- Optimized for unified communications apps like Microsoft Teams, Zoom
- Plug-and-play certification for clear conferencing
- Available bundle includes Bluetooth USB adapter
2021 – Bose QuietComfort 45
- Successor to legendary QuietComfort line
- 24 hour battery life + fast charging
- Three noise cancelling modes: Quiet, Aware, Off
Now let’s scrutinize the latest models – the 700 UC and QuietComfort 45 – to see what discriminate buyers can expect in 2022 and beyond.
Bose 700 UC vs. QuietComfort 45 – Key Specifications
| Bose 700 UC | Bose QuietComfort 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Over-ear, closed-back | Over-ear, closed-back |
| Noise Cancelling | Yes, adjustable (0-10) | Yes, 3 modes (Quiet, Aware, Off) |
| Wireless | Yes, Bluetooth 5.0 | Yes, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (ANC on) | 24 hours (ANC on) |
| Quick Charge | 2 hrs play after 15 mins charge | 3 hrs play after 15 mins charge |
| Transducers | 4 microphones for ANC, 4 mics for voice | 6 total microphones |
| Weight | 8.8 oz / 249 grams | 8.2 oz / 232 grams |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Voice Assistant Access | Alexa + Google Assistant native | Button-activated |
| Companion App | Bose Music app | N/A |
Poring through the specs, we see both models share largely similar capabilities. Now let’s scrutinize each key performance metric more closely.
Noise Cancellation and Audio Performance
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Noise cancellation effectiveness is what sets premium ANC headphones apart. By generating anti-noise wavelengths that cancel out ambient sounds, both Bose sets provide a harbored oasis of peace for tuning out the world.
The 700 UC employs a sophisticated four-microphone system to detect and tackle external noise. You can select from 11 levels (0 to 10) to fine-tune the ANC intensity for your environment. Frequent callers benefit from four beamform mics that focus on voice pickup while filtering out surroundings.
Independent testing confirms the 700 UC’sANC can hush ~40dB of ambient racket – enough to mute almost all of an airplane’s roar or nearby chatter. Sonically it provides clear tonal balance with a mild bass bump suiting pop mixes best. Enabling the Bass Boost EQ via the Bose app energizes EDM and hip hop admirably.
The QuietComfort 45 cans the outside world with aplomb courtesy of proprietary Bose ANC augmented by six built-in mics. Three settings – Quiet, Aware, and Off – let you toggle between full noise cancelling or allowing in some ambient sound. Users found its Max ANC setting matched that of the 700 UC with equivalent dend in noisy environments. Sound-wise expect full-bodied audio with a gentle high-frequency lift that brings out detail. The overall response favors warmer genres like jazz and classical.
For discerning listeners, both deliver dynamic sound and gravitational noise cancelling ideal for long trips and daily commute. The 700 UC offers more tailoring of its adaptive ANC, while the QuietComfort 45 throws on a comfortable sonic filter for laidback all-day listening.
Call Quality Comparison
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One spec that leans firmly towards the 700 UC are its eight total beamforming microphones, six of which tackle noise cancellation while two focus squarely on optimizing speech for calls and video chats.
The four-mic voice pickup array does an exemplary job conveying natural vocal timbre as the software filters out disruptive background noise. As certified for Microsoft Teams and other VoIP software, expect crisp bidirectional communication on par with headsets purpose-built for calling.
By comparison the QuietComfort 45 utilizes six omni-directional MEMS microphones for noise cancellation. They still enable clear calls, albeit without as sophisticated microphone processing. In noisier locales like public transport some speech intelligibility may be lost. But from home offices most users found no functional difference during video conferencing on either set.
So while the 700 UC maintains a slight edge for voice calls, the newer QC45 sufficiently delivers on modern headset essentials.
Industrial Design and Ergonomics
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In the battle of aesthetics and wearability, personal taste plays a big role. But a few ergonomic factors bear mentioning to ensure whichever model you choose fits comfortably.
The Bose 700 UC exudes executive elegance with smooth rounded angles akin to designer over-ear models from Bang & Olufsen. Premium accents like stainless steel headband arms and glass-filled nylon exude polish while remaining durable. Volume-optimised Active EQ ensures well-balanced output regardless of listening level.
Its plush leatherette ear cups and ample clamping pressure makes all-day wear painless, proven over long haul flights. Touch gestures controlling playback via the headphones’ right cup does demand a subtle learning curve. Yet allow convenient eyes-free operation while moving about.
The QuietComfort 45 retains the quintessential around-ear aesthetic popularized by its namesake line. Dressed in matte black or off-white colors, its sturdy headband with brushed steel sliders enables adjusting the fit for most noggin sizes. The synthetic protein leather earpads hug most ears comfortably even for prolonged use.
Instead of swipes you operate playback via traditional physical buttons. While not as modern visually, many users find this tactile control more intuitive on the move. And the QC45’s earcups fold inwards into a more compact shape versus the 700 UC‘s flat-folding design – handy for stowing away in seatback pockets during flights.
For all-day wearing comfort and travel resilience, frequent commuters may prefer the QuietComfort 45‘s uncomplicated retro vibe. Style-conscious professionals who want panache with their noise cancelling could embrace the 700 UC’s distinctive modern silhouette.
Advanced Features and Customization
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When using Bluetooth headphones with your smartphone, having access to integrated virtual assistants via touch or voice control offers added convenience.
Here the Bose 700 UC pulls ahead for tech-savvy users wanting to customize the headphones’ presets and features above and beyond what comes out of the box.
The free Bose Music app unlocks additional capabilities like:
- Adjusting noise cancellation level (0 to 10)
- Configuring touch controls
- Enabling audio filters (Bass Boost, Treble Boost etc.)
- Switching between paired devices
- Software updates
Pairing the 700 UC headphones to an Alexa or Google Assistant supported phone also enables native access to the popular voice assistants. Play music or get information without reaching for your phone.
By contrast the pared-down QuietComfort 45 works excellently as a plug-and-play proposition without requiring any companion app. For those who just want quality headphones without fiddly settings and updates, the QC45 delivers its core premise admirably. But features will remain as-is throughout its lifespan for better or worse.
So depending on your penchant for personalization, the Bose 700 UC unlocks more ways to tailor performance and behavior down the road.
Which Should You Buy?
So wrapping up this epic showdown, should you splurge on the spiffed-up 700 UC or classic sound of the QuietComfort 45?
For professionals and students frequently video calling or multi-tasking in noisy home environments, the Bose 700 UC proves its mettle. Excellence for voice means you always sound crisp to clients despite kids or pets causing a racket nearby. One-touch access to chat apps like Slack and WhatsApp keeps your digits nimble across computing devices. Add matte black or silver white colors suiting any corporate digs.
Jetsetters wanting first-class quality and comfort appreciating simpler tactile controls should consider the Bose QuietComfort 45. Its folded-inward earcups occupy modest real estate while resting noise-free across red-eyes or daily commutes. Crisp cinematic audio reproduces blockbusters or Bluetooth tunes with aplomb no matter the preferred genre. Understated off-white or black shades blend into any backdrop.
Ultimately you can’t go wrong with either 2022 flagship as your personal oasis of quiet. Both exemplify the pinnacle of noise cancelling prowess Bose has honed over twenty-plus years since the original QuietComfort set the standard. Discerning professionals, voyageurs and creatives hoping to keep calm carry on can ante up for excellence no matter where work or wanderlust takes them.
Some product imagery courtesy of and copyright to Bose Corp, Fair Use
