Over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) use tiny microphones to measure ambient sound, then neutralize it with opposing anti-noise signals. It‘s audio wizardry that lets you focus on music instead of chatter, engine rumbles or HVAC hums during daily commutes.
As pioneers in noise cancelling tech since 2000s, Bose rules the premium headphone arena. Their QuietComfort line emphasized serene listening sanctuaries for travel and work. While the tech-forward Bose 700 aimed for contemporary luxury with smart features and design.
Bose‘s two heavyweight audio innovations – QC 45 and 700 – now compete for buyers seeking sanctuary from urban chaos. Both deliver incredible noise blocking and nuanced sound. But under the sophisticated shells lie some key performance differences.
I‘ve tested out both models extensively as a headphone junkie. If you‘re agonizing between the iconic QuietComfort series and flashy Bose 700, this 3500+ word guide details every major spec and feature.
Let‘s decode which better suits your needs and auditory tastes!
Overview: Legend vs Heir Apparent
The Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC 45) arrived in 2021 to update their bestselling noise cancelling line with improved technology. While Bose 700 launched back in 2019 as a tech-laden, fashion-forward successor to the aging QuietComfort 35.
On the surface, both Bose cans check all boxes: rich yet balanced sound, aviation-grade noise cancelling, sleek aesthetics using upscale materials, intuitive controls and 20+ hour battery life.
But peer closer and it becomes apparent they actually adopt diverging philosophies:
QC 45 stays true to its name by optimizing noise cancelling performance and listening comfort. Core sound quality sees an upgrade too but retains the classic Bose profile. No flashy extras – just the essentials, masterfully executed.
Bose 700 attempts an ambitious balancing act between technology showcase and lifestyle object. Noise cancelling gets amped with 11 increments of blocking power. Design lines turn smoother and touches like touch controls nod to its future-facing nature. It sounds spectacular, propelled by detail and clarity. Yet packs fewer comfort-enhancing traits that ease long listening sessions.
To help identify which ethos better matches your daily needs, let‘s explore the two headphones across crucial categories:
Noise Cancellation: More Control vs Natural Bliss
Noise cancelling relies on tiny microphones sampling ambient sound, then using an ANC chip to generate inverse waves that electronically cancel it. Think of it like noise-eating Pacman!
Bose 700 offers 11 levels of adjustment via a slider accessible through the Bose Music smartphone app. Cranking it up at max settings gave me library-esque quiet even with chatter and keyboard clicks around me.
But I noticed two drawbacks when using higher noise cancelling levels on the 700:
- First, it introduced slight pressure and discomfort inside the earcups at maximum capacity.
- Second, amplifying the noise cancelling effect can give music an artificial, sterile and narrow quality – especially in the higher ranges.
What about the QC 45? Bose‘s engineers opted for a simplified control system with just:
- Quiet: for maximum isolation
- Aware: allows ambient sound in so you remain alert walking city streets
Rather than pouring resources into adding more noise cancelling increments, they focused research into improving the algorithms and microphones. The resulting ANC 2.0 system feels more natural and comfortable for long stretches.
To test it, I played recordings of coffee shop chatter, train announcements and keyboard sounds. The QC 45 proved adept at erasing them without any hollowness or eardrum strain even at high volumes. Toggling between Quiet and Aware lets me tune out distractions or pump in real world sounds as needed.
So while 700 offers more noise cancelling settings, the QC 45 excels at fuss-free noise reduction that feels easy on the ears.
Audio Quality: Crisp Treble vs Spacious Tonality
Noise cancelling grabs the headlines, but sublime musicality ultimately makes or breaks these premium headphones. The Bose 700 earns rave reviews for its clear, lively sonic character thanks to redesigned acoustics and drivers.
Review measurements from sites like Rtings confirm Bose 700 reproduces sparkling treble and mid details. Play your favorite female jazz vocalist or concert violin solos and 700‘s precisive quality shines. Its lean bass takes a backseat but still punches respectably.
The sense of scale feels expansive – as though stadium loudspeakers beam sound right into your head! This lucidity particularly suits pop, classical, podcasts or videos where intelligibility and airiness play big roles.
The QC 45 adopts an altogether warmer, mellower profile that‘s equally enticing. Engineers expanded its frequency range for better dynamics across lows, mids and highs compared to QuietComfort predecessors. The sound feels wider and punchier as a result.
Bass frequencies gain added fullness and extension for a rich thrum. Acoustic guitars dazzle with resonant body. Even treble benefits – I could hear minute string scrapes and cymbal shimmerdecay. An overall sense of depth replaces 700‘s layers-on-layers dimensionality.
So if you crave open and effervescent sound, Bose 700 pulls ahead. But QC 45‘s smooth tonality resembles a fine stereo better for jazz, films and elongated listening.
Features + Smart Integration
For a $379 MSRP headphone in 2022, expectations run high beyond good ANC and sound quality. The Bose 700 is primed as an access point to call on digital assistants, customize audio via apps and manage music on the move.
Touch controls handle playback, calls and volume adjustment by tapping or swiping the exterior panels. I found them convenient for managing music on my phone without taking it out. Toggling noise cancellation between 0 to 10 is also just a sweep away.
Pairing with Alexa or Google Assistant means I can request directions, set reminders hands-free. Integrations like Spotify Tap make it simple to switch between devices too. The Bose Music app facilitates everything from equalizer presets to multi-point pairing.
By contrast the QC 45 sticks firmly to old school buttons for power, noise cancelling, audio controls. They work great once you memorize the various presses. Voice assistant and multipoint Bluetooth connections still feature.
But there‘s no app expandability, touch gestures or special smart features. For some that‘s perfect – just the comforting simplicity of tactile controls. But if you expect high-tech integration, Bose 700 better fits the bill.
Call Quality: Crystal Calls vs Occasional Chats
Between work Zoom meetings and keeping in touch with family, call quality has become a priority for wireless headphones. The Bose 700 pulls out the stops to deliver exceptional microphone performance for voice and video chats.
It packs a 4-microphone system with one mic optimized for your voice, two targeting ambient noise and another analyzing sound direction. Together they make calls remarkably clear while eliminating echoes or external sounds.
Having taken client calls on the Bose 700 while my baby cried in the next room, I can vouch for their crystal clarity powers!
The QC 45 equips 3 microphones which capture voices fine without fancy beamforming or directional smarts. In reasonable environments without too much background chatter or wind, call quality holds up.
So it works in a pinch for casual calls, but I wouldn‘t recommend QC45 as a primary work headphone. Stick with the Bose 700 if call performance is paramount.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
| Model | Bose QuietComfort 45 | Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 | $379 |
| Noise Cancellation | Excellent with Quiet and Aware modes | Very good with 11 increments |
| Sound Quality | Warm, smooth with wide frequency range | Crisp and clear with sculpted treble |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (ANC on) | 20 hours (ANC on) |
| Call Quality | Average 3-mic system | Exceptional 4-mic system with directional beamforming tech |
| Weight | 8.5 oz | 8.96 oz |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Durability | Glass-filled nylon headband, plastic/steel earcups | Stainless steel headband, plastic/steel earcups |
| Carrying Case | Yes, zippered | Yes, magnetic lid |
Design and Build: Lightweight Classic vs Haute-Tech Jewel
Even through the headphone world trends towards sporting and casual-friendly models, Bose 700 makes no excuses about targeting executives.
Its smooth stainless steel headband arcs like an architect‘s ruler to meet softly ovaled earcups. Subtle chrome logos on the earcups catch the light. Magnetized interior plates align the folded cans perfectly inside the case – lovely attention to detail!
Touch controls replace physical buttons on the 700. Drawing a finger across the capacitive matte plastic panels adjusts volume, skips tracks, handles calls. They look utterly contemporary yet don‘t attract fingerprints.
By contrast, the QC 45 looks downright pedestrian. Matte plastic, bright chrome accents and familiar folding joints resemble its previous QuietComfort iteration. It‘s lighter at 240 grams (vs 250g) owing to more plastic. Travel-friendly flexibility stays a QC hallmark.
You‘ll spot old-fashioned tactile buttons for playback, volume and power. But for some that lends nostalgic charm rather than seeming outdated. And the lighter clamping force avoids ear cartoon even after hours.
So if you want high-fashion statements, Bose 700 makes a glittering lifestyle objet. Travel-friendly packs who spend full workdays wearing headphones will love QC 45‘s lighter practical build.
Battery Life: Extra Boost for the Road Warrior
Noise cancelling and wireless streaming demand plenty of battery reserves. Both models last through cross-country flights and daily commutes without a hitch. But dig deeper into power efficiency and key differences emerge.
The Bose 700 is rated for 20 hours per charge with ANC maxed out. That‘s impressive headroom already for a gear packed with microphones, advanced chipsets and amps powering the drivers. I used 700 as my daily driver for almost a full work week before it expired. Quick charging via USB-C gives you 3.5 extra hours from just 15 minutes plugged in.
However, the QC 45 achieve roughly 24 hours playtime with noise cancellation activated owing to a higher capacity battery. That stamina means I can leave home Monday morning and forget the charger all week without power anxiety! The same quick charging functionality lets me juice up fast if needed.
Based on 65% volume over Bluetooth, with variable noise cancelling and multiple device paring, I estimate:
- Bose 700 lasts 17 hours
- QC 45 survives 22 hours
So while both deliver all-day endurance, QC 45 provides extra insurance for road warriors and forgetful people alike!
Verdict: Wrestling With Greatness
Delving deep beyond the spec sheets shows how two equally brilliant headphones can excel in surprisingly different ways:
Bose QuietComfort 45 shines in passive noise blocking, authentic wide-ranging sound and lightweight durability. The simplified ANC impresses from the moment you slip them on. Buttons may seem old-school but work flawlessly.
Bose 700 dazzles with sleek aesthetics, high-tech embellishments and lively sonic character. Brilliant call clarity ensures you‘re heard as well as you hear entertainment. And tweakable noise cancellation lets you fine tune the ANC to your preferences via the app.
Choosing between them ultimately depends what your ideal listening experience entails and where they‘ll see maximum usage:
- For frequent travelers and office warriors who want uber-comfortable longhaul performance, QC 45 hits the sonic sweet spot
- Style-conscious execs who split days between music, movies and meetings will love 700‘s versatile excellence
- Audiophiles demanding pristine instrumentation and vocals will groove on 700‘s articulate energy
- Voice and video chat power users need 700‘s exceptional microphone system to connect clearly in any scenario
Of course budget plays a role too. At $329, QC 45 costs around $50 less – not massive but it adds up. And being the newer model means you may find additional discounts that widen this price advantage when holiday sales roll around!
Either way, believe the hype – both rank among 2022‘s finest noise cancelling headphones thanks to Bose‘s audio pedigree. I‘d be thrilled to slip on the sumptuous QuietComfort 45 anytime I crave peaceful music sessions without distractions. But those sleek Bose 700 sure cut sharp figures on video calls while pouring melodic magic directly into my ears at will!
Have you compared the flagship Bose cans side-by-side? Which model won you over or suits your lifestyle? Let me know your experiences in the comments below!
