For a long time, the words ‘noise cancelling’ meant bulky headphones, with oversized ear cans and an awkward head strap. In fact, this kind of headphone has now become synonymous with retro designs. It is curiously old-fashioned and, though the hipsters of the day continue to buy them, can headphones are a little behind the times.
Most big name brands have overhauled their noise cancelling lines and for good reason. Bose is no exception and its QuietComfort range is very popular with musicophiles who want to tune the world out when they tune in. The QuietComfort 20i and the QuietComfort 35 are both performing well and getting good feedback from customers.
However, the brand new release from Bose offers something which neither of them can – wireless capabilities. Meet the Bose QuietControl 30 (QC30) Wireless Headphones; the first of its kind from the manufacturer. With a sleek, user-friendly design and innovative precision controls, they are already exciting music fans. You can take a closer look at pictures of these headphones by visiting the Bose Singapore website.
If you want to find out more about their key features and whether the QuietControl 30 headphones live up to the hype, keep reading our review.
The Big Selling Point
The most important thing to know about the QuietControl 30 is that these headphones are the first Bose product in this form factor to offer active noise-cancelling. This means that, rather than just shutting out every external sound possible, users can actually control the degree of silence.
So, if you want to enjoy your music, but still retain a degree of awareness (in the house, on a bus, at work, etc.), you can dial up the ANC as little or as much as you like. The highest ANC setting is designed to offer full noise cancellation (no external sounds). In reality, some ambient sounds do get in, but we’ll talk more about that later.
Design and Comfort
In this case, the wireless components are contained in a collar structure, which is a pretty common design. Not everybody is fond of it, though because it can feel restricting to have a band of rubber and plastic sat around the neck. If you wear collar based headphones for a long time, it can end up rotating and rubbing the skin or getting caught on clothing.
On the other hand, the QuietComfort 20 headphones are ‘in ear,’ but they’re a lot bulkier than the QuietControl 30. So, it really does come down to a compromise. If you don’t mind the collar design, it probably won’t matter much to you. If you’re a bit unsure, you’ll either have to opt for chunkier ‘phones are try not to wear the collar directly against your skin.
The collar is where you’ll find a discreet little power button. It also contains a Micro USB port, which you can use to charge the headphones. The familiar playback and microphone controls are located on the right earbud cable. Most importantly, you’ll find the ANC precision controls along the edge of the remote. These are used to adjust the degree of noise cancellation.
You only need to check out some of the other reviews to know that the manufacturer makes comfortable earbuds. These ones don’t offer anything new, but they don’t really need to. They are very comfy to wear because they’re made of flexible silicone. You can, of course, switch the size of the buds around (there are a number of spare buds included).
There have been lots of questions about whether the Bose QuietControl 30 Wireless Headphones are suitable for running and intense activity. Again, this depends on how happy you are to wear the collar while working out. The earbuds do lock in quite securely, but the collar bounces around. It could be a major distraction for some people.
Active Noise Cancellation
Now, we come to the real test. Is the audio quality of the QuietControl 30 as good as it claims to be? Well, unfortunately, the headphones don’t offer complete noise cancellation, which is still quite a tricky feat for manufacturers. It comes close, but products like the Sony MDR-1000x do a slightly better job.
This isn’t to say that these headphones don’t perform. They block out the vast majority of external sounds and can rival many of the big name brands. If you’re on the train or tube, for example, they’re very good at cancelling out the noise of the engine and general chatter. They are also good in busy offices, with clattering keyboards and ringing telephones.
When you first start using these headphones, you might experience a slight sensation of ‘in ear’ pressure. This is actually common to many ANC designs and the QuietComfort 30 is no exception here either. The good news is that it isn’t too unpleasant and you won’t be able to feel it when the music is playing.
One thing that does stand out is the value of the ANC precision controls. While the idea looks great on paper, it isn’t as valuable as you might think. There is a total of twelve ANC settings (from lowest to highest). They are useful in situations when you might need to be more aware of your surroundings (when waiting for a bus, for example).
Yet, most people would simply keep the ‘phones dialed up to twelve and use their eyes or they wouldn’t use the headphones at all. It helps to remember the nature of the typical ANC buyer. If you’re big on noise cancelling headphones, why would you spend half the time with the power half full? So, it could be argued that the precision controls are a little underwhelming.
Overall Audio Quality
Music fans who are familiar with Bose will recognise the sound signature of the QuietControl 30 headphones. While there is no specific colouration, it can have a certain ‘flatness’ at times. The QuietComfort 35 offered more bass than its younger sibling, so keep this in mind if heavy music is your thing. The QuietControl 30 doesn’t tackle lower frequencies quite as deftly either.
The midrange and the lower frequencies aren’t separated sharply enough and there is a lack of depth which most users won’t pick up on, but it might be a bugbear for sound obsessives. On the other hand, the headphones are enjoyable to listen to; they produce very satisfying audio. They just aren’t on the same level as the QuietComfort 35 or some of the higher level products on offer from Sony and Sennheiser right now.
These headphones come with the standard integrated EQ system, so your music won’t sound tinny or hollow when you have to turn the volume down. The system regulates performance, which means that there’s a constant awareness of how you’re listening. It is a common feature of modern headphones and Bose manages to get it pretty spot on again here.
Battery Life
When it comes to wireless headphones, battery life is just as important as audio quality. You could have the sharpest, most fluid sound in the world, but it isn’t going to do you any good if the battery pack is out of juice within an hour. According to Bose Online, the QuietControl 30 will last for approximately ten hours on a full charge.
Judging from customer reviews and early tests, this is about right. If you have a typical commute (around 30-40 minutes), you’ll probably make it through a week. When it does run out of steam, you can plug it into a computer using the Micro USB cable provided. One of the major downsides of this product, however, is that it comes with no passive wired capabilities.
It seems counterintuitive to omit this feature. Yes, the QuietControl 30 is designed to be a wireless product, but there are always going to be times when users can’t reach charging points. As soon as the battery pack dies and you’re not sat at a computer, the headphones are pretty much useless. They cannot be plugged into a device and operate via its power.
Value for Money
There is no denying that these headphones offer some very clever and valuable features. The ANC precision controls, though questionable in some respects, are quite an innovative addition. You won’t see this capability on many other products. On the other hand, there are some quite basic features which feel like they should be present and they are not.
The passive wired mode is one of them. At just over S$529, the QuietControl Wireless Headphones aren’t made for everyone. In fact, we feel that it is one of the biggest ‘problems’ Bose has for this product.
Personally, one of the features it is lacking is the wired mode because it is the only way to ensure that the headphones are always operational. You couldn’t really depend on them while travelling, for instance. As soon as you were away from your laptop, there’d be a risk of the battery running down and leaving you powerless. If you’re on a long-haul flight and you don’t have a battery pack with you, the headphones could run out of juice and be rendered pointless.
Crucially, there are a number of rival brands which offer similar headphones, at similar prices, but they come with this essential passive mode. It is a significant weakness and one which Bose should probably take a closer look at when designing their next big wireless release.
Our Verdict
There is a lot to recommend the Bose QC30 QuietControl 30 Wireless Headphones. They are, without a doubt, some of the finest headphones on the market. They’re certainly a cut above the kind of products which less particular music fans might settle for. But then again, Bose has always placed itself at the top of the tree; as a manufacturer which caters to the true sound connoisseur.
This is the problem because there are better top level headphones available out there. If you’re looking for the absolute best, the QuietControl 30 comes close but falls short on the ANC capabilities and it’s non mainstream design is not designed for everyone.
Ultimately, it all depends on what you want to get out of your headphones. There are just as many users who don’t care what the wireless system looks like as long as it performs well. In this regard, the QuietControl 30 cannot be faulted. The performance is solid and consistent. The battery life is more than sufficient.
The ANC technology is high level and satisfying enough if you’re not looking for perfection. These are good headphones, which produce respectable sound and a flexible, practical form factor. The addition of a hard carrying case, for storage, is a nice touch. It means that users can keep the headphones safe and prevent the earbuds from tangling when they are not in use.
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