Bose 45 vs Bose 700: Which Headphones Reign Supreme?
Struggling to choose between the Bose QuietComfort 45 and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700? You’re not alone! Both headphones are titans in the audio world, promising exceptional sound quality and top-tier noise cancellation. Deciding which one is right for you can be a challenge, given their similarities and subtle differences.
This comparison dives deep into the heart of the matter, examining everything from design and comfort to sound performance and features. We’ll explore the strengths of the Bose 45, known for its comfortable design and reliable performance. Then, we’ll analyze the Bose 700, celebrated for its sleek aesthetics and advanced features.
Get ready to uncover the key distinctions between these two popular models. We’ll dissect their noise-canceling capabilities, sound signatures, and overall value. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which Bose headphone best suits your listening needs and preferences, leading you to an informed decision.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Bose 45 | Bose 700 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation | Excellent | Industry-Leading |
| Microphone System | Good | Exceptional |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Touch Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant, Alexa | Google Assistant, Alexa |
| Battery Life (with ANC) | 24 hours | 20 hours |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Water Resistance | No | No |
| Ear Cup Design | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Comfort | Very Comfortable | Very Comfortable |
| Weight | 238 g | 250 g |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Design and Build Quality
- Bose 45: Features a more traditional, foldable design with a focus on portability. Constructed primarily of plastic, it’s generally lightweight but might feel less premium than the 700. The earcups are comfortable for long listening sessions.
- Bose 700: Boasts a sleek, modern aesthetic with stainless steel accents and a streamlined headband. The build quality feels more premium, with a more rigid construction. While stylish, some users may find the earcups less comfortable than the 45 for extended use.
- Winner: 700
Noise Cancellation
- Bose 45: Offers excellent noise cancellation, effectively blocking out a significant amount of ambient noise, making it suitable for travel and noisy environments. It might not be as adjustable as the 700’s noise cancellation settings.
- Bose 700: Provides industry-leading noise cancellation with adjustable levels, allowing users to customize the amount of noise they want to block out. Offers several levels and customizable presets, providing more flexibility.
- Winner: 700
Sound Quality
- Bose 45: Delivers a balanced sound profile with a focus on clarity and punchy bass, making it enjoyable for various music genres. Some users may find the sound slightly less detailed compared to the 700.
- Bose 700: Presents a refined and detailed sound signature with a wider soundstage and enhanced clarity. Offers a more immersive listening experience, especially for audiophiles.
- Winner: 700
Microphone and Call Quality
- Bose 45: Features a decent microphone system for calls, but it’s not the primary focus of the headphones. Call quality is generally good in quiet environments, but can struggle in noisy settings.
- Bose 700: Equipped with an exceptional microphone system, utilizing multiple microphones to isolate the user’s voice and reduce background noise. Delivers crystal-clear call quality in various environments.
- Winner: 700
Battery Life
- Bose 45: Offers a respectable battery life, providing a good amount of playtime on a single charge. The exact playtime varies depending on usage, but it usually provides enough for a full day of use.
- Bose 700: Provides a slightly shorter battery life compared to the 45, but still offers a considerable amount of playtime.
- Winner: 45
Controls and Connectivity
- Bose 45: Typically features physical buttons for basic controls like volume and playback. Provides a reliable and intuitive user experience.
- Bose 700: Employs a combination of touch controls and physical buttons. The touch controls can sometimes be less precise than physical buttons.
- Winner: 45
Voice Assistant Integration
- Bose 45: Offers basic voice assistant integration, allowing users to access their preferred voice assistant.
- Bose 700: Provides seamless integration with multiple voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, offering quick access and convenient control.
- Winner: 700
Price
- Bose 45: Generally more affordable, making it a more accessible option for budget-conscious buyers.
- Bose 700: Positioned at a higher price point, reflecting its premium features and build quality.
- Winner: 45
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation | Bose 700 |
| Call Quality | Bose 700 |
| Design | Bose 700 |
| Battery Life | Bose 45 |
| Value | Bose 45 |
What They Have in Common
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Both headphones utilize Bluetooth technology for wireless audio streaming, allowing for a cable-free listening experience with compatible devices.
- Over-Ear Design: Both models feature an over-ear design, which typically provides a more immersive and comfortable listening experience compared to on-ear headphones.
- Voice Assistant Support: Both the Bose 45 and Bose 700 are compatible with popular voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, enabling hands-free control.
- Multipoint Pairing: Both headphones support multipoint pairing, letting you connect to two devices simultaneously and seamlessly switch between them.
- Comfort: Both the Bose 45 and 700 are designed with comfort in mind, featuring plush earcups and headbands for extended listening sessions.
Bose 45 Vs Bose 700 Buying Guide
Comfort and Design
Both the Bose 45 and Bose 700 prioritize comfort, but they achieve it differently. The Bose 45, with its over-ear design and plush earcups, offers a more enveloping and relaxed fit, ideal for extended listening sessions. Its lightweight build contributes to this comfort. The Bose 700, while also comfortable, boasts a sleeker, more modern aesthetic with a stainless-steel headband. The earcups are slightly less plush than the 45, but the overall design provides a secure and premium feel. The choice depends on personal preference for fit and style.
Noise Cancellation Performance
Bose is renowned for its noise cancellation, and both models deliver excellent performance. The Bose 700, however, edges out the 45 with its more advanced noise cancellation technology. It offers 11 levels of adjustable noise cancellation, allowing users to fine-tune the amount of ambient sound they want to block out or let in. The Bose 45 provides effective noise cancellation, suitable for most environments, but lacks the granular control of the 700. Both are great options, but the 700 offers superior flexibility.
Audio Quality and Sound Signature
The Bose 45 delivers a balanced and pleasing sound signature, well-suited for a variety of music genres. It tends to emphasize the bass frequencies, providing a warm and engaging listening experience. The Bose 700 generally offers a more neutral and refined sound profile, with a wider soundstage and clearer instrument separation. The 700’s sound is considered more detailed and accurate, making it a better choice for audiophiles or those who prioritize sonic precision. The choice here comes down to personal taste and preferred sound characteristics.
Microphone and Call Quality
The Bose 700 excels in call quality, featuring a sophisticated microphone system with eight microphones. This array effectively isolates the user’s voice and cancels out background noise, ensuring clear and intelligible communication in noisy environments. The Bose 45 also offers decent call quality, but its microphone system is less advanced. While it functions well for calls, it doesn’t match the 700’s performance in challenging conditions. If call quality is a priority, the 700 is the clear winner.
Battery Life and Charging
Both models offer impressive battery life, making them suitable for long trips and extended use. The Bose 45 boasts a slightly longer battery life, offering up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge. The Bose 700 provides around 20 hours of battery life, which is still substantial. Both headphones support quick charging, allowing for several hours of playback with just a short charging period. While both perform admirably, the 45 has a slight edge in terms of pure battery endurance.
Features and Smart Assistants
Both headphones offer integrated voice assistant support, but the Bose 700 provides more advanced features. The 700 is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, offering seamless voice control. The Bose 45 also supports voice assistants, but the integration may be slightly less refined. The 700 also includes touch controls on the earcups for managing music and calls. Overall, the 700 provides a more feature-rich experience, appealing to those who enjoy integrated smart functionality.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Bose 45 If…
- You prioritize a balance of excellent noise cancellation and value.
- You prefer a comfortable and foldable design for easy portability.
- You want reliable battery life for long listening sessions.
- You are looking for a great all-around headphone for everyday use.
Buy Bose 700 If…
- You require the absolute best in noise cancellation performance.
- You need superior call quality and microphone performance for clear communication.
- You value a premium, stylish design and build quality.
- You want the most advanced features and technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference in design?
The Bose 45 features a more traditional over-ear design with plush earcups and a foldable design for portability. The Bose 700 sports a sleeker, more modern aesthetic with a stainless-steel headband and a more streamlined profile. The 700 offers a more premium feel, while the 45 prioritizes a classic, comfortable fit.
Which model offers better noise cancellation?
The Bose 700 provides superior noise cancellation compared to the Bose 45. The 700 offers 11 levels of adjustable noise cancellation, allowing for precise control over ambient sound. While the 45 offers effective noise cancellation, the 700 provides a more customizable and advanced experience, particularly in challenging environments.
How does the audio quality compare?
The Bose 45 delivers a balanced sound signature with an emphasis on bass, creating a warm and engaging listening experience. The Bose 700 offers a more neutral and refined sound profile, with a wider soundstage and greater clarity. The 700 is considered more detailed and accurate, appealing to those prioritizing sonic precision.
Which has better call quality?
The Bose 700 has significantly better call quality due to its advanced microphone system. It uses an array of eight microphones to isolate the user’s voice and cancel out background noise, ensuring clear communication. The Bose 45 offers decent call quality, but it doesn’t match the 700’s performance in noisy environments.
What is the battery life like?
Both models offer impressive battery life. The Bose 45 provides up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge, while the Bose 700 offers around 20 hours. Both support quick charging, providing several hours of playback with a short charge. The 45 offers slightly better battery life in total.
Do they both work with voice assistants?
Yes, both the Bose 45 and Bose 700 support voice assistants. The Bose 700 is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, offering seamless voice control. While the Bose 45 also supports voice assistants, the integration on the 700 is more refined, offering a more responsive user experience.
Which one is better for travel?
Both are good for travel. However, the Bose 700, with its superior noise cancellation and excellent call quality, is slightly better for noisy environments like airplanes. Its more compact design and carrying case also make it more travel-friendly. The 45 is also good, but the 700 has a slight edge.
Final Verdict
Both the Bose 45 and Bose 700 are excellent noise-canceling headphones, each with its own strengths. The Bose 45 offers exceptional comfort, good sound quality, and a longer battery life. However, the Bose 700 excels in noise cancellation, call quality, and overall features, making it the more premium choice. For those prioritizing a top-tier listening experience, the Bose 700 is the clear winner.
Winner: Bose 700