Bose QuietComfort 35 II Vs Sony WH 1000XM4: Broadly Explained

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Vs Sony WH 1000XM4 are both revered among audiophiles for producing great headphones. Both businesses are well-known in the industry for their sound quality, design, and overall aesthetics.

Individual preferences often favor Sony over Bose. In this study, we attempt to provide an unbiased appraisal by comparing two outstanding products from these prestigious brands.

Bose, having established itself in the noise-canceling headphone market, delved into wireless headphones with the QC35. This model was their first step into wireless technology, and it was released roughly half a year before Sony debuted the SONY WH-1000XM4. On the contrary,

Sony’s WH-1000XM4 was purposefully built to compete by providing a feature-rich choice that symbolizes their commitment to innovation and excellence.

Throughout this analysis, we will explore the qualities of the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose QC35, allowing for a complete comparison of the two to determine their individual merits and what they bring to the table.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Vs Sony WH 1000XM4: Broadly Explained – A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to high-quality headphones, both the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4 have proven to be competitive opponents.

This summary seeks to shed light on the fundamental differences between these two headphones, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your preferences and priorities.

Specification

Features	Bose QuietComfort 35 II	Sony 1000xm4
Driver Size	40 mm.	40 mm.
Frequency Response	4 Hz – 40 kHz.	10 Hz – 20 kHz.
Sound Pressure Level	104.5dB/mW.	90dB/mW.
Impedance	47 Ohms (Active). 16 Ohms (Passive).	55.6 ohms.
Battery Life	Up to 30 hours.	Up to 20 hours.
Charging Time	3 hours.	2.25 hours.
Fast Charging	5 hours playback.	15 min charge = 2.5 hours playback.
Charging Cable Type	USB-C.	Micro USB.
Bluetooth Range	10 m.	10 m.
Bluetooth Version	4.2.	4.1.
Color	Black, Silver.	Black, Silver.
Codec Support	SBC, AAC, LDAC, AptX, AptX HD.	SBC, AAC.
IP Rating	No.	IPX4.
Number of Microphones	3.	2.
Dimension	8.5 x 8 x 3 inches	3.2 x 6.7 x 7.1 inches.
Weight	9 ounces.	8.3 ounces.
Check Details	See More	See More

What’s in the box

Bose QuietComfort 35 II	Sony 1000xm4
Headphone	Headphone
Protective Case	Carry Case
Cable	Cable
Warranty Card	Warranty Card

Fit & Comfort

While design speaks to aesthetics, actual comfort is what you feel when wearing headphones. Achieving the proper look and feel requires striking a balance between these factors.

It is crucial to note that comfort is subjective and varies from person to person. What feels extremely comfortable to one person may not be appealing to another.

Thus, it is essential that you try on headphones personally to determine their level of comfort. With this information, we hope to present an overview of the comfort qualities of both headphones, accompanied by our personal observations.

The Bose QC35 has a lighter feel than the Sony WH-1000XM4 and provides less pressure to the head. This characteristic improves its acceptability for extended use.

However, the headband design causes some slight discomfort. The hardness of the headband padding, which may have been added to balance ear cup weight, needs precise alignment for best comfort.

Once attained, the headphones provide excellent comfort, with memory foam ear cup padding that is both soft and airy, minimizing the possibility of sweating during lengthy wear.

Moving on to the Sony WH-1000XM4, it performs admirably in terms of comfort. The soft padding on the headband allows for extended usage, while the sumptuous feel of the ear cup padding adds to the overall comfort experience.

The WH-1000XM4 is distinguished by its shallow ear cups filled with soothing foam that cradles the ears. While some may enjoy this experience, others may prefer to avoid touch between their ears and the headphone cups. This is a personal choice.

Finally, in terms of comfort, the Bose QC 35 comes out on top, especially when the headband is properly positioned. The Sony WH-1000XM4 remains a solid contender, but its shallow ear cups may not be to everyone’s taste, especially those who are unfamiliar with such a design.

Design & Build

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is known for its great comfort, and it does not disappoint in that area. However, the Sony WH-1000XM4 manages to compete in terms of comfort as well.

Both variants have soft ear cups that wrap the ears in excellent padding. However, the WH-1000XM4’s headband’s modest padding places it a step below the QuietComfort 35 II’s overall coziness.

When it comes to controls, the Bose QC 35 II and WH-1000XM4 take distinct courses. The former takes a traditional technique with physical buttons, whereas the latter uses a more modern touch-based system comprising a sequence of taps and swipes.

The Sony Headphones Connect app offers a layer of customization to the WH-1000XM4, allowing users to program the Custom button for quick access to the integrated voice assistant or toggling noise cancellation. However, both functionalities cannot be active at the same time.

The Bose QC 35 II, on the other hand, has an Action button that can be configured using the Bose Connect app to call the smart assistant or change active noise canceling settings. Its multifunction button acts as a gateway to your smartphone’s native speech assistant.

Both headsets have equal dimensions and weight, ensuring a snug fit for a variety of users. Nonetheless, a divergence occurs in the sphere of connectedness. The Sony WH-1000XM4 distinguishes itself with its USB-C connection, a gesture to modernity and versatility.

The Bose QC 35 II, on the other hand, falls behind, relying on an antiquated micro USB charging connector. In a nutshell, the choice between these two titans comes down to personal comfort preferences and the appeal of novel features.

Sound Quality

Both the Bose QC 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4 have a frequency response that leans slightly towards neutrality, making them suitable for a wide range of musical genres. Both headphones provide music with high fidelity over the whole frequency range.

The Bose QC 35 II is a tempting alternative for individuals who seek a hassle-free listening experience without getting into equalization settings.

However, subtle variances arise in the audio profiles of these two headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM4 provides a slight concentration on bass notes, which could result in aural masking in bass-heavy sections of songs.

Additionally, the top notes are slightly amplified, offering the sound a sense of exquisite delicacy. This is especially obvious in classical music, where the treble response may appear unduly prominent. In such circumstances, users can use the mobile app’s EQ to reduce the treble to a desired level.

The Bose QC 35 II, on the other hand, embraces a subtly increased sub-bass response, leading to a powerful and compelling audio experience, particularly in the area of very low-frequency sounds.

Bose’s headphones offer audio with outstanding accuracy across the frequency spectrum, which is useful given that sound tweaks are not available via the app. While the low mids and bass follow the normal contour, the treble has a minor under-emphasis, with the exception of a modest peak in the 2-5kHz range.

Finally, the choice between these two models comes down to whether you prefer Sony’s bass focus and boosted upper notes or Bose’s accurate audio reproduction and sub-bass richness.

Noise Cancellation

The Sony WH-1000XM4 emerges as the frontrunner in noise canceling, yet competition remains fierce. These headphones excel at canceling out low and midrange-frequency noise, providing an exceptional auditory experience.

The large ear cups not only contribute to outstanding passive isolation, even when ANC is turned off but also improve high-frequency noise cancellation. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II, a formidable challenger even years after its first release, has excellent noise-canceling qualities, particularly in the lower frequency range.

However, some customers have observed a deterioration in ANC quality following firmware changes, while remedies are available for those afflicted.

Regardless of which headset you choose, both have remarkable noise-canceling capabilities. However, in terms of overall attenuation, the Sony WH-1000XM4 outperforms the Bose QC 35 II, with an ANC score of 7.7 versus 7.3 for the Bose.

The choice between these two noise-canceling behemoths ultimately comes down to personal preferences and priorities in the search for a calm and immersive listening experience.

Microphone or Call Quality

The microphones on both headsets operate admirably, efficiently reducing low frequencies to counteract the proximity effect—a feature beneficial to most users, except those with really deep voices.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has an outstanding microphone array that excels at separating the speaker’s speech while minimizing background noise.

This technological innovation gives Sony an advantage, particularly for people who frequently take calls in outside settings. The combination of noise reduction and speech clarity makes the WH-1000XM4 a solid contender for individuals looking for optimal call quality on the road.

Battery Life

In terms of battery life, both the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4 stand out. The QC 35 II has a slightly longer battery life, with 21 hours and 12 minutes of playback, edging out the WH-1000XM4’s battery life of 19 hours and 59 minutes.

When it comes to charging, the QC 35 II uses a micro USB connection and has a convenient rapid-charge capability.

A modest 15 minutes of charging results in an astonishing 150 minutes of playback duration. In contrast, the WH-1000XM4 takes advantage of the contemporary USB-C charging interface and pushes the quick-charge capability to new heights.

It provides an extra 300 minutes of playback with only 10 minutes of charging. These variations in battery life and charging alternatives provide consumers with customized options based on their preferences and needs.

Control System

The control systems of the Bose QC35 II and Sony WH-1000XM4 take different paths. The Bose QC35 II has physical control buttons that provide tactile feedback.

The Sony WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, has touch-based controls for numerous functions, relying on taps and swipes. While touch controls provide a modern and clean interface, some users may prefer the familiarity and responsiveness of physical buttons.

Connectivity

When comparing the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4, connection appears as a critical factor. Both headphones include wireless capabilities, allowing for cord-free movement. The Bose QC35 II has Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for easy pairing with a variety of devices.

It also has NFC technology for quick and easy pairing with compatible devices. The Sony WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, has Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, which ensures a steady and efficient connection.

It also supports multipoint pairing, allowing for seamless switching between devices. Both headphones provide a convenient and sophisticated wireless experience that meets the needs of today’s connected lifestyle.

Support for Bluetooth Codec 

In terms of Bluetooth codecs, the contrasts between the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4 become clear. The QC 35 II supports only two codecs: SBC and AAC.

The WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, ups the ante with compatibility for SBC, AAC, and Sony’s LDAC, catering to those seeking the greatest quality streaming experience.

Both headphones have Bluetooth multipoint technology, allowing for easy switching between two devices. The WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, requires AAC streaming in order to use Bluetooth multipoint.

Connecting your smartphone to either pair of headphones is a breeze, especially when using individual headphone apps.

Notably, both headsets have excellent connection quality, a testament to their superior technology. Both models, which support Bluetooth 5.0, provide wireless communication and, if preferred, wired listening via a 3.5mm cable.

However, iPhone users will need a dongle for wired playback, limiting them to SBC or AAC codecs. In contrast, Android users benefit significantly from the LDAC codec, which raises wireless playback quality to astonishing levels.

App Feature

When it comes to advanced features, the Sony WH-1000XM4 genuinely stands out due to its straightforward functionality. The ambient sound mode is activated by just cupping your hand over the left ear cup, allowing you to tune in to your environment.

This is a feature that the Bose QuietComfort 35 II lacks. The WH-1000XM4 also has auto-pause/resume capabilities, which the Bose QC 35 II does not have.

When it comes to software features, the Sony Headphones Connect app opens up a world of options for WH-1000XM4 customers. The speak-to-chat feature epitomizes this, interrupting your music when it detects speech—an invention not without its sensitivity, though it can be stopped via the app.

Additionally, the software provides noise canceling optimization, allowing you to tune ambient noise levels, as well as the ability to personalize the equalizer. Furthermore, while streaming high-quality music, the app becomes vital for making use of Sony’s 360 Reality Audio.

While the Bose QC 35 II is compatible with the Bose Connect app, its feature set pales in comparison to the WH-1000XM4. The app allows the Action button to be programmed for an assistant or ANC toggle, albeit it is pre-coded for Google Assistant. 

The QC 35 II comes with automatic ANC, but deactivating it requires the app.

It’s worth noting that some people may be concerned about data privacy when utilizing headphone apps. In such instances, it’s reassuring to know that the key functions—listening to music, noise canceling, and answering calls—remain accessible for both headphone sets even without app use.

Finally, the Sony WH-1000XM4’s app-driven capabilities provide a degree of ease and personalization that distinguishes it, while the Bose QC 35 II holds its own in terms of basic functions and compatibility.

Support for Digital Assistants

Both headphones feature digital assistants, which improves the hands-free experience. The Bose QC35 II includes an Action button that can be set to summon your favorite helper, whether it’s Google Helper or Siri.

Similarly, the Sony WH-1000XM4 incorporates voice assistant features via the Custom button, providing easy access to voice requests and information retrieval.

Price & Value

Pricing is a critical element that frequently influences decision-making. The Bose QC 35 is a relatively costly alternative with sporadic promotions. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM4 has a higher retail price, however, it is routinely discounted on platforms such as Amazon.

With a $50 price difference, the question arises: Is Sony’s WH-1000XM4 worth the extra cost, especially when it’s not on sale? Our verdict is favorable, owing to the noticeably enhanced sound quality it provides.

Aside from this auditory advantage, there is no difference between the two versions that would justify the increased expense.

Choosing a winner between the two reveals the Bose QC35 as the frontrunner because of its feature-rich profile and reasonable pricing for the value it provides.

Nonetheless, if you stumble across an inexpensive Sony WH-1000XM4, it is well worth considering for its superior headphone performance at that price. In the absence of discounts, the decision is yours. If higher audio output is important to you, choose the Sony WH-1000XM4 over the Bose QC35.

Warranty & Support

Both Bose and Sony provide excellent warranty and support services for their headphones. The Bose QC35 II normally comes with a limited warranty that covers manufacturer problems.

Sony also provides a guarantee for the WH-1000XM4, assuring that you have recourse in the event of a problem. It is suggested that you familiarize yourself with the warranty conditions and customer service alternatives to guarantee a smooth experience in the event of any issues.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Vs Sony WH 1000XM4: Pros And Cons

When comparing the Sony 1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones, consider the following pros and cons:

Which is the Winner?

The freshly released QuietComfort 45 keeps a similar design and feel, and is available on Amazon for $279. It offers an attractive bundle with better USB-C charging and improved active noise cancellation (ANC).

However, the treble-focused frequency response does not perform as well as the QC 35 II in terms of sound quality. To remedy this issue, Bose could consider including an equalizer in its companion app as soon as possible.

It’s worth mentioning that the arrival of the QuietComfort 45 may result in a price cut for the QC 35 II, providing bargain hunters with an opportunity. 

For a complete grasp of how they compare to the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the original Bose QuietComfort 35 II, it’s clear that the Sony WH-1000XM4 emerges as a good choice for discerning consumers.

Alternative Options

While both the Bose QC35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4 are fantastic selections, there are several alternatives to consider:

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless: These headphones have a luxury style, exceptional sound quality, and active noise cancellation. Audiophiles love them for their detailed audio reproduction.

Apple AirPods Max: If you’re strongly ingrained in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Max delivers seamless connectivity, superb sound quality, and a distinct design that sticks out.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Vs Sony WH 1000XM4: Broadly Explained – FAQs

Which is better for noise cancellation, the Bose QC35 II or the Sony WH-1000XM4?

Both headphones excel in noise reduction, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 is widely regarded as the victor. Its innovative noise-canceling technology, which includes a unique soundstage feature, provides improved isolation and a more immersive listening experience.

What is the biggest difference in sound quality between the Bose QC35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM4?

The sound profiles differ slightly. The Bose QC35 II delivers a more balanced sound, whilst the Sony WH-1000XM4 emphasizes bass and has a larger soundstage. The decision is based on whether you like a more neutral or dynamic audio experience.

Which headset has a longer battery life, the Bose QC35 II or the Sony WH-1000XM4?

The Bose QC35 II has a battery life of about 21 hours, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 has a battery life of about 30 hours. Sony’s longer battery life may be helpful for lengthy use without regular recharging.

Is it easier to utilize the touch controls on the Bose QC35 II or the Sony WH-1000XM4?

The user experience using touch controls can vary. The Bose QC35 II has physical control buttons, which some customers prefer. Meanwhile, the Sony WH-1000XM4 has touch controls, which provide a modern interface but may necessitate some adjustment.

Which is better for outdoor use, the Bose QC35 II or the Sony WH-1000XM4?

Because of its advanced noise cancellation and ambient sound mode, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is frequently recommended for outdoor use. It efficiently blocks out external noise while still allowing you to hear what’s going on around you, improving safety during commuting or outdoor activities.

Final Thoughts

After a thorough comparison of these headphones, the Sony 1000×4 emerges as the clear winner, however, the Bose QC35 remains a worthy option in its own right.

Sony’s sound quality takes center stage, which has been enhanced by the addition of active noise cancellation, making it an excellent choice for audiophiles.

Despite its somewhat higher price tag when compared to Bose, Sony’s product unquestionably rewards the expenditure for those who value outstanding audio.

Bose, on the other hand, holds its own but falls short when compared to Sony’s audio brilliance. This disparity is most noticeable in the absence of electricity and when using a connected connection. However, in most other areas, the headphones are evenly matched.

The superiority of Sony’s active noise cancellation is a striking deviation from the technology’s usual relationship with Bose.

Taking everything into account, we strongly choose the Sony WH-1000XM4. Its winning combination of sound quality and technological capabilities makes it a compelling choice for those looking for a genuinely exceptional audio experience.