Bose Soundlink Vs QuietComfort 35 II: Find The Winner

Bose is well-known for making high-quality headphones. Though the majority of its headphones appear to have a similar appearance, they differ slightly or significantly in functioning.

For example, we can discuss the Bose Soundlink and QuietComfort 35 II. Because they seem so similar, you could have been puzzled about which one to choose.

That is why, today, I will give a comparison of Bose Soundlink vs QuietComfort 35 II to show you every subtle difference between them.

Proceed to learn which headphone has an advantage over the other and then make your own decision.

Bose Soundlink Vs QuietComfort 35 II: Find The Winner –  A Complete Guide

First, let’s go through the basics of these Bose Soundlink and QuietComfort 35 II headphones. Let us now compare them in depth. When assessing headphones, the initial attention is frequently on their design and construction. So, shall we start there?

Specification

Features	Bose Soundlink	Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Battery Life	Up to 15 hours.	Up to 20 hours.
Charging Time	3 hours.	2.25 hours.
Charging Cable Type	Micro USB.	Micro USB.
Fast Charging Feature	15-minute quick charge = 2 hours playtime.	15-minute quick charge = 2.5 hours playback.
Bluetooth Version	4.0.	4.1.
Working Range	9 m.	10 m.
Noise Cancellation	No.	Yes.
Number of Microphones	1.	2.
Color	Black, White.	Balck, Silver.
Weight	6.9 ounces.	8.3 ounces.
Dimension	1.5 x 6 x 7.5 inches.	3.2 x 6.7 x 7.1 inches.
Check Details	See More	See More

What’s in the box

Bose QuietComfort 35 II	Bose Soundlink
Headphone	Headphone
Protective Case	Protective Case
Cable	Cable
Warranty Card	Warranty Card

Fit & Comfort

When it comes to comfort and fit, the variations between these two headphones are modest. The SoundLink Wireless II and QC35 II excel at providing great comfort, thanks to generous earcup padding.

The clamping force in both headphones is typical, ensuring a secure fit without putting too much strain on the ears and head.

As a result, extended listening sessions can be enjoyed without pain. Although the QC 35 II is somewhat heavier, this has no discernible effect on overall comfort.

In my experience, both headphones were light and comfortable to use. As a result, this section ends in a draw. Now we’ll look at one of the most important characteristics of headphones: their sound quality.

Design & Build

Both the SoundLink Wireless II and QC35 II headphones are over-ear, with cushioned headbands, adjustable sides, and leather earcups for a comfortable fit.

The Bose QC 35 II is available in two subtle hues, striving for simplicity and minimalism. The SoundLink Wireless II, on the other hand, comes in two color options: black with blue highlights and white with tan accents.

While the SoundLink Wireless Headphones II looks to be less sturdy than the Bose QC 35 II, Bose claims that this model is built to survive accidental drops, bumps, and handling. 

Both headphones include a strong glass-filled nylon outer covering and corrosion-resistant stainless steel headbands. The key design difference is the foldability of the ear cups, which is unique to the QC 35 II.

Its ear cups lay flat and fold into a compact form, whereas the SoundLink II’s cups just lay flat. As a result, in terms of design, my choice is QC 35 II.

After evaluating the design, the next step is to compare their comfort, which is critical in creating a seamless experience when using these headphones.

Sound Quality

The Bose SoundLink Wireless II and QC 35 II have distinct sound quality features. The SoundLink II has a pleasant sound profile with well-balanced lows, mids, and highs.

The QC 35 II, on the other hand, has a more bass-heavy sound characteristic. A close evaluation of their performance shows intriguing intricacies.

The QC 35 II handles lows effectively, as heard in tracks like “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, but problems with overbearing bass, as heard in “Sail” by AWOLNATION. 

While not designed for bass fans, the SoundLink II gives a nice mid-range performance that shines in songs like Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” and Damned’s “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today.” The mids of the QC 35 II are very strong, with singers and instruments coming out clearly.

Even at maximum volume, the highs in both headphones are smooth. Overall, the Bose SoundLink Wireless II provides a more comfortable and pleasant listening experience.

In terms of noise isolation, the QC 35 II features active noise cancellation (ANC), whilst the SoundLink II relies on physical noise blocking. Let’s see which strategy is more effective in noise isolation.

Noise Cancellation

The decision is simple: how can a headphone without ANC compete with the QuietComfort 35 II’s class-leading noise-canceling capabilities?

The Bose SoundLink Wireless II can block out some ambient noises at moderate volumes, but it falls well short of the QuietComfort 35 II’s noise-canceling abilities.

The QC 35 II excels in noise reduction across the frequency spectrum, making them ideal for subway rides and airplanes.

They effectively remove background noise and can make everything from a whisper of wind to the boom of a jackhammer nearly inaudible. The difference in noise isolation capabilities is noticeable, with the QuietComfort 35 II emerging as the winner.

Microphone or Call Quality

Both of these headphones will provide you with excellent call quality. However, if I had to pick a winner, I would go with the Bose SoundLink Wireless II. In this paradigm, Bose has focused heavily on optimizing call experiences.

It supports HD Voice and uses adaptive audio changes to ensure clear calls in loud or windy settings. My own experience corroborated this, as callers remarked on the crystal-clear sound of my voice during phone and video chats. 

The QC 35 II also performs well in windy settings and reduces wind or road noise, though not as effectively as the SoundLink II.

Thus, the honors in this category go to Bose SoundLink Headphones II. Next up is battery life, which is critical for wireless headphones. While you’ve already seen a preview from the comparison table, read on for more information.

Battery Life

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II has a battery life that outlasts the SoundLink Headphones II by 5 hours, providing an amazing 20 hours of listening vs the SoundLink’s 15 hours. SoundLink, in addition to having a lesser battery life, takes longer to recharge.

In terms of quick charging, the Bose QC 35 II once again takes the lead, offering 2.5 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge, while the SoundLink II delivers 2 hours from the same charging time. Both headphones charge via a micro USB charging connection.

The winner in this category is obvious. With battery life and quick charging on the board, let’s look at the control systems of these headphones to see where they differ.

Control System

The Bose SoundLink Headphones II include a standard three-button control layout on the body. The plus (+) and minus (-) buttons alter volume, while the multifunction button performs different duties.

A single tap on the button pauses or resumes music and answers or ends calls. Double and triple taps move forward and backward, respectively.

The power or pairing button is located on the same ear cup. In contrast, the Bose QC 35 II’s pairing or power button is located on the right earcup and produces a significant vibration when pressed.

Volume and play/pause controls are located on the right bottom, while an Action button on the left ear cup activates the ANC. 

This button can be customized to access Google Assistant or other purposes. With both headphones providing complete control over their bodies, this round concludes in a draw.

Connectivity

As shown in the previous table, the Bose SoundLink Headphones II have Bluetooth v4.0, whereas the QC 35 II has Bluetooth v4.1.

When compared to SoundLink, this somewhat improved version of QC 35 II has a 1-meter larger operating range. The difference, however, is insignificant. Both headphones exhibit great connection stability, with little dropouts within their respective ranges.

NFC compatibility is a feature shared by both, allowing for easy pairing with devices. Once associated, they deliver voice prompts for notifications and charge-level updates. 

Furthermore, both the Bose SoundLink II and the QC 35 II feature multi-pairing, which allows for seamless connection and switching between two devices at the same time.

Whether you’re listening to music or taking phone conversations, both headphones succeed in this area and consequently receive the same score for this round.

Voice Assistant

With its integrated voice assistant feature, the Bose QC 35 II outperforms the SoundLink. This headphone is compatible with Google Assistant, Siri, and Amazon Alexa.

Simply saying ‘Okay Google’ or ‘Hey Siri’ will activate your favorite digital assistant. Enjoy notifications, send texts, check the weather, read sports news, and more.

Unfortunately, the SoundLink II lacks digital assistant connectivity, earning 0 marks in this category. With these comparisons laid out, it’s time to crown a winner.

Support for Bluetooth Codec 

The Bose SoundLink is useful for customers who switch between iOS and Android smartphones because it supports numerous premium Bluetooth codecs, including AAC, aptX, and aptX Low Latency.

Because of this adaptability, any device can stream high-quality audio to the Sennheiser headphones. In comparison, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II only supports AAC and SBC codecs.

It’s worth mentioning that AAC performance on Android devices can be inconsistent owing to encoding difficulties inside the operating system. This codec mismatch emphasizes the Bose SoundLink’s broader compatibility and potential for superior audio experiences across a variety of devices.

App Feature

Bose previously provided the Bose Connect smartphone app for its existing audio device lineup, including the QC35 II. As a result, I was startled when the business unveiled a new software called Bose Music that was designed particularly for the Bose SoundLink headphones.

This update, however, did not disappoint, as the free Bose Music app includes a cleaner UI and increased capabilities that improve the listening experience.

The software allows users to manually alter the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) settings, allowing them to choose between three different levels. The most recent software update brings an adjustable EQ to the foreground, allowing fine-tuning of the bass, mids, and treble.

A power-saving mode, playback and volume settings, voice assistant option, and Self Voice mode to manage call audio are among significant features. All of these features worked flawlessly, and the app’s user-friendly design made pairing headphones a breeze.

The Bose Music update also introduced an adjustable EQ for the Bose SoundLink, with three customizable fields: Bass, Mid, and Treble, each scaling up to a maximum level of 10.

The update also added audio customization presets, with four options: Bass Boost, Bass Reducer, Treble Boost, and Treble Reducer. The app just added rapid access to Spotify, which can be assigned to the Shortcut button.

The previously available Bose Connect app now has its own set of handy features, such as High and Low noise-cancellation settings and Music Share (unique to the QC35 series), which allows simultaneous music listening on two sets of Bose wireless headphones. The Standby Timer and Action Button customization capabilities are still available in the app.

One of the most amazing features of the Bose SoundLink is its Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility, which allows for quick and easy pairing. Using the Pair Mode button, I was able to connect the headphones to both my MacBook Pro and my Google Pixel 3XL at the same time.

The multipoint technology stood out, allowing for simultaneous pairing with two devices (also featured on the QC35 II) and easy operation. I had hiccup-free iTunes playing control through the Bose Music player on my laptop, with a strong connection at a range of 35 feet.

The QC35 II uses Bluetooth 4.1, an older generation, but it still provides consistent device connections and a good range of up to 32 feet.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Vs Bose SoundLink: Pros And Cons

When comparing the Bose SoundLink and Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones, consider the following pros and cons:

Which is the Winner?

After reading this detailed comparison, you’ve probably guessed who the winner is: the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. This headset wins the top rank due to its indisputable qualities.

While it is not cheap, its value is fully justified. The bass-heavy sound profile and excellent design are outstanding in and of themselves.

When combined with Bose’s superb noise canceling, connectivity with Google Assistant and Alexa, and impressive battery life, the result is a genuinely remarkable product. If you’re still looking for something more, read on.

Alternative Options

Consider these two alternatives to the Bose QC 35 II and Bose Soundlink Headphones II:

Sony WH-1000XM4: The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a great choice for a noise-canceling headset. It has industry-leading noise cancellation with dual noise sensor technology and up to 30 hours of battery life. Its touch-sensitive control scheme provides user-friendly navigation, increasing your experience.

Bowers & Wilkins PX Wireless Bluetooth Headphones: If you value acoustic performance, the Bowers & Wilkins PX Wireless headphones combine great sound with sumptuous materials and smart Bluetooth streaming.

With a battery life of 17 hours and ergonomic controls, you can experience wireless freedom without sacrificing music quality.

I hope this thorough comparison of Soundlink with QC35 II has answered any remaining questions. This brings our conversation to a close.

Bose Soundlink Vs QuietComfort 35 II: Find The Winner – FAQs

1. What is the key distinction between Bose Soundlink and QuietComfort 35 II?

The key differences between the Bose Soundlink and the QuietComfort 35 II are their sound profiles and noise-canceling abilities. Soundlink has a pleasant and balanced sound, whilst QuietComfort 35 II has a bass-heavy profile. Furthermore, the QuietComfort 35 II’s noise-canceling technology is improved, giving superior separation from outside noise.

2. Which headphone is more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time?

Both headphones are comfortable, having padded earcups and adjustable headbands. For portability, the QuietComfort 35 II incorporates foldable ear cups, whereas the Soundlink does not. Personal preferences and the necessity for portability influence the choice.

3. Can I use voice assistants with these headphones?

Yes, both headphones support voice assistants. The QuietComfort 35 II is compatible with Google Assistant, Siri, and Amazon Alexa. Soundlink, on the other hand, lacks digital assistant connectivity.

4. What is the battery life of these headphones?

QuietComfort 35 II has a greater battery life, up to 20 hours than Soundlink’s 15 hours. In addition, the QuietComfort 35 II has quick charging for faster power replenishment.

5. How do these headphones compare in terms of noise cancellation?

QuietComfort 35 II excels at noise cancellation thanks to active technology that considerably decreases ambient noise. While Soundlink physically blocks sounds, it falls short of QuietComfort 35 II’s active noise cancellation.

Final Thoughts

After comparing the Bose Soundlink with the QuietComfort 35 II, you should be more equipped to make an informed purchase that meets your needs. 

When comparing the Bose Soundlink and the QuietComfort 35 II headphones, it’s clear that each has its own set of advantages. While Soundlink excels in comfort and certain elements of sound quality,

QuietComfort 35 II stands out for its improved noise cancellation and integrated voice assistants. The choice ultimately comes down to your priorities, whether they be immersive sound, good noise cancellation, or smart features.

Whatever you choose, both headphones provide a high-quality listening experience supported by Bose’s acclaimed technology.

Enjoy your headphone experience to the fullest. Thank you for reading.