Sony WH-XB910N vs Bose QuietComfort 45 Specs

The Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45 emerge as serious challengers in the realm of luxury headphones, each showing their own set of qualities. The Sony WH-XB910N, part of Sony’s Extra Bass series, is designed for bass fans and promises a deep and powerful low-end experience.

Its emphasis on creating an immersive audio experience makes it an appealing option for individuals who enjoy thundering beats and rich sound. The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, promotes top-notch noise cancellation in order to deliver a relaxing listening environment.

Bose, which is well-known for its noise-canceling technology, blends this expertise into the QuietComfort 45 to ensure that external disruptions are minimized, letting customers fully immerse themselves in their audio. 

As we examine the characteristics of these headphones, we’ll see how each model shines in its own domain and caters to different audio preferences, setting the stage for an exciting comparison.

Sony WH-XB910N vs Bose QuietComfort 45 Specs: A Comprehensive Comparison

Specification

Feature	Sony WH-XB910N	Bose QuietComfort 45
Form Factor	Over Ear	Over Ear
Frequency Response	5 Hz – 4o000Hz	4 Hz – 40000Hz
Impedance	17 Ohms	60 Ohms
Driver Unit size	25mm	42mm
Battery Life	35h	60h
Charging Time	5 h	2 h
Bluetooth Range	10m	10m
Bluetooth Version	5	5.2
Color	Black	White
Weight	251g	293g
Check Details	See More	See More

What’s in the box

Sony WH-XB910N	Bose QuietComfort 45
Headphone	Headphone
Case	Protective Case
Cable	Cable
User Guide	User Guide

Fit & Comfort

In terms of fit and comfort, both the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 prioritize delivering an excellent wearing experience for extended use.

The Sony WH-XB910N, which is part of Sony’s Extra Bass series, has soft and well-cushioned ear cups that wrap the ears securely, offering a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions.

The headband is adjustable, allowing wearers to adapt the fit to their liking, while the whole design distributes weight evenly, decreasing discomfort during prolonged use. Furthermore, the ear cups swivel, making it simple to adjust and find the optimal position for a unique fit.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, has a lightweight and ergonomic design with memory foam ear cushions that adjust to the contour of the ears, offering a pleasant and plushy feel.

The headband is particularly well-padded, which improves overall comfort, and the lightweight construction allows for long hours of listening without strain.

The ear cups are tilted for a more natural and ergonomic fit, ensuring a secure and pleasant seal that reduces external noise.

Finally, the decision between the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 is subjective, dependent on individual head shape, personal tastes, and anticipated usage length.

Both headphones prioritize user comfort, providing a pleasurable wearing experience that allows users to listen to music for lengthy periods of time without pain.

Design & Build

The design and construction of the Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45 represent unique ideologies that cater to varied consumer preferences.

The Sony WH-XB910N has a sleek, modern style that appeals to a fashion-conscious and tech-savvy clientele. Its ear cups are accented with metallic elements, giving it a modern and premium appearance.

The ear cups house smart touch-sensitive controls that are harmoniously integrated into the design for convenient access to playback and calls. The whole construction is sturdy and resilient, ensuring longevity and robustness to handle daily use and travel.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, has a more subtle and utilitarian design that focuses on functionality and lightweight comfort. The headphones highlight lightweight materials, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods of time without weariness. 

The ear cups have a sleek, minimalist design and contain the famous Bose emblem. The design is meticulously created to give a comfortable and ergonomic fit, boosting the entire user experience.

Both designs cater to various tastes, with the Sony WH-XB910N appealing to individuals who value a modern, elegant aesthetic and the Bose QuietComfort 45 attracting customers looking for a utilitarian, lightweight, and inconspicuous design.

Finally, whether you like a sleek, trendy appearance or lightweight, practical comfort, both Sony and Bose succeed in providing their own design philosophies.

Sound Quality

In terms of sound quality, the Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45 use different techniques to meet the needs of different audiophiles.

The Sony WH-XB910N is part of Sony’s Extra Bass series, and it lives up to its name by providing a bass-forward audio experience. Bassheads will love its powerful low-end, which provides a thundering and deep sound.

This concentration on bass does not overpower the full audio spectrum; the mids and highs remain crisp, ensuring a well-rounded aural experience across diverse genres.

The sonic characteristic of the Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, is more balanced. While not as bass-centric as the Sony WH-XB910N, it has a rich and detailed sonic profile. Bose’s famous noise-canceling technology increases the soundstage, producing clean and distinct tones across the spectrum.

The midrange is well-defined, the highs are clear but not harsh, and the bass is powerful and controlled, resulting in a pleasurable auditory experience, particularly for those looking for a balanced audio output.

In terms of sound quality, the choice between these headphones ultimately boils down to personal preference. The Sony WH-XB910N stands out if you prefer a bass-heavy audio experience that immerses you in your music.

If you like a balanced sound profile with clarity across all frequencies, the Bose QuietComfort 45 provides an excellent auditory voyage. Both models guarantee a high-quality audio experience that will appeal to a variety of preferences and listening techniques.

Noise Cancellation

Both the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 perform admirably in terms of noise cancellation, giving an immersive auditory experience.

The Sony WH-XB910N includes Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, which effectively suppresses external noise and allows you to immerse yourself in your music or entertainment.

Its noise-canceling abilities shine in typical metropolitan situations, airports, and commutes, blocking out a significant amount of unwanted noise and distractions.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, takes noise canceling to the next level. It contains an innovative noise-canceling system with 11 levels, allowing customers to tailor the level of noise cancellation to their preference, building on Bose’s legacy in this technology. 

This is especially effective for adjusting to changing situations, such as a crowded café or the buzz of an airplane. The noise cancellation of the QuietComfort 45 is excellent, giving a peaceful listening environment even in loud environments.

The type you choose for noise cancellation is determined by your specific demands and preferences. If you want a high-quality noise-canceling experience with personalization, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is a fantastic choice.

If you choose solid noise cancellation above personalization, the Sony WH-XB910N is a great alternative. Both headphones ensure that external noise does not interfere with your aural pleasure, allowing you to enjoy your audio content in peace.

Microphone or Call Quality

When it comes to microphone and call quality, both the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 deliver, albeit in slightly different ways. The Sony WH-XB910N includes a built-in microphone with effective noise-reduction capabilities, ensuring that your speech is carried clearly during calls.

The microphone effectively isolates your speech from the surrounding noise, improving call quality and making it suited for essential discussions even in moderately noisy surroundings.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, promotes call quality by combining a thorough four-microphone technology that focuses on isolating your voice while decreasing background noise. 

The sophisticated microphone configuration produces remarkable call clarity, enabling for effortless conversation even in difficult acoustic conditions. Whether you’re in a crowded place or a calmer one, the Bose QuietComfort 45’s microphone system guarantees that your voice is heard clearly, improving the whole call experience.

In essence, both models give a high standard of microphone and call quality, but take different approaches. The Sony WH-XB910N is an excellent alternative for effective noise suppression during phone calls.

If, on the other hand, you prioritize call clarity even in noisy environments, the Bose QuietComfort 45 with its sophisticated microphone system provides a remarkable call experience.

Battery Life

In terms of battery life, the Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45 stand out. The Sony WH-XB910N’s endurance is impressive, with up to 30 hours of playback time on a full charge.

This longevity ensures that the headphones can follow you for longer listening sessions without needing to be recharged frequently, making them suitable for long excursions or all-day use.

Furthermore, it has a quick charge feature that gives you roughly 60 minutes of gameplay with just a 10-minute charge, guaranteeing you’re never without music for long.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, offers up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, providing ample playback time. 

While somewhat less than the Sony WH-XB910N, this battery life is sufficient for a full day’s use and more, meeting the needs of the average user. The headphones also have a quick charge feature that provides nearly three hours of playback from a 15-minute charge, making them ideal for individuals who are constantly on the go.

Finally, the battery life of these headphones may be determined by your unique usage habits. If you need as many hours of undisturbed listening time as possible, the Sony WH-XB910N excels in this department.

If a day’s worth of usage is sufficient for you and you value the quick charge option, the Bose QuietComfort 45 offers a well-balanced battery performance to meet your needs.

Control System

In terms of control systems, the Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45 stand out for their distinct approaches to user interface and ease. The Sony WH-XB910N features a touch-sensitive control scheme on the ear cups, allowing users to navigate music, adjust volume, answer calls, and even activate voice assistants with intuitive motions.

This touch-sensitive interface delivers a modern and futuristic control experience, allowing for ease of use and quick access to critical features. Furthermore, physical buttons for basic functions are strategically placed on the headphones, providing a tactile and easy alternative control method.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, incorporates physical buttons, providing a more traditional control style.

These buttons are intelligently designed and placed to provide quick access to playback features, volume changes, and call management. The simplicity of physical buttons ensures easy operation, allowing users to utilize the headphones without relying on touch-sensitive controls.

The decision between various control mechanisms is ultimately determined by user preferences. The Sony WH-XB910N is likely to appeal to you if you value a modern, touch-sensitive interface that gives a seamless and elegant control experience.

If you prefer the comfort and simplicity of physical buttons for precise control, the Bose QuietComfort 45 offers a more traditional yet efficient control mechanism. Both versions ensure that adjusting your audio experience is simple and personalized to your preferences.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, both the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 provide dependable and varied choices to ensure easy interaction with your devices.

The Sony WH-XB910N uses Bluetooth technology for wireless connectivity, delivering a stable and efficient connection to your smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

This wireless functionality enables for unfettered movement while listening to music or taking calls, boosting your entire user experience. It also supports NFC (Near Field Communication) for quick and easy connection, adding to the simplicity of connectivity.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, also uses Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for a rapid and stable pairing process with your devices. It supports popular Bluetooth codecs such as AAC and SBC, ensuring high-quality wireless audio transmission. 

The Bose Music app extends the connected experience even further by giving firmware upgrades and personalized settings to adjust the performance of your headphones to your preferences.

Both headphones provide multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect two devices at the same time. This is a useful feature for people who frequently switch between devices such as a phone and a laptop, ensuring a smooth transition and reducing the need for continual re-pairing.

The choice between these models in terms of connectivity is mostly determined by your taste for brand or specific features. Both the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 provide reliable wireless connectivity, allowing for a hassle-free and comfortable listening experience whether you’re on the go or at home.

Extra Features

In terms of supplementary functions, both the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 have unique functionalities to improve the entire headphone experience.

The Sony WH-XB910N from Sony’s Extra Bass line lives up to its name by providing a powerful bass-enhanced audio experience that is great for bass fanatics and fans of colorful, dramatic sound. It has superior noise-cancelling technology, which effectively reduces external disturbances for an immersive listening experience.

Furthermore, these headphones have a customizable sound profile via the Sony Headphones Connect app, allowing users to fine-tune audio settings to their desire, creating a personalized auditory encounter.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, places a major emphasis on noise cancellation, with 11 levels of customization to adapt the noise-canceling experience to different preferences and settings.

This adjustable noise cancellation ensures an appropriate combination of immersive audio and awareness of your surroundings. Furthermore, the headphones include a Conversation Mode that allows you to pause your music and engage in a conversation without removing the headphones, which is a useful tool for fast encounters.

The choice between these headphones in terms of extra features is determined by your acoustic tastes and how you prioritize particular functionality. The Sony WH-XB910N is an appealing option if you want bass-rich audio and prefer tweaking your sound profile.

If noise canceling customization and seamless connection with your surroundings are important to you, the Bose QuietComfort 45 offers an exceptional array of functions geared to improve your auditory experience.

Which is the Winner?

Determining a clear winner between the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 necessitates a careful evaluation of individual preferences and priorities.

If you’re looking for a powerful, bass-heavy audio experience, the Sony WH-XB910N is the clear winner. It belongs to Sony’s Extra Bass line and produces a powerful low-end that appeals to bass fans, making it excellent for genres such as EDM, hip-hop, and electronic music.

The Sony Headphones Connect app’s configurable sound profile adds a personal touch, allowing you to fine-tune the music to your preferences.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, takes the lead if you value superior noise cancellation and a well-balanced, immersive audio experience.

Its acclaimed noise-canceling technology with 11 adjustable levels ensures a calm auditory environment, letting you appreciate the richness and clarity of music across genres without being interrupted by external noise.

Finally, the “winner” is determined by your personal requirements and what you value most in a pair of headphones. If you’re an audiophile looking for an amazing bass-oriented audio adventure, the Sony WH-XB910N is most certainly the best option.

If noise cancellation and a balanced, high-quality sound profile are important, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is a solid choice. Both headphones promise an increased auditory experience, and the ultimate winner is the one that matches your own audio preferences.

Alternative Options

In the competitive field of premium headphones, the Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45 face notable alternatives, each with their own specific features and characteristics.

If you’re looking for an alternative that combines high-fidelity audio with great noise cancellation, the Sony WH-1000XM4 should be on your radar. It is a powerful market rival known for its industry-leading noise-canceling features and superb sound quality.

Furthermore, for individuals who value adaptability and sophisticated capabilities, the Jabra Elite 85h provides a personalized audio experience, durability, and a much longer battery life. If cost is a factor, the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro offers great sound quality, configurable sound profiles, and strong noise cancellation at a lower price point. 

Finally, whether you favor noise cancellation, sound quality, portability, or price, the best headphones are determined by your personal choices. These alternatives present a varied selection of options to guarantee you find the headphones that best suit your demands and enrich your audio trip.

Sony WH-XB910N vs Bose QuietComfort 45 Specs – FAQs

Which headphone, the Sony WH-XB910N or the Bose QuietComfort 45, has greater bass performance?

The Sony WH-XB910N, part of Sony’s Extra Bass line, is built for bass fans. It provides a powerful and dynamic bass experience, making it a popular choice for anyone looking for solid low-end performance. The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, has a balanced sonic profile with little focus on bass, aiming for clarity and detail across all frequencies.

How does the noise cancellation compare between the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45?

Both headphones provide great noise reduction, but they do it in different ways. The Sony WH-XB910N has active noise cancellation (ANC), which reduces outside noise to give a more immersive auditory experience. The Bose QuietComfort 45 takes noise cancellation to the next level, with 11 adjustment settings to customize the experience to your preferences and circumstances, making it highly customizable.

Can I quickly control playback and answer calls using both headphones?

Both the Sony WH-XB910N and the Bose QuietComfort 45 have user-friendly controls for playback and call management. Touch-sensitive controls on the ear cups of the Sony WH-XB910N allow for simple navigation of functions like as play, pause, skip, and calls. The Bose QuietComfort 45 has physical buttons for playback control and call management, providing a user-friendly interface.

How long does the Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45’s battery last?

The Sony WH-XB910N provides up to 30 hours of playback duration on a single charge, making it ideal for long listening sessions. In comparison, the Bose QuietComfort 45 offers up to 24 hours of listening duration on a single charge. Both headphones allow rapid charging, guaranteeing that you can receive a significant amount of playback time with a short charging period.

Do the Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45 enable multipoint connectivity?

Both headphones support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to and switch between two devices at the same time. This is especially beneficial for people who wish to switch between devices, such as a smartphone and a laptop, without having to unpair and re-pair their headphones.

Final Thoughts

The Sony WH-XB910N and Bose QuietComfort 45 cater to varied audio preferences. The Sony WH-XB910N stands out for bass enthusiasts, offering a powerful low-end experience suitable for genres such as EDM and hip-hop. Its touch-sensitive controls and customized sound profile enrich the modern aural trip.

The Bose QuietComfort 45, on the other hand, focuses on balanced audio and improved noise cancellation, providing clarity across all frequencies. It provides a customized listening experience with 11 adjustable noise cancellation levels.

Your choice is determined by whether you want prominent bass and modern controls (Sony WH-XB910N) or superb noise cancellation and balanced audio (Bose QuietComfort 45), ensuring a tailored audio encounter.