Hands-on review: Bose QuietComfort 45 headphone

Recently, Bose introduced the new QuietComfort (QC) 45 headphones, with improved noise cancellation, new Aware Mode, better voice isolation for easier conversations, and 24-hour battery life on a single charge.

We got hold of the product for a hands-on review here’s our first impression.

What’s inside the box?

The box contains QC45, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, a 2.5mm to 3.5mm analogue cable, and a zippered carrying case.

Design

The QC45 is lightweight, sleek and designed to give a modern look. At 240g, the headphone is comfortable to wear due to the padded foam bridge and faux-leatherette ear cups. They easily spin and fold flat to be stored in the carrying case, making it easy to throw in your bag when you are not wearing it around your neck.

Controls and connections

Initial bluetooth pairing was smooth, and I was able to connect two bluetooth devices simultaneously, thanks to which I was able to accept incoming calls from a smartphone, regardless of whether I was connected to a laptop.

QC45 headphone features two settings: Quiet Mode and Aware Mode. Quiet Mode is a standard Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) mode where I could enjoy music and movies with no distractions. On the other hand, I could hear my surroundings using the Aware Mode without removing my headphones.

To control playback, Bose has equipped the QC45 with some intuitive buttons. For example, the left ear cup features a button for the Aware Mode, while the playback/volume controls and the switch for turning the headphone on and off are on the right.

Furthermore, the Bose Music app offers additional help for set-up and use, including multi-point connections supported by Bluetooth 5.1 for iOS and Android devices.

Battery life

Bose estimates battery life to be roughly 24 hours, but I noticed that it could vary with usage. However, good rapid-charging capability gives three extra hours of playback if you charge the headphones for 15 minutes.

Performance

While playing music, it initially seemed neutral. It played through different genres with no issues and a good sound texture. With electronic music, the bass was tight but not overpowering and for classical music the depth and space matched the stage.

Meanwhile, the voice quality is good and external sounds were cancelled during calls my voice and video calls.

To buy or not

The headphone is an attractive choice for those looking at continuous playback time, comfortable fit, and rapid charging capability.

The QC45 headphones are available currently in Triple Black and White smoke colours (both matte finish) at Bose stores and select resellers for Dhs1,349.