Apple AirPods Pro
AirPods Pros are $249 more than the original WF-1000XM3, but they’re worth every penny if you have been waiting for Apple to deliver outstanding sound. Sony’s WF-1000XM3 were one of the best true wireless earbuds with noise cancellation.
But Apple just dunked them with similar (if not better!) audio quality in smaller, lighter buds that fit into a smaller charging case. This model is worth $20 more than the original Sony buds.
Pros
- Amazing noise cancellation for the dimensions
- Amazing audio quality
- Modern, functional design
- Acceptable battery life
- The stem that is pressure-sensitive is outstanding
- Super portable charging case included
Cons
- Silicone tips seem like they could be worn out easily
- Feel very iOS-focused
- Charge via lightning cable
- No companion app
- Expensive
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Overview
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are designed to provide a comfortable and immersive listening experience.
The earbuds feature Active Noise Cancellation technology, which helps to reduce outside noise and distractions. They also come with various ear tips to ensure a perfect fit for each individual.
Pros
- The best-in-class noise cancellation with transparency mode
- Top-notch sound
- Secure, comfortable fit
- Rock-solid wireless connection
- Excellent battery life (up to 6 hours) for noise-cancelling headphones
- Wireless charging (and USB C)
- Decent voice calling feature with sidetone “self-voice” calling mode
- IPX4 splash-resistant
Cons
- Buds can be quite large and stick out of your ears.
- Calls could be reduced by using less noise
- It was quite expensive
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Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds Vs Apple Airpods Pro Comparison
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Vs AirPods Pro: Price
AirPods Pro, Apple’s premium wireless earbuds, are not cheap. The current price is PS249 (AU$399). However, you might be able to find an earbuds discount and save as much as 20% on the RRP.
They are also available for free to students who purchase certain Macs or iPads. For more information, visit the Apple website.
Bose QC Earbuds are only PS1 less expensive in the UK, at PS250. However, they cost $20 more in America at $280. They might be available at a slight discount, but they have had very few significant savings over their life span.
This round is, therefore, for Apple. Just.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Design
When designing true wireless earbuds, the shape is an important factor. We are fine with saying that neither the AirPods Pro’s long-stem design nor the QuietComfort Earbuds’ wide-stem frame is appealing. Period.
The AirPods Pro is still a better-looking product than the AirPods, but that’s not due to its smaller size. Apple’s system-in-package design (SIP), which houses the H1 chip and ANC circuitry, was a great idea.
These buds aren’t very sturdy, but the AirPods version has sweat and water resistance. You made it from eco-friendly materials, which many green thumbs will love.
The biggest change is the new sound port. It now supports ear tips for a more stable fit. Apple has also created its Ear Tip Fit Test, which determines the best fit for noise cancellation. Many wireless earbud manufacturers don’t show this level of commitment.
The AirPods Pro can be worn comfortably on the ears for approximately 3 hours before fatigue sets in.
Bose is known for making premium audio products. The QuietComfort Earbuds won’t favor style gurus because they aren’t durable. To protect the internals from sweat and water, the high-end composite plastic casing is IPX4-certified.
The buds also have IR sensors that can detect if the buds are in contact with an ear. Their minimalist design is disappointing compared to the Bose SoundSport Free wireless earbuds.
The QuietComfort Earbuds are almost identical in size to their predecessors, making them large and reducing comfort. The true wireless earbuds weigh in at 0.3 ounces.
After 45 minutes of listening, the concha is put under pressure by the extended sound port. Bose’s StayHear Max silicone tips and ear fins allow for a customized fit. The buds will remain in place when properly adjusted.
The difference in size makes the charging cases look like day and night. The AirPods Pro charging bag is lighter and more stylish to carry. The case is also a magnet that scratches easily and does not secure the buds. Dropping it on the ground will cause the buds to fly across the floor.
The Quietcomfort earbuds case is massive if you think Bose’s headphones are too big. It’s a large block of plastic that’s more than twice the size of Apple. Although it is not the most portable of the two, it has one attractive feature: A Bluetooth button that makes it easier to connect via Bluetooth.
Our pick: Airpods Pro
Battery And Power
These wireless earbuds can be charged wirelessly using a Qi-enabled charging case. You can also use a Lightning cable to charge the AirPods Pro or a USB-C Cable for the Bose.
These batteries have mixed battery life. Bose earbuds are the winner for single-charge usage for six hours. AirPods Pro gets only four and a quarter hours. However, you can extend that number to five if you disable ANC or transparency mode.
AirPods are the winners in total usage time with 19 more hours in the case, 24 hours. Bose earbuds net only 18 hours total with 12 hours left in the case.
We were surprised at how big the Bose case was. We expected a longer charging time due to its size. You may not have the opportunity to charge your ANC earbuds while you travel, which can make it very important.
Both offer quick charging. Apple claims an hour of usage after just five minutes, while Bose promises two hours after 15 minutes.
Bose QuietComfort Buds Vs AirPods Pro: Sound Quality
AirPods Pro has Apple’s neutral tonal balance. There’s no skew towards bass. The vents Apple added make them sound larger than their appearance would indicate. It’s much more like listening to music in the open than hearing it pumped into your brain via in-ear headphones. That’s a good thing.
The midrange is especially impressive. Vocals are rich in texture and detail. The treble is bright and has some sparkle. The only problem is that Transparency mode and noise-cancelling can cause a slight drop in audio quality. This is a small step down, but it’s still there.
The Apple earbuds sounds great, but Boses sound even better. They exude enthusiasm and excitement that is infectious. The bass is rich, and the melodies are precise. Bose’s subtle yet most effective noise cancellation technology allows each note to shine. Even with the noise cancelling turned 10, tracks retain their richness.
The AirPods sounds a little more open and neutral, but the Bose buds sound more engaging and impressive across the board.
The class-leading earbuds, Sennheiser True Momentum Wireless 2, at this price, offer more dynamics and timing than the two pairs we have (be aware that the Bose headphones boast superior noise cancellation).
Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
What Is The Difference Between Active Noise Cancellation And Passive?
The Apple AirPods Pro, as well as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, offer active noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro cannot compete with the best, but it will still be better than the Bose QC Earbuds.
The charts below show that the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds beat the AirPods Pro for isolation and active noise cancellation.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have ten levels of noise cancellation performance. This allows you to adjust the spatial audio throughput in any environment. The ANC blocks loud droning sounds at its highest level and any other earbuds on the market.
Active noise cancellation is best for low-frequency sounds such as the rumble of traffic or the drone of an aircraft. A rubber tip with a tight seal is best for isolation from high-end noises. This is what the Apple AirPods Pro, as well as Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, provide.
Connectivity
Bose uses Bluetooth 5.1, while Apple still uses Bluetooth 5 for AirPods Pro. Apple, however, is using its H1 wireless chips, which gives it an enormous advantage. The H1 chip uses Class 1 Bluetooth audio. This is more powerful and produces a stronger signal than the Class 2 audio commonly used in the industry.
AirPods Pro boasts a 100-foot range, while Bose has a standard 30-foot range.
AirPods Pro automatically syncs with all your Apple devices using the H1 chip. AirPods Pro appears immediately on your Apple TV and Apple Watch.
Unique Features
Before we move on to the critical ANC and audio quality comparisons, let’s take a look at each pair of earbuds.
AirPods Pro Features
The way AirPods proliferate across all of your Apple devices is amazing, as we have already mentioned. They are easy to pair by placing it near an iPhone. You can toggle between transparency and ANC from the Control Center of your Apple Watch, iPhone, or iPad. Even in macOS Big Sur.
Your Apple Watch Control Center displays the battery life and your iPad’s battery widget. Siri can also be useful, letting users know where their AirPods are and their battery. It can also control ANC.
Apple’s AirPods Pro has a unique fit test. This lets you try different tips and determine which one fits your ears the best. Adaptive EQ adjusts the audio EQ to your ears using the microphone inward.
This earbuds was updated with iOS 14. It now has new features like auto-switch, which allows you to switch between devices without pairing or unpair them, and spatial audio, which creates Dolby Atmos-like 3D sound. Developers can use it in their apps and games to create a more immersive experience.
Audio Share allows multiple AirPods Pro to be connected to an Apple ecosystem such as TV, iPhone, iPad, or iPad simultaneously.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Features
Bose offers 11 levels of noise cancellation, which is unique. You can let outside noise in your ears, but 11 will block out any outside noise. This is a lot more precise than AirPods Pro’s on/off toggle. Bose offers 11 levels so that you can assign your favorite ANC settings to the left earbud.
You can, for example, set your favorite to zero, five, or eleven and then tap to switch between them.
You can also set up a setting to automatically answer calls when the right earbuds are inserted. You don’t even need to pick up your phone when a call arrives. Insert an earbud, and the call will be answered.
You can control all of these settings from the Bose Music App. It displays the earbuds’ volume and ANC levels, firmware, and other settings.
AirPods Pro vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Call Quality
These are the best calling headsets available. Which model is better? The QuietComfort Earbuds. Bose’s microphone array is stunning. It provides clarity and crispness when answering calls and blocks outside sounds when chatting in noisy environments.
Three different clients and my spouse thought I was talking directly from my phone when we spoke.
The AirPods Pro also offers exceptional call quality. The buds can make clear calls in all environments and are resistant to the wind for chatting in cold conditions.
Because the battery life is poor, the H1 chip gives the buds 50 percent more talk time. This is great news! Bose’s earbuds are better at blocking high-frequency sounds.
Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Are The Microphones Any Good?
AirPods Pro does an excellent job at relaying vocal frequencies via the microphone. No matter what pitch your voice is, it shouldn’t be difficult to hear clearly.
A speech-detecting accelerometer is integrated with the beam-forming mics to reduce background noise. Your voice will be clear, whether you are talking indoors or out on the street.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds also has a decent microphone. However, its tone is slightly harsher than the AirPods Pro microphone. Sometimes, the QuietComfort Earbuds microphone clips audio, leading to slight distortion.
Please let us know which one you prefer after listening to the samples. You can then see what the rest of the world thinks.
Airpods Pro Vs. Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds: Controls
Apple has replaced its touch controls with a pinch gesture system at the bottom of each stem. This registers multiple presses to playback and manages calls.
Although it takes some time to get used to, it is very easy to use once you are comfortable with the gesture system and performs better than you might think.
You can also use the on-ear detection to automatically pause the music and resume playing when the buds are reinserted.
The digital assistant support is where the AirPods Pro outperforms QuietComfort Earbuds. “Hey Siri”, a feature that allows you to call your assistant, is perfect and gives accurate results. Apple’s microphones are excellent at speech recognition and can pick up vocals well.
This feature is only available on Apple devices. Apple makes it hard to use the digital assistant feature across other platforms. However, you can download third-party apps (e.g., Assistant Trigger is required to enable Google Assistant on Android devices.
Bose chose touch controls. These are responsive but limited to double taps or long presses. The QuietComfort Earbuds do not support single or triple-tap gestures. Only the left bud can be customized.
You can only switch ANC presets with a long press or skip a track/hear battery level (2x tap). Due to latency issues, you can’t remember on-ear detection. Expect a 1.50-second delay between music pauses/resumes.
Bose QC earbuds have a digital assistant that makes up for the lack of controls. Bose’s mic array uses to pick out vocals and block out outside sounds.
Siri and Google Assistant are excellent, accurately registering commands and responding to queries super-fast. Bixby, Cortana, and Bose’s buds are compatible. We find “Hey Siri” more useful.
Our pick: AirPods Pro
Bose Quietcomfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds Vs Apple Airpods Pro: Which Should You Choose?
It’s now time to make a decision. The Apple AirPods has a longer battery life and excellent iOS integration. These are also slightly cheaper than the competition. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds offer 11 levels of noise cancellation, better sound quality, and some other handy features.
The Apple AirPods Pro will work flawlessly for Apple users. They deliver a fantastic iOS experience. If you want to get the best sound quality and noise cancelling on the market and are willing to pay a higher price, then the Bose buds may be the right choice for you.
Conclusion
These true wireless headphones are only two options for noise-cancelling buds. There are many options available for exercisers and budget-friendly models that don’t require a cable. No matter what your budget or needs, there’s a pair for everyone. We hope found this article useful and could help you make the right decision.