Mine were delivered today. No earbud is perfect, so it's up to you to decide which features are most important. I was going for sound quality and ANC, and from my initial listening tests, Bose nailed it.
Very well said and I couldn't agree more. If you're going for ANC and sound quality, these might very well be the very best buds out there. Thanks for watching!
Agree with you 100%. ANC and sound quality most important to me. Seems illogical to me that people lament the inability to use one earbud at a time. Why buy ANC earbuds to use only one at a time, which defeats the purpose of ANC? But if you must have this feature, currently only the right earbud can be used in single mode. According to Bose, a firmware update will add this full feature in the future.
@@RawansReviews I like to have the full sound experience, so, like you, I don’t understand people who want one bud listening and awesome ANC, and great sound. But, it takes all sorts of people to make a world, so I just enjoy the buds. So many earbuds, so little time…
@@eddiesaninocencio7486 Tonight I had to come into the office to get some work done before I go away, and at the last second I took my Master and Dynamic buds instead of the Bose, but the Bose buds at least for now are my daily drivers.
Good review. For me, I don't use wireless charger, and single bud, all I am looking for are the greatest ANC and comfort. So I think they are the best choice for me. I think Bose got rid of wireless charging is one reason: people have always criticized the weight and size of the first generation, no wireless charging can significantly reduce the weight of the case. Since I have Sony linkbuds s which has no wireless charging, they are very light! Anyway, I think Bose should have provide two versions: one is with wireless and another one without wireless with a lower price.
Then these indeed might be for you! Though I'd wait a couple of days just in case the AirPods Pro have stupidly good ANC as well. Agreed about weight and size of the 1st gen, but I'm not sure that was the reason to get rid of wireless charging. Cost maybe? Who knows. I do have the AirPods Pro (1st gen) and Galaxy Buds2 Pro lying around, both have wireless charging, and both cases weigh 49 grams and 46 grams respectively...vs 59 grams for the Bose case, which doesn't have wireless charging. Go figure!
@@RawansReviews You are totally correct. It's totally mind boggling. Other cases can do wireless charging for smaller and lighter cases. You'd think a company like Bose has the technology to those things as well, but nooooh! 😄
I disagree personally. I think in 2022, with the weight and battery life of most wireless earbuds, wireless charging should be the industry standard! Especially at these prices
Your concerns are reasonable. For me ANC and audio quality are paramount. I like wireless charging but don't need it. Regarding multi-point I have found it unreliable - switching when I didn't want it to - instead I use iPhone shortcuts to quickly switch between devices when I want the switch to occur. I've been using earbuds for many years and have never had to switch to using only one earbud at a time so that is a feature of no benefit to me.
Comprehensive review. I can forgive the wireless charging and the master-slave pairing, but call quality is important. This is where they slip up a bit. I pre-ordered the APP (second-get) primarily because of the auto-pairing with my Apple devices and the comfort of their predecessors. While I suspect the Bose buds sound better with music, those two reasons give the edge to the APP. Sometimes it is the sum of all the features that wins instead of a device that sounds the best.
Perfectly put Mark, couldn't have phrased it any better. That sum of all features is precisely why the APP (1st gen) have been my daily buds thus far. Looking forward to what the APP 2nd gen bring this Friday. I just hope the ANC there would be as good (or close to?) the Bose's. Stay tuned!
Most of your gripes they can improve in a firmware update… imma have to find a way to get these. Thank you for opening my eyes to how great these are 👍
I appreciate a critical review. The way people mentioned wireless charging I was worried the earbuds themselves somehow couldn't charge through the case. Most of these problems are not an issue for me, but it's good to know the limitations of the device.
These are without a doubt one of the best earbuds I've owned in terms of sound, noise cancelling and comfort (easily competitive against the Bose 700 headphones also, which i also own).. Managed to pick them up a lot cheaper on the Black Friday sale, with another 15% off using my Am Ex gold card.. At this pricing point it was 100% worth it... the ANC is almost scary on these.. :-)
@@davidponce6132 They are both very good no-doubt, but with the earbuds being inserted in the ear I would say there is a difference, not huge I would say c 5-10%.
I have both the V1 and the V2 and the V2 is an improvement. I love the Bose because the sound is great, the touch controls seem to be better than other brands, and the ANC is outstanding. I agree that the call sound could be better and the Airpods have much better call sound. Battery life is never an issue with the V2 when the buds and the case are fully charged. It lasts a a long time unless you are using full ANC all day. My only complaint about the Bose V2 is the case and the removal and insertion of the buds into the case. I could see one of these falling out of my hands easily and sliding under an airplane seat only to be lost forever.
For me the ANC is the most important thing. I do wish they had multi-point though. I will try to snag these in the future when they're discounted a little. No wireless charging isn't a big deal to me.
I just received mine yesterday, single bud works for me. L or R. Caveat is, for the L bud to work in single mode, I need to have them both in the case, then pull ONLY the L out. It connects to my phone and it plays just fine, regardless if the case is open or closed. For the R one it doesn't matter, always works in single mode.
Nice review! I’m actually about to take my AirPods Pro 2 back. They just aren’t as comfortable as my beats fit pro and for me that’s the most important thing. I might try the Bose. Is the case bigger than the beats fit pro case?
Solid review. I’m not concerned with any of the points that you ruled as negatives. I don’t use that stuff. I love what it can give me and I’m looking forward to it being delivered to me in 4 days. Thanks for the info!!
@@RawansReviews they were actually delivered three days ago and the left earbud didn’t work. After troubleshooting with Bose I sent them back to exchange them
@@alexmcb0311 Oh, how unfortunate. Haven't really faced quality issues with Bose products in the past. Hard to enjoy these with only 1 bud, so hope you get the replacement soon enough
Very fair review. I own gen 1 and 2 and I miss the wireless charging. However all other cons are irrelevant for my uses. What I required for earbuds is the most powerful anc. And they’re incredible. The newest AirPods however have much cleaner transparency mode. I usually operate my qcebii in aware with active sense.
Myself, I could care less about wireless charging. I took my right earbud out and the left one kept going. I don’t see a problem. The active sense noise canceling is a game changer for contractors like myself for the hearing protection it provides in environments where saws are buzzing and all sorts of loud noises happening. These QCII’s are spectacular. I tried the Sony S Buds and the battery fully charged lasted 3 hours. Sent them back. Tried the new Beats Pro and they were a massive disappointment. Bose rarely disappoint.
They definitely shine in many areas. Other areas (like wireless charging) might not be important for some, important for others. Regarding the left earbud still working; it generally cuts off after about 10 minutes. Though, there is news floating around that Bose might fix the master-slave in a future firmware upgrade. Do let me know though if you’re able to continuously listen through left alone (with the right one inside the case / case closed) beyond 10 or so minutes. Thanks for watching!
I’m waiting for mine to arrive; noise canceling is of greatest importance to me; reportedly Bose (per their reps) are targeting high and mid frequency noise as well as low (all nc is usually only low frequency) with these buds which is a first. That was supposed to be years away technologically. Could be why the nc is so effective. Hoping so!
I love my gen 1 QC Earbuds except the size of them. I agree with your cons, maybe I like mine because none of those bother me. I would consider upgrading them to the QC II unless the Senheiser catches up on noise cancelling.
If these cons don't really bother you, then I envy you! And I'd definitely recommend the QC 2's! I do think they're a significant improvement over the 1st gens.
I just got mine today. Thank you for this break down. I wish I saw your video before I ordered them. You are correct, the case has a hard plastic feel instead of the modern silicone soft feel as others do. I hope Bose is not cheapening up like other luxury products.
So what do you recommend if not these? Based on the call quality, I found from my research the older generation Bose were the best for that, and expected these to be better. Which do you consider best for call quality with an Android phone?
I've found the AirPods Pro have the best call quality amongst earbuds. You _can_ still use them on Android, but it's less-than-an-ideal example. Check out my review of the Galaxy Buds2 Pro (ruclips.net/video/KdKXsxOaIDU/видео.html), I think their call quality is a bit better than the Bose's. I will probably make a head-to-head comparison video between the Bose, Buds2 Pro, and the new AirPods Pro 2 sometime soon. Stay tuned!
Great review Rawan… you are doing a great job … keep it up … after ur review I’ll buy AirPods Pro Gen 2. Have everything almost covered for the negatives of this Bose … Cheers !!
Nice review and pleased you have mentioned how good the ANC is. I will definitely be buying a pair as a result of your review, not bothered about wireless (slow) charging as the ANC is solely the reason i want these.
Thanks! Glad you liked the review and found it helpful. I put a link in the description if you end up deciding to purchase them. It’s an affiliate link, so I could make a small commission there- but thanks for your support anyway!
This is the best review I've seen for this product. I bought a pair just to see why they were $300 and was blown away by the ANC, and sound quality, which is what I'm keeping them for. I was able to get a $75 discount because I work for the retailer I bought them from. Still, for $300, I'd wish the quality of the charging case didn't feel like it was made for a $20 pair of wireless buds.
I have the same dealbreaker like you, without the size of the case. It is so sad that the little things by side are so bad like the Mikrofon quality and the not available Bluetooth features. P.s sorry for my bad English, it’s not my first language
They are expensive, but the most basic features are missing. I specifically waited for the review, because even the official website does not talk about mono mode. Something is wrong with Bose, they slowed down the development of their products. Simple Chinese headphones are much more advanced than A-class brands Thank's for your review !!!
They're probably doing it on purpose though. Trickling small features and improvements, reserving it for the following year next model...OR they just really suck in cramming features in small packaging.
Subscribed. Great video with useful informations. Still hesitating to change my beloved first Version QC to the second one. Size doesn't bother me and I like the sound and ANC a lot. Maybe I get the opportunity to check the 2. Version out somewhere.
I think if you love the 1st gens, you would love these even more. But indeed best thing would be to try and try them out somewhere. Thanks for the sub!
Thanks for the detailed and balanced review. I'm looking for a reason to buy wireless ANC headphones or earbuds to upgrade from my wired Bose headphones. And I'm like you -- for the price, I don't want to have to settle for inferior call quality - I'm not going to annoy my clients on calls because they can't understand me. And I'm not going to take them out of my ear, disconnect and switch to the phone just to have the ANC. For me to buy these, they need to make my life easier, not add difficulties.
This emphasis on the Bose QC case(s) being just as small as the Apple or Samsung case(s) is unreasonable, in my opinion. I hear a lot of reviewers rave about the comfort and ANC of the previous QC version, which have the large StayHear + tips that are a big reason for the aforementioned, yet gripe about the case not being similar to Bose’s competitors. They’ve done a reasonable job of reducing the size of the version II case (it’s very pocketable)- while retaining that world class ANC and comfort. They’ve also improved the sound quality quite a bit; I hear most reviewers saying this as well. I agree that the lack of wireless charging, multipoint connection, and single (left) bud usage is very disappointing and (really) inexcusable, considering the price and current state of technology. What I don’t agree with is this fixation on the case (and to a lesser extent earbuds) being as small as these other brands that don’t perform as well, when it comes to ANC, comfort, and sound. On a side note, a shortcut can be created for both the left and right earbuds. You just need to select each earbud at the top of the screen separately to do so. This emphasis on the Bose QC case(s) being just as small as the Apple or Samsung case(s) is unreasonable, in my opinion. I hear a lot of reviewers rave about the comfort and ANC of the previous QC version, which have the large StayHear + tips that are a big reason for the aforementioned, yet gripe about the case not being similar to Bose’s competitors. They’ve done a reasonable job of reducing the size of the version II case (it’s very pocketable)- while retaining that world class ANC and comfort. They’ve also improved the sound quality quite a bit; I hear most reviewers saying this as well. I agree that the lack of wireless charging, multipoint connection, and single (left) bud usage is very disappointing and (really) inexcusable, considering the price and current state of technology. What I don’t agree with is this fixation on the case (and to a lesser extent earbuds) being as small as these other brands that don’t perform as well, when it comes to ANC, comfort, and sound. On a side note, a shortcut can be created for both the left and right earbuds. You just need to select each earbud at the top of the screen separately to do so.
I bought them for the ANC. They're only slightly better than my Bose 520 wired earbuds. They are significantly better than my Sony XM41000s. None of these earbuds offer aircraft grade headphone ANC, but they are effective. I use them on my motorcycle where the ultimate test is killing wind noise. Haven't had the chance to test the new QC2's yet. The 520s are effective at ANC, but not enough, even less so with the XM4s. As for all the rest of the fluffy controls, I'll leave those to the experts, I don't really need all of them.
Very in depth review ..point to be made Bose in the history of the brand wether its home theater, headsets, clock radio (remember that?) was never ever cheap you always paid premium price for Bose quality sound I never agreed with it but you can't deny these guys were at the top of their game ..and the Bose QC 2 are no exception the ANC is even better than full size headsets I got mine on sale worth it wireless is not a deal breaker for me as I've never used it . Cheers
@@nirohayon8228 I haven't tried the Beoplay, but I am working right now on a comparison video comparing the AirPods Pro 2, the Bose QC Earbuds 2, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro. Make sure to subscribe to get notified when I release it, it might be helpful to you! Cheers, Rawan
I just got the new Bose QC 2's and the APP 2's... and have been testing them out. I'll say this... Apple made great improvements on their ANC. They also seem to have improved their multipoint connectivity (though maybe I just didn't notice it as much before... since I avoided using them). The APP's always did a good job of finding them, but now it's practically effortless. Crude example: If I'm listening to Spotify on my iPad/Mac and then rush to the bathroom (bad burrito), it immediately switches over to my iPhone (without me doing anything). Same with Apple TV. The second you switch to a new Apple device, it knows... and either asks you ("Hey, bro...") or does it for you. Again, it's probably always been like that... but I'm noticing it now. I go back and forth over which SOUNDS better. Love the bass on the Bose, but... the APP 2's also sound really nice (a bit... clearer; note: Bose lets you customize the sound, so... Apple can't really compete with that). Where I thought Spatial was gimmicky before, I now feel that... some songs actually sound richer and more 3-dimensional with the APP 2's... though I still hate having to keep my head focused straight (WTF; not something that interests me). As for how they look... oh, the Bose are much cooler (I've always thought the APP's were a little douchey). I also think the touch controls on the Bose QC 2's are much easier (the pinching and grabbing on the APP 2's can be a bit annoying). I don't know. I need to test them out in real-world conditions (loud restaurant, kids). I'm torn at the moment, though. Here's my breakdown (again... so far): Best ANC: Bose (the APP 2's are close, but Bose shuts EVERYTHING out) Best Sonic Footprint: They're split evenly right now. I like the bass on the Bose, but the APP 2's are clean/clear. Best Fit: Different for everyone, but for me... Bose (I don't have to fuck with them; they just... fit) Best Look: Subjective, but I think the Bose look pretty damn cool (and the APP 2's still look silly) Best Charging/Case: APP 2's (smaller case; wireless charging is a plus, though I can live without it) Best Multipoint Connectivity: APP 2's (assuming you're an Apple user; it's all manual with Bose) Best Touch Controls: Bose (I also like that I can create a "Music" mode where it's set halfway between ANC & transparent) Best App: Well, Bose is the only one with an app... but you do need to open the app (whereas APP 2 assistance is baked in if you have an iPhone) Best Price Point: Well... the APP 2's are cheaper I should point out that the Bose are a bit harder to get out of the case. Oh... side note. I read a comment once about how the APPs (either version) have an "Off" mode... and Bose doesn't ("BAM! TAKE THAT, Bose!!!"). Yeah... so? I have two primary modes when it comes to headphones (earbuds or over ear): listening to something and not listening to something. If I'm NOT listening to something, guess what I'm not going to be using? Bingo. So I've never, personally, seen a reason for an "Off" mode... unless, maybe... you accidentally dipped them in super glue and can't get them out (where maybe that's how you'll go through life now... with earbuds permanently attached to your head). That, or maybe some pickpocket took off with your case. You reach down into your sling bag/purse, but realize it's gone... along with the condoms and breath mints. Those were really good mints, too. What a shitty day now. Which one am I leaning toward? Again, I'm torn. I prefer Bose headphones, in general. I don't really care about wireless charging... provided the battery life is good... and both cases last for days (besides, I rarely use earbuds for an extended period of time; if I'm on a plane, I go with my all-time favorites... the wired Bose QC 20's; they have great ANC and soft tips that don't feel heavy after hours of use). Going back to these new models... I have a feeling Bose will win out if only because the touch controls are better (for me), you can create custom listening modes, and they have the best ANC (and I am extremely noise sensitive). You can't really go wrong with either of them, though (or the Sony's). It just depends on what matters most.
I agree with you. The cons are a reason as to why i go with airpods/pro. But i am not happy with Apple for updates(buggy). And now airpods pro pick lot of noise in noisy environment apart from the connectivity issues for updation. I would love a combination, apple pro 2 design, bose audio, jabra noise cancelling mic and sony ANC. :D
I like your reasons for not buying but I have one more that's even more important for me, and I have yet to see any reviewer mention it as a problem: Why should I have to choose between ANC control and digital assistant access? I'm hoping in an update they will fix this. All the other issues I can put up with.
@@chipsawdust5816 Thanks! I finally figured that out. Now my main gripes are occasional sound cutouts or volume spikes, the fact that they fall out of my ears, and the sound of breeze or wind not getting filtered out. Otherwise I like them and use them often, though that's largely out of a sense of obligation after spending so much on them. I probably should have returned them.
It is not possible to swich off anc and awareness mode. So even if you have anc fully on you can still hear wind blowing in to it. 300euros worth of buds. Horrible. Hope they will update that
I wonder if Sennheiser TW3 or Technics AZ60, daily use (also gym), good sound, ANC and comfort in my ear, I had Sennheiser Momentum 1 and overall were great (just one problem could not play music with one ear and low Battery, it was still the beginning of real Wireles in general, so it was understandable), but I probably had a bad piece and were often in reclamation. So I'm more for the technique, Bose is great, but so many reviews said it wasn't worth the money. Do you think I should give Sennheiser's second chance? Or try technology? I have nothing against barefoot, I would like to try them, because wireless charging is definitely not important to me, on the contrary they have a top shape of all hearing aids, maybe they would also have the advantage that they are new and Would good updates come out in the future. Money is not a problem for me, but I don't want to pay purely for something that makes no sense when something cheaper does the same way, if you understand me (and so I perceive the bose QC2 for the moment)
Honestly with how expensive these are, they'd never be my daily buds, so I don't mind not having single bud or wireless charging. I'll use these just for at home, the gym, or travel. Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are the ones that stay with me at all times.
The call quality in your video didn't sound bad considering where you were... The wireless charging is not that big of a deal for me... Based on what I have read in other reviews, these buds should get multipoint and separate earbud use via firmware update due to the chip that Bose is using. They should have had it enabled when they released these but I would rather get it after they get it right!
I went through 2 pairs of AirPods trying to get good noise cancellation, and they just weren't cutting it. I was thrilled with the Bose QC II for that and exchanged the AirPods for them. It would have been amazing if they didn't have connection issues. I can't connect them to my Lenovo Yoga laptop. I can connect them to my Dell (work laptop) and my MacBook and my iPhone, but the minute I try to take a call on the iPhone, I can't hear the person on the other end. I can hear music from my phone through them and the person can hear me on the other end of the call, but I can't hear the person. So frustrated with these issues. I guess I should have kept the AirPods.
Thanks for the comment! Not sure if you meant for calls or music. But I just did a quick test facing a fan; calls were ok, not too impacted I'd say, but not the best call quality as I showed anyway. For music; it would appear with light to medium winds, should be fine. You can slightly hear it when on aware mode, but could be drowned down by music too. But I'd say the advantage is that you could have "variable" ANC, so you can play around with a level of awareness mode that minimizes wind noise. Hope this helps!
In 2022, with a case and earbuds of this size, no wireless charging, just 6 hours per charge, no mono mode, impossible to deactivate ANC, no multipoint, no ADAPTIVE APTX or LDAC, and an astronomical price, 😳 The Airpods Pro 2 even if they are only 20% better than the previous ones will be the default choice for 90% of Apple users, and they still went from 4h30mn to 6h with ANC activated, volume management directly on the earbuds, and above all it's Apple. In the Android world, Bose's proposal this year is difficult to justify against 1More, Soundcore, OnePlus Buds Pro, and other Sennheisers. I think the Airpods Pro 2 will still roll over the competition.
idk why people need to use single bud nowadays, it doesn't sound good (for music), it's bad for your ear, bad for your earbud (battery degrade not balance) and not helping anything since your earbuds has good transparency mode. But wireless charging is MUST HAVE feature also multi-point connectivity is important with me 'cause I have more than 1 phone and a computer. I'm still using 3 pairs of earbuds for each one of them: Airpods for my ip, SS buds 2 for my samsung and a fullsize for my computer so if there is some solution for that It'll be great.
Single bud earbuds is often for calls (or maybe podcast) where you would want more situational awareness, maybe driving, riding a bike, or even walking on busy streets. It's also useful so your self-vote doesn't sound too weird and muffled--though that can be combatted with good transparency mode. But still, there could be plenty of cases where you want to keep 1 ear free, and use only 1 bud. Might not be a dealbreaker, or even an issue, for many, but for some, it definitely is.
The only real issue i find with the buds is the quality of conversation in noisy places, compared to the samasung buds the difference is huge!!! I really hope they can improve it via firmware update.
I'm simply a guy with standards. If I'm to support something with my hard-earned money, don't demonize me for expecting more than what others would settle for. These are multi-million/billion/etc. companies making these products, not charity cases. It would do both the consumer and company a disservice to settle for less than the best or better. With all of that being said, I couldn't agree more. This is a $300 headset. Every single one of those shortcomings are inexcusable. Not only are there cheaper headsets that offer more than this headset, like multipoint connectivity, but $300 unfailingly justifies better call quality, single earbud use, wireless charging, and multipoint connectivity. They don't have to perform heart surgery to include these features in a $300 headset for crying out loud, so it's stupid to defend this nonsense. It doesn't matter if you need it or not. You're paying $300 for this thing. I'll take a ribbon and a free voucher if they were offered as well. It's pathetic that a lot of consumers can only be corporate lapdogs and act like having standards is a detriment. That's why these companies get away with this scummy crap.
Im really late to the ball on the topic of earbuds as im in search of a new pair. My first gen samsung buds been losing the volume on one of the bud after years of sweat from the gym, dropped and been thrown in the washine mashine a few times by misstake. I agree the mic quality could have been a lot better. But for me that like to have one bud at the time during work as it makes it real easy for me to listening to music/podcast and still hear what people saying to me in the conversation. And i just saw that a firmware update from feburary 2023 they added the addition to have independent use of each other. So now im thinking of getting these as you can adjust the volume up or down on a single ear. Insead of grab my phone to decrease/incease the volume if i dont have that one in at the moment. When it comes to riding on trains etc i do really enjoy a good pair of noice cancellation. Witch i think gen 1 of samsung buds did a real great job of
I appreciate your candor. Is it possible to use the right earbud alone with full noise cancelling functionality? For example, if I were to sleep on my left side would the right earbud continue to block noise?
Yes you can. That capability is off by default, but under In-Ear Detection, there’s a toggle for Auto Transparency which automatically activated aware mode when only the right earbud is in. If you turn that off, you can indeed switch to ANC even with 1 earbud.
I wanted the BEST noise cancellation available. I could live without the best possible call clarity & wireless charging (although it IS 2022), but lacking multi-device connectivity, & single bud usage, was just an outright design flaw. It was an absolute deal breaker for me and I suspect for a lot of frequent global travelers.
So far, I haven't had any issue with multipoint connect. My original QC was sometimes unreliable disconnecting from current device but haven't had any issues yet. I do miss wireless charging a lot though. But otherwise, love it. Makes my ear canal itchy more than my original QC but that's par for the course.
Seems like there's always a compromise. For me, I wanted buds that had good ANC and could connect to Android and iOS without losing all of the settings available. I wish Samsung and Apple would support each other here so i could use their excellent buds on any of my phones. I just picked these up yesterday and so far I love the sound and comfort. They are a bit buggy though, especially on my Android phone. The app loses connection but the BT connection is still present. iOS did this once so far.
I thought you were way picky, still bought them with cyber Monday price. Apple has a cheap feel and they fall off when running. Plus what I’m ultimately looking for is noise cancellation and great sound quality🎉
Thanks for the review, what would you recommend for an Android user? these or airpods pro 2? Can still use ANC on pro2 with Android , just cant change "levels" of ANC? thanks
I had the app gen 1 and based on that experience i would not recommended them for android. The earbuds themselves are awesome but so many features just dont work on android. Think of battery percentage, transparency mode, renaming, pause when you pick them out of your ear.
I got a pair Bose QC 2 they are awesome they stay fitted do-not comenout have great ANC and transparency mode which you can adjust by tapping the buds easily. The sound profile is very good if not one of best out of the box if you can get them for $250 great if not ..Galaxy buds 2 pro are a great alternative..with more features and slightly less AnC plus wireless charging.
Hey! Thanks for the review, I recently took advantage of the Black Friday sale for a pair of these. I’m sold with everything but the call quality is laughable. I couldn’t believe how awful they were. I was in like at Chipotle when I received my first call, and the person on the other line couldn’t hear my voice at all, nor I his. And this was only with some distance background music. I’m coming from Beats Studio buds which seem better to me the the Bose and they’re $200 cheaper. So these are my questions: Is it possible that this pair is defective in this feature somehow, or are these really that bad? If they really are this bad is there a chance in the future that a firmware update will make it better (because at the moment I’m thinking this is the feature I will use most, even though I love everything else about them, so they may not be worth the high cost?) Last question, when I purchased these there were only the black and the white colors, if I return them and wait a year, is there a chance that there would be additional colors and that the poor call quality would be better?
Nope! Even if you do more search on youtube video reviews, Bose call quality is totally trash. They're really just good for music listening with ANC, that's it. This is a good comparison review: ruclips.net/video/7p8cG6q4cGA/видео.html&ab_channel=PickyAudio
Thanks for the comment Candace. I normally avoid purchasing something for a future promised feature, especially if it's a deal breaker feature. Is it possible they would fix call quality? Sure, it's possible. Is it likely? I doubt it. There might be some incremental enhancements with future firmware updates, but I genuinely doubt it would be groundbreaking. It's also possible new colors would be released, but I also doubt that. My recommendation: if you need a solution to a problem today, look at what is currently on the market that can solve it. If its can wait, maybe wait till the perfect solution is released. PS: If call quality is important, I've made a comparison review of these and AirPods Pro 2 / Galaxy Buds2 Pro which you might find helpful: ruclips.net/video/7MmeD4HKDgE/видео.html. I've also recently released a video on the Jabra Evolve2 Buds ruclips.net/video/gCIyZFwdZrE/видео.html. Good luck with your search!
@@RawansReviews There are currently two other colors being offered on the Bose website. Blue and slate gray. I got the gray ones. So that doubt can be erased, perhaps they'll work on other things as well. They did say "limited time" on the colors but I call that marketing hype.
From this review's comments, many seem to have the impression that you cannot use a single bud. However, this is not the case. You can indeed use the right bud alone.
I would live with the Bose QC2 short comings due to the secure fit but much to my surprise, I prefer the sound of the Airpods Pro 2. A richer sound with a widened soundstage compared to the Bose. The Airpods fit? Not so much.
I agree about the AirPods Pro fit. Personally I got a much better fit with memory foam tips--I made a video about that if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/YUCHi9ngdbY/видео.html.
Do these have a 'find my earbuds' feature? When I searched for that info it came up with 'Bose Sport' instructions, but I found nothing for the QC earbuds or the QC earbuds II.
I hate these new smaller design! I loved the QC 1 case and quality. I guess these new QC are more losable now that there tiny. I’ve lost 3 pair of AirPods because there sooo damn small and easily get misplaced. Plus I have bigger ears so these QC 1 feel much more comfortable
Why OH why couldn't Bose just make the microphone a tad bit better. I've heard much much cheaper earphones with better call quality (sans ANC). Maybe a software update?! It's beyond my understanding. If only they had put some thought into 1. Software ii. Call audio. iii. Connectivity iv. wireless chrg (not that imp.) ///... I bet a bunch of accountants having no love of music and audio influenced the Bose devs so that they could have more window for launching "better" versions for a premium. Anyways, have ordered the Bose QC ii earbuds. Let's see if I like it hands-on.
I have them, and they're good.. the only thing that really gets to me, well 2 things, is how they sound like crap if you use them on PC and the mic is active, such as in a zoom meeting or in an online video game (but that's more of a Bluetooth issue). The other thing which I don't know if I can get over is not being able to use one earbud at a time (other than just the right). If these had like a 10 hour battery life than sure, I might overlook that, but I work 8 hours a day minimum, so that can be an issue for me. I'm going to test them out for a couple more weeks, and worse case scenario return them before the 90 day return policy if they get on my nerves too much. Just expected at least the ability to use either earbud one at a time if i wanted for earbuds at this price point..
Very valid points you make Joseph. And making use of Bose's 90 day return policy is an excellent idea, try them out and see how you feel about them. Thanks for watching!
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II I bought these would like to only use the left earphone because I'm left-handed and work only the proplem either they are off right away or they play a few songs when I close the socket. or can I only use it for two or just the right one alone?
They employ a master-slave configuration, where the right earbud is the master. This means that the left earbud connects to the right earbud. So if the right is not connected, the left will stop working after a few mins. The only way then is to either use both, or the right alone (for now at least as this could later change via firmware update). Cheers
I bought these despite the negative reviews and am very happy with them. They sound great, fit well, and has great ANC. I bought it initially for the ANC and was surprised that it actually sounded really good too. And they're comfortable for long period of wear.
I'm starting to think that if you're not one of the big wigs that cost an arm and a leg, they say it's OK. I'm thinking of getting these, I had the 1st generation. The only reason I wouldn't say they were the best is a lack of play control.
@@RawansReviews thank you for responding! So to be clear the sound quality is the same between both but the ANC is better on the 2nd generation? Thank you!
All the people here in the comments are just trying to make themselves feel better by highlighting good things and calling it satisfied just because they have spent a huge amount on these earbuds. The honest truth is, Bose was stupid af not having the most sought after features like multipoint and better mic quality and wireless. It just sucks, I will wait for their next gen
If you turned the things on and no sound came out then I think a justifiable complaint could be levied due to them being a device for transferring sound into the ear. Everything else is just petty.
@@RawansReviews I would say that if a door lets you in and out but does not come with a loud enough bell or a wide enough letterbox to accommodate a small elephant then you have no real complaint.
I see your point Phil. The point I was trying to make is that when paying $300 for a pair of headphones, there are a few "extra" things people have come to expect from buds. True that these don't affect the core function of the buds, but still for many people, are expected and could even be deterrents for purchase. Proof point being the countless people I've come across who decided not to purchase these, despite the stellar ANC and sound, for lack for such features. Perhaps a better analogy than the phone would have been paying good money for a luxury car but not getting leather seats, climate control, a decent entertainment system, etc... The car still takes you from point A to point B. All these are not essential, but expected nonetheless. Especially when cars for a fifth of the price offer them. But, we might agree to disagree--and that's fine too. Cheers
No I don't believe it can. However it appears there's an update for the 2nd generation that has started rolling out, that allows independent usage of left/right.
I am currently using them. With a Cashback deal I was able to buy them for 250 I might return them eventually but we’ll see. I think the 3rd Generation is where it’s at. Hopefully…
I truly dislike earbuds. They are not comfortable. I have had several different kinds. The apple version are the worst for comfort in my ears. I have the over the ear QC headphones for air travel. I really thought I loved them. Then I got these. I have no idea why I thought they would be a good idea. I expected expensive failure. I forget these are in my ears. Honestly. I sometimes have to check. The QC headphones hang near my computer and only get used when I am too lazy to get up and go get the buds from the bedside table. They make my head itch. Didn't realize it was the headphones till I got the buds. The sound is great, the noise cancelling is good. I plan to take these on the plane when I fly to Europe later this year instead of the headphones I purchased for plane travel.
Interesting. I just tried it and I could now connect the left earbud alone, though can't make calls with left alone. Could have been a software update indeed. Thanks for the comment! Edit: that seems to only work for around 10 mins before it discconnects. Does yours exhibit the same behavior?
I hope so--but I have to judge these on how they are today, not a promised future upgrade. Fair for wireless charging, but some (me included) it is somewhat of a big deal. Not a deal breaker, but something important to me that I'd like from $299 earbuds. Thanks for watching!
@@grapelund leave the left ear piece in your while then hold down paring mode button if i remember correctly, that process is not needed on right side ear piece since it's act as master.
*Amazon product pages (affiliate):
Bose QC Earbuds II: amzn.to/3tgHnMr
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Mine were delivered today. No earbud is perfect, so it's up to you to decide which features are most important. I was going for sound quality and ANC, and from my initial listening tests, Bose nailed it.
Very well said and I couldn't agree more. If you're going for ANC and sound quality, these might very well be the very best buds out there. Thanks for watching!
Agree with you 100%. ANC and sound quality most important to me. Seems illogical to me that people lament the inability to use one earbud at a time. Why buy ANC earbuds to use only one at a time, which defeats the purpose of ANC? But if you must have this feature, currently only the right earbud can be used in single mode. According to Bose, a firmware update will add this full feature in the future.
@@RawansReviews I like to have the full sound experience, so, like you, I don’t understand people who want one bud listening and awesome ANC, and great sound. But, it takes all sorts of people to make a world, so I just enjoy the buds. So many earbuds, so little time…
Good choice sir I agree with you so I will purchase a pair myself.
@@eddiesaninocencio7486 Tonight I had to come into the office to get some work done before I go away, and at the last second I took my Master and Dynamic buds instead of the Bose, but the Bose buds at least for now are my daily drivers.
Good review. For me, I don't use wireless charger, and single bud, all I am looking for are the greatest ANC and comfort. So I think they are the best choice for me. I think Bose got rid of wireless charging is one reason: people have always criticized the weight and size of the first generation, no wireless charging can significantly reduce the weight of the case. Since I have Sony linkbuds s which has no wireless charging, they are very light! Anyway, I think Bose should have provide two versions: one is with wireless and another one without wireless with a lower price.
Then these indeed might be for you! Though I'd wait a couple of days just in case the AirPods Pro have stupidly good ANC as well. Agreed about weight and size of the 1st gen, but I'm not sure that was the reason to get rid of wireless charging. Cost maybe? Who knows. I do have the AirPods Pro (1st gen) and Galaxy Buds2 Pro lying around, both have wireless charging, and both cases weigh 49 grams and 46 grams respectively...vs 59 grams for the Bose case, which doesn't have wireless charging. Go figure!
@@RawansReviews You are totally correct. It's totally mind boggling. Other cases can do wireless charging for smaller and lighter cases. You'd think a company like Bose has the technology to those things as well, but nooooh! 😄
I disagree personally. I think in 2022, with the weight and battery life of most wireless earbuds, wireless charging should be the industry standard! Especially at these prices
I have the first GEN, I guess I need a wireless charger
Your concerns are reasonable. For me ANC and audio quality are paramount. I like wireless charging but don't need it. Regarding multi-point I have found it unreliable - switching when I didn't want it to - instead I use iPhone shortcuts to quickly switch between devices when I want the switch to occur. I've been using earbuds for many years and have never had to switch to using only one earbud at a time so that is a feature of no benefit to me.
Fair points! Then I think you would absolutely love these earbuds ;)
@@RawansReviews so far I do. I've only had them a couple days but really liking them thus far.
Comprehensive review. I can forgive the wireless charging and the master-slave pairing, but call quality is important. This is where they slip up a bit. I pre-ordered the APP (second-get) primarily because of the auto-pairing with my Apple devices and the comfort of their predecessors. While I suspect the Bose buds sound better with music, those two reasons give the edge to the APP. Sometimes it is the sum of all the features that wins instead of a device that sounds the best.
Perfectly put Mark, couldn't have phrased it any better. That sum of all features is precisely why the APP (1st gen) have been my daily buds thus far. Looking forward to what the APP 2nd gen bring this Friday. I just hope the ANC there would be as good (or close to?) the Bose's. Stay tuned!
Most of your gripes they can improve in a firmware update… imma have to find a way to get these. Thank you for opening my eyes to how great these are 👍
I appreciate a critical review. The way people mentioned wireless charging I was worried the earbuds themselves somehow couldn't charge through the case. Most of these problems are not an issue for me, but it's good to know the limitations of the device.
Ha. Well _that_ would have been a disaster, if the buds didn't charge wirelessly! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the review ;)
These are without a doubt one of the best earbuds I've owned in terms of sound, noise cancelling and comfort (easily competitive against the Bose 700 headphones also, which i also own).. Managed to pick them up a lot cheaper on the Black Friday sale, with another 15% off using my Am Ex gold card.. At this pricing point it was 100% worth it... the ANC is almost scary on these.. :-)
You're not wrong Shahzad..
So by how much is the anc and sound quality on the bose 700 better than the QC2? Only a little bit maybe?
@@davidponce6132 They are both very good no-doubt, but with the earbuds being inserted in the ear I would say there is a difference, not huge I would say c 5-10%.
I have both the V1 and the V2 and the V2 is an improvement. I love the Bose because the sound is great, the touch controls seem to be better than other brands, and the ANC is outstanding. I agree that the call sound could be better and the Airpods have much better call sound. Battery life is never an issue with the V2 when the buds and the case are fully charged. It lasts a a long time unless you are using full ANC all day. My only complaint about the Bose V2 is the case and the removal and insertion of the buds into the case. I could see one of these falling out of my hands easily and sliding under an airplane seat only to be lost forever.
For me the ANC is the most important thing. I do wish they had multi-point though. I will try to snag these in the future when they're discounted a little. No wireless charging isn't a big deal to me.
I just received mine yesterday, single bud works for me. L or R. Caveat is, for the L bud to work in single mode, I need to have them both in the case, then pull ONLY the L out. It connects to my phone and it plays just fine, regardless if the case is open or closed. For the R one it doesn't matter, always works in single mode.
So youre telling us that you can use a single bud with the case closed?
Apparently that is working, though it appears you can't make calls from the left earbud alone..
Also a good comparison and review which can help you pick! ruclips.net/video/7p8cG6q4cGA/видео.html&ab_channel=PickyAudio
Nice review! I’m actually about to take my AirPods Pro 2 back. They just aren’t as comfortable as my beats fit pro and for me that’s the most important thing. I might try the Bose. Is the case bigger than the beats fit pro case?
Thanks! I unfortunately don’t have a Beats Fit Pro at hand to compare, I think they’re similar in size, maybe a bit slimmer.
Solid review. I’m not concerned with any of the points that you ruled as negatives. I don’t use that stuff. I love what it can give me and I’m looking forward to it being delivered to me in 4 days. Thanks for the info!!
Thanks for watching! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in them.
@@RawansReviews they were actually delivered three days ago and the left earbud didn’t work. After troubleshooting with Bose I sent them back to exchange them
@@alexmcb0311 Oh, how unfortunate. Haven't really faced quality issues with Bose products in the past. Hard to enjoy these with only 1 bud, so hope you get the replacement soon enough
Very fair review. I own gen 1 and 2 and I miss the wireless charging. However all other cons are irrelevant for my uses. What I required for earbuds is the most powerful anc. And they’re incredible. The newest AirPods however have much cleaner transparency mode. I usually operate my qcebii in aware with active sense.
Have they update the buds that you allow you to use one bud?
Great video keep up the quality and you’ll be to million subscribers in no time
Thanks! Appreciated!
Myself, I could care less about wireless charging. I took my right earbud out and the left one kept going. I don’t see a problem. The active sense noise canceling is a game changer for contractors like myself for the hearing protection it provides in environments where saws are buzzing and all sorts of loud noises happening. These QCII’s are spectacular. I tried the Sony S Buds and the battery fully charged lasted 3 hours. Sent them back. Tried the new Beats Pro and they were a massive disappointment. Bose rarely disappoint.
They definitely shine in many areas. Other areas (like wireless charging) might not be important for some, important for others. Regarding the left earbud still working; it generally cuts off after about 10 minutes. Though, there is news floating around that Bose might fix the master-slave in a future firmware upgrade. Do let me know though if you’re able to continuously listen through left alone (with the right one inside the case / case closed) beyond 10 or so minutes. Thanks for watching!
Great Review! Be prepared for the Bose aficionados to come after you lol
Ha. I already see them coming! 😀
I’m waiting for mine to arrive; noise canceling is of greatest importance to me; reportedly Bose (per their reps) are targeting high and mid frequency noise as well as low (all nc is usually only low frequency) with these buds which is a first. That was supposed to be years away technologically. Could be why the nc is so effective. Hoping so!
I love my gen 1 QC Earbuds except the size of them. I agree with your cons, maybe I like mine because none of those bother me. I would consider upgrading them to the QC II unless the Senheiser catches up on noise cancelling.
If these cons don't really bother you, then I envy you! And I'd definitely recommend the QC 2's! I do think they're a significant improvement over the 1st gens.
I just got mine today. Thank you for this break down. I wish I saw your video before I ordered them. You are correct, the case has a hard plastic feel instead of the modern silicone soft feel as others do. I hope Bose is not cheapening up like other luxury products.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
So what do you recommend if not these? Based on the call quality, I found from my research the older generation Bose were the best for that, and expected these to be better. Which do you consider best for call quality with an Android phone?
I've found the AirPods Pro have the best call quality amongst earbuds. You _can_ still use them on Android, but it's less-than-an-ideal example. Check out my review of the Galaxy Buds2 Pro (ruclips.net/video/KdKXsxOaIDU/видео.html), I think their call quality is a bit better than the Bose's. I will probably make a head-to-head comparison video between the Bose, Buds2 Pro, and the new AirPods Pro 2 sometime soon. Stay tuned!
Great review Rawan… you are doing a great job … keep it up … after ur review I’ll buy AirPods Pro Gen 2. Have everything almost covered for the negatives of this Bose … Cheers !!
Glad you found it helpful, and thanks for watching!
Nice review and pleased you have mentioned how good the ANC is. I will definitely be buying a pair as a result of your review, not bothered about wireless (slow) charging as the ANC is solely the reason i want these.
Thanks! Glad you liked the review and found it helpful. I put a link in the description if you end up deciding to purchase them. It’s an affiliate link, so I could make a small commission there- but thanks for your support anyway!
This is the best review I've seen for this product. I bought a pair just to see why they were $300 and was blown away by the ANC, and sound quality, which is what I'm keeping them for. I was able to get a $75 discount because I work for the retailer I bought them from. Still, for $300, I'd wish the quality of the charging case didn't feel like it was made for a $20 pair of wireless buds.
Thanks for the comment and for watching!
That's an insult to my $20 earbud case! My $20 wireless earbud case actually has better quality than Bose! LOL!😅
I have the same dealbreaker like you, without the size of the case. It is so sad that the little things by side are so bad like the Mikrofon quality and the not available Bluetooth features.
P.s sorry for my bad English, it’s not my first language
They are expensive, but the most basic features are missing. I specifically waited for the review, because even the official website does not talk about mono mode. Something is wrong with Bose, they slowed down the development of their products. Simple Chinese headphones are much more advanced than A-class brands
Thank's for your review !!!
They're probably doing it on purpose though. Trickling small features and improvements, reserving it for the following year next model...OR they just really suck in cramming features in small packaging.
Really solid review.
Thanks!
these are going for $130 in my country (India).....and for that price it's a steal!!
Good honest review, though not deal breakers for me. Mine should arrive tomorrow.
Thanks for watching and the comment!
Subscribed. Great video with useful informations. Still hesitating to change my beloved first Version QC to the second one. Size doesn't bother me and I like the sound and ANC a lot. Maybe I get the opportunity to check the 2. Version out somewhere.
I think if you love the 1st gens, you would love these even more. But indeed best thing would be to try and try them out somewhere. Thanks for the sub!
Good review... I agree with your thoughts regarding listening to music BUT MAKING CALLS ARE CRAP!!!! I bought a pair and are not what i expected!!!!!
Thanks for the detailed and balanced review. I'm looking for a reason to buy wireless ANC headphones or earbuds to upgrade from my wired Bose headphones. And I'm like you -- for the price, I don't want to have to settle for inferior call quality - I'm not going to annoy my clients on calls because they can't understand me. And I'm not going to take them out of my ear, disconnect and switch to the phone just to have the ANC. For me to buy these, they need to make my life easier, not add difficulties.
Happy to see some people think like me ;) Thanks for watching!
This emphasis on the Bose QC case(s) being just as small as the Apple or Samsung case(s) is unreasonable, in my opinion. I hear a lot of reviewers rave about the comfort and ANC of the previous QC version, which have the large StayHear + tips that are a big reason for the aforementioned, yet gripe about the case not being similar to Bose’s competitors. They’ve done a reasonable job of reducing the size of the version II case (it’s very pocketable)- while retaining that world class ANC and comfort. They’ve also improved the sound quality quite a bit; I hear most reviewers saying this as well.
I agree that the lack of wireless charging, multipoint connection, and single (left) bud usage is very disappointing and (really) inexcusable, considering the price and current state of technology. What I don’t agree with is this fixation on the case (and to a lesser extent earbuds) being as small as these other brands that don’t perform as well, when it comes to ANC, comfort, and sound.
On a side note, a shortcut can be created for both the left and right earbuds. You just need to select each earbud at the top of the screen separately to do so.
This emphasis on the Bose QC case(s) being just as small as the Apple or Samsung case(s) is unreasonable, in my opinion. I hear a lot of reviewers rave about the comfort and ANC of the previous QC version, which have the large StayHear + tips that are a big reason for the aforementioned, yet gripe about the case not being similar to Bose’s competitors. They’ve done a reasonable job of reducing the size of the version II case (it’s very pocketable)- while retaining that world class ANC and comfort. They’ve also improved the sound quality quite a bit; I hear most reviewers saying this as well.
I agree that the lack of wireless charging, multipoint connection, and single (left) bud usage is very disappointing and (really) inexcusable, considering the price and current state of technology. What I don’t agree with is this fixation on the case (and to a lesser extent earbuds) being as small as these other brands that don’t perform as well, when it comes to ANC, comfort, and sound.
On a side note, a shortcut can be created for both the left and right earbuds. You just need to select each earbud at the top of the screen separately to do so.
They are great ANC in fact they are second to none. Unfortunately the buds themselves are buggy and constantly stop working.
I bought them for the ANC. They're only slightly better than my Bose 520 wired earbuds. They are significantly better than my Sony XM41000s. None of these earbuds offer aircraft grade headphone ANC, but they are effective. I use them on my motorcycle where the ultimate test is killing wind noise. Haven't had the chance to test the new QC2's yet. The 520s are effective at ANC, but not enough, even less so with the XM4s. As for all the rest of the fluffy controls, I'll leave those to the experts, I don't really need all of them.
Very in depth review ..point to be made Bose in the history of the brand wether its home theater, headsets, clock radio (remember that?) was never ever cheap you always paid premium price for Bose quality sound I never agreed with it but you can't deny these guys were at the top of their game ..and the Bose QC 2 are no exception the ANC is even better than full size headsets I got mine on sale worth it wireless is not a deal breaker for me as I've never used it . Cheers
Valid points! Thanks for watching
These are amazing! Noise cancelling is perfect, so is sound and comfort.
Thanks for the video. Does the case charge (alone) the earbuds ?
Hey there, I'm not sure I fully understand your question. The case indeed charges the earbuds when they're placed in it, is that what you're asking?
@@RawansReviews exactly. Thank you. I’m not sure which to buy: this, AirPods Pro 2 or Beoplay EQ. High volume loud sound is important to me
@@nirohayon8228 I haven't tried the Beoplay, but I am working right now on a comparison video comparing the AirPods Pro 2, the Bose QC Earbuds 2, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro. Make sure to subscribe to get notified when I release it, it might be helpful to you! Cheers, Rawan
I just got the new Bose QC 2's and the APP 2's... and have been testing them out. I'll say this... Apple made great improvements on their ANC. They also seem to have improved their multipoint connectivity (though maybe I just didn't notice it as much before... since I avoided using them). The APP's always did a good job of finding them, but now it's practically effortless. Crude example: If I'm listening to Spotify on my iPad/Mac and then rush to the bathroom (bad burrito), it immediately switches over to my iPhone (without me doing anything). Same with Apple TV. The second you switch to a new Apple device, it knows... and either asks you ("Hey, bro...") or does it for you. Again, it's probably always been like that... but I'm noticing it now.
I go back and forth over which SOUNDS better. Love the bass on the Bose, but... the APP 2's also sound really nice (a bit... clearer; note: Bose lets you customize the sound, so... Apple can't really compete with that). Where I thought Spatial was gimmicky before, I now feel that... some songs actually sound richer and more 3-dimensional with the APP 2's... though I still hate having to keep my head focused straight (WTF; not something that interests me). As for how they look... oh, the Bose are much cooler (I've always thought the APP's were a little douchey). I also think the touch controls on the Bose QC 2's are much easier (the pinching and grabbing on the APP 2's can be a bit annoying).
I don't know. I need to test them out in real-world conditions (loud restaurant, kids). I'm torn at the moment, though.
Here's my breakdown (again... so far):
Best ANC: Bose (the APP 2's are close, but Bose shuts EVERYTHING out)
Best Sonic Footprint: They're split evenly right now. I like the bass on the Bose, but the APP 2's are clean/clear.
Best Fit: Different for everyone, but for me... Bose (I don't have to fuck with them; they just... fit)
Best Look: Subjective, but I think the Bose look pretty damn cool (and the APP 2's still look silly)
Best Charging/Case: APP 2's (smaller case; wireless charging is a plus, though I can live without it)
Best Multipoint Connectivity: APP 2's (assuming you're an Apple user; it's all manual with Bose)
Best Touch Controls: Bose (I also like that I can create a "Music" mode where it's set halfway between ANC & transparent)
Best App: Well, Bose is the only one with an app... but you do need to open the app (whereas APP 2 assistance is baked in if you have an iPhone)
Best Price Point: Well... the APP 2's are cheaper
I should point out that the Bose are a bit harder to get out of the case.
Oh... side note. I read a comment once about how the APPs (either version) have an "Off" mode... and Bose doesn't ("BAM! TAKE THAT, Bose!!!"). Yeah... so? I have two primary modes when it comes to headphones (earbuds or over ear): listening to something and not listening to something. If I'm NOT listening to something, guess what I'm not going to be using? Bingo. So I've never, personally, seen a reason for an "Off" mode... unless, maybe... you accidentally dipped them in super glue and can't get them out (where maybe that's how you'll go through life now... with earbuds permanently attached to your head). That, or maybe some pickpocket took off with your case. You reach down into your sling bag/purse, but realize it's gone... along with the condoms and breath mints. Those were really good mints, too. What a shitty day now.
Which one am I leaning toward? Again, I'm torn. I prefer Bose headphones, in general. I don't really care about wireless charging... provided the battery life is good... and both cases last for days (besides, I rarely use earbuds for an extended period of time; if I'm on a plane, I go with my all-time favorites... the wired Bose QC 20's; they have great ANC and soft tips that don't feel heavy after hours of use). Going back to these new models... I have a feeling Bose will win out if only because the touch controls are better (for me), you can create custom listening modes, and they have the best ANC (and I am extremely noise sensitive). You can't really go wrong with either of them, though (or the Sony's). It just depends on what matters most.
I agree with you. The cons are a reason as to why i go with airpods/pro. But i am not happy with Apple for updates(buggy). And now airpods pro pick lot of noise in noisy environment apart from the connectivity issues for updation.
I would love a combination, apple pro 2 design, bose audio, jabra noise cancelling mic and sony ANC. :D
Very good review and an eye opener for me as was about to buy these. Tks
Glad this was of help!
I like your reasons for not buying but I have one more that's even more important for me, and I have yet to see any reviewer mention it as a problem: Why should I have to choose between ANC control and digital assistant access? I'm hoping in an update they will fix this. All the other issues I can put up with.
Very valid. And should be an easy software fix indeed. Hopefully!
You can set the left side to be digital assistant. I did that with mine and Siri came right up for me. You can make that setting in the app.
@@chipsawdust5816 Thanks! I finally figured that out. Now my main gripes are occasional sound cutouts or volume spikes, the fact that they fall out of my ears, and the sound of breeze or wind not getting filtered out. Otherwise I like them and use them often, though that's largely out of a sense of obligation after spending so much on them. I probably should have returned them.
So You Can Use Left Or Right Ear Bud, One At A Time...
The master-slave-pairing alone is a massive dealbreaker!
That was a disappointment indeed..!
It is not possible to swich off anc and awareness mode. So even if you have anc fully on you can still hear wind blowing in to it. 300euros worth of buds. Horrible. Hope they will update that
I wonder if Sennheiser TW3 or Technics AZ60, daily use (also gym), good sound, ANC and comfort in my ear, I had Sennheiser Momentum 1 and overall were great (just one problem could not play music with one ear and low Battery, it was still the beginning of real Wireles in general, so it was understandable), but I probably had a bad piece and were often in reclamation. So I'm more for the technique, Bose is great, but so many reviews said it wasn't worth the money. Do you think I should give Sennheiser's second chance? Or try technology?
I have nothing against barefoot, I would like to try them, because wireless charging is definitely not important to me, on the contrary they have a top shape of all hearing aids, maybe they would also have the advantage that they are new and Would good updates come out in the future.
Money is not a problem for me, but I don't want to pay purely for something that makes no sense when something cheaper does the same way, if you understand me (and so I perceive the bose QC2 for the moment)
Good review but just fyi you can use left or right earbud and they work you can use both or left or right and they work . These buds are amazing
Thanks! Yes indeed this feature was later added several months after via a firmware update. Was not available at launch when I tested them. Cheers!
Honestly with how expensive these are, they'd never be my daily buds, so I don't mind not having single bud or wireless charging. I'll use these just for at home, the gym, or travel. Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are the ones that stay with me at all times.
That's a fair point
The call quality in your video didn't sound bad considering where you were... The wireless charging is not that big of a deal for me... Based on what I have read in other reviews, these buds should get multipoint and separate earbud use via firmware update due to the chip that Bose is using. They should have had it enabled when they released these but I would rather get it after they get it right!
I went through 2 pairs of AirPods trying to get good noise cancellation, and they just weren't cutting it. I was thrilled with the Bose QC II for that and exchanged the AirPods for them. It would have been amazing if they didn't have connection issues. I can't connect them to my Lenovo Yoga laptop. I can connect them to my Dell (work laptop) and my MacBook and my iPhone, but the minute I try to take a call on the iPhone, I can't hear the person on the other end. I can hear music from my phone through them and the person can hear me on the other end of the call, but I can't hear the person. So frustrated with these issues. I guess I should have kept the AirPods.
Did they update them. Mine work one at a time. Left or right doesn't matter.
Yes there was a firmware update a few months after their release to enable that.
Thank you for your review. Can you comment on how they cope with wind noise?
Thanks for the comment! Not sure if you meant for calls or music. But I just did a quick test facing a fan; calls were ok, not too impacted I'd say, but not the best call quality as I showed anyway. For music; it would appear with light to medium winds, should be fine. You can slightly hear it when on aware mode, but could be drowned down by music too. But I'd say the advantage is that you could have "variable" ANC, so you can play around with a level of awareness mode that minimizes wind noise. Hope this helps!
In 2022, with a case and earbuds of this size, no wireless charging, just 6 hours per charge, no mono mode, impossible to deactivate ANC, no multipoint, no ADAPTIVE APTX or LDAC, and an astronomical price, 😳
The Airpods Pro 2 even if they are only 20% better than the previous ones will be the default choice for 90% of Apple users, and they still went from 4h30mn to 6h with ANC activated, volume management directly on the earbuds, and above all it's Apple.
In the Android world, Bose's proposal this year is difficult to justify against 1More, Soundcore, OnePlus Buds Pro, and other Sennheisers.
I think the Airpods Pro 2 will still roll over the competition.
Well said Rollins. Well said 👏. I’m looking forward to what the AirPods Pro 2 bring this Friday. Stay tuned!
idk why people need to use single bud nowadays, it doesn't sound good (for music), it's bad for your ear, bad for your earbud (battery degrade not balance) and not helping anything since your earbuds has good transparency mode. But wireless charging is MUST HAVE feature also multi-point connectivity is important with me 'cause I have more than 1 phone and a computer. I'm still using 3 pairs of earbuds for each one of them: Airpods for my ip, SS buds 2 for my samsung and a fullsize for my computer so if there is some solution for that It'll be great.
Single bud earbuds is often for calls (or maybe podcast) where you would want more situational awareness, maybe driving, riding a bike, or even walking on busy streets. It's also useful so your self-vote doesn't sound too weird and muffled--though that can be combatted with good transparency mode. But still, there could be plenty of cases where you want to keep 1 ear free, and use only 1 bud. Might not be a dealbreaker, or even an issue, for many, but for some, it definitely is.
You are also able to customize the right bud as well.
The only real issue i find with the buds is the quality of conversation in noisy places, compared to the samasung buds the difference is huge!!! I really hope they can improve it via firmware update.
100 % Agree with your point of view
Happy to hear that! ;)
I'm simply a guy with standards. If I'm to support something with my hard-earned money, don't demonize me for expecting more than what others would settle for. These are multi-million/billion/etc. companies making these products, not charity cases. It would do both the consumer and company a disservice to settle for less than the best or better.
With all of that being said, I couldn't agree more. This is a $300 headset. Every single one of those shortcomings are inexcusable. Not only are there cheaper headsets that offer more than this headset, like multipoint connectivity, but $300 unfailingly justifies better call quality, single earbud use, wireless charging, and multipoint connectivity. They don't have to perform heart surgery to include these features in a $300 headset for crying out loud, so it's stupid to defend this nonsense.
It doesn't matter if you need it or not. You're paying $300 for this thing. I'll take a ribbon and a free voucher if they were offered as well. It's pathetic that a lot of consumers can only be corporate lapdogs and act like having standards is a detriment. That's why these companies get away with this scummy crap.
Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback
Im really late to the ball on the topic of earbuds as im in search of a new pair. My first gen samsung buds been losing the volume on one of the bud after years of sweat from the gym, dropped and been thrown in the washine mashine a few times by misstake.
I agree the mic quality could have been a lot better.
But for me that like to have one bud at the time during work as it makes it real easy for me to listening to music/podcast and still hear what people saying to me in the conversation. And i just saw that a firmware update from feburary 2023 they added the addition to have independent use of each other. So now im thinking of getting these as you can adjust the volume up or down on a single ear. Insead of grab my phone to decrease/incease the volume if i dont have that one in at the moment.
When it comes to riding on trains etc i do really enjoy a good pair of noice cancellation. Witch i think gen 1 of samsung buds did a real great job of
I appreciate your candor. Is it possible to use the right earbud alone with full noise cancelling functionality? For example, if I were to sleep on my left side would the right earbud continue to block noise?
Yes you can. That capability is off by default, but under In-Ear Detection, there’s a toggle for Auto Transparency which automatically activated aware mode when only the right earbud is in. If you turn that off, you can indeed switch to ANC even with 1 earbud.
How about Linglong?
I wanted the BEST noise cancellation available. I could live without the best possible call clarity & wireless charging (although it IS 2022), but lacking multi-device connectivity, & single bud usage, was just an outright design flaw. It was an absolute deal breaker for me and I suspect for a lot of frequent global travelers.
Well said, well said..
Multipoint could come as an update
So far, I haven't had any issue with multipoint connect. My original QC was sometimes unreliable disconnecting from current device but haven't had any issues yet. I do miss wireless charging a lot though. But otherwise, love it. Makes my ear canal itchy more than my original QC but that's par for the course.
Seems like there's always a compromise. For me, I wanted buds that had good ANC and could connect to Android and iOS without losing all of the settings available. I wish Samsung and Apple would support each other here so i could use their excellent buds on any of my phones. I just picked these up yesterday and so far I love the sound and comfort. They are a bit buggy though, especially on my Android phone. The app loses connection but the BT connection is still present. iOS did this once so far.
Wouldn't that be a dream! Samsung and Apple playing nice together ;)
I thought you were way picky, still bought them with cyber Monday price. Apple has a cheap feel and they fall off when running. Plus what I’m ultimately looking for is noise cancellation and great sound quality🎉
If that’s mainly what you’re looking for, you’ll surely get that with these buds then!
Can you turn off the earbud controls like the sony xm4s? Coz i use my earbuds while sleeping
Thanks for the review, what would you recommend for an Android user? these or airpods pro 2? Can still use ANC on pro2 with Android , just cant change "levels" of ANC? thanks
I had the app gen 1 and based on that experience i would not recommended them for android. The earbuds themselves are awesome but so many features just dont work on android. Think of battery percentage, transparency mode, renaming, pause when you pick them out of your ear.
I got a pair Bose QC 2 they are awesome they stay fitted do-not comenout have great ANC and transparency mode which you can adjust by tapping the buds easily. The sound profile is very good if not one of best out of the box if you can get them for $250 great if not ..Galaxy buds 2 pro are a great alternative..with more features and slightly less AnC plus wireless charging.
Hey! Thanks for the review, I recently took advantage of the Black Friday sale for a pair of these. I’m sold with everything but the call quality is laughable. I couldn’t believe how awful they were. I was in like at Chipotle when I received my first call, and the person on the other line couldn’t hear my voice at all, nor I his. And this was only with some distance background music. I’m coming from Beats Studio buds which seem better to me the the Bose and they’re $200 cheaper. So these are my questions: Is it possible that this pair is defective in this feature somehow, or are these really that bad? If they really are this bad is there a chance in the future that a firmware update will make it better (because at the moment I’m thinking this is the feature I will use most, even though I love everything else about them, so they may not be worth the high cost?) Last question, when I purchased these there were only the black and the white colors, if I return them and wait a year, is there a chance that there would be additional colors and that the poor call quality would be better?
Nope! Even if you do more search on youtube video reviews, Bose call quality is totally trash. They're really just good for music listening with ANC, that's it. This is a good comparison review: ruclips.net/video/7p8cG6q4cGA/видео.html&ab_channel=PickyAudio
Thanks for the comment Candace. I normally avoid purchasing something for a future promised feature, especially if it's a deal breaker feature. Is it possible they would fix call quality? Sure, it's possible. Is it likely? I doubt it. There might be some incremental enhancements with future firmware updates, but I genuinely doubt it would be groundbreaking. It's also possible new colors would be released, but I also doubt that. My recommendation: if you need a solution to a problem today, look at what is currently on the market that can solve it. If its can wait, maybe wait till the perfect solution is released.
PS: If call quality is important, I've made a comparison review of these and AirPods Pro 2 / Galaxy Buds2 Pro which you might find helpful: ruclips.net/video/7MmeD4HKDgE/видео.html. I've also recently released a video on the Jabra Evolve2 Buds ruclips.net/video/gCIyZFwdZrE/видео.html. Good luck with your search!
@@RawansReviews There are currently two other colors being offered on the Bose website. Blue and slate gray. I got the gray ones. So that doubt can be erased, perhaps they'll work on other things as well. They did say "limited time" on the colors but I call that marketing hype.
From this review's comments, many seem to have the impression that you cannot use a single bud. However, this is not the case. You can indeed use the right bud alone.
Indeed. And while I did mention that in the review, maybe I should have been more explicit that the right bud _can_ be used alone.
I would live with the Bose QC2 short comings due to the secure fit but much to my surprise, I prefer the sound of the Airpods Pro 2. A richer sound with a widened soundstage compared to the Bose. The Airpods fit? Not so much.
I agree about the AirPods Pro fit. Personally I got a much better fit with memory foam tips--I made a video about that if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/YUCHi9ngdbY/видео.html.
Is it possible that Bose could do a software upgrade to allow them to connect to two devices?
Yes this is very possible. There are rumors that they will do that too. But we never know. So let’s see
Do these have a 'find my earbuds' feature? When I searched for that info it came up with 'Bose Sport' instructions, but I found nothing for the QC earbuds or the QC earbuds II.
No it does not seem that they do
I agree about the "master-slave" issue... drives me crazy. It makes them questionable for business cases.
Definitely..!
I hate these new smaller design! I loved the QC 1 case and quality. I guess these new QC are more losable now that there tiny. I’ve lost 3 pair of AirPods because there sooo damn small and easily get misplaced. Plus I have bigger ears so these QC 1 feel much more comfortable
Why OH why couldn't Bose just make the microphone a tad bit better. I've heard much much cheaper earphones with better call quality (sans ANC). Maybe a software update?! It's beyond my understanding. If only they had put some thought into 1. Software ii. Call audio. iii. Connectivity iv. wireless chrg (not that imp.) ///... I bet a bunch of accountants having no love of music and audio influenced the Bose devs so that they could have more window for launching "better" versions for a premium. Anyways, have ordered the Bose QC ii earbuds. Let's see if I like it hands-on.
Thansk for tbis video
Glad you found it helpful!
How does it compare to AirPods Pro 2 regarding sound quality of music?
I will have a comparison review comparing them to the AirPods Pro 2 as well as the Samsung Buds2 Pro--stay tuned!
I have them, and they're good.. the only thing that really gets to me, well 2 things, is how they sound like crap if you use them on PC and the mic is active, such as in a zoom meeting or in an online video game (but that's more of a Bluetooth issue). The other thing which I don't know if I can get over is not being able to use one earbud at a time (other than just the right). If these had like a 10 hour battery life than sure, I might overlook that, but I work 8 hours a day minimum, so that can be an issue for me. I'm going to test them out for a couple more weeks, and worse case scenario return them before the 90 day return policy if they get on my nerves too much. Just expected at least the ability to use either earbud one at a time if i wanted for earbuds at this price point..
Very valid points you make Joseph. And making use of Bose's 90 day return policy is an excellent idea, try them out and see how you feel about them. Thanks for watching!
@@RawansReviews maybe Bose didn't want want to make callcenter headphones
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II I bought these would like to
only use the left earphone because I'm left-handed and work only
the proplem either they are off right away or they play a few songs when
I close the socket. or can I only use it for two or just the right one alone?
They employ a master-slave configuration, where the right earbud is the master. This means that the left earbud connects to the right earbud. So if the right is not connected, the left will stop working after a few mins. The only way then is to either use both, or the right alone (for now at least as this could later change via firmware update). Cheers
@@RawansReviews Thank you for the information !!!!!!
can you use these for outdoor running?
I see no reason why not! I didn't mention in the review but they also have IPX4 water resistance, so they'll withstand sweat and light rain.
@@RawansReviews thank you! great review!
I bought these despite the negative reviews and am very happy with them. They sound great, fit well, and has great ANC. I bought it initially for the ANC and was surprised that it actually sounded really good too. And they're comfortable for long period of wear.
Glad to hear you're happy with your new buds! Thanks for watching.
I'm starting to think that if you're not one of the big wigs that cost an arm and a leg, they say it's OK. I'm thinking of getting these, I had the 1st generation. The only reason I wouldn't say they were the best is a lack of play control.
Good review. Still master slave single bud in 2022, sad
Hey if you don’t like the buds can I please have them! I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy them!
8:20 and they don't. I compared to Sony WH-1000XM2 (2017). ANC on Bose QC Earbuds II is disappointing.
I have use Teck After Shock,👎 Jabra Elite 65t, 👎and Bose QC EARBUD ll.👍 among this three I preferred Bose2 🙏
Can you give a comparison to the first gen? Does it make sense to upgrade or keep the previous in terms of noise cancellation and audio quality?
Yes I do think it's a worthwhile upgrade from the 1st gen. In my opinion both sound quality but more so ANC have been enhanced.
@@RawansReviews thank you for responding! So to be clear the sound quality is the same between both but the ANC is better on the 2nd generation? Thank you!
I think both both got better, but the increase in ANC (for me at least) was more remarkable.
All the people here in the comments are just trying to make themselves feel better by highlighting good things and calling it satisfied just because they have spent a huge amount on these earbuds. The honest truth is, Bose was stupid af not having the most sought after features like multipoint and better mic quality and wireless. It just sucks, I will wait for their next gen
If you turned the things on and no sound came out then I think a justifiable complaint could be levied due to them being a device for transferring sound into the ear. Everything else is just petty.
Would you also then say the only valid complaint against a phone would be if you turn it on and it can’t make a phone call?
@@RawansReviews Not really a fair comparison is it being that people use the phone less and less for making calls.
@@RawansReviews I would say that if a door lets you in and out but does not come with a loud enough bell or a wide enough letterbox to accommodate a small elephant then you have no real complaint.
I see your point Phil. The point I was trying to make is that when paying $300 for a pair of headphones, there are a few "extra" things people have come to expect from buds. True that these don't affect the core function of the buds, but still for many people, are expected and could even be deterrents for purchase. Proof point being the countless people I've come across who decided not to purchase these, despite the stellar ANC and sound, for lack for such features. Perhaps a better analogy than the phone would have been paying good money for a luxury car but not getting leather seats, climate control, a decent entertainment system, etc... The car still takes you from point A to point B. All these are not essential, but expected nonetheless. Especially when cars for a fifth of the price offer them. But, we might agree to disagree--and that's fine too. Cheers
A firmware update will get multipoint and single bud use soon. It has the latest Qualcomm chip that supports it.
Indeed there are talks that Bose will fix single bud use in a future firmware upgrade. Let’s see!
Once single bud mode is enabled the microphones on left bud will get used for answering call. Just wait for the update.
Can the 1st generation Bose work independently?
No I don't believe it can. However it appears there's an update for the 2nd generation that has started rolling out, that allows independent usage of left/right.
@@RawansReviewsThanks for replying. Always great info in your videos.
I am currently using them. With a Cashback deal I was able to buy them for 250 I might return them eventually but we’ll see.
I think the 3rd Generation is where it’s at. Hopefully…
I truly dislike earbuds. They are not comfortable. I have had several different kinds. The apple version are the worst for comfort in my ears. I have the over the ear QC headphones for air travel. I really thought I loved them. Then I got these. I have no idea why I thought they would be a good idea. I expected expensive failure. I forget these are in my ears. Honestly. I sometimes have to check. The QC headphones hang near my computer and only get used when I am too lazy to get up and go get the buds from the bedside table. They make my head itch. Didn't realize it was the headphones till I got the buds. The sound is great, the noise cancelling is good. I plan to take these on the plane when I fly to Europe later this year instead of the headphones I purchased for plane travel.
Wait for QC3....Maybe Bose might fix those concern.
I would hope so!
I am waiting for the AirPods Pro 2 release.
Tomorrow! Stay tuned ;)
I have these and I’m watching this video with just the left ear. Seems to be working for me. Maybe there was a software update.
Interesting. I just tried it and I could now connect the left earbud alone, though can't make calls with left alone. Could have been a software update indeed. Thanks for the comment! Edit: that seems to only work for around 10 mins before it discconnects. Does yours exhibit the same behavior?
I will..😃
What about hiss ANC when no music?
To my ears, it's barely noticeable..
Gah... Still must choose between assistant shortcut and ANC mode. This means I'll never use assistant
Bose has announced a future firmware update to fix the single air bud issue. Wireless charging isn't a big deal.
I hope so--but I have to judge these on how they are today, not a promised future upgrade. Fair for wireless charging, but some (me included) it is somewhat of a big deal. Not a deal breaker, but something important to me that I'd like from $299 earbuds. Thanks for watching!
@@RawansReviews firmware update complete :) single ear bud use is seamless.
Technically, you can use the left ear buds independently it's just extra steps
Can you list them?? Because this is the only thing from me buying them.
@@grapelund leave the left ear piece in your while then hold down paring mode button if i remember correctly, that process is not needed on right side ear piece since it's act as master.