I've owned both of these and they are both excellent headphones. But when it comes down to it I prefer the Bose, simply because they are far more comfortable to wear. The Sony ear cups are smaller and the tips of my ears touch the sides. The Bose are larger and more comfortable. It's Bose for me.
I've been using both phones for about 2 years. Both are great. I prefer Boze because it is more confortable and better for phone calls. This vídeo was perfect. Thanks a lot!
Just ordered the Bose QC 45s last night. I got them for $229 plus another $20 cash back. Have been questioning my decision and watching reviews again since I placed the order. With headphones (and all tech purchases) there are so many varying opinions and pluses and minuses to various brands, it can be tough to sort through the information and feel good about your decision. Thankfully, after watching your review, I feel much better about my order, and am going to stop stressing about every detail and just try to enjoy the QC 45s. Worst case, if I eventually find that they are not to my liking, I will return them and try something different. Until then, thank you for your excellent review. I really appreciate it.
I purchased both of these models during Amazon Prime Day and I ultimately chose to keep the Bose QC45 headphones due to their excellent comfort and physical buttons.
Bought both the xm4 and QC45 on sale m returned the xm4. Bose just had a cleaner sound, better when making calls and much more comfortable. Xm4 cranks up the bass and the only real useful feature is that it stops the music when you take the headphones off
I’ve watched a dozen of these comparison videos and no one talked about sweat resistance. The Bose has it but Sony does not. Something to consider if they get wet or taken to the gym.
I am an audio engineer and I know a few things about headphones. I went to the store to get QC45, and there I tried QC45, QC700, XM4, and XM5. QC45 and QC 700 were the same to me. XM4 did not impress me much. XM5 was the best for me but the large price difference between QC45 and XM5 is not justified.
hello sir. I'm getting an option to buy either qc45, or xm4 at 220 usd each, or xm5, at 300usd. which one shall i go with. my main criteria is ANC and decent sound. I'm not much of an audiophile, so not so particular about the sound. I just require top notch anc to do my work in silence, shut out the world and focus for hours on end with consistent anc
@@manazon6945 since you are talking about hours of silence go with the QC45s (much more comfortable and much better ANC than the XM4s). I am going to sell my XM4 since it’s no match. Btw if you wait 1 more week you might get a even better deal on Black Friday.
I've had the XM4s for about a year now and they are great. I use them for everything including gaming, so they would have well over a 1000 hours by now. I do not play multiplayer so I can't say how the microphone would be but for the games I do play, the sound is amazing. When playing PS5 I pair them to my C1 however for both PC gaming and the Switch I pair them directly to the respective device. The PS5 will not pair to the XM4 headphones for some reason...instead I get a message about being an unknown device...which I think is ridiculous given they are both Sony products.
I got the XM4 and I'm probably going to send them back after comparing them with some QC45 in a store. The clamp is much tighter on the sonys, they also seal in the ear so that after 2 hrs work, my ears get uncomfortably warm and steamy. The smart controls are more a pain than a gain. Regarding the battery I can't say I believe the 37.7 hr mark. At 100% charge, they lasted me about 20+ hours. (Id recommend you forget about the 360 audio as its only a distracting feature most normal Spotify users don't have)
@@matesowski I ended up getting the xm4s a little after my previous comment and I love them! I wore them for 8hrs straight during my flight and they never hurt or made my ears super hot. I love the noise canceling feature on them!
Thanks for your review. I purchased both the Bose and the Sony today on Black Friday. But I haven't opened up either. After listening to your review I decided I will stick with Bose. For one thing, I already have four sets of Bose headphones. The qc25 the QC 35s and the nc700. What I wanted was the longer battery life of the Sony, but the apps that I have on my devices now will automatically be compatible with the QC 45, and you said the sound quality was clearly better and not so bass heavy. Plus I wanted us b-c connectivity which I do not have on my qc35. So if I'm on the road I end up taking two charging cables. The main one for other devices and then another charging cable just for the QC 35.
This was the worst best predicament of my life. Picked up both of these to compare and return, based on sound performance. It was very difficult to identify what I prefer. I think XM4s on the initial first try blows you away. Even the start-up sounds amazing. The app is packed with features. It was very hard to determine just one major factor that led me to keep Bose. I think Sony sound profile bit or a lot too "agressive" for me. Prolonged listening may get tiring. Everything else I give Sony an edge.
I have both right now and the Bose just sounds clearer than the Sony which is overly heavy on bass... and somewhat muffled otherwise. Everything is clearer on the Bose - and I was set to return the Bose since I got the Sonys first. Now I don't know.
I own XM4, XB910N, XM5, and quietcomfort45. The best NC profile by now is on Sony's, but the Bose is not to be underestimated. Their clear profile and NC make them one of the best on the market. The microphones on XM4 can be weak during calls. Sometimes they turn on ambient mode like that. The mad finish design on XM4 scratches fast and gets oily spots on them quickly. Bose's Case is the best. Bose can give you comfortable wear when you have long-lasting listening hours. The band is a good one, and they slide as the XM4. When it comes to personal choice it goes on Bose's.
I have both and personally I think the Bose is the clear winner. The bose is much better at cancelling higher frequency noises such as fan noise, people talking and such. Bose is a bit better with low end noise but for most people, it'll be high frequency noise they encounter the most. Me personally I use these while at my computer and the Bose is far far better at cancelling our my PC fan noise. In terms of sound quality I also have to give it to Bose, after they added the EQ (which still isn't as customizable as the Sony's) its sounds much better. The Bose has a clearer low end and better top end. The Sony just sounds much more muddled in the low-mid range. One drawback of the Bose is that at times the high end can be a bit much at times, but its worth the better separation of sound ver the Sony
My thoughts exactly! I got the Sonys first and read all the reviews stating sound was better on Sony due to bass. Was set to return Bose since it got here second... and upon comparison the sound on the Bose is *much* clearer, wtf? :O Now I'm starting to lean on returning the Sonys. Huh, maybe I'll give it a couple days.
I also own both and the Sonys destroy Bose on just about EVERYTHING! The only thing I'll give to Bose is physical buttons are quicker, multipoint works smoother and physical size make them better to sleep with. Pluss a little better call quality. But the lack of LDAC, come on how can you not hear the difference??
Personally for me QC45 is better choice, I have tested the both headphones but look like Sony's headphone having too much bass which literally pushing others sound nodes down. I feel bose also have enough bass but it also balance other nodes. So choice is clear for me !
@@sambanks9670 Hi Sam, it is really good if you can just go authorised dealers and check the sound quality for both. I did the same before taking decision.
I own both. Although the XM4s are more high tech with features I HIGHLY recommend the QC45 because they have a lot of advantages. - Clearer sound, more fidelity - Much more comfortable to wear (less clamp preassure on my ears, less heat buildup etc) - Much better ANC! I did two simple comparison tests. One with blocking external music (dynamic noise) and the other one running the kitchen exhaust fan (Continuous noise) to simulate airplane engine noise. The QC45s did a MUCH better job at blocking out the external noise in both situations (it wasnt even close). My only gripe was that the QC45s sounded a tad bright but the EQ on the bose app actually solved it (increased bass to +8 and dropped treble to -2). I highly recommend the QC45s!
Hello everybody. I would also like to share my experience with you. I don't know about Sony owners, those of you who have a series 4, but I'm really disappointed with them. After a month of using the headphones, they stopped charging. I looked under the user help to reset them but nothing better. Then one day I connected them to the cable and they started smoking. So I'm really desperate. It's great that they still have 10 months of factory warranty, so I'm going to take them to the store where I bought them and let them deal with the service. Yesterday I bought a Bose45. I'll see if the headphones are any better. I hope so, because the price is high for both.
I buy all of my electronic from Best Buy store and place a warranty on it. If anything goes wrong I take them back and get a brand new product. I don't want no repairs only a replacement.
I switched from the Sony to the Bose, because the touch surface was not completely reliable. Buttons just win over touch interfaces for fixed functions.
Here is what I understood as I read and watch a lot of reviews about these 2 headphones: (again based on reviews that I watched and read again and again) If you value more on comfortness, go for Bose QC35ii and QC45 If you value more on sound and battery life, go for Sony (but Bose have a nice sound quality also but Sony's better when it comes to sound quality, as well the battery life in Bose would be pretty decent since maybe you can use it for more than 5 hours) For the sound leakage, I am not sure, since who will even listen to full volume?? 🤔 Your eardrums WILL hurt 🤣 Base on Bose QC45, I saw a review that person wore it for more than 5 hours! Without even noticing that person is wearing it + slept with it lol That is all! ✌🏻 Will update further😁
i purchased the bose 700 and sony xm4... both same price at £220... they are both excellent wireless headphones but the sony with 30hrs use time and great sound they are the best in class..
My son just snapped my xm4s. I am thinking about switching back to Bose. We have an old pair and they are super comfortable. The customization on the Sony xm4 is cool but I rarely played with the features.
The big problem with the XM4 headphones for me is that they removed support for APTX. No more low latency Bluetooth which I need for playing games. Without APTX there's a ~1 second delay between actions happening on screen and hearing the audio in the headphones. The Bose QC lineup has never supported APTX as far as I'm aware, but the Sony XM3 headphones did support this tech. I don't understand why Sony removed it. Comparing the Sony XM3 to Bose QC35 headphones, the competition isn't even close. Bose wins by miles. The sound quality of the XM3 headphones is closer to AirPods than over-the-ear headphones. That combined with the fact that there's significantly less space for my ears in the Sony headphones makes them comparable to sleeping on a couch instead of a bed. Sure, you can have a good nap on the couch, but no one wants to sleep a full night out there. The Bose headphones are like sleeping in a super comfortable, well made bed.
A really fantastic review you have put together. Since I value comfort the most and will use this for calls, I am actually thinking the QC45s would be better for me. The comfort part seems to be confirmed as the XM4s have a bit more clamping force (and the XM5s even more so). Do you think the QC45s are more comfortable than the XM5s as well? I thought the XM4s have more cushioning and less clamping hence they felt more comfortable to me than the XM5s but the QC45s were lightest. Thanks! :O)
Hello, We do consider the QC 45s more comfortable than the XM5s as well. If you'd like though, it may help to check out our comparison between both models: www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/bose-quietcomfort-45-qc45-wireless-vs-sony-wh-1000xm5-wireless/27044/33024?usage=19&threshold=0.10
I got to test both the xm4 and qc 45 for a few days. Tested with movies and music. Overall I prefer the bose qc45. Mainly because i like the sound quality better on the bose. Also my ears somehow feel less fatigued with the bose.. The bose is comfortable and quick to charge so its my choice and happy with purchasing it.
XM4 EQ: +7 +4 +7 +4 +7 Clear bass: +10 Listening to Extreme's "More Than Words" and that soundstage sounds killer like I'm watching them live at the Hollywood Bowl.
Still holding on to my MDR-1000X cans here. Feels like newer generations are mostly more plastic-y, and I'd really like to be able to charge the headphones while I'm using them.
The moment you mentioned the Sony headphones have touch controls I knew I had to go with the Bose headphones. Touch controls are just absolutely horrible.
What’s your recommendation for the purposes of listening to music (ranges from heavy metal to dance/electronic) and NC? Mostly used for the gym, watching vids in the house and exercise. I love bass but also love clarity. I liked my AirPods for clarity, but was advised that over ear headphones are best for music and bass etc
I have recently make my switch to qc45 from xm3 (one generation difference, i know) instead of upgrade to xm4 or xm5. Best choice I ever done, but this is 2 step forward 3 step back for me. With the switch, I gained 1. A more comfortable and lighter headphone 2. A neutral sound profile out of the box. xm3 always sound muddy even after i turn the bass down. I lost: 1. Virtual Soundstage 2. The ability to turn off ANC/ambient mode entirely 3. Ease of replacing earpad (i heard it harder to replace on qc45). not within my concern: 360 reality audio (I only sub to Apple Music)
I have both. This is my experience. The sony has a button you push and the noise the cancelling learns from the actual environment, the Bose dont, the Sony has a sensor when you take em off stop playing whatever you are listening, the Bose dont, the Sony auto power off, the Bose dont, the sony has a lot of over the ear finger movement functions, the Bose dont. Well looks like a Sony fan guy but Im not, problems with the Sony: The rotary mechanism of the sony ear cup broke off after a year, the Sony has a more comfortable fitting in the head and ears, both brands do a active and passive noise cancelling, both coups are sealed and seal against your head, both build up heat in long sessions uses or sleep with it can deliver a problem building up heat and melting your ear wax ending up blocking your capacity to hear until you clean it or get it cleaned (your wax will melt and stack in your ear drum). All the Sonys have a factory problem and Sony dont do nothing about it, in mine the left side started to do a high pitch painful piercing noise (feedback) which can seriously damage your ear, this is a design problem, the only solution is deactivate the noise cancelling which is pointless because is the reason most of us buy it for. The Bose in my opinion has a better sound but for a small difference and so far my QC45 still in one piece but I have them only for 3 months, Bose are so basic, the Sony are way better but you know the problems now.
Excellent review, and thank you 👍🏻. Can you help me to understand which one has more bass ...XM4 or QC45 ? I actually ordered QC45 because of the comfort levels comparing with XM4 .
The Sony XM4s have a default bass-heavy sound profile that adds intense thump, rumble, and boom to your mixes. On the other hand the QC45s have a more neutral sound. So if you want Bass, go for the Sony!
XM4 EQ: +7 +4 +7 +4 +7 Clear bass: +10 Listening to Extreme's "More Than Words" and that soundstage sounds killer like I'm watching them live at the Hollywood Bowl.
Thanks for this informative video. I'm just waiting for Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless that will be released in August. I expect them to be an excellent pair of headphones.
Yes, sound is much better in Sennheiser M4. But they are always trying to connect with you phone even when they are in their case. And this is quite annoying
MY FAV BEST TECHNICAL , WELL RESEARCH ED REVIEWER OF CHANNEL OUT THERE made me buy steelseries too *I was just about to buy and choose which one , Have been planning for it a long a while too
No need - let me tell you, Airpod Max sound wise is much better. But it might not be value for price. Also it mostly compatible with New Apple products
I tried both and Bose was more comfortable and easier to use. Sony was ok but the flatter ear cups were rubbing against the top of my ear so it was uncomfortable. The noise cancelling also wasn't as great as the Bose's.
I bought the QC 45 SE for the noise cancellation feature, they cost $220 at Costco. It is very disappointing. Apple AirPods pro works better at noise canceling. I am returning them and will try the XM4.
After having the XM4s for over a year... They're not great. I constantly accidentally touch the touch sensitive buttons and I've had a problem with the headphones randomly making a squeeling sound and popping sound. This isn't just me either. Lots of other people have complained about this. Don't get the XM4s. Like literally my left ear is currently damaged because of them. Hopefully not permanently. Went out and got some Bose QCs today.
I owned a pair of the Sony xm4 and I loved them they were my favorite but then one day after two years they just broke and stopped working so I’m about to get the Bose qc45
Great great review. I am a guitar player and I practice at night with the headphones plugged into my amp. Which ones would you recommend? I play classic rock, AC/DC, Beatles, I like a good amount of bass with my headphones.
Hello! Help with personalized buying advice is something our experts offer only via our [ insider forums www.rtings.com/forums/insider-advice. We do have lots of self-service tools and recommendation articles that should be helpful as well though!
i originally got the xm4s but the "cabin pressure" feeling gave me a headache and im pretty sensitive to things like that is the qc45s better for that?
That's a bit tough to say as Cabin pressure is pretty subjective and can vary between individuals and their personal tolerances. Personally, I've tried both, and didn't find either particularly bothersome. But again, it is very subjective so it's hard to say. Sorry about that!
I switched from WH1000XM3 to WH1000XM4 a year or so ago. XM4 has been a complete trainwreck to me. It still doesn’t pair well to multiple devices (and each re-pairing takes about 30 seconds), its voice announcements *still* cannot be made quieter, and Sony’s app still has its invasive privacy policy and location sharing requests (and I still immediately delete it after ensuring EQ is off). But those are the problems from the earlier model. My old XM3 could easily last a week of equally moderate use. Now, in the XM4 unit I have the battery lasts merely a day. Possibly because, even with the latest firmware update and all, they just refuse to auto shutdown like the old ones did (and since I put them on and off many times throughout the day, I sometimes fail to press the off button for the required amount of seconds so they end up being silently connected until they die). I find myself reverting to my trusty Shure SE215, which provides equally strong noise cancellation (according to old RTINGS tests and my subjective experience).
Personalized buying advice is available in our website via our insider forums, but this comparison should be a good starting point! www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/bose-quietcomfort-45-qc45-wireless-vs-sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless/27044/16490?usage=18&threshold=0.10
Has anyone ever worn a hat with the QC45s the seal for ANC is atrocious… immediately returned these after testing. Is this a common issue with the Sony’s too? Never had this issue with my Jabra 85h
Yes, there are different ANC modes like Quiet and Ambient that do different things. One of them switches to a full transparency mode. www.bose.com/en_us/support/articles/HC1625/productCodes/qc45/article.html.html.html As for how it compares, it might help to check out our comparison! www.rtings.com/headphones and compare both models! :)
You should be able to connect without it as well by using the buttons on your product: www.bose.com/en_us/support/articles/HC2513/productCodes/qc45/article.html.html.html.html
You would be stuped to spend 400 not including tax on the sony xm5, when you could get the bose c45 brand new for under 300 including tax all day long. The sound Difference is soo minor that it is not worth the extra 120 or 150 dollars deppending whats sales are going on. I even think the bose 700 is too Pricey for what they are. I upgraded to the bose qc45 from my old bose qc15.
can anyone tell me if the qc45's have the logo bose embossed on the headband; mine doubt, and the big ai says they have it but i can't find any pictures to confirm that, and i'm concerned they're knockoffs because they don't sound so great when used wireless...thanks in advance
Due to delays from the holidays, we’re using our forums to get caught up on user questions. So, our experts are happy to answer your whestions there! www.rtings.com/forums
Сони снова купили блогеров))) Не ожидал, что обзор на этом канале будет купленным… Я лично тестировал и Bose QC 45 и Sony XM 4 и могу со 100% уверенностью сказать, что Bose лучше и в шумоподавлении и в качестве звука и нет эффекта заложенного уха как у Sony. Если выбирать для любого телефона, не важно это iOS или android, то Bose будет на втором месте после AirPods Max а Sony на третьем!
Help with personalized buying advice is something our experts offer only via our insider forums: rtings.com/forums/insider-advice However, we do have lots of self-service tools and recommendation articles that may be helpful on our website!
@@mariafernandaanders1063 No problems with XXm4, You can do everything through app, ANC doesnt detect automatically, you can change levels. Sound is very similar but XM5 is bit comfier because of vegan earpads... I wouldnt take it back tho. Go for a XM4
Hey Trevin, This is a fair concern. Ultimately, it came down to the fact that this video was already in the queue before Sony announced the release date for the XM5. Also, they seem to be keeping the sku for the Xm4 as we well, so we expect this to still be a comparison users care about. Either way, we'll definitely publish a video for the XM5 once we get the unit we purchased! :)
For anyone worried, we're going to buy and test the Sony WH1000XM5 as soon as we can! Stay tuned!
Wich earphones are easy and cost the less to repair
@@fat69100 bose has great warranty abs customer service
Do you know maybe when test of Sony WH-1000XM5 will be available?
Anybody worried about choosing between QC54, XM4 or XM5 has no right to be worried in the first place. Proper first world problem.
The review is out on their website
Bose is really balanced. I saw someone suggested an eq settings of bass+6, mid+7 and treble+4 ang the sound really improved a lot.
I hate muddy bass. I like flat more
@@MP-xd7jfthe bose app
@@MP-xd7jfi have mine on +8 +2 +6
@@MP-xd7jfto qqqqlq😊
Yes that combo improved the sound. However i think i premiun headphone shouldnt sound that bad out the box
I've owned both of these and they are both excellent headphones. But when it comes down to it I prefer the Bose, simply because they are far more comfortable to wear. The Sony ear cups are smaller and the tips of my ears touch the sides. The Bose are larger and more comfortable. It's Bose for me.
I’m torn between the two😩. It says the bose are water resistant, where as the sony’s are not. I plan on wearing these at the gym.
I tries both sony and bose qc15 and qc45. Bose wins
Do you use an Android phone or iPhone?
@@LuisJimenez-nd2pl iPhone
Buy the Bose quiet comforts and not the qc45’s. The new quiet comforts are 2023 models and have more mode settings
I've been using both phones for about 2 years. Both are great. I prefer Boze because it is more confortable and better for phone calls. This vídeo was perfect. Thanks a lot!
Just ordered the Bose QC 45s last night. I got them for $229 plus another $20 cash back. Have been questioning my decision and watching reviews again since I placed the order.
With headphones (and all tech purchases) there are so many varying opinions and pluses and minuses to various brands, it can be tough to sort through the information and feel good about your decision.
Thankfully, after watching your review, I feel much better about my order, and am going to stop stressing about every detail and just try to enjoy the QC 45s. Worst case, if I eventually find that they are not to my liking, I will return them and try something different. Until then, thank you for your excellent review. I really appreciate it.
Where did you order from? Thanks
I purchased both of these models during Amazon Prime Day and I ultimately chose to keep the Bose QC45 headphones due to their excellent comfort and physical buttons.
Great as always, thank you! Using my MX4 for about 2 months now and I'm happy with my purchase
“Touch sensitive surface” is from my experience always rather a flaw then advantage
Bought both the xm4 and QC45 on sale m returned the xm4. Bose just had a cleaner sound, better when making calls and much more comfortable. Xm4 cranks up the bass and the only real useful feature is that it stops the music when you take the headphones off
I’ve watched a dozen of these comparison videos and no one talked about sweat resistance. The Bose has it but Sony does not. Something to consider if they get wet or taken to the gym.
I am an audio engineer and I know a few things about headphones.
I went to the store to get QC45, and there I tried QC45, QC700, XM4, and XM5.
QC45 and QC 700 were the same to me.
XM4 did not impress me much.
XM5 was the best for me but the large price difference between QC45 and XM5 is not justified.
hello sir.
I'm getting an option to buy either qc45, or xm4 at 220 usd each, or xm5, at 300usd. which one shall i go with.
my main criteria is ANC and decent sound. I'm not much of an audiophile, so not so particular about the sound. I just require top notch anc to do my work in silence, shut out the world and focus for hours on end with consistent anc
@@manazon6945 since you are talking about hours of silence go with the QC45s (much more comfortable and much better ANC than the XM4s). I am going to sell my XM4 since it’s no match. Btw if you wait 1 more week you might get a even better deal on Black Friday.
I've had the XM4s for about a year now and they are great.
I use them for everything including gaming, so they would have well over a 1000 hours by now.
I do not play multiplayer so I can't say how the microphone would be but for the games I do play, the sound is amazing.
When playing PS5 I pair them to my C1 however for both PC gaming and the Switch I pair them directly to the respective device.
The PS5 will not pair to the XM4 headphones for some reason...instead I get a message about being an unknown device...which I think is ridiculous given they are both Sony products.
I got the XM4 and I'm probably going to send them back after comparing them with some QC45 in a store. The clamp is much tighter on the sonys, they also seal in the ear so that after 2 hrs work, my ears get uncomfortably warm and steamy. The smart controls are more a pain than a gain. Regarding the battery I can't say I believe the 37.7 hr mark. At 100% charge, they lasted me about 20+ hours. (Id recommend you forget about the 360 audio as its only a distracting feature most normal Spotify users don't have)
I had the xm4s and while I liked the bass on them they were very uncomfortable, I got the QC45s on sale for Black Friday and I can wear those all day
does music sound better on xm4 or qc45?? pls answer Ive been debating for hours and Im going insane 😢
@@rainnnnn28In my opinion the XM4 sounds self confident than the QC45 if that makes sense. 😅 you should try them on. 😊
@@matesowski I ended up getting the xm4s a little after my previous comment and I love them! I wore them for 8hrs straight during my flight and they never hurt or made my ears super hot. I love the noise canceling feature on them!
I agree.
Thanks for your review. I purchased both the Bose and the Sony today on Black Friday. But I haven't opened up either. After listening to your review I decided I will stick with Bose. For one thing, I already have four sets of Bose headphones. The qc25 the QC 35s and the nc700. What I wanted was the longer battery life of the Sony, but the apps that I have on my devices now will automatically be compatible with the QC 45, and you said the sound quality was clearly better and not so bass heavy.
Plus I wanted us b-c connectivity which I do not have on my qc35. So if I'm on the road I end up taking two charging cables. The main one for other devices and then another charging cable just for the QC 35.
Thats a lot of headphones!
Wow this review is great. the thorough data visualization comparisons are so helpful !
This was the worst best predicament of my life. Picked up both of these to compare and return, based on sound performance. It was very difficult to identify what I prefer. I think XM4s on the initial first try blows you away. Even the start-up sounds amazing. The app is packed with features. It was very hard to determine just one major factor that led me to keep Bose. I think Sony sound profile bit or a lot too "agressive" for me. Prolonged listening may get tiring. Everything else I give Sony an edge.
explain what you mean by “aggressive”
I have both right now and the Bose just sounds clearer than the Sony which is overly heavy on bass... and somewhat muffled otherwise.
Everything is clearer on the Bose - and I was set to return the Bose since I got the Sonys first. Now I don't know.
@@cagnazzo82i do like bass though
I own XM4, XB910N, XM5, and quietcomfort45. The best NC profile by now is on Sony's, but the Bose is not to be underestimated. Their clear profile and NC make them one of the best on the market.
The microphones on XM4 can be weak during calls. Sometimes they turn on ambient mode like that. The mad finish design on XM4 scratches fast and gets oily spots on them quickly. Bose's Case is the best. Bose can give you comfortable wear when you have long-lasting listening hours. The band is a good one, and they slide as the XM4. When it comes to personal choice it goes on Bose's.
What about fullness in ear during ANC? In 910 it's unpleasant, can't stand it. In xm4 it's bearable as in xm5. Do you feel it? What about Bose?
I have both and personally I think the Bose is the clear winner. The bose is much better at cancelling higher frequency noises such as fan noise, people talking and such. Bose is a bit better with low end noise but for most people, it'll be high frequency noise they encounter the most. Me personally I use these while at my computer and the Bose is far far better at cancelling our my PC fan noise. In terms of sound quality I also have to give it to Bose, after they added the EQ (which still isn't as customizable as the Sony's) its sounds much better. The Bose has a clearer low end and better top end. The Sony just sounds much more muddled in the low-mid range. One drawback of the Bose is that at times the high end can be a bit much at times, but its worth the better separation of sound ver the Sony
My thoughts exactly! I got the Sonys first and read all the reviews stating sound was better on Sony due to bass. Was set to return Bose since it got here second... and upon comparison the sound on the Bose is *much* clearer, wtf? :O
Now I'm starting to lean on returning the Sonys. Huh, maybe I'll give it a couple days.
I've been using them for a month now and I feel they get too hot after a while. Like my ears just feel uncomfortable and hot.
May I have one?
I also own both and the Sonys destroy Bose on just about EVERYTHING! The only thing I'll give to Bose is physical buttons are quicker, multipoint works smoother and physical size make them better to sleep with. Pluss a little better call quality. But the lack of LDAC, come on how can you not hear the difference??
@@Nana-1908 the bose 45s are more comfortable and stay cooler longer compared to the sonys
Personally for me QC45 is better choice, I have tested the both headphones but look like Sony's headphone having too much bass which literally pushing others sound nodes down. I feel bose also have enough bass but it also balance other nodes.
So choice is clear for me !
At the end of the day, it all comes down to preference. We're glad you found what works best for you though!
how did you test them? :0 i wanna do so as well
@@sambanks9670 Hi Sam, it is really good if you can just go authorised dealers and check the sound quality for both. I did the same before taking decision.
I would have liked if it was compared to the new XM5, since those are out now and I think it is the more appropriate competition
That's right! We're hoping to buy and review them ASAP though, so stay tuned!
Nice, this is much more illuminating than just the article
I own both. Although the XM4s are more high tech with features I HIGHLY recommend the QC45 because they have a lot of advantages.
- Clearer sound, more fidelity
- Much more comfortable to wear (less clamp preassure on my ears, less heat buildup etc)
- Much better ANC! I did two simple comparison tests. One with blocking external music (dynamic noise) and the other one running the kitchen exhaust fan (Continuous noise) to simulate airplane engine noise. The QC45s did a MUCH better job at blocking out the external noise in both situations (it wasnt even close).
My only gripe was that the QC45s sounded a tad bright but the EQ on the bose app actually solved it (increased bass to +8 and dropped treble to -2).
I highly recommend the QC45s!
700 or 45 is better?
Hello everybody. I would also like to share my experience with you. I don't know about Sony owners, those of you who have a series 4, but I'm really disappointed with them. After a month of using the headphones, they stopped charging. I looked under the user help to reset them but nothing better. Then one day I connected them to the cable and they started smoking. So I'm really desperate. It's great that they still have 10 months of factory warranty, so I'm going to take them to the store where I bought them and let them deal with the service. Yesterday I bought a Bose45. I'll see if the headphones are any better. I hope so, because the price is high for both.
I buy all of my electronic from Best Buy store and place a warranty on it.
If anything goes wrong I take them back and get a brand new product.
I don't want no repairs only a replacement.
So how is the Bose qc45 going?
Grea Review!! Just bought the qc45 because the flatter audio range.
Finally, a decent review - thank you
I switched from the Sony to the Bose, because the touch surface was not completely reliable. Buttons just win over touch interfaces for fixed functions.
Here is what I understood as I read and watch a lot of reviews about these 2 headphones:
(again based on reviews that I watched and read again and again)
If you value more on comfortness, go for Bose QC35ii and QC45
If you value more on sound and battery life, go for Sony
(but Bose have a nice sound quality also but Sony's better when it comes to sound quality, as well the battery life in Bose would be pretty decent since maybe you can use it for more than 5 hours)
For the sound leakage, I am not sure, since who will even listen to full volume?? 🤔 Your eardrums WILL hurt 🤣
Base on Bose QC45, I saw a review that person wore it for more than 5 hours! Without even noticing that person is wearing it + slept with it lol
That is all! ✌🏻 Will update further😁
Great review! Helped me decide on the Bose!
i purchased the bose 700 and sony xm4... both same price at £220... they are both excellent wireless headphones but the sony with 30hrs use time and great sound they are the best in class..
What a stellar review! Thanks!
excellent in depth review! thank you very much for the detailed work :)
My son just snapped my xm4s. I am thinking about switching back to Bose. We have an old pair and they are super comfortable. The customization on the Sony xm4 is cool but I rarely played with the features.
The big problem with the XM4 headphones for me is that they removed support for APTX. No more low latency Bluetooth which I need for playing games. Without APTX there's a ~1 second delay between actions happening on screen and hearing the audio in the headphones. The Bose QC lineup has never supported APTX as far as I'm aware, but the Sony XM3 headphones did support this tech. I don't understand why Sony removed it.
Comparing the Sony XM3 to Bose QC35 headphones, the competition isn't even close. Bose wins by miles. The sound quality of the XM3 headphones is closer to AirPods than over-the-ear headphones. That combined with the fact that there's significantly less space for my ears in the Sony headphones makes them comparable to sleeping on a couch instead of a bed. Sure, you can have a good nap on the couch, but no one wants to sleep a full night out there. The Bose headphones are like sleeping in a super comfortable, well made bed.
The lag is noticeable and in some cases annoying, can’t imagine watching a movie in XM4 except with adjusted audio/video sync.
Agreed I have both the Sony and the Bose XM4 and the QC45 and the bose are the most comfortable that I have ever used
@@anileated i watch tv and movies with the sonys every night, it’s perfectly fine
If you like edm and hip hop get the XM4s? Sold.
Do many people like touch sensitive controls? Seems like a lot of tech went away from it and is slowly bringing it back.
The Sony XM4 are MUCH better than the Bose. The Sonys offer a better overall sound profile and are much more comfortable and build quality is stellar
A really fantastic review you have put together. Since I value comfort the most and will use this for calls, I am actually thinking the QC45s would be better for me. The comfort part seems to be confirmed as the XM4s have a bit more clamping force (and the XM5s even more so). Do you think the QC45s are more comfortable than the XM5s as well? I thought the XM4s have more cushioning and less clamping hence they felt more comfortable to me than the XM5s but the QC45s were lightest. Thanks! :O)
Hello,
We do consider the QC 45s more comfortable than the XM5s as well. If you'd like though, it may help to check out our comparison between both models: www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/bose-quietcomfort-45-qc45-wireless-vs-sony-wh-1000xm5-wireless/27044/33024?usage=19&threshold=0.10
What about ear pressure with ANC? On most models it'd unbearable
I got to test both the xm4 and qc 45 for a few days. Tested with movies and music. Overall I prefer the bose qc45. Mainly because i like the sound quality better on the bose. Also my ears somehow feel less fatigued with the bose.. The bose is comfortable and quick to charge so its my choice and happy with purchasing it.
Bose all day..I use the sony for work audio testing, and I still bought the bose because comfort is #1
Love the EQ from Sony’s XM4
XM4 EQ: +7 +4 +7 +4 +7
Clear bass: +10
Listening to Extreme's "More Than Words" and that soundstage sounds killer like I'm watching them live at the Hollywood Bowl.
Outstanding insights, great content, thank you so much.
Still holding on to my MDR-1000X cans here. Feels like newer generations are mostly more plastic-y, and I'd really like to be able to charge the headphones while I'm using them.
Wrong
The moment you mentioned the Sony headphones have touch controls I knew I had to go with the Bose headphones. Touch controls are just absolutely horrible.
$219 for the QC45 at Costco. Sony xm4 still $348.
What’s your recommendation for the purposes of listening to music (ranges from heavy metal to dance/electronic) and NC? Mostly used for the gym, watching vids in the house and exercise. I love bass but also love clarity. I liked my AirPods for clarity, but was advised that over ear headphones are best for music and bass etc
I have recently make my switch to qc45 from xm3 (one generation difference, i know) instead of upgrade to xm4 or xm5. Best choice I ever done, but this is 2 step forward 3 step back for me.
With the switch, I gained
1. A more comfortable and lighter headphone
2. A neutral sound profile out of the box. xm3 always sound muddy even after i turn the bass down.
I lost:
1. Virtual Soundstage
2. The ability to turn off ANC/ambient mode entirely
3. Ease of replacing earpad (i heard it harder to replace on qc45).
not within my concern:
360 reality audio (I only sub to Apple Music)
I have both. This is my experience. The sony has a button you push and the noise the cancelling learns from the actual environment, the Bose dont, the Sony has a sensor when you take em off stop playing whatever you are listening, the Bose dont, the Sony auto power off, the Bose dont, the sony has a lot of over the ear finger movement functions, the Bose dont. Well looks like a Sony fan guy but Im not, problems with the Sony: The rotary mechanism of the sony ear cup broke off after a year, the Sony has a more comfortable fitting in the head and ears, both brands do a active and passive noise cancelling, both coups are sealed and seal against your head, both build up heat in long sessions uses or sleep with it can deliver a problem building up heat and melting your ear wax ending up blocking your capacity to hear until you clean it or get it cleaned (your wax will melt and stack in your ear drum). All the Sonys have a factory problem and Sony dont do nothing about it, in mine the left side started to do a high pitch painful piercing noise (feedback) which can seriously damage your ear, this is a design problem, the only solution is deactivate the noise cancelling which is pointless because is the reason most of us buy it for. The Bose in my opinion has a better sound but for a small difference and so far my QC45 still in one piece but I have them only for 3 months, Bose are so basic, the Sony are way better but you know the problems now.
I appreciate the effort, very helpful!
Perfect! Thank you!
Fantastic review thnx!
Good review. Thanks.
Was a pretty solid review great until you told us that the Sony sounded muddy..... lost all credibility there bud.
great review. thank you.
Thanks, very good work 👍!
Excellent review, and thank you 👍🏻. Can you help me to understand which one has more bass ...XM4 or QC45 ? I actually ordered QC45 because of the comfort levels comparing with XM4 .
The Sony XM4s have a default bass-heavy sound profile that adds intense thump, rumble, and boom to your mixes. On the other hand the QC45s have a more neutral sound. So if you want Bass, go for the Sony!
XM4 EQ: +7 +4 +7 +4 +7
Clear bass: +10
Listening to Extreme's "More Than Words" and that soundstage sounds killer like I'm watching them live at the Hollywood Bowl.
@@Dec4AllTimeAlways I echo the same and thank you for your inputs
Great review 👏👏👏
Awesome review!
Thanks for this informative video. I'm just waiting for Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless that will be released in August. I expect them to be an excellent pair of headphones.
Yes, sound is much better in Sennheiser M4. But they are always trying to connect with you phone even when they are in their case. And this is quite annoying
MY FAV BEST TECHNICAL , WELL RESEARCH ED REVIEWER OF CHANNEL OUT THERE
made me buy steelseries too
*I was just about to buy and choose which one , Have been planning for it a long a while too
Please make a comparison between Sony WH1000XM5 and Airpod Max
No need - let me tell you, Airpod Max sound wise is much better. But it might not be value for price.
Also it mostly compatible with New Apple products
We'll definitely consider it once we buy and review the XM5's!
Bose's are more confortable, but Sony's has better sound if EQ (lower bass).
I tried both and Bose was more comfortable and easier to use. Sony was ok but the flatter ear cups were rubbing against the top of my ear so it was uncomfortable. The noise cancelling also wasn't as great as the Bose's.
I have both, I use Sony for musics, Bose is great for movies or conversations.
The XM4 is fantastic!
We're glad you like it!
I bought the QC 45 SE for the noise cancellation feature, they cost $220 at Costco. It is very disappointing. Apple AirPods pro works better at noise canceling. I am returning them and will try the XM4.
After having the XM4s for over a year... They're not great. I constantly accidentally touch the touch sensitive buttons and I've had a problem with the headphones randomly making a squeeling sound and popping sound. This isn't just me either. Lots of other people have complained about this. Don't get the XM4s. Like literally my left ear is currently damaged because of them. Hopefully not permanently. Went out and got some Bose QCs today.
I owned a pair of the Sony xm4 and I loved them they were my favorite but then one day after two years they just broke and stopped working so I’m about to get the Bose qc45
Great great review. I am a guitar player and I practice at night with the headphones plugged into my amp. Which ones would you recommend? I play classic rock, AC/DC, Beatles, I like a good amount of bass with my headphones.
Hello!
Help with personalized buying advice is something our experts offer only via our [
insider forums www.rtings.com/forums/insider-advice. We do have lots of self-service tools and recommendation articles that should be helpful as well though!
i originally got the xm4s but the "cabin pressure" feeling gave me a headache and im pretty sensitive to things like that is the qc45s better for that?
That's a bit tough to say as Cabin pressure is pretty subjective and can vary between individuals and their personal tolerances. Personally, I've tried both, and didn't find either particularly bothersome. But again, it is very subjective so it's hard to say. Sorry about that!
Brilliant. Thanks
Hi good review just wondering which one’s go louder please thanks🙂
We don’t currently measure how loud headphones can get unfortunately, so we can’t say for sure. Sorry about that!
I have both and love both. I prefer bose for long use. They are more comfortable.
I have XM4 and if you make a call - your caller will better hear your surroundings than your loud speach.
The cabin pressure really hurt my ears with the Bose. Haven’t tried the Sonys.
I had bose qc35 for 4 years, then my gf lost them. So i decided to try Sony wh4… i regret, im looking to sitch back to Bose
OK that's it, I'd choose physical control over touch anyday, i'll get the 45
I switched from WH1000XM3 to WH1000XM4 a year or so ago. XM4 has been a complete trainwreck to me.
It still doesn’t pair well to multiple devices (and each re-pairing takes about 30 seconds), its voice announcements *still* cannot be made quieter, and Sony’s app still has its invasive privacy policy and location sharing requests (and I still immediately delete it after ensuring EQ is off). But those are the problems from the earlier model.
My old XM3 could easily last a week of equally moderate use. Now, in the XM4 unit I have the battery lasts merely a day. Possibly because, even with the latest firmware update and all, they just refuse to auto shutdown like the old ones did (and since I put them on and off many times throughout the day, I sometimes fail to press the off button for the required amount of seconds so they end up being silently connected until they die).
I find myself reverting to my trusty Shure SE215, which provides equally strong noise cancellation (according to old RTINGS tests and my subjective experience).
Any suggestions of recommended EQ Bass/Mid/Treble settings for Bose QC 45? For music playing, movie/TV streaming?
Unfortunately, we don’t currently provide in depth EQ recommendations. Sorry about that!
Where is the best Noise Isolation in ALL Phones???
For me bose is a clear better choice, cause its 50% off right now for prime day. No discount on sony tho
Are you planning to review the Momentum 4?
Yes! They’re currently going through our testing process!
Which would be preferred for workouts? I usually lift weights and treadmill, it seems like the Bose wins?
Personalized buying advice is available in our website via our insider forums, but this comparison should be a good starting point! www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/bose-quietcomfort-45-qc45-wireless-vs-sony-wh-1000xm4-wireless/27044/16490?usage=18&threshold=0.10
Which did u get for working out?
Hi Adam, I’m Adam
Has anyone ever worn a hat with the QC45s the seal for ANC is atrocious… immediately returned these after testing. Is this a common issue with the Sony’s too? Never had this issue with my Jabra 85h
Does the bose have transparency mode? How is compare with the Sony WH-1000XM4. Thanks
Yes, there are different ANC modes like Quiet and Ambient that do different things. One of them switches to a full transparency mode. www.bose.com/en_us/support/articles/HC1625/productCodes/qc45/article.html.html.html As for how it compares, it might help to check out our comparison! www.rtings.com/headphones and compare both models! :)
Do the bose qc 45 also require you to pair through the app for things such as the phone and PC?
similar to the bose qc 35 2?
You should be able to connect without it as well by using the buttons on your product: www.bose.com/en_us/support/articles/HC2513/productCodes/qc45/article.html.html.html.html
You would be stuped to spend 400 not including tax on the sony xm5, when you could get the bose c45 brand new for under 300 including tax all day long. The sound Difference is soo minor that it is not worth the extra 120 or 150 dollars deppending whats sales are going on. I even think the bose 700 is too Pricey for what they are. I upgraded to the bose qc45 from my old bose qc15.
Are the Sony headphones still good in 2023
Yeah of course, they're a great overall product!
I have the WH 1000XM4s and hate the sound quality. It is waaaaaayyyy too boomy and muddy, and seriously lacking midrange. They sound awful.
need to adjust it in the app
I agree, Bose sounds more crisp and clear
@@Kreiyzi I did. No matter how much I tweak it, it still sounds bad.
Use the EQ
@@juanmm9297 The EQ isn't granular enough to fix the problem. Not even close.
can anyone tell me if the qc45's have the logo bose embossed on the headband; mine doubt, and the big ai says they have it but i can't find any pictures to confirm that, and i'm concerned they're knockoffs because they don't sound so great when used wireless...thanks in advance
Due to delays from the holidays, we’re using our forums to get caught up on user questions. So, our experts are happy to answer your whestions there! www.rtings.com/forums
hi there you exactly look like my childhood friend Mahir, and he's been living in USA , is that you ? :D
+ sony comes with the airline adapter!
- sony touch sensor is quite bad.
Сони снова купили блогеров))) Не ожидал, что обзор на этом канале будет купленным… Я лично тестировал и Bose QC 45 и Sony XM 4 и могу со 100% уверенностью сказать, что Bose лучше и в шумоподавлении и в качестве звука и нет эффекта заложенного уха как у Sony. Если выбирать для любого телефона, не важно это iOS или android, то Bose будет на втором месте после AirPods Max а Sony на третьем!
That was really unfair. Sony had the edge in 70% of the comparisons you did.
One question which does not leak audio to other?
Help with personalized buying advice is something our experts offer only via our insider forums: rtings.com/forums/insider-advice
However, we do have lots of self-service tools and recommendation articles that may be helpful on our website!
Superb
Bose is the pick for me!
Biggest problem with XM5 is that you cant change ANC levels manually in app anymore. ANC detects automatically surrounding sound... Its so messed up.
What abt on the XM4’s?
@@mariafernandaanders1063 No problems with XXm4, You can do everything through app, ANC doesnt detect automatically, you can change levels. Sound is very similar but XM5 is bit comfier because of vegan earpads... I wouldnt take it back tho. Go for a XM4
The Sony looks bulky and nerdy and the Bose just looks slick and cool 😎
If the tests was done by Harman then why not buy JBL by Harman.
Kind of late considering Sony’s just released WH-1000XM5, why not just wait and compare it to the Bose??
Hey Trevin,
This is a fair concern. Ultimately, it came down to the fact that this video was already in the queue before Sony announced the release date for the XM5. Also, they seem to be keeping the sku for the Xm4 as we well, so we expect this to still be a comparison users care about. Either way, we'll definitely publish a video for the XM5 once we get the unit we purchased! :)