Bose Quietcomfort 45 test: undoubtedly the least interesting of Bose helmets

Bose Quietcomfort 45

It's a fact, the QC45 is a very good active noise reduction helmet.However, we cannot decorrelage it from the history of Bose.Stuck by the 700 marketed higher -end headphones, it does not dare.He just improves some aspects of QC35 and QC35 II.Bose thus delivers a dreadful update of his mythical helmet, just as Sony could have done with the 1000xm4.However, too many functions are missing to be able to box in the same courtyard, for informed users.Difficult to advise him fully.Higher and more complete, Headphones 700 is however cheaper today.To choose, it is he who wins our credit.The foldable aspect of the QC45 is the only difference in its favor.Finally, if you already have a first or second generation QC35, keep it, improvements are not worth the new investment.Unless of course your copy does not leave in tatters.

Writing note: the note is low, but could have been more.It is maintained at 7/10 since the QC45 is still a good helmet, but not much better than a QC35 II and especially badly priced on the French market.This bad positioning is expensive to bose.

Five years after the QC35, Bose has finally decided to rejuvenate its Quietcomfort range.We had in the meantime the QC35ii, a very light evolution especially focused on the addition of voice assistants.In 2019, it was the 700 headphones that won our ears with a whole new design, an efficient noise reduction and an excellent hand -free function.However, the latter is not part of the Quietcomfort range.It is not foldable, more sedentary.

The QC45 therefore finds its place today.Its objective is to rejuvenate the quietcomfort.The verb is fair since we will see that Bose did not take any risks with him, a bit as if he was afraid of distorting the recipe for QC35 that has been working wonderfully for years.

Price and availability

The bose QC45 is already available.It is launched at € 349.99.It's 30 € less than the QC35 II when it comes out.A great effort on the part of Bose which, if it innovates fairly softly with this QC 45, does not completely seek to take consumers for milk cows.

But we can be more critical by bringing the 700 headphones into dance.Although it already accuses two years of seniority, this helmet remains an excellent antibruity model that remains in the.We use it daily and the QC45 did not prove to be a "change game" in front of him.On the Bose side, we are told that the 700 headphones is their most high -end model sold for € 390.Problem, it is regularly on sale and it is found today at 300 €.The biggest competitor of the QC45 would therefore be his own brother.

The QC45 is comfortable, light, foldable

We take the same and start again.Bose only affects the appearance of the QC45 which is almost identical to that of QC35.Note that the pads benefit from the improvement made on the 700 headphones.We therefore have a denser structure which should be more sustainable.As much as we had experienced setbacks with the cushions of QC35, as much those of the 700 headphones are still in good condition after two years of use.It should be the same for this QC45.

What we particularly notice when leaving the box is the weight of the helmet.It is very light.It weighs very exactly 238 grams.Suddenly, he earns 4 grams compared to the two QC35, which is obviously not felt.So let's talk about comfort.In Quietcomfort, there is "comfort" and the QC45 will not flout its origins.He therefore remains very pleasant to wear, retaining the assets of his predecessors in the matter.

In use, the helmet is forgotten.Bose having studied the distribution of the masses, it does not exercise excessive pressure.On the earrier side, they keep themselves very well in place, without shedding their heads.We can run with fear that he does not fall, but beware, he has no resistance certification either to water or to sweat.Another downside that can be lifted: with their new coating, the earrings isolate the ears even better.In fact, they breathe even less.If at this time of year we do not feel any discomfort, the QC45 can be more complicated to use long hours in the middle of August.

What we still appreciate so is the compactness of the whole.Bose is capable of offering a high -end helmet offering great performance in a reduced format.In addition, and this is one of the brands in the Quietcomfort range, it is foldable.If it is supplied with a flat transport case, his earrings can bend one on the other.A good way to save space in a bag.On the other hand, Bose did not review the joint of these same atria.They therefore only rotate on themselves in a sense.Impossible to put them flat when putting the helmet around the neck, or at least not in the right direction.

The application of the QC45 is empty, too empty

Bose does not take any risk either on the ergonomics of her helmet.The QC45 therefore retains all the commands of QC35, the buttons being placed in the same places.Tactile point, but mechanical buttons that make their job.

Unfortunately, we still do not benefit from full orders on this QC45.Missing the call the "previous track".The others are there.Three buttons on the right atrium allow you to send the volume, reading/pause, next track and the voice assistant.As for the left earpiece, it is provided with a single button dedicated to the activation of noise reduction.And no possibility of modifying headphones.Too bad, those who do not use Siri or Google Assistant could have put the "previous track" function instead.

Besides, the bose application turns out.Few options available, no chance that the user gets lost.We are a thousand miles from the Sony Headphones Connect, which we used in particular on the WF-1000XM4, which swarms with parameters.Bose is a didactic, easy to handle.QC45 must suit everyone, immediately.No equalizer, no gradation in noise reduction or in transparency mode, we also forget the automatic break.Too bad, since all these options are available with 700 headphones, which we find cheaper, let us remember.

Luckily, the QC45 is still multipoint.We can therefore associate it with two devices at the same time.We listen to music on his PC, a call sounds on the phone, the connection automatically switches.Extremely practical, especially at the time of teleworking.

The application is therefore limited to adjusting the antiblight mode, choosing its source, adjusting the return of the voice for calls, as well as automatic extinction and ... that's all.Famenic, we said.

Noise reduction at the top of bose

Bose is a pioneer of the genre.Its Quietcomfort range is fully based on its technology of active noise of noise.The QC45 takes up the QC35 system and even improves it.We are entitled to broader work on all frequencies and above all an increased elimination in terms of bass, frequencies most delicate to mitigate.

Bose always opts for a fixed and not dynamic ancient, as we can see bloom on the True Wireless headphones.Thus, it does not adapt the environment, but summarily continuously removes the maximum noise.Besides, Bose does not cling to many options in the matter.Noise reduction is either activated (silence), or in transparency mode (Aware).No possibility is left to the user to fully deactivate the antibruity, too bad.

Regarding transparency mode, this opposite the microphones to make the outside heard as if we were not wearing a helmet.That of the QC45 is particularly effective.Only the bass is not fully broadcast and we keep a veil over the whole spectrum, but it is convincing all the same.

Overall, the noise reduction of the QC45 is one of the best on the market.At the top of the list, we find Apple Airpods Max.The bose helmet is more in the elbow with the WF-1000XM4 of Sony, just below.

A typical, but flattering audio rendering

The QC45 can be used in Bluetooth or wired via a 3.5 mm jack cable to 2.5 mm jack (a specific borderline specificity).And from the outset, we absolutely do not recommend this last connectivity, at least if you don't light the helmet.In liabilities and wired, the QC45 sees its audio rendering collapsed completely.The bass spin through the back door, the shimmering treble is buried, the whole signal is like wearing a veil that suffocates listening.We will therefore be careful to monitor the autonomy of the helmet to save this unbalanced listening.

In Bluetooth, or in active wire, the QC45 is fortunately any other.With him, Bose proves once again that he masters his domain, but was still necessary.Besides, let's say that the manufacturer has not emphasized the new features of this part of his helmet since he actually takes up the calibration and components of QC35.The sound signature is still in W, marked on the bass and the treble.Obviously, we are far from a natural rendering, but it has never been in the specifications of Bose.The goal is to flatter the ears of customers.A bit like the Fluo green lawn on TVs in store mode.What we are looking for is to offer a clear and immersive sound and above all that pleases the greatest number.And as a reminder, Bose does not offer any equalizer in its application.Also, you have to deal with this effective signature, but a little rude for a purist.

Note also that the QC45 does not embarrass multiple codecs.In Bluetooth 5.1, he is satisfied with the SBC and AAC.Aptx point here.Is it annoying?For the audio rendering quite little, the work of bose algorithms being sufficient to offer good restitution (although typical).In addition, the difference would be heard only on loseless or very uncompromising tracks, which is not the case with streaming services, largely acclaimed.On the other hand, it could have changed the game on the latency a little, as we will see.

Latence down, but still high

Bluetooth, the QC45 does not escape a certain latency.This was between 170 and 200 ms.It is rather important, but always better than the QC35 which go up to 300 ms.

In practice, it is not annoying if you are confined to streaming.The applications that are Netflix, Disney+ or YouTube all incorporate automatic synchronization reducing the latency induced by the equipment.

We tested the QC45 watching a few scenes from Highlander (1986) on VLC.We have observed no flagrant labial desynchronization.On the other hand, we have iterated the same operation on our OLED switch.There, the shift is light, but noticeable.It is not embarrassing for solo games, so that the sound is secondary.On the other hand, it is penalizing in a multi game like Fortnite or a Crypt of the Necrodancer, based on the rhythm.

Let us add that at the pressure of the buttons, the command is not immediately executed.A small latency drags.

The QC45 is ideal for calm calls ...

Our last test of a bose helmet was that of the 700 headphones.And it was a revelation in terms of hands -free kit.The manufacturer had then put the package on this function by inserting six microphones to reduce noise on the side of the caller and four on the side of the called.The result was breathtaking, making 700 headphones the best helmet on the calls for calls.

By shoeing the QC45, you could think that Bose would have continued this orientation.Unfortunately, it is not.Compared to QC35, we have a fourth microphone that is housed in the earrings, but it is not enough to reduce the noises of the street, whether calm or noisy.The wind does not help and interferes in conversations.Excluding calm environment, the QC45 will not be a good companion for your calls.Again, we prefer Headphones 700, higher -end, but yet cheaper today.

QC45 is the most autonomous of Bose helmets

Bose announces 24 hours of autonomy for its QC45.In fact, we approach it.This is rather good news since on this bose point therefore made an effort.We win 4 hours compared to the 700 and QC35 headphones.Nevertheless, we are still far from the podium.Currently, the WF-1000XM4 of Sony and Jabra Elite 85h reign supreme, with both more than 30 hours available.

Note that the QC45 also modernizes its connection.It wins a USB-C port.Too bad, however, that it is not possible to use it in wired in this way and especially that it is impossible to use it at all short when it is in charge.Count a little more than 2 hours for a full load.