Bose QuietComfort SE Black Special Edition with Soft Case
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According to our headphones expert
The Bose QuietComfort SE Special Edition with Soft Case is the brother of the popular QuietComfort 45. You can enjoy the same high-quality music, but you receive a soft case instead of a hard case with these headphones. The headphones have active noise canceling, which reduces ambient noise. This way, you can even listen to your favorite songs in the most noisy spaces. On a full charge, the headphones last 22 hours. That's 2 hours longer than its predecessor, the QuietComfort 35 II. When the battery runs out, you can charge it with the included USB-C charging cable. After 15 minutes of charging, the headphones will work for 3 hours.
Note: the headphones are a rebrand of the QC45, so it still appears as the QC45 in the app and via Bluetooth connection.
Type of ear cushions | Over-ear | |
Bluetooth | ||
Noise canceling | ||
Quality noise canceling | High-end | |
Sound quality according to customers | Good | |
Bass | Present | |
Mid tones | Balanced | |
Carrying comfort according to customers | Good |
5 stars
177
4 stars
72
3 stars
7
2 stars
0
1 star
2
Sound quality
Wearing comfort
Build quality
Design
My first experience with the QC15 was a relief at the time. It was a unique product that really helped keep out ambient noise. This QC45 actually still is and then expanded with bluetooth and microphone.
The reasons I'm not positive about the QC45 are the poor quality of the ear cups and the competition from Sony. There is probably rubber in the ear cups and after a year they start to decompose. The rubber is affected by the fat in the skin and then they have to be replaced. They are very soft and therefore provide excellent passive isolation of the mid and high tones. The low tones are well damped by the noise canceling.
I have worn several QCs and have been using the Sony WH-1000XM3 for several years now. It shows virtually no wear. I've also been using the WH-1000XM4 for a while and I think it's equivalent.
The differences between these 3 (QC45, WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM4) are small. The QC45 is more careful with the bass and if you don't mind replacing the ear cups every now and then, they're great headphones with the best noise canceling available.
Harm Boer
6 April 2022
Automatically translated from Dutch
I've had the pleasure of a Bose QC35 II for 4 years, so my review is based on the comparison between my previous QC35 II / current QC45.
Due to a change of job I had to return the QC35 II to my former employer after 4 years of intensive use... very cool to pass that on to another employee, but oh well. Because I have used the headphones for a few thousand hours in that period, I can make a pretty good comparison between the two models.
What has remained the same:
What has improved :
What is less good :
What still has to prove itself :
The Bose QC45 should hold its own here between AirPods Pro and Shure 535, and it does a great job. If the price tag doesn't stop or deter you, I would advise you to test them at least once, the Coolblue stores are very helpful in that.
Ludo
4 June 2022
Automatically translated from Dutch
I always hated headphones, but I wear these every day!
Inger
13 October 2022
Automatically translated from Dutch
Product number | 916168 | |
Manufacturer code | 866724-0500 | |
Brand | Bose | |
Warranty | 2 years | |
Processing of your defect | Via Coolblue | |
Old product returned for free |
Weight in grams | 240 g | |
Color | Black | |
Material | Fabric, Leather, Metal, Plastic | |
Built-in microphone |
Tested by expert | ||
Treble | Balanced | |
Mid tones | Balanced | |
Bass | Present | |
Equalizer |
Sound reproduction | Stereo | |
Hi-Res audio | ||
Volume limit | ||
Active headphones | ||
Noise canceling | ||
Quality noise canceling | High-end |
NFC | ||
Bluetooth | ||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | |
Multipoint pairing | ||
Compatible with voice assistant | Google Assistant, Siri |
Detachable cable | ||
Ribbon cable | ||
Coil cable | ||
Braided sleeve | ||
Remote in cable |
Sound quality according to customers | Good | |
Carrying comfort according to customers | Good |
Power supply type | Rechargeable battery | |
Average battery life | 22 hours |
Water resistance | Splash proof | |
IP certification | IPX2 | |
Water-resistant | ||
Waterproofness certification | IP certification |
Type of ear cushions | Over-ear | |
Types of design | Closed | |
Foldable | ||
Rotatable ear cups | ||
Ear cushion material | Imitation leather, Leather (skai) | |
Physical buttons ear cups | ||
Touchpad ear cup | ||
Remote control on ear cups | ||
Volume control ear cup |
Best tested |
