Bose stands out for producing some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. In 2019, the company released the Noise-Canceling 700 Headphones, but that didn't consign the Bose QC35 Series on the periphery.
If anything, the Bose QC35 Series is still one of the best noise-canceling headphones in the industry.
Besides, the Bose QuietComfort provides both the convenience of a wireless connection and an unrivaled audio quality.
If you have a smart home, the headphones work in tandem with Google Assistant, enabling you to control your devices. Even among the most recent headphones, it is hard to find one that beats the QC35 II NC that first came out in 2017.
What's In the Box?
Upon opening the box, you will see a solid carrying with the headphones inside. That means you can easily throw the headphones and the carrying case into a bag and carry it.
The package also contains a micro-USB charging cable and a 3.5mm auxiliary audio cable. Thus, you can connect it to your gaming device via Bluetooth or an audio cable.
Bose QC35 II Features
One of the reasons for its popularity is the many Bose QC35 features. The device stands out in many ways from other similar products. The following are some of its most outstanding features:
Google Assistant
The standout feature of the Bose QC35 II is its ability to work with Google Assistant for accurate voice pick-up. For that reason, the headphones can still pick up your voice even when in a crowded, noisy place like the coffee shop.
But how does it work? Setting up the Google Assistant feature depends on whether you have an Android or iOS device. Thus, Android users have to download and install the Bose Connect App on their phones.
On the other hand, iOS users should download and install the Bose App. Through the app, one can access features like noise-cancellation, updating firmware, and remapping Google Assistant.
Google Assistant is a handy application that helps you with various functions, including reading text messages.
Whenever you receive a text message or email, you only need to press the button on the left earphone for Google Assistant to read it for you. You can then reply to the message using your voice.
That handy addition makes responding to texts or making calls as easy as the push of a button. It makes it possible for you to do so much without removing your phone from the pocket.
However, it is not all bliss with the Google Assistant application on these headphones. For example, controlling or playing music via Google Assistant is only possible when using Spotify.
Otherwise, it is impossible to play music stored locally on the phone. That's because it cannot access offline media or link with other music streaming services like Deezer or Tidal. It gets even worse for iOS users since it is impossible to stream any music.
Additionally, you can use Google Assistant for other purposes like asking it to add reminders, read news headlines, and other questions.
The Bose QC35 can also connect to your laptop and smartphone simultaneously. So, you could be using it to read notifications on your smartphone and play music on iTunes on your Macbook.
Noise Cancelation
The headphones provide world-class noise cancelation to create an environment in which you can listen without environmental noise interference.
That's mainly because the over-ear headphones sit firmly on top of your ears, locking in sound. Additionally, the headphones have closed-back ear cups that block out all ambient noise.
By pressing a button, you can choose any of the three noise-canceling levels – "off," "low," or "high."
However, it isn't possible to disable the noise-cancellation function intelligently by holding a hand over one ear cap back cover.
Noise-Rejecting Dual-Microphone
Another standout feature on Bose QC35 is the noise-rejecting dual-microphone that blocks noise as you talk to gaming teammates.
Thus, they pick up your voice clearly and deliver it to the person on the other side without distortion.
That's the reason why you can use Google Assistant and make a call in noisy environments without picking up the background chatter.
Bose Connect App
The headphones connect to your laptop or smartphone wirelessly via Bluetooth, thanks to the Bose Connect App.
But that isn't the only thing you can do through the app, including accessing firmware updates, personalized settings, and so on.
Besides, you can also use it to toggle the audio augmented reality (AR). The headphone also has a 12-inch cable through which you can recharge the headphones.
For Android and iOS
It works with Android and iOS products like iPad and iPhone. However, it seems to have sleeker operations on Android devices than those using iOS.
As we had already said, you need to install the Bose Connect App on Android and the Bose App on iOS to use it.
Bose QC35 II Design
Without the Google Assistant button, the Bose QC35 II isn't any different from the headphones' previous version. You may want to buy either the black or silver versions of the headphones.
With such a generic look, you cannot expect to make an impression with these headphones. Even though the plastic material saves on weight, it feels cheaper than headphone models with aluminum and lambskin leather materials.
However, having a plastic build doesn't mean the headphone is trashy, lacking any solidity. The headphone feels solid and has a carry-case that looks better than the pouches you get from other models.
Contrary to expectations, the plastic is quite comfortable, especially during long flights.
Build Quality and Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort35 II lives up to its billing as a comfortable headphone for those intending to wear it for longer. It weighs only 310 grams, leaving little or no pressure on your head.
Additionally, the ear cups have a soft memory foam padding with a feather-soft touch to your ears. Since the ear caps hold firmly on the ears, the headphones have effective noise-canceling capabilities.
It has hinges on the housings for folding down headphones whenever you want to pack them. Because of the entire framework's sturdiness, you can carry the headphones in a backpack without using a specialized carry case.
Furthermore, the headphones have an action button and several multifunction buttons for easy operation.
The right ear cup also has volume-up and volume-down buttons and a power switch to help you get the proper settings.
For a wired connection, the headphone has a 3.5mm auxiliary input. Finally, the included micro-USB cable enables you to recharge the headphone battery via one of the ear cups.
Bose QC35 II Battery Life
This device's battery life is an impressive 20 hours on the wireless connection, which is long enough for you to finish long-drawn gaming sessions.
If you choose the 3.5mm auxiliary connection option, you can double the battery life to 40 hours.
With a quick 15-minute recharge, you will get an extra 2.5 hours of battery life from this device on a wireless connection.
Bose QC35 II Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, the Bose QC35 II isn't any different from the headphone's previous version.
It may not have the aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs but still supports AAC, which provides a low-latency connection for iOS users. Thus, it still delivers high-quality sound without powerful codecs.
In the true sense, the Bose QC35 II provides a reasonably neutral response, and all other factors are held constant.
With little or no EQ intervention, the headphone still delivers the best quality sound. If you want, you can use the equalizer to get a customized sound that meets all your needs.
The headphone tends to emphasize the lows while releasing an impressive crystal-clear treble.
Thus, you can easily make out the various layers of sound that make up a particular song's entire soundstage. When listening to "Now We Are Free" by Hans Zimmer, the treble vocals couldn't have been more precise.
Final Verdict
The Bose QC35 II is the original QC35 plus Google Assistant. Thus, the new and older models are identical in every other way except the included Google Assistant button.
The latest model still gives you incredible comfort, good sound quality, and class-leading noise cancellation.
It is also available in the form of the Bose QC35 II Gaming Headset with a detachable microphone.
However, there is no way you can upgrade the Bose QC35 II headphones to a gaming headset by purchasing the microphone separately. That new buyers are better off with the gaming headset since they will get a complete set (mic included) for the same price.
Besides, the Google Assistant function with an Android or iOS device helps read out your messages and notifications. You can also reply to messages and emails by dictating to Google Assistant. But that doesn't mean you should buy the headphones just because of Google Assistant.
Overall, the Bose QC35 II is excellent either as a general headphone or a gaming headset. It all depends on what you are looking for in a product.
Bose has created the perfect balance between great features and sound quality for audiophiles of all types in this headphones model.