Bose is a big name in the world of audio solutions. The name sits among the best and the most popular in the industry. They are also the makers of one of the best Noise Cancelling headphones in the world, alongside Sony. Some might say that they make better Nosie Cancelling headphones than Sony, given that it was the Bose QuietComfort 35 II set against the Sony WH-1000XM2.

Sony has introduced two new Noise Cancelling headphones since the Sony WH-1000XM2 (Mark III and Mark IV), while Bose has been quiet (no pun intended). Then again, Bose did introduce a Noise Cancelling 700 headphone complete with a case that charges the headphone. Many regarded the Bose 700 noise cancelling headphone as the spiritual successor to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and a direct competitor to the Sony WH-1000XM3 when it launched. Except, Bose did not really think that, because they just introduced their QuietComfort 45.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the proper successor to the older QuietComfort 35 series. It even features roughly the same design cues that would be familiar to any Bose QuietComfort 45 user. Sure, the thin cylindrical bars that acts as the support for the headphone over on the Bose 700 headphone looks stylish and high-end, it does not fit the QuietComfort look.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II was dubbed as one of the most comfortable headphones you can find in the market with noise cancelling feature. The way Bose achieves this feat, while not all that different from Sony’s WH-1000X series, utilises different mixes of materials. Of course, the clamping force of the headphones play a lot of part in its comfort factor.

Still, the QuietComfort 45 is not really about improving materials, not as much as Sony’s WH-1000XM4 anyway. It is more about pushing the noise cancelling technology and improving the experience that is the QuietComfort 45. That starts with a longer battery life at up to 24-hours.

Instead of the old-school approach of charging the headphone via MicroUSB port, the new QC45 comes with a USB Type-C port for a full charge in two hours. Bose did not specify the size of the drivers the built-in battery powers for 24 hours of listening time. We are guessing that the QC45 will feature the same sized and constructed drivers as the QC35 II. That also means that the QC45 will feature the same frequency response and capabilities

What is definitely different though is the noise cancelling processor that the QC45 packs. Unlike some noise cancelling functions in other noise cancelling headphones, the QC45’s processor cannot be turned off though. You can only put the headphone in two modes – QUIET or AWARE.

The mode names are very telling of what each mode does. QUIET mode is really Noise Cancelling mode. It uses microphones fitted inside and outside the thick earcups to measure unwanted noise from around you and cancel all unwanted mid-range frequencies by pumping in “anti-noise”. AWARE mode not only cancels all of that process but turns the microphones into microphones that will feed everything around you into the earcups and to you.

The noise cancelation is not just for you though. You can use the noise cancelling technology to have a better video conference with your colleagues, or clients, or vendors, or even friends. The QC45 will cancel out noise that might interrupt your video calls around you for others in the call as well. Now you do not have to mute yourself just because your dog is making noise in the yard, or when your mum is baking in the kitchen.

There are no touch controls on any of the earcups though. Instead, Bose uses the traditional physical buttons to control the functions of the headphone. You have the regular volume up and down rocker, the power button, a Bluetooth pairing button, and a programmable function button to answer or end calls, or even play and pause music. There is another button on the left earcup to toggle between QUIET and AWARE modes. You can use the same button to mute the mic in calls too. Of course, you can customise a lot of these and more from Bose’s Music App for Android and iOS.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 noise cancelling headphone will be available from the 23^rd of September onward via Bose.com and select authorised resellers. We are not sure that includes Malaysia yet though, which means that we might not get it at the same time as the United States (US). It will be available in the classic White, or Black colour options when it is available. The Bose QC45 will set you back US$ 329.00 (MYR 1,366*)  and is now available for pre-orders.

* Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.15 on xe.com as of 01/09/2020