Ever heard of augmented reality or AR? This is next-generation technology that allows certain devices to actually add sound to your reality, patterned off of real life, live. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are among the foremost of AR-enabled products out there. The Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Headphones are geared more toward the traveling business-person.
While the Bose headphones have just two speakers, the Sennheiser headphones have a state-of-the-art, triple-microphone array. As you can see, both products have features to catch the discerning eye. But which is the best – Bose QC 35 vs Sennheiser PXC-550? Which wins out, ultimately?
Which Product Do We Recommend?
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While the choice was a tricky one, in the end, it does seem clear that one has more to offer. Below, we will compare the Bose and Sennheiser headphones, and see why.
If you’d like to know right away, look no further than The Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones. Clearly, AR-capability is new and rare. These headphones offer not only crisp, rich sound quality, but are designed for AR.
The result? A truly extraordinary audio experience.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
- Motion sensor: Contained in the Bose headphones is a multi-directional motion sensor. This finely-tuned device is what Bose AR relies on in order to generate contextual audio -audio based on where you are.
- Bose Connect App: This handy app allows you to manage your Bluetooth connections, enable music share, unlock Bose AR, access software updates, and even set the level of noise cancellation (to suit your environment, pick from three).
- Communicate with friends and family with these Bose headphones easily.
- Dual-microphone System: Many headphones have just one microphone. These Bose headphones have two, for exceptional voice pick-up and sound clarity.
- Reviewers have said that these Bose headphones are so comfortable, you forget you are wearing them. This makes them all-the-more immersive.
- 20-hour battery life: These Bose headphones have a battery life of 20 hours -almost a day- for your convenience.
Unlock Bose AR
VR stands for virtual reality -a reality that encapsulates both sight and sound. AR, on the other hand, is an acronym for augmented, audio-only reality. This is generated depending on the context, i.e. where you are. What does this mean?
That these Bose headphones will not only play music and make calls with great sound quality, they will interact with the real-world, to create a totally unique audio experience. Play, learn, exercise and travel with AR.
Ask Alexa
“Alexa, turn up the volume,” is just one of the many commands that you can give Alexa. Ask how late your favorite restaurant is open, or what the weather is like. Ask her to stream music. Or update your grocery list. Whatever you require, Alexa -and Bose- is there.
This is especially useful if your hands are busy, making for a safe and convenient way to control your music.
Sound Cancellation Settings
Bose has three sound cancellation settings, and each is super-effective. You can block out TVs, airplane engines, crowds, and other noisy environments almost completely. Most headphones reduce noise. These Bose headphones eliminate noise. They will allow you to focus and get in the zone, no matter where you are.
The Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Headphones
- Selectable sound modes: These Sennheiser headphones have to ability to tailor their sound to the source. Simply choose from selectable sound modes for as you desire.
- Triple microphone array: Some headphones have just one microphone. These Sennheiser headphones have three. This makes for business-class communications. The headphones boast exceptional vocal clarity. Indeed, owners of the Bose QuietComfort 35 vs Sennheiser PXC 550 tend to use Bose headphones for music, and Sennheiser headphones for calls, respectively.
- Travel case: These headphones fold up and can be stored in a travel case. This makes them convenient for travel. They are also ergonomically designed for comfort on a long-distance journey.
- 30-hour battery life.
- Make crystal clear Bluetooth calls with Sennheiser headphones. You will be hard-pressed to find better audio anywhere.
Compatible with CapTune
CapTune is Sennheiser’s premium quality music player. It is also a sound tuning app. You can use CapTune to alter your music accordingly. This is a feature unique to the Sennheiser headphones alone.
NoiseGard Adaptive Noise Cancellation
In order to provide exceptional sound quality no matter where you are, these Sennheiser headphones use Noisegard Adaptive Noise Cancellation. This means that they literally adjust to your atmosphere.
The headphones have an impendence of Active 490 Ohm/ Passive 46 Ohm.
USB Sound Card
You can connect these Sennheiser headphones via USB to a computer, and they will act as a USB sound card, improving the fidelity of music and calls on your Mac or PC.
Similarities Between the Bose and Sennheiser Headphones
Sound Quality
Clearly, when it comes to headphones, sound quality is of primary importance. There are a lot of subpar headphones on the market today.
These Bose and Sennheiser Headphones, however, both boast superior sound quality. Oftentimes, Bluetooth-compatible headphones will have just one microphone. The Bose headphones have two, and the Sennheiser headphones have three. This translates to outstanding vocal clarity.
Comfort
Both the Bose and the Sennheiser Headphones were clearly designed with comfort in mind. No one wants headphones that way them down, hurt their ears, or hinder them in any way. Luckily, these Bose headphones and Sennheiser headphones have cushioned, sleek designs, and can be adjusted to sit on an individual’s head snugly.
Wireless Bluetooth
Ever had your headphones pulled out of your ears, or off of your head? Wireless headphones are the way to go -and these Bose and these Sennheiser headphones are both wireless. Enjoy the convenience of wireless Bluetooth capability. Make calls quickly and easily, without tangled cords or hassle.
Sound Cancellation Options
Both headphones possess customizable sound cancellation options. Whether you are working or getting into a favorite song, these headphones will help you get in the zone. Just set the sound cancellation to suit your atmosphere, and enjoy your audio stress-free.
Storage
Both the Bose and the Sennheiser headphones fold down for easy storage. Bring them on trips without having to worry about cords getting caught (they are wireless) or parts getting in the way. Both headphones have a compact travel case.
Differences Between the Bose and Sennheiser Headphones
The differences are just as important as the similarities when it comes to making an informed buying decision. While the Bose and the Sennheiser headphones have some key aspects in common, they have other facets that are completely unique. Some of these are big, like AR capability, and some of them are small, like sound card capability.
When it comes to top-notch products like these, in the end, it comes down to personal preference. To help you with your choice, we will compare and contrast some of the main features of the Bose and the Sennheiser headphones below.
Sound Quality
Both the Sennheiser and the Bose headphones have great sound quality, but one of them is the clear winner all the same. In this case, once again, Bose. You see, these Sennheiser headphones block out sound well, but the audio is altered a bit in the process. Singers, for instance, have been said to have a more nasally tone.
The Bose headphones, on the other hand, are true to sound. They cancel the noise in the area thoroughly and allow the music to really shine.
Sound Cancellation
The Bose headphones, impressively, offer three levels of sound cancellation. The Sennheiser headphones boast adaptive noise cancellation. This is a high-tech feature that is pretty impressive. Despite it, the Bose headphones eliminate out more.
These headphones can block out the engine noise of a plane, and hone in on the audio of your choice. They will also silence a TV in the area. While the Sennheiser headphones still block sound nicely, you will still be able to make out what is being said on TV or the like. This pales in comparison to Bose, clearly.
Ask Alexa
Alexa is everywhere these days! She makes tedious tasks easy. At your word, Alexa will adjust the volume, look up a playlist, play an audiobook, and even check the weather or news. Just ask. Well, these Bose headphones are Alexa compatible. Like AR, is feature is relatively rare! To find headphones possessing both is a steal.
Unlike the Bose headphones, the Sennheiser headphones are not capable of connecting with Alexa. You must turn up the volume manually, and make web searches on your phone, PC or the like.
Alexa saves you the trouble, allowing you to focus on the matter at hand -whether it be music or work. You can keep your hands busy with writing, driving, or whatever else. This is one of the biggest selling points of the Bose headphones, hands-down, and contributes greatly to their winning status in this review.
AR (audio-only, augmented reality)
This is probably what, above all, makes these Bose headphones shine. How many headphones have you had with AR? These headphones not only play sound beautifully, they will also take you on audio-journey. Use AR to learn, play and exercise.
Like most headphones, these Sennheiser headphones lack AR capability.
Contained in the Bose headphones is a multi-directional motion sensor. This is what grants the headphones AR capability. All that you need to do is unlock the AR. There is no motion sensor in the Sennheiser headphones.
User-Friendliness
These Bose headphones, compared to the Sennheiser headphones, are the most user-friendly. The Bose headphones utilize medium-sized, clearly marked buttons. The Sennheiser headphones, on the other hand, have a tiny touchpad on the right ear panel. This has a lot of complicated commands and combinations… high-tech, sure, but not exactly user-friendly.
USB Sound Card Capability
These Sennheiser headphones can be plugged into your computer for use as a sound card. Improve the fidelity of music and calls on your PC or Mac. This is a unique feature of the Sennheiser headphones.
These Bose headphones, on the other hand, do not double as a USB sound card. Most folks do not purchase headphones for this purpose, so this is probably not a dealbreaker when all is said and done.
Battery
These Bose headphones have a 20-hour battery life. This is surpassed by these Sennheiser headphones, which have a 30-hour battery life.
The Bose headphones, however, narrate the battery percentage. The Sennheiser headphones do not; they only inform you with an intrusive prompt once the battery is quite low.
Weight
The Sennheiser headphones are about half an ounce lighter than their Bose headphone counterparts. Lightweight is of course always a good feature for headphones to have.
Travel and Storage
Both the Bose headphones and the Sennheiser headphones come with a travel case. The Bose headphones are easier to fold and store. The Sennheiser headphones are a bit trickier to fold, and they have a less compact travel case.
As you can see, the Bose headphones and the Sennheiser headphones share many aspects: storage, sound cancellation, sound quality, and more.
The Bose headphones serve best for music, and for interacting with Alexa, but are also excellent at Wireless Bluetooth calls. The Sennheiser headphones are best for calls and yet serve as music headphones and the like excellently, too.
When it comes down to it, though, the Bose headphones simply have more to offer. The Sennheiser headphones do not have AR or Alexa, and their sound cancellation and sound quality are inferior.
The Bose headphones have these unique features and more So, we’d say, when it comes to the Bose QuietComfort 35 vs Sennheiser PXC 550, the Bose headphones are the clear winner. They are top-quality headphones that you can use yourself or gift with confidence.
