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Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM2

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

BoseQuietComfort 35 IISonyWH-1000XM2
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2017September 2017
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency mode–Yes
Driver size–40 mm
Back–Closed
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AACSBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD and LDAC
Drivers–40 mm dome-type drivers with aluminium-coated liquid crystal polymer diaphragms, CCAW voice coils and neodymium magnets; 4 Hz to 40 kHz wired frequency response
Noise cancelling detailHigh, Low and Off settings in the Bose Connect app or via the Action button; defaults to High on power-up; no dedicated transparency mode described in the maker's guideDual Noise Sensor technology, Personal NC Optimiser and Atmospheric Pressure Optimising; Adaptive Sound Control and adjustable Ambient Sound Mode through the app; Quick Attention passes outside sound through while a hand covers the right earcup
Audio featuresNo custom equaliser in Bose Connect (SoundGuys); SBC and AAC codecs confirmed by SoundGuysLDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC over Bluetooth; DSEE HX upscaling, S-Master HX amplification, equaliser and surround modes in Sony Headphones Connect; NFC pairing
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 20 hoursUp to 30 hours
Battery life detailUp to 20 hours wirelessly or 40 hours using the supplied audio cable; headphones do not play while charging; analogue listening remains possible with a depleted batteryUp to 30 hours with noise cancelling on or 38 hours off; up to 40 hours of standby with noise cancelling on or 200 hours off; full charge in about four hours
Fast chargingFull charge in up to two hours (current owner's guide); What Hi-Fi reports 15 minutes provides 2.5 hours of wireless listeningTen minutes of charging gives up to 70 minutes of playback
Design
Weight–275 g
Bluetooth4.14.1
Two devices at onceYes–
Headphone cableYesYes
ControlsPower/Bluetooth slider, volume buttons and multi-function button on the right earcup; left Action button can control noise cancellation; multi-function button accesses the phone's voice controlRight earcup touch panel for playback, calls and volume; separate power and noise cancelling/ambient buttons
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphone system for calls and voice assistants; maker's launch announcement describes voice pickup but does not publish a microphone count–
Fit and ear tipsAround-ear cushions; headband folds and earcups rotate for the supplied carry caseCircumaural ear cushions; swivelling earcups fold into the supplied carrying case
DimensionsSoundGuys reports 235.3 g and 180 × 170 × 81 mm; What Hi-Fi's table gives 240 g; no current maker headphone weight was verified, so the main weight field is left out–
Water resistance detailNo IP rating verified in the maker documents used; owner's guide says not to use near water–
Works withBose Connect app for iOS and Android; two active Bluetooth devices, one audio stream at a time, with eight stored pairings; NFC pairing; SimpleSync with compatible Bose speakers and soundbars; Bluetooth 4.1 confirmed by TechRadar; Google Assistant is not available on iOS according to Bose's current article; current maker product page also lists Amazon Alexa, subject to country and language availabilityBluetooth A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP; Sony Headphones Connect app for noise cancelling and sound controls; detachable 3.5 mm cable supports listening with the headphones switched off; Micro-USB charges the battery
ColoursBlack and Silver at launchBlack, Champagne Gold
In the boxHeadphones, carry case, USB charging cable and analogue audio cable; micro-USB charging connector; 2.5 mm headphone to 3.5 mm device audio cable (TechRadar)Headphones, carrying case, 1.5 m headphone cable, USB cable and in-flight plug adaptor

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