Also available in white for the same price.
I believe this is a historical low for these earbuds. Whether there are price matching or cash back add-ons available to you- I don't have the opportunity to check. Happy Monday.
CamelCamelCamel.
How's the call quality? Can people hear you clearly?
No complaints from the people I've been on a call with, either phone/messenger/whatsapp/teams etc.
Sadly terrible when outdoors, in extremely mild wind. That’s my one gripe with them. People can’t hear you.
extremely mild
I have the same issue soundpeats true engine se 3
How's the fit and comfort?
Comes with 3 different sizes. I've only used the default tips/retainers that they come fitted with and they're fine for me.
I use them without a problem in all scenarios - office work, flights, gym, jogging and yard work.
The tips aren't round like most in-ear headphones and you need to turn them into your ear for a good seal. It's not at all uncomfortable and seems very stable even after 3hrs+ of usage.
Another thing worth mentioning - the volume I'm listening to content compared to my old Galaxy Buds (RIP) is about half. I'm listening to tunes atm at ~30% max volume compared to ~70% max volume of the Galaxy Buds for what seems the same output.
I heard there's white noise as part of the ANC. Can you confirm? Is it noticeable for podcasts and such where sound isn't consistent?
I couldn't say I've noticed white noise. My very first impression on the ANC was "WOW" because they block out so much background noise! So much so, when I use them at the office, I've had to make a custom profile (~50% ANC) because I couldn't notice when a college was quietly trying to get my attention (worth the money for that alone ;)).
Depending on the mode or the custom ANC profile, your experience may vary. The "aware" mode must use the ANC mics to amplify external noise and play it through the speaker which could be what some people may be referring to?
I listen to podcasts in the "quiet" mode which is 100% ANC and I honestly haven't noticed anything I'd consider white noise.
Yes, that happens for every Bose noise cancelling, white noise is much more noticeable when you crank up noise cancelling level
Yes I can confirm. I even logged a case with Bose to see if that’s normal and it is according to them.
My Sony WF M4 and AirPods Pro do not have white noise.
You will only hear the white noise when you are in a quiet environment without music. Once music starts, you won’t be able to hear it.
It is normal from what I read. They try to give the illusion of better ANC by "masking" it with white noise. It probably does work to an extent. Giving a likely better experience assuming there is music playing.
They try to give the illusion of better ANC by "masking" it with white noise.
I don't think that's true. The white noise is so soft that it won't mask anything that it can't cancel out.
@Celeriestix: They were actually the first to eliminate this white noise back in the QC35 / QC30 era (they made a point of it) but it appears they brought it back as it perceivably increases noise cancellation effectiveness.
@bonkers22: I wouldn't be surprised if it's to get rid of the 'suction effect' or whine that some people experience when everything is too unusually quiet.
The Sony WF1000XM4 doesn't have the white noise; I don't experience the suction effect but I can hear my ears generating its own high-pitched whine which some people may find unnerving.
The Bose lets a little more highs through, plus the soft white noise, so I don't hear as much self-generated whine with it.
@eug: Apple AirPods Pro 1 & 2 both don’t have white noise (same as Sony WF M4), AirPods Pro doesn’t have the issue you mentioned. It is more like M4 has the foam that blocks out the ears completely and might be the cause.
Bose has no excuse for creating the white noise tbh.
AirPods Pro doesn’t have the issue you mentioned.
Maybe you're just not susceptible to it like me.
Lots of people report it. It's not a real physical suction effect, it's just imaginary so not everyone will experience it.
It is more like M4 has the foam that blocks out the ears completely and might be the cause.
No, the M4 cancels more highs than the Bose. You can see it objectively measured here.
Bose has no excuse for creating the white noise tbh.
For you and me, sure. For people who experience the pressure effect, it might be worth it. Assuming that's the reason Bose put it in that is.
@eug: Man, I love that suction effect… That's what made me flesh out $500 the first time I tried them in an airport!
Yeah… Not one of my proudest (OzBargain) moments…
Man, I love that suction effect… That's what made me flesh out $500 the first time I tried them in an airport!
Yeah… Not one of my proudest (OzBargain) moments…
Haha that's great… but what headphones did you end up getting?
Yes I can confirm this as well, as a previous user of this earbud. It was honestly fine for me and wasn't the reason I ended up returning it (Fit, weight issue)
same here. the train/bus door open/close will generate a loud pop. apart from that i have no complain. super comfort and one of the best nc.
I'm glad I'm not the only one. The first time it happened took me by surprise!
Apple AirPod Pros do this too, it's not just Bose.
But is "Not sony".
My AirPods Pro 1 & 2 both do not have this issue of Bose. And yes, I have Bose Earbuds 2 as well.
My AirPods Pro 1 & 2 both do not have this issue of Bose.
It's a common question that's asked on the airpods subreddit, lots of people report white noise on theirs.
I have one and using it with Honda wiper sniper is unbearable. ANC tries to compensate the noise by changing the way everything else sound in the music. I revert back to my Sony WF M4 for lawn works.
But normal days, Bose sounds good and ANC is on pair with Sony WF M4.
Whenever I walk back to my car after work and I've still got them in when I shut the door, my whole head shudders.
Just tried a price match at Harvey Normal via the online chat, to combine with Amex cashback. Got this response.
"Unfortunately, we are not able to price match this item due to it being below market value, apologies.
The market value of a product is determined by what the majority of the leading Australian retailers (the market) are selling it for at the time of the price match request."
LOL. "We'll price match unless it means we actually have to"
That's the biggest load of tripe I have ever heard.
Try again! My live chat rep put the discount through straight away with a custom voucher code.
Same!
I had a company try this once. No mention of that in their conditions. Mentioned ACCC and poof, got my match.
Had another try it once. Had it in their conditions, but the gaudy headline was "we'll beat any competitor". Told them I dont give a (profanity) about fine print, refusal is outright misleading. Mentioned accc and got my match.
Sadly being a massive knob gets results nowadays, and every company on the planet is training you to be that guy.
So true. Kind of linked to this is when EB Games started having their own "exclusive" editions for new games, with one tiny difference, to avoid price matching. I'd rather give them business over other shops, but now I'll go to the other shop to avoid awkwardness. Particularly annoying if you've preordered a game and go on your lunch break to pick it up, and only then find this out. No time to go to another shop, but you still want the game!
Could you advise what you mentioned about ACCC specifically? I just tried 3 times through the chat and have not got a match..thanks
Have to dispose my Airpods pro after having this for my running and workouts. Legit no comparisons between the two.
Are these better than airpods pro ? also do they have option to turn of the noise cancelling (lets say when walking on street to be aware of surroundings )? I have airpods pro first version was thinking of upgrading to newer but if these are better might consider
There is an profile called "aware" that plays the external noise over the speaker which is very effective. There is also the capability to set a custom ANC profile via the app, which includes turning it off all together.
They are. I have both and really can recommend you 10000000%.
Pros:
- best noise cancelling on the market
- best fit on the market
- best sound on the market
Cons:
- phone call quality is just 'ok'
- case (bulky, no wireless charging, lid always feels like it's going to snap off)
- 'aware' mode is also just 'ok' (AirPods Pro 2 are on another planet here)
Agreed with all the points above.
I would add another 2 “con” as below:
Agree with this.
And my lid did snap off!
Excellent, was waiting for this deal again.
For those interested… the NYT recently did a study which showed the Airpods Pro Gen 2 have stronger ANC than the Bose QC Earbuds II’s.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/can-airpods-pro-prot…
I guess it can vary between users (although I don't know how when science is involved), as I've used both and the Bose ANC is just a lot better. I do a lot of gardening near a busy road and the AirPods Pro 2 let through way too much road noise.
In my specific case I could put it down to the seal. The Bose fit way better and I assume that helps my ANC experience.
If using to "protect" ears at a concert is important OK, but for me completely irrelevant fow how i'll be using. There are many reviews with broader testing that give much better insight into ANC functionality across frequencies and Bose clearly comes out on top.
The difference in test results across reviewers is interesting. RTINGS measurements show Bose as the clear winner, Les Numériques show Airpods's ANC as stronger, while Soundguys show Bose as stronger. Most people seem to agree the Bose has the stronger ANC, but some swear the Airpods do.
So, I bought the QC II’s and can confirm that the ANC is definitely stronger for general usage.
The QCII’s almost entirely block out background noise like a shower or radio.. whereas it’s still faint with the APP2.
However I’ve noticed some higher pitch noises coming through a little louder on the QCII’s compared to the APP2.
Either way, I own all the major TWS sets and these are my two top picks. Surprised at how much I like the Bose though. My Sennheisers were garbage and the Sony’s were uncomfortable. The Bose are extremely comfortable and the total silence they provide is extremely impressive. I also think they nailed the tuning.
Will these hold on well for running? My airpod pros are temperamental with fit. Some days it fits perfectly and stays sealed some days it falls out after a minute of light jogging.
Yes. I jog with these for nearly 3 months now. It stays but might have to adjust it each km or so to keep ANC happy. Don’t jog with it I’m Aware mode, wind noise is unbearable.
No issues with running. Have run up to 15kms without issue. Use size 1 rings and medium tips.
No issue up to 5 hours on the plane but hurt my ears after that. After 8 hours I couldn’t wear it and my ears hurt for the next two days.
I have these. Excellent. Better than my QC20's and wireless at that.
These are excellent. I upgraded to them on my last trip (after losing one earbud of my QC1s), and it is brilliant. Even better that the tips and wings are able to be changed independently, as i have a munted tragus on one ear from a piercing and so it can have a different size tip to the other ear and the wings can be a different size again.
Far better than the Airpod Pros for exercise too. A quick turn of the head would send those flying out of my ears.
I believe this is a historical low for these earbuds.
Outright price yup, but for Prime members this was a better deal assuming they were going to buy something else after that. $343.96 with $40 Amazon credit making it $303.96.
I used to fly with QC35 headphones, but the case was really bulky. I bought a pair of Sony WF1000XM4 earphones and brought them on a flight along with the QC35 to do an a/b comparison. The Sony earphones had better cancellation than the QC35 but after a few hours my ears got pretty sore.
I then bought the QC Earbuds II and did the same test. The Bose earbuds cancelled more than the Sony XM4 earphones (mainly in the mids) and were a lot more comfortable for me.
I was also using Comply foamies on the XM4 which takes more effort to put on (roll-and-squish, insert, wait for expansion) than the Bose silicone tips. The Sony silicone tips didn't feel secure with my ears.
The Sony's case has wireless charging though, and is a lot more compact. It actually fits in the little key pocket in my jeans.
No AptX or multipoint support until US spring, only AAC and SBC codecs supported currently.
Does this make a real world noticeable difference? I have an s21 ultra so don't think there is an issue here
But when it does, it will have aptx lossless
Best earbuds I've ever had, which includes some obscenely expensive Bang and Olaufsson ones, and galaxy buds pro. Amazing for bass and noise cancelling.
Thanks for the deal. Price matched with HN to use my $50 off $300 spend Amex deal. Live chat did need a bit of coercing with ACCC mentioned after giving me the "below market value" spiel.
Ended up at $287 and I'm excited to try these out having used mainly SoundPeats in the past.
Did you price match in store?
Online through live chat.
I just said I was aware of other customers who had price matched successfully. Their lack of fine print regarding "market value" in their price match policy. And having to get the ACCC involved if necessary. Please double check with your manager.
2 minutes later rep says they will be able to price match and gives me the link with the custom voucher code.
Their lack of fine print regarding "market value" in their price match policy.
I thought it was quite obvious in their fine print?
Thanks. Did it straight away without questioning.
Now i have to go and self flagellate for buying from Gerry. I have sinned
@Kanjus: Oh don't worry I plan to throw holy water on myself after I click and collect. I'm imagining it's going to sting a bit.
I got a set of these for Christmas after losing one of my QC buds 1.
I've found them less confident than the originals, but so far haven't tried anything but the default size. I find they just don't fit as well, fall out, etc.
Same for me - Great sound quality and cancellation but the fit (and weight balance) was really meh and I ended up returning it as a result. I'll probably end up getting an airbud pro 2 before my next O/S trip.
If anyone runs into this I finally got off my ass and switched the fit ring and it's already much better, way more snug.
Not sure how it'll go long term but it's a big improvement. Not sure why they made the default size smaller than the QC buds 1 but hopefully this sticks.
Amex deal: Tried price match in-store at Springvale, no luck.
Tried online twice with different agents, same spiel as above punters on below market value, didn't relent for the ACCC nudge… 😔 My bad luck I suppose
I just did it online with 'Warren'. No questions asked
Take 3, still nada, no Warren's though, will try one last time in 5 minutes and see…
The only explanation i can think of is different margins at different franchises across different states.
Maybe try a Sydney metro postcode?
Good luck
@Kanjus: Thanks mate, 4th time lucky, no death but deal… Dude gave a link no questions asked, pickup local store.
Not sure if Bose will price match amazon, if so could use the student bean $40
No luck, tried with online chat, they said: "JB hifi, Myer and Harvey Norman, those are the only retailers we price match
this or apple?
Depends on how many Apple devices you’ve got. If more than one, go Apple AirPods Pro 2. Because Bose doesn’t have multi-point.
I purchased a pair of these when they were $375 the other week at JB Hifi, i managed to get Bose to price match Jb Hifi and they let me choose the Eclipse Grey. These were my first buds and im thoroughly impressed with them, so was my wife. I had to purchase another pair for her and managed to get JB Hifi to price match over the phone and they let me choose the colour she wanted, she went with the Midnight Blue. So, if you are after the limited edition colours then it might be worth a phone call to JB, i did try online chat but they wouldn't allow a choice of colours.
I got these from Bose directly in Midnight Blue for $280(EPP pricing via employer) last week. Very good value for the quality, ANC and default tips also give very good fit. I already have the original QC35 so my comparison is to those. Enjoyed doing garden work while using them.
Never knew Bose had an epp!
I was really looking forward to these having thoroughly enjoyed using the QC 20 and QC35 for many years. Getting a new phone now without a headphone socket and not wanting to cart around the QC 35's i made the jump to the QC buds II….. am i the only one that is really underwhelmed??
To be brutally honest, i think the noise cancelling is better on my old QC 20s!! Probably due to what i consider a superior ear tip/mould design. Walking down the road with cars wizzing past i can still sort of hear them, machinary, lawn mowers etc most things i can still hear to some extent sure its less than otherwise but not great. On the bus i can hear all manner of noises from engine to rattles, and bumps cause a terrible splutter/crackle which never happened with QC20is. Everything noise cancelling wise just does not seem as good as the old QC20s. Changing tips seems to give a better fit but doesnt make much difference.
Anyone have a similar experience or can recommend alternative ear bud tips to use?
Getting a new phone now without a headphone socket and not wanting to cart around the QC 35's i made the jump to the QC buds II….. am i the only one that is really underwhelmed??
Probably not as everyone's ears are different, but I have the QC35 as well and the QC Buds 2 are definitely better at cancelling noise than the QC35.
I haven't tried the QC20 though, so can't comment on that.
On the bus i can hear all manner of noises from engine to rattles, and bumps cause a terrible splutter/crackle which never happened with QC20is.
That's strange, I wonder if yours have a fault of some kind. Noise cancelling is set to max?
Yes, set to max as per default for Quiet. On the bus its especially obvious if listening to a podcast rather than music. I have a feeling maybe they are more adaptive/intelligent in how they operate than the QC20s which are probably a bit more brute force… or maybe its just the difference in tips, because i find the QC20 style so much better for a snug fit.
I've got a set - exceptional noise cancelling ability and sound profile (I'm not an audiophile).
My one negative point to raise - when I'm listening to something and a loud, unexpected noise happens (while doing yard work, if I hit something metal with the whipper snipper line for example), the noise cancellation tries to over compensate(?) and it sounds like a super loud pop in your ears.