Design & Construction

The Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700 is the biggest overhaul to Bose's design of headphones in its many years of unchanged look and feel. On first impression, the design is pretty subjective. Some people like it, others hate it. It is definitely a new take on headphone design of the near future for Bose and its other competitors. The left earcup has the noise-cancelling button to cycle through the different noise-cancelling modes. Level 10 provides the full noise-cancelling function while Level 0 allows some ambient noise to pass through in case users may need it for awareness. Controlling the rest of the playback functions are on the right earcup itself. Swipe down for Vol-, swipe up for Vol+ swipe towards the front for next track, swipe backwards for previous track, double-tap to play/pause. At the back of the right earcup, there is the power/Bluetooth pairing button and the voice assistant button. A red LED will light up when it is left to charge. It takes about 2.5 hours to charge from a dead battery and the headphones boast quick charging times of 15 minutes for 3.5 hours. Pairing via Bluetooth is simple and quick. A voice will speak the battery life and tell you which device you are connected to. The button can also be switched to be used as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa via the Bose Music app. It allows users to quickly talk to their Assistant and have it answer to your requests. Both earcups bear the Bose logo. The headphones have very comfortable synthetic protein leather cushions which allow users to indulge in long listening session without physical pain. The headband is made of stainless steel and very light and will not cause discomfort to those who wear spectacles. It is also worth noting that the headband is covered with silicone. The exterior of the earcups has a polished finish and is made of plastic. The exterior also resist fingerprints smudges very well, The earcups pivot left, and right and folds flat for easy storage.

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Sound Quality

The 40mm headphone drivers give an extremely clear sound signature providing a very immersive experience. Based on user experience, the noise cancellation is great. I could not hear my surroundings at all when there was no music on. Highs are bright and forward. Mids are crisp and clean and lows are tight. Overall, the sound signature is balanced and clean. It is also worth to know that the call quality is the best amongst competitors of its price range, the caller could hear me clearly on the other end and didn't know I was using the headphone mic to communicate.

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Connectivity & Portability

The headphone operates both passively and wirelessly. The battery peaks at a low of 20 hours even though the average for headphones of this price point is about 30 hours. The headphones stow flat into a compact profile, it also comes with a USB Type-C cable for charging. The A hard carrying case is included together but Bose removed the airplane adaptor this time.

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PROS

• Durable Construction

• Strong Noise-Cancelling

• Clean, Refined Sound

• Light-weight & Comfortable

• USB Type-C Charging

• Easy to Use Controls 

• Superior Call Quality

• Hard Carry Case

• Noise-Cancellation Control

• Easy Access To Google Assistant

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CONS​​

• Sound Tuning Should Be Made Available

• 2.5mm to 3.5mm Audio Port and Cable

• No Airplane Adaptor

• Finicky App Connection

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The Bottom Line

The Bose Noise-cancelling headphones 700 is a well-built innovative headphone with comfortable ear cushions, customisable noise-cancelling, 40mm drivers, Google Assistant and easy to use controls. The headphones produce an enjoyable listening experience with just enough details in the low-end, mid-range and high-end of the audio spectrum. It is highly recommended for long-haul flights, long listening sessions and daily commutes.